RAGLAN COAL.

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 151, 26 April 1873, Page 2

RAGLAN COAL.

To the Editor of the Waijlaio Times. ,Sib, — The Hcconcl report of Dr llector on tlio coal recently discovered at Raglan, rcpublished in. the Wai bato Times of tho 12th April, though favourable, it not bo favourable as Dr Hector's first report. The explanation, is simple — the co.il discovered is in aland slip on the tide of a hill, in which it crops out in it number of detached mosses. The Maoris sent for some bags of coal for transmission to Wellington ; knowing nothing about coal, seloctcd and sunk upon what appears to be the vory worst of the coal, although there is abundance of fino coal upon tlio surface. This is not only my own opinion, but that of those whom I acccompanicd to view the coal. It is, I boliove, usual for coal of various qualities to be found in the same mine. When a geologtc.il survey is mado and the coal is found in its original position wo shall know whether or not the soam i» of sufficient thickness to bo profitably worked ; of its high qimlity thero can be no question. It now fourteen years since Dr Hochstetter predicted the discovery of coal in this district, and singulnrly enough I published his report on tfie subject in the Auckland Herald lint December, about a fortnight beforo tho discovery of coal. Had this discovery been made in the neighbourhood of a port in tho other island, where ironstone and limestone were known to abound in practically unlimited quantities, wo may conceive the interest that would hare been felt, and tho steps that would have been taken, from the ■accompanying extract from a Southern paper, which I tale from tho Auckland Weekly Herald of AprH 12 :—": — " Dr llector has gone to tho West Const in order to push on the gcologienl survey of the Ngakuwmii coa'fiold. It will bo remembered that the recent large coal discoveries thero were mado by Dr Hector's assistants. A geological examination of the country is being made preparatory to an engineering »urvc\ of the best route for a railway to connect the coalfield with Wcstport." When Parliament shortly assembles it is to bo hoped that thfl member for Winkftto %ill exort his influence with the gentlemen manipulating the administrative apparatus of the eolom to inlluencc them to hare a geological survey of this district, und, if possible, to connect WaiLato with its natural port of X iglau. It U well known that a short, level lino of road can be taken from Rnglan to WhaU Whaat but it is tapued by his Maori Majestj King Tawhiao, tlio firiieiom (ni.timtki). Tlio Government newspapers predict great results from the opportune galo of wind that forced the Lutm to take shelter in Kuwhi.i, and thereby earned the legs of the heir apparent ami of the lion Sfr McLean to meet under the hospitable cuddy table of Captain Fairehild. Perhnps the heir ivppuretit may ii a e his influence and obtain for us the Rmal sanction for making a road through our own territory. In the meantime 1 see in the Waikvto TIMM of April 12 that the old circuitous road is to be repaired- -the first I have heard about it, the contract hating been given to Mos«rs 1 infant and Shepherd. This rein imhi mo of a proverb of my dear nali\e land " Keep jour am fish-guts for jour am sea maws." — I am, Lc. J. C. J, To Haroto, Krtglan, April 28, 1K7*

A young couple )>!.uinc«l an elopement, the girl descending fii'in her mom upon the traditional hiddcr, l)ui at the gate they were met by the father of the girl and the niinintci, l»y whom the young couple v-tre oseoitcd to the parlotii, wheie to their surpiiie, they found all their relatives collected for the maniage ceremonies, which took place at once. Ft was a neat paternal ficak. hot near as nc.vt as th.it of a fond parent we know of. Ho he.iid hia daughter and Jovor plan an elopement. The next day the old man waited upon tho young one and addressed him thus- -" You .ire a tine br.i\e fellow, and I don't object to you for a son-in-law, lleie's a hundred to aid in the olojicuteiit. iM.iy jnu live happily in the «amc liouhu, and may no accidents omit to tluow the least shade on the sunshine of your life. All I request is, that you elope with my daughter -she in a nice grrl you know, but somehow her mother and 1 could never travel smoothly with her: Mo don't know her good points ; elope with her to such a distance that bhe wont return to her lovmj father and mother any moio. <iood-bye, sonny, and nmy you be happy." There was an elopement that evening of one. The young man went unaccompanied. He thought e\ cry thing couldn't be entirely ught when the father was so nnxiona to got rid of the gul. The father looks upon this act as a very neat bit of strategy. An exclniiige grcMeh a^l^^ l " Wji> KudctuL Dint him thing ike a Scotch lniot ?''