NEW COAL FIELD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 28, 10 March 1914, Page 8

NEW COAL FIELD.

SEAMS AT BROKEN RIVER.

SYIfDICATE AT WORK. Coal . seams are at present being opened up at Broken River, and -it seems probable that within twelve months the coal will be upon the local market. The field is two and. a half miles from Broken River railway station, and two miles from the station at Avoca. Mr W. J. Cloudesley, late of Springfield and now of Christchurch, held the area in anticipation of the completion of the 'railway; but the present development work, is being carried on on behalf of a London syndicate. Should the investigations now being made prove encouraging, resoinrces will be available to work the field to its full extent. The Broken River (New Zealand) Coal Mines, Ltd., its own boring plant, which has been' working during the past fortnight. The area held by the company is a large. One, and haS been visited and reported upon by geologists and mining engineers. Last year Mr C. D-. Wilkinson, an English engineer, visited and inspected the area on behalf of the London syndicate, and took llome with him several samples in addition to those taken Home by Mr W. J. Cloudesley. It is stated that there is in sight on the area at least one million tons of coal. , The coal is not a lignite, but a hard, black coal, similar in appearance to Westport coal. For steam-producing purposes, it is trusted it will prove equal to thebest Welsh coal. Professor E. M. Bowen, coal analyst for the Power mining properties, in Glamorganshire, a noted authority on the analysis of coal, analysed samples from Broken Eiver, with ; the following results: — Sample No. 1. No. 2. , Ash 6.36 8.80 Volatile matter .. 58.70- 53.33, Moisture .. .. 3.20 5.60 Sulphur 5.327 5.617 It will be seen from this that the coal should prove to be a good gas producer, and be suited for steam as well as household purposes. Seven seams have been denned, varying; in width from. ,2ft. to 12ft., and, should all go well, aerial tramways will bje run from the pit head to the railway. The most encouraging feature of it all for the local shareholders is that if all turn out as the syndicate hopes the coal will be on the Christchurch market at a cheaper price than any other.