Notes from Westport.

Otago Witness, Issue 1892, 15 May 1890, Page 15

Notes from Westport.

(Fkom Oub Own Cobkkspondknt.)

Westport, May 10. The Ngakawau Coal Company, lately floated in London, are busy prospecting their ground. Their manager (Mr John Marshall) was lately summoned to Sydney to confer with the company's engineer there. The result is that he returned here with boring apparatus for prospecting. The coal at present being worked by this company is on the upheaval and consists entirely of crushed coal, suitable only for making coke. About one mile and a-half further back, and at a level of 600ffc above the present workings, excellent coal exists in solid country. To get at this an expenditure of £20,000 will be necessary ; but when once opened out it will prove a very permanent field. The boring operations now being carried on are immediately above the present workings, and are being conducted with a view of striking thn seam at a point nearer than the coal is known to exist in the buck field. At present their shipments, which are but airmll, are confined to the Port Pirie trade. It willbe many months before this company can turn out an all-round marketable coal.

The few men engaged by tho Wareatea Company constructing a raca have iiow finished. Other works being in hand, the whole concern is practically at a standstill, 1 understand Tlie water supply of the corapnny is really splendid— probably the best in this district,— and it is to bo hoped that it will boou be put to norno profitable account. Gothiirt and party's claim, near the Wareatea claim, is turning out remarkably well, and promises to be a second Mount d'Or.

Referring to tho White. Cliffs Dredging Company, an error appear* in my last report. The number of shares from here should have read 3000, not 300 aB printed.