E.—lo.

18

AYe, the original projectors, and now the lessees of the Ngakawau Mine, do not wish you to infer from the foregoing that the entrance to the Ngakawau River is excellent, but it has sometimes 10 feet and over at high water (spring tides) and perfectly straight also, particularly after floods ; and it is the opinion of the Provincial Engineer, and of Dr. Hector, as well as several other persons, that, with a comparatively small expenditure, the Ngakawau River could be made safe for vessels to enter or leave at high water drawing 10 to 11 feet water. There is but little doubt that an extensive coal field exists in this district; the seams already known number twenty-two, from sto 24 feet in thickness,.and of tho finest quality. No doubt the Government may find it necessary to make the railway to AVestport, as well as tho harbour at Ngakawau for a smaller class of vessels. Before closing, we may state that our only reason for troubling you is, that we have at a great expense opened up and proved this mine and district (as yet without any pecuniary assistance), and to correct statements made at random by individuals who have never seeu or have the remotest idea of the neighbourhood in question, or of the difficulties connected with an undertaking of this nature, but who aro always ready to seize anything good, always provided it cost them nothing. We hope the Government will soon send the Engineer-in-Chief, or other competent person, to inspect the harbour. Apologizing for troubling you with this lengthy epistle, AYe have, &c, Thomas Field, (for the Lessees of the Ngakawau Coal Mine). Tho Hon. the Minister for Public AVorks, Wellington. Tho Hon. G. M. Waterhouse to Dr. Hector. Forwarded to Dr. Hector, wdio is requested to report the steps, in his opinion, best to be taken with a view to the development of the coal fields; and also whether he deems it desirable that the Government should proceed with the survey of the line of railway to AVestport, as suggested by the petitioners. 10th February, 1873. G. M. Waterhouse. Tho Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Superintendent of Nelson. Sir,— Colonial Secretary's Office, AVellington, 20th February, 1873. Herewith I do myself the honour of forwarding to your Honor the copy of a report I have received from Dr. Hector on the subject of memorials which have been sent in to the Government with a view to promoting the development of the AVestport Coal Fields. Before taking any further action, or incurring the expenditure recommended by Dr. Hector, the Government is desirous of ascertaining what is the true position of these coal reserves—how far they have passed from the charge of the Provincial Government; and what steps the Provincial Government of Nelson purpose taking to facilitate their working. Any information on these or other points connected therewith, calculated to guide this Government to a correct decision, that your Honor can give, will be highly appreciated. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Nelson. G. M. Waterhouse. Memorandum for the Colonial Secretary. There is no longer any doubt that the Ngakawau will be the outlet from the coal field on the Mount Rochfort plateau, and that coal exists in large quantities in positions only accessible from that quarter. I think it therefore very desirable that a railway line should be at once surveyed from Westport northwards to the Ngakawau, and that an estimate should at the same time be obtained of the cost of erecting and maintaining sufficient wharfage in the Buller River. An engineer should also report on the Ngakawau River, as perhaps a small expenditure would render it immediately available for shipping coal in small quantities during the long period that must elapse before the railway line can be finished. I have just received the enclosed letter from Mr. Dobson, who has at my request inspected tho recently discovered outcrops. He reports that though the plateau coal has not yet been traced lower than 749 feet above the sea level, there is .an area proved that he estimates will yield twenty millions of tons of good bright hard coal, by very easy mining. A large block of this coal from the mine now being worked at Ngakawau has just been received at the Museum, and shows that the coal has greatly improved in quality and firmness as it has been followed in from tho outcrop. The main drive is now in 220 feet, and the seam has thickened from 16 to 20 feet, and is also less steeply inclined. 19th February, 1873. James Hector. Mr. A. D. Dobson to Dr. Hector. Sir,— Westport, 13th February, 1873. Yesterday I went over the Ngakawau field, to look at the outcrops Rome found. These were much higher than by his description I had expected. The first two seams I went to were on Mine Creek, about IS- mile from the mine, 749 feet above sea level (the lowest), dipping to the north and west about 20°, about 4 feet of good coal. Tho higher of the two was 973 feet above sea level, dipping in the same way, about 3 feet 6 inches of good coal. As you remember when we came down together the day we went up Mine Creek, we crossed a swampy grass flat, just before we left the open