ELLIOT VALE COAL MINE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3863, 4 July 1874, Page 3

ELLIOT VALE COAL MINE.

A short time ago we noticed the receipt of some samples of coal from this mine, and stated that we should refer to the matter in a future ispue after receiving the District Engineer's opinion on the same. In conformity ■with our promise, we now publish his report, which iB as follows : — Messrs Finch and White, Gentlemen—The enclosed is the engine driver's Teport on the coal from your mine at Elliot "Vale. You will sco that it ia very favourable, There is no doubt this and coal of a similar land will be extensively used on the railways throughout the Province. The trials of the other coal referred to by Mr Amos having been loade with tho Fairiie engine, it is scarcely fair •fco compare them with this oue, as the locomoanotiye on the Clutha line was built specially for light coal. I trust to have an opportunity .soon trf thoroughly testinc; all the Provincial coal. . ' W. N. Blur, District Engineer. UEFORT ON TRIAD OF ELLIOT VALE COAL. I W. N. Blair, Esq., District Engineer. Slß—According to your instructions, I herewith forward you a report on the sample of (nine bags) Tokomairiro coal delivered to me for trial. 1 may state that 1 have not been able to test its qualifications to my own satisfaction, in consequence of the work we are at present engaged in being light. I have, since the commencement of railways in Otago, tested the different coals, knowing the importance attached "to the* consumption of fuel as a serious item in the working expenses of a railway ; and after trying; Kaitangata, Green Island, Shag Point, and Tokomairiro coal, I find tho latter » possessesthe greatest steaming qualities. On Thursday, the Bth, I commenced, after cleaning my fire and coal bunker, and ran the remainder of the ■day, using six hags, or barely half a ton, doing the usual amount of wjrk, namely, hauling (315 full, do empty, and. running 44 miles, for which •arerefquire other days 9 bags of gas coke, 22 to the ton, at a cost of £2 per ton. The clinker on thefnebars was little or nothing in comparison to Newcastle coal or gas coke; and, providing the firebars were about half the distance apart, reducing the draught oil cold air, I believe the result would be more favourable. The other three bags I'reserved for a trial with a heavy load {hauling flour from King's mill). I find, after ■ carefully watching tho fire, it will not stand the heavy heat and consequent draught caused by hauling heavy loads on inclines; but I believe all traffic could be worked with this coal on engines possessir.g the heating surface of the Clutha engine on local lines, or after leaving the Chain Hills on the southern portion of the grand •trunk. Providing it was used, the carrying capacity ot the engines would have to be greater than at present, or else the coaling stages frequent along the line, sheds would be required to protect it from the weather, and the coal delivered in lumps, as the small is of no use on an engine. I may state that the trials of Kaitangata, &c, were made on the Eairlie engine, the construction of the firebox being such that it was impossible to keep steam to work the traffic with the coal ; but the tubes on the Fairiie engine are, in my opinion, far too small to allow them to bum any Otago coal. UVusting to have an opportunity of thoroughly testing the different coals, with a view to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion.—l am, &c,. Geo. H. Amos, Engine-driver. T.S. —I have forwarded you a sample of coal> taken from the fire at a red heat and cooled down with water, to show the cooking qualities «fit. G. H. A.