GENERAL FEATURES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2649, 21 December 1904, Page 66

GENERAL FEATURES.

"Of the coal deposits it may be briefly stated that the property contains approximately a,, total of 63,000,000 tons of good anthracitous and highest grade semi-bitu- ! xninous and bituminous coals, of such carbon ] percentage and high evaporative power j that on merit they must command a very j large market, at higher prices than those_i ruling for the products of any other Aus- < tralian or New" Zealand colliery. The general mining conditions of the property are--of ~,most. =fayourable nature. - From "south-east' 1 to north-we.st, along the- line of , strike of the, coal deposits,- the country rises regularly- at 'an' 'approximate grade of 1 in 13. The true angle of dip of - the coal measures to the south- w«st is not yet accurately determined, but it will probably be found -to be lin 7. Timber .is plentiful on ..the property and the immediately adjacent country. Water is plentiful for all purposes. Th© disturbed surface affecting some 20 acres of the lease at the extreme northern portion of^.the lease, and noted by Mr Cutten, iS[ of superficial character only, • j and in no way affects the coal- deposits, which are seen immediately beneath in situ andNxue to their iplanee of bedding. My attention was. specially directed, to this occurrence.- which ie plainly a throw over ; from a. fold" in the slate of higher level. The main ridge containing the .measures on which the detritus rests is solid, and undis- ; turbed. The Grey coalfield is noted for ! its faults, and their direction and throws j are for the most part well proved. I was I prepared for, and expected to meet, fault ! lines on- the lease, but was agreeably surprised at their absence, and the uniformity and conformity of the coal and measures to their bedding planes. On this account the coal is singularly clean. Of the 80 faces I examined by me, there is not a. trace of stone or foreign matter of any description. The main fault line to the south, and the main fault line to the west, of the lease in no way affect the coal deposits or measures of the property. As originally applied for and granted, the lease wae marked out with great skill and judgment. My examination was greatly facilitated by the thorough knowledge of the locality possessed by your manager (Mr H- lifeilsen), and by the ably directed and exhaustive prospecting scheme carried out by your company to successful conclusion. I am also indebted in a special degree !Ui the. very complete and accurate plan and report of Mr Fred A. Cutten, which contain flic results of his five months' mining' survey and close observation of the -property. The information they contain is of highest professional value, and will stand good for the mining life of the property. " PROPOSED METHODS OF WORKING"No great engineering difficulty is presented in the opening out and working> of the mine. The Government branch of railway connecting the town of Blackball with the railway joining Ngahere with the port of Greymouth is under construction, the distance between Greymouth and Blackball being 18 miles. The problem requiring solution is to decide on the best method of conveying coal from the mine mouth to the Blackball Station, a distance of two miles and a-half, the difference in elevation being anything from 1200 ft to 1700 ft, according to the level adopted for the proposed mam drive. In Mr Cutten's report an effectiveecheme is fully and ably outlined. Another proposal iB to open the mine by main adit, cutting all seams SOOft or 400 ft below Mr Cutten's proposed level, and connect the mouth with bins at Blackball Station by an inclined rope-driven tramway having an average grade of 1 in 10. A rough estimate of the total cost of opening out and equipping the mine* under this scheme ia £54,500. Lines are now being cut in con^ nection with the scheme, and when finished requisite data for closer estimate will be forthcoming. In many ways I consider this the preferable method, and the one most . conducive to economical and satisfactory ( working. A third proposal is to open the mine by adit in Soldier's Creek, at a level 463 ft below Mr Cutten's suggested site, and connect by framway as in case of No. 2. This would allow a larger field of coal being worked to the rice, but woiild mean an additional 50 or 60 chains of tramway over rugged country. Another method of conveying tho coal to the bins would be by ■ an aerial tramway carrying the mine tubs. I am aware that this suggestion will not at first mention find favour with many engineers, but would point out that of late ' years more experience of this method of oanvevanee has been acquired and existing '

conditions are admirably adapted for its s-uccessful working. In adopting a scheme provision must be made for a laige output of coal — at least 10,000 tons per week. Within limits the first cost should not be the chief consideration. If but a shilling a ton be saved on this output a gross saving of £25,000 a year on working cost is made. Before deciding on a particular scheme careful consideration should be given to all likely methods.

"In conclusion, I sincerely congratulate yovir shareholders on the possession of a magnificent estate."