REPORT BY CAPTAIN F. W. HUTTON, OF THE DISCOVERY OF A COAL FIELD BETWEEN THE THAMES AND WAIKATO, PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1869 Session I, D-01

D.—No. 1.

REPORT BY CAPTAIN F. W. HUTTON, OF THE DISCOVERY OF A COAL FIELD BETWEEN THE THAMES AND WAIKATO, PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND OE HIS EXCELLENCY.

WELLINGTON. 1869.

D.—No. 1.

Copy of a Letter from Captain F. W. Htjtton to the Dieectoe, Geological Suevey. Sic, — Auckland, Bth June, 1869. I have the honor to report that I have just returned from visiting a new locality in which coal has been found, between the "Waikato and the Frith of the Thames. The position of the seam is between the Mara-ma-rua and Whangamarino Creeks (tributaries of the "Waikato), and is distant direct about six miles from the "Waikato, and ten miles from the Frith of the Thames. The coal was found on land belonging to Mr. Foote, but I have not the slightest doubt extends beyond it into land belonging to the Government. Tho seam is not yet sufficiently opened up to say much about it, but it appears to be at least ten feet thick, and nearly horizontal. The coal is a hydrous coal, with retinite, apparently just similar to that already mined at Kupakupa, on the Waikato. The Mara-ma-rua Creek is navigable for large boats or small steamers to within half-a-mile from the coal, and an almost straight road could be made with very little trouble, and only one small bridge, to the Frith of the Thames. This road would be almost level, only going over two rises, neither of them more than 200 feet above the sea. The height of the coal above sea level I estimate at 200 feet; no pumping would be required for working it. At a rough guess I should say that the coal might cover an area of 400 acres. A correct survey of the block would take about three weeks or a month, as the country is very broken, and this survey it would be better to defer until the seam has been opened up, and its thickness and dip can be correctly ascertained. As Mr. Foote has put up a flax mill and proposes to work the coal for the mill, a few months will probably see the seam well opened. Immediately on my return I reported the circumstance to the Agent for tho General Government, and pointed out the position of the coal to him ; and the land has been withdrawn from sale. I have, &c, The Director of Geological Survey of N.Z., F. W. Huttok, Wellington. Assistant Geological Surveyor.

REPORT BY CAPTAIN F. W. HUTTON RELATIVE TO THE DISCOVERY OF COAL FIELDS.