AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 402, 13 August 1859, Page 6

AUCKLAND.

The following extract from Dr. Hochstetter'a recent lectures supplies us with some information: about Auckland coal : —

I' I embrace here the opportunity of saying n few words on the commercial value and applicability of the New Zealand Brown Coal. Although of entirely different character, and, generally speaking, of inferior value, to the older coals of the Primary formations, I cannot see any reason why this kind of coal should not be used in New Zealand for the same purpose as a similar brown coal is extensively applied to in various parts of Europe, and particularly in Germany, where it supplies the fuel for manufactures of all kinds, for locomotives and steamers, and for domestic purposes. lam perfectly familiar with this kind of coal, and can assure the people of Auckland, that the Brown Coal of this country is quite as good as that which is used in Germany for the purposes I have just mentioned. I would strongly recommend that any Company which may he formed for the purpose of working the coal should also at the same time establish "Potteries" for the manufacture of earthenware. Remarkably suitable "Clays" of every necessary variety have been shown to exist in the immediate neighbourhood of the coal-fields, by the borings which have been made by the Provincial Government at my request. (But, on the other band, its qualities as a gas producing coal, as the above analysis show, will render it valuable as an article of export). By the establishment of such works, the value of the coal would be made apparent to everybody, and the manufacture itself, if properly conducted, cannot fail to be remunerative. It may be interesting to you to know that the far famed "Bohemian Porcelain" is burnt by means of brown coal, from a seam in some places of 90 feet thickness. While stating the uses to which brown coal may be applied, I must warn you against thinking that it is suitable for steamers having to make long sea voyages. The bulky nature of the "brown coal" will always prevent such steamers taking it on board when they can procure " black coal."