NEW COAL SEAMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1970, 22 August 1889, Page 3

NEW COAL SEAMS.

Mr A. MMntosri. the manager of tbe Allandale Coal Mine, Shag Point, has (writes our Palmerston correspondent) been actively engaged for some time pa<t in boring operations on the north or coast tide of the range from the present workings . He has met with several small seams of coal, but the last borings have disclosed the fact that a large and valuable bed of coal extendß throughout the whole ot the* ground b'eloDging to the company. The result of the last boringß, at a depth of 192 ft, showed a seam of splendid coal 3*f b wide, after which came sft of fire clay, and then 7|ft of fine brown coal, and which proved to be the same seams of coal that were bored tlirougbon the Pufieviti (or present workings) side at a depth of 72ft from the surface. The management are so satisfied with the result of their operations that it is contemplated to try and make arrangements with the Shag Point Company for the right of haulage Over their railway, when the Allan<idlo Company -will at once put down a shaft to work the seams. Altogether the prospects of thecompany point to a satisfactory future ; and It is to be hoped t hat the negotiations now pending between the two companies regarding the railway may prove snece?* iul. as it must ultimately prove advantageous to tho companies concerned, the Government, and the public especially. Referring to the Shag Point mine the Palmerston Times says :— " Mr Williams, the manager, has long heen of opinion that a seam of coal existed under the present one, and he was in the act of putting down a bore at the time the Inspeotor of Mines, Mr Binns, took proceedings against him, and insisted on that part of tbe mine being closed. Up to the time the mine chaugad ownership no effort* were made to contiuue boring operations. Since, bowever, Messrs Ros« and Qlendinlng became the proprietors It was decided, on the recommendation of Mr Williams, to continue the bore, which when oprrations were discontinued was down 80ft fcolow i he main workings, and a further depth of 70ft has proved the correctness of the opinion entertained by Mr Williams that coal existed at a lower level than where the workings have been confined. The new seam ia 10ft thick, and the coal is deaoribad as of excellent quality. The depth from the present workings is 150 ft, or 372 ft from the surface, and is what i» known as virgin ground. The value and Importance of this discovery It Is impossible to estimate, as the area which the mine embraces is 1400