WESTPORT HARBOUR BOARD INQUIRY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 19910, 8 October 1913, Page 8

WESTPORT HARBOUR BOARD INQUIRY.

WEST COAST'S COAL RESOURCES

WORK OUT IN 50 YEARS

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON Oct. 7

At the afternoon sitting of the Westpnrt Harbour Commission. Mr Percy Gates Morgan, director of Geological Survey, said in 1911 he estimated the quantity of bituminous coal in Buller at 231 million tons, and to this might be added nine millions of tons in the Westport-Stockton lease, and three million tons in Blackball, giving a total of 243 million tons. From this must be deducted 12 million tons already won. The life of the West Coast coal fields was about 50 years. Mr Ferguson: It behoves the peple investing to sco that they get their money returned within 50 years. Continuing, the witness said he estimated the known coal in New Zealand would last about 105 years. Mr Munro: What would it cost to make >a railway up the Ngakawau gorge ? Witness: It depends upon how it was made. If it were made by co-opera-tive labour it was cost £6O 2 000 a mile. (Laughter.) The cost would, he thought, be from £30,000 ±o £40,000 per mile. Frank Reed, consulting engineer to the State mines, considered that Blackburn should be prospected by more drilling before iany capital is spent in its exploitation. He would suggest that the Harbour Board should not be allowed to have any more attempts at drilling. Mr Ferguson: Then you would say that if public mo"\cy is to be expended, such ns the Harbour Board money, it should bo expended under Government supervision? Witness: Yes, tinder the supervision of the Mines Department. Mr Ferguson : From a common-sense point of view, is it not better for the Government to prove what a property is iiather than that it be left for private enterprise to muddle along - in the hope of making money from it, and lose? Witness: If the Government were 'o' do that influence might be brought to bear, to make them work it as .#i State mine. Mr McDonald: Would that be a catastrophe? Mr Ferguson: It is not fair to ask him that question? Geologically, witness endorsed all Mr. Morgan had said, although he did not agree with the geological estimate. The Commission adjourned until tomorrow.