TARANAKI COALFIELD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17028, 13 August 1929, Page 8

TARANAKI COALFIELD

BUILDING OF TRAMLINE GOOD PROGRESS MADE An important work i■- proceeding at Tangarakaii in the construction of a traniwav to connect the main line at Ihe Flat with the Egmont Collieries' mine in the Tangarakaii Gorgv, reports t ic Taranaki News. The mute follows the valley of the Tangarakaii River, and provides an ideal gradient, the rise to the mine being 60ft over a distance of 3;] miles, this enabling laden trucks to be sent down to the railhead under tineasiest and most economical conditions, ami an dually easy run for the _ locomotive, and empty trucks on their re turn. The department is making good pro gross with tbe'permanent way from the Flat, to Tahora. For some years tho line used has been but a temporary one. The tunnels are through and workmen are now concreting them. It is expected the permanent way will bo completed in Iwo or three months. Egmont Collieries. Ltd.. have now ail their plant equipment arid material on hand, or about on hand, and as soon as tlie big bridge is completed the plant and equipment will be installed at the mine, which will then be ready for business. The mine-itself has been opened up as the result of the previous two years' work, and now it is only a question of extending and increasing tho drives. Boring and outcrops have proved that the seams of coal extend over practically the whole of the area; indeed, the coal seems to persist throughout the country to a point near Raiiriniu. 50 miles awav. and vigorous devclopeincnf of the held will follow the completion of the tramline.. Already the output of the mine for several years has been sold to Messrs. 0. F. Mill ward and Co., of Wanganui, who will distribute it to Taraua-ki, Manavvatu, llawke's Ray and Wairarapa. and there is every reason to believe that the demand will lie such as to lead to considerable development of the coal measures.