COAL DISCOVERY

Southland Times, Issue 19771, 20 February 1923, Page 5

COAL DISCOVERY

TWO SEAMS AT BIRCHWOOD. IMPORTANT COMMERCIAL PROSPECTS The deep bore for coal being put down by Mr A. W. Rodger on his Birchwood property has proved the existence of a eeam 28 feet thick at a depth of 863 to 891 feet from the surface. In the same bore, as reported a few weeks ago, a seam 12 feet thick was proved at 783 to 795 feet. The quality of the coal in both seams is equal to, if not better than, the best in the Ohai district; the primitive, and so far the only, tests applied showing that the coal will coke well; that in the lower seam better than that in the higher. The results obtained from the above bore, having regard to its position in relation to mines already in operation, has proved the coal to exist under a much larger tract of country than has hitherto been thought likely, and leads to the conclusion that further boring will prove its existence over a still greater area. Immediate steps are being taken to obtain expert advice as to the best sites for further bores with a view to having them put down without delay. The existence of the coal as proved by the prospecting already done opens up most encouraging prospects in the Ohai district, and there can be no doubt that in the near future it will be one of, if not the busiest, industrial centres in Southland.