AUCKLAND.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 5, Issue 266, 31 October 1861, Page 4

AUCKLAND.

The following items aro taken from tlxe Lyttelton Times:In the neighbourhood of the Malvern Hills, a bed of anthracitic coal of large extent has been discovered which, at a trial since made, has been-proved well fitted for steam and manufacturing purposes. The value of this discovery to the province cannot well be overestimated, as it is the first coal, really fitted for steam purposes hitherto discovered iu this part of the world. With a tramway to Christchurch andthe Heathcote river the coal field might be opened and a very considerable trade carried on at once, and when the tunnel is completed, should the subsequent workings of the coal field carry out the opinion 'formed of its value at the experimental trial recently made, a large foreign trade may be speedily expected. Even for purposes of fuel it would be well worth the cost to . construct a tramway to Christchurch. The present price of coal in that town is 6/ per ton, and firewood fetches an equivalent rate. Such a tax on one of the first necessaries of life is a very serious matter and well deserves the prompt attention of the legislature The price of stations and stock is steadily maintained. In tl\e matter a considerable speculative rise lias taken place, especially in sheep, partly in anticipation of the effects of the influx of population. At the present price, it will pay to import sheep from Australia, and it is probable that during the present _ we shall have a large quantity introduced into these colonies. The White Star is stated to have been chartered to convey some 50,000 sheep to New Zealand, and several other vessels are.likely to ba engaged in the.trade. The return of land sold, during the last quarter-shows a very marked increase on any former similar period. The. following are the totals of each month:— July, 2852; August, 3015; September, 4835, Total,. 10,702 acres. On the first board day of the present month, 4,730/ was taken by the sale of lan,d.-

The Provincial Council will be summoned for tlic dispatch of business, on the 22nd October. The General Gov'ern-mest with a view to secure for scientific purposes meteorological investigations, have forwarded a complete set of the recjuisite instruments for the establishment of a station in this province. Some of the specimens of marble from, the Malvern Hills have been polished, arid promise most favourably; they class under the head of white variegated marbles, and are beautifully veined with a tinge of grey or green. A NEW AND INTERESTING MACHINE—new to this colony at least —is now at work at the upper shaft of the tunnel at Lyttelton. The machine is a patent horse power, and is capable of turning any machinery which does not require a greater force to set it in motion tlian.is afford,ed by the strength of one or two horses. It consists of an endless platform set upon rollers, which traverse upon an elliptical rail; one end of the ellipse is larger.than the other, giving the upper surface of the platform a downward inclination. horse stands upon the platform; his own weight first sets it in motion, and as it passes from under him he is compelled; ta move his legs forward in order to preserve his balance. Once that he begins to walk in this way, he is obliged to cop* tinue, and as he walks, the platform goes, round turning the driving wheel, which, by means of the band turns whatever. . machinery is connected with it. The one. now employed at the tunnel is used to turn, jthe.fan- which drives air into the shaft but it can. be adapted to almost any purpose.. In the United States and Canada it is ..very extensively used for cutting wood for'steam engines, sawing and cutting up heavy logs, and pumping up.water into reservoirs. In Australia also a great member of them are used ; and wherever they a/re. used they give entire satisfaction.' AYe should think this country

would be quite as favorable for their opermtibh; considering the "expensiveness oV steam engines and the scarcity of manual labour. The machine was brought out direct from Boston, U. S. by Messrs. Taylor and Co., who knowing tlie great use that is made of it in their own country, thought that it would be well suited to a colony like this; and their judgment has proved correct. Tur. Standard informs its readers:That the Government are about to appoint Capt. Johnson of the Airedale, to be inspector of Mail Steamers ; a more judicious appointment could not have been made.