Coalfield at Te Akatea.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 3799, 4 June 1908, Page 3

Coalfield at Te Akatea.

By Telegraph.—Special Reporter. Raglan, This Day. At the meeting of the Raglan County Council last night, the following letter was read:—"We propose constructing a light railway line from Ngaruawahia Railway Station to our coal mine at Te Akatea, and we would be pleased if your council will grant us the right to construct the railway line along the "surveyed road on the forest reserve side of Firewood Creek; also the right to construct a bridge over the Waipa River, as shown on the enclosed tracing. We would be pleased to have as long a term of lease as your council can grant, with the right for further renewal. We hope that the level crossings over the Waingaro road, which we applied for, will be granted.—T. Runciman, for the Co-operative Coal Company, Ltd." Mr Runciman, who was present, said it was intended to construct a line similar to those used by the Government, and the Government stock, with the exception of locomotives, would be used on the line. He stated that the sections fronting the forest reserve had been withdrawn from sale by the Government and thrown into the Forest Reserve. The road referred to is not the ordinary road, but the road not formed, situated on the opposite side of the creek. He pointed out that the Ngaruawahia town board had granted permission over the area under their jurisdiction, and the Railway Department had given the necessary permission for a siding at Ngaruawahia. A decision has not been arrived at so far but there is little doubt that the concessions asked for by the syndicate will be granted. Mr John Hayes, formerly Government Mining Inspector reports in connection with the Te Akatea coal mines that there isi every indication that on the properties acquired, there is sufficient; coal to keep a mine going in full swing for 100 years.