THE BRUCE COAL COMPANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2663, 29 March 1905, Page 13

THE BRUCE COAL COMPANY.

MR GLENDINING' S NEW INVEST-

MENT. (From Otjb Milton Cokbespondejstt.)

Ths coalfields which Milton has at its doors are every day becoming more valuable, and are continually being brought into the public view through the investments by business men in one or other of the many opportnnities presenting themselves. It is not many months since the Bruce Colliery flashed upon the public gaze by reports of the diecove-ry of good coal, easily worked, and with a railway only a few chains away. This is all correct; but the project was for a time blocked through the action of the Marine Department in asking that the bridge to be erected over the Tokomairiro River should be of such a nature that steamers (draught not stated) would not be prevented from passing up the river. Now this remarkable instance of red-tapeism has b&en overcome, and very soon the company may be expected to start work. It will be remembered that Mr Maoallisler conducted the boring operations for the Bruce Colliery with signal success, and the idea in his mind that other good seams were in the vicinity took definite shape in the opening out of a mine on what has been known as the " Real Maekay," and close to the old Bruce Coal Company's pit, lately leased to Mr Anthony Young. Negotiations for this property have now been completed by Messrs A. Carruthers and J. Wilson on be-balf of Mr Robert Glendining, and the name of the Bruce Coal Company will probably be revived under new management. A number of men are to be put on this week to open up the mine, and when a start is made on the closing down of the Lovell's Flat pit it is expected that 40 hands will be employed. Mr Carruth&r^ informs me that he has made a preliminary siirvey, and it 15 the intention to put down a line to connect with the Fortification railway, in regard to which a. very satisfactory arrangement has been made with Mr B»gg. This branch will be taken up Mackay's road, just past Mr M'Gilp's house, an,d the little locomotive now running on the Burnweil line will hn brought down to do the hauling. Mr M'Gilp's mine is being worked by tbp Glen Coal Company, in which I understand Mr R. Robertson and Mr J. Brown are interested. This i« at present the principal source from which tho district supply is bein^ drawn, and the coal is railed on the Fortification line.

From the foregoing it will be eeen that the coal industry is rapidly being developed down the river, and that there is a great future before the field at no very distant date cannot be disputed. This hive of industry seoading forth its honeycombed wealth cannot but improve the shining hour in Milton and must be of incalculable benefit to the district as a whole.