COAL MINE PROGRESS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10540, 17 March 1920, Page 5

COAL MINE PROGRESS

THE REEFTON COMPANY NEW RAILWAY OPENED: LARGE SUPPLIES AVAILABLE. The Reefton Coal Company, Ltd., last week officially opened it« new line connecting its mine with the Reefton railway station. The first train over tho line carried tho directors and officers of tlie company, visitors from Christchurch, Wellington, and Greymouth distriotis, together with some 350 Reefton residents. Short addresses were given by Mr C. W. Tringhain, chairman of directors, and Mr Ayson, tlie contractor. Mr J. K. Lowe (district engineer of railways) said it was a red letter day in the history of Reefton and marked a new era in coal production. Ho congratulated the petpie, the companv, and Mr Ayson, on the completion of the railway. Tho district traffic manager (Mr Cameron) also congratulated the company on the manner in which it had tackled and completed 'the work during war-time, when material and labour were so difficult io obtain. The red white and blue ribbon was then severed by Mrs C. W. Tringham amidst cheers, and the engine passed through. Refreshments were supplied and a most enjoyable afternoon was spent.

In the evening a large and representative gathering of gentlemen comprising; the commercial and mining interests of the. district were entertained nt a dinner. M*r Tringham occupied the_ chair. Mr T. R. Wa.tson, county chairman, proposed the toast of the Reefton Coal Company, and complimented it on the expeditious manner in which it had got to work. Mrs W. Leitch, who is manaßor for the Avoca Coal Mines, Ltd., said he had reported on the Reefton coal area, anrt that itihis railway would open up at least 2000 or 3000 acres of coal-boa ring country. There were four distinct Beams "of coal, and taking 2000 acres, it was safe to sav that from 40,000,000 to 50,000,000 tons of coal could be won..

The Reefton coal mine is situated about 2J miles from tho town of Reef-tort,-and it has been nutting ou'tl by small tramway about 180; tons of coal per week during the past two or threo vears. From now on the output will he increased to about 200 tons per day, and when Btoragn bins are complete, in three months' time- the output is expected to reach 2000 tons Per week. Reports by Messrs Sidney Fry. and Walter Loitch, both wellknown icoal (authorities, diesoribe tihe coal as "possibly the best household coal in 'the Dominion." Tho head office of Mie company is at, 27, Panama street, Wellington, and the shareholders are practically all in the Wellington district.