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1899. NEW ZEALAND.

THE MOKIHINUI COAL-MINE (PAPERS RELATING TO).

Laid on the Table of the House by leave, and ordered to be printed.

Sik,— Seddonville, 2nd September, 1898. I have been directed by the committee of a public meeting, held in Seddonville on Saturday last, to bring under your notice the matter of opening-up the Mokihinui Coal-mine. The committee desire respectfully to direct your attention to the following facts: (1.) That the Mokihinui Coal-mine has been lying idle for a period of over twelve months, and that the plant and machinery attached thereto is necessarily deteriorating in value. (2.) That the State railway leading to the mine is at the present time useless, and is contributing nothing to the revenue. (3.) That the opening of this mine by the State would effect a great economy in the expenditure on coal for the State railways on the West Coast, besides providing a payable traffic for the line. (4.) In view of the employment which would be given to coal-miners and other workmen in this district, as well as the direct benefit which would accrue to the State, we venture to assert that any outlay of public money in the direction of opening and developing this mine would eventually prove to be highly reproductive. Trusting that this matter may receive a portion of your attention at an early date, and that you will take such steps in this behalf as the wisdom of your Government may direct, , We have, &c, Eight Hon. R. J. Seddon, Premier, Chaelbs Stewart, Secretary. Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington. T. Corby, Chairman.' Acknowledge. Eefer Hon. Ministers Mines and Lands.—E. J. S. 16/11/98.

The Under-Secretary for Lands. Will you please submit the letter of Messrs. Stewart and Corby to the Hon. Minister of Lands, in compliance with the reference of the Eight Hon. the Premier noted thereon. 10/12/98. H. J. H. Elliott.

Wednesday, 21st December, 1898, at 2.30 o'clock. — Unreserved Sale of the Mokihinui Coal-mine, situated at Mokihinui, near Westport, Nelson, New Zealand.—By order of the Liquidator of the Company. Maodonald, Wilson, and Co. have received instructions from Mr. Alexander Simpson, liquidator of the Mokihinui Coal Company (Limited), in liquidation, to sell at their rooms, No. 84, Lambton Quay, Wellington, New Zealand— Lotl. —Mine Division, consisting of the lease of Section 1, Block XVI., Mokihinui Survey District, containing 640 acres, and leased from the Crown for sixty-five years, from Ist July, 1888 ; present rental, £160 per annum. Also, lease of Section 7, Block XV., Mokihinui Survey District; and Section 7, Block 111. ; and Section 7, Block IV., Ngakawa Survey District, 957 acres, for sixty-six years, from Ist July, 1892; present rental, £239 10s. per annum. The leases are subject to a royalty of 6d. per ton. On these leases are the company's mines and all the plant necessary for the working of the mine, a full schedule of which can be seen at the office of the auctioneers, and office of the Westport Times, Westport. Lot 2 consists of the lease of Section No. 5, Block XV., Mokihinui Survey District, forty-three years, from Bth July, 1885. Eental, £40 per annum, with a royalty of 6d. per ton. Lot 3. —One ship's boiler, 8 ft. by 10 ft., f in. plate, three furnaces ; two pairs marine engines complete, eighty-eight nominal horse-power, high-pressure cylinder 17 in., low-pressure cylinder 32 in., stroke 24 in.; bed-plates, standards, and condenser; one funnel; two propeller-shafts, 5f in. diameter, 15 ft. long ; two propeller-boxes and sixteen loose blades; one friction-winch ; two drums, single cylinder, 8 in. diameter, 9 in. stroke ; two head-gear shaft revolvers, 5 cwt. heavy angle-iron, I—C. 8.