THE MOKIHINUI COALFIELD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4201, 7 September 1874, Page 3

THE MOKIHINUI COALFIELD.

(From the Westport Times.) Operations in coal-raining have been pushed ahead energetically for the last two months. A tramway some two dnd a-half chains in length has been constructed from the paddock to the coal seam, and the paddock is capable of containing about fifty tons of coal. It is constructed on the bank of Page Creek, in a position to ' admit of the coal being filled by means of a shoot into boats which will convey the coal down the river to the new wharf constructed on the north bank of the Mokihinui river, about half a milp above the township. The wharf is a substantial structure, and it is intended to extend it back some distance, so that 500 tons of coal can be kept in readiness for cargoes. The river from the bar up to the wharf is deep, and on the bar itself there is never less than 12ft.' to 15ft. at high tide, thus permitting entrance of the largest vessels trading on the Coast. The bar itself is safe, and the channel has never been known to shift. Two long flat-bottomed boats have been procured, capable of carrying eight and ten tons of coal. These will: H?'used to bring down coal to the wharf until the new tramway is laid down to the mine. Tho boats will he towed by horse-power np tho river, and will come down by the current,.the .horses being entitled to a free passage-on board for the return trip. A towing-traok has been cut up the south bank of the river. The coal' seam which is cropping out of the face of a rocky preoipice, has been opened up and a drive started and put in a distance of 6ft. to Oft. The drive, was first meant to ho 10ft. in width, but the nature of the ground would not admit of this without danger to the workmen, and tho idea has been abandoned. 1 Mr. E. S. 'Fletcher is now appointed to the temporary management of the work until tho shareholders hold a meeting and make the appointment permanent.- Since, he has been in charge the work has been going on satisfactorily, and

the mine is being got into safe working order. The coal seam is to all appearance perfectly horizontal, and shows a splendid face 6 Jft. in thickness. The coal is jet black, very hard, solid and compact, and bearing a striking resemblance to a mass of congealed pitch. It is the best as yet found in New Zealand either for gas, steam or domestic purposes. It comes out of the seam in large blocks, and when put on a common hearth fii'e burns like rosin, and evolves a very great heat.