The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1875.

Southland Times, Issue 2143, 30 June 1875, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1875.

Although the Government geologists who, one after the other, paid flying , visits to the Southland district, did not give much encouragement to those who desired a systematic search for coal to be made by boring iu the Southland basin ; and although one of them, at least, gave it as his opinion that true coal would not be found in paying quantity iu the Southland plains, we are encouraged, after perusing; the journal of the first bore at Seaward Downs, to hope that a considerable portion of those plains will, notwithstanding, prove to be a rich coalfield. A comparison of the results of this bore with those of the sinkings at two of the best paying Newcastle mines in England, shows that the formations passed through are the same in all, viz., sandstone rocks, coal, and shales ; that coal was found at Seaward Downa at a lesa depth than in either of the English mines ; and that in all these cases we have the seams of coal with intermediate Bandstone rocks and shales. We frill give the results it) each of these cases: — In one English mine the first coal seam — one of 6 inches thick — was found at a depth of 72 feet from the surface. It was necessary to sink 402 feet before finding a paying seam, which was 6 feet thick, "in sinking this distance the borers passed through only eight seams of coal, varying in thickness from G inches to 1 foot, and the rest of the formation consisted of sandstone rocks and shales. In the other English mine, tho first coal seam was 8 inches thick, and was found at a depth of 144 feet 6 inches from the surface. Here they had to sink 418 feet 2 inches before they found their first paying seam, which was G feet 8 inches thick, and in sinking this distance they passed through eight seams of coal, varying in thickness from 5 inches to 18 "inches. The rest of the formation was sandstone rocks and shales. In the Seaward Downs bore the first coal seam was found at a depth of 54 feet from the surface, and was nearly 1 foot thick. In sinking the 117 feet 8 inches, four seams of coal were found, though varying iu thickness : from 5 inches to 18 inches, and the rest of the formation was the usual sandstone rocks and shales. The comparison is favorable to Southland, and the results far from discouraging. ! Granting that the numerous thick seams of brown coal at the .Nightcaps are by no means to be despised, aud that when tapped by a railway they will prove of value, is it not certain that it would make Southland one ot the wealthiest districts in New Zealand if true coal, suitable for all purposes and for export, were fouud to exist in paying quantity in its basin ? Can nothing 6e done to have this matter properly tested ? It is of no use looking to auv of the Governments to take it iu hand. We are too far outlying for this hope to be iudulged, and small grants will not suffice for a thorough trial. We must act independently. The entire community will reap the benefit if the results are favorable, and there is ample encouragement for all to unite in such a venture. A trifling contribution from each of those interested would produce a sum which would {

determine liow we really stand. A jood committee could be selected by the subscribers, and the services of a first- class coal borer can be got in the district. ' We havo referred to the subject in the strong liopo that some speedy and united action may bo taken, and that, wo may show tha" we are alive f o our best: interests. \