RALPH'S TAUPIRI COAL MINES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue XIII, 24 September 1898, Page 304

RALPH'S TAUPIRI COAL MINES.

One of the most remarkable coal in the North Island is that to Im* f«*rnd at Tanpiri, on the property known as Ralph's. It appears the Ralph family were the first sett I *rs at II nntly. and the seam was discovered b\ the late Mr Anthony Ralph on a |M»rtion of his proprty. This was in th* year 1m«. Mr Rai ph was engaged making a drain at the head of the gully to the east of the mine when he disrov* r»*d the seam. The seam was sunk through and found to be Soft in thickness. Operations on a small scale were commenced, the coal lieing used by the s*ttlers and steam barges on the river. Sul»se«piently. the property was leased to the Tanpiri Extended Company. the royalty being’ 1 per ton. and this company, while working on the coal, paid dividends as high as 23 per cent, per annum, and created a reserve fund of £12.000. The Extended Company then purchased an adjoining property. Meanwhile Mr W. .1. R. Ralph, son of Mr A. Ralph, made arlangemvnts for the surrender of the balance of the lease of the origin. il property, which he proceeded to work with his broth *r. Mr R. R. Ralph, as Ralph. Bros.’ Tanpiri Coal Mint*. Further explorations by the Messrs Ralph proxetl the seam at deeper levels. E\ -ntually Mr W. J. Ralph entered into an arrangement with the present Tanpiri Extended Co. and the mine \\a> shut down. A jjayment of £862 jwr annum was made for live years. The Terms of the leas? expired in the beginning of May last, and th present Ralph Company then enierv 1 into possession. Th? present company only took it over in the first week in May and vigorous steps were at once taker to get the wat *r out of the workings. This water was an accumulation of some five years, during which |H riod the workings were shut down. Ei ergy and good management, hr w- ( \er had the desired result, ami in the m< nth of July the company were able t > s *nd to town an output of some •Joon tons. During the month of August 100 tons a day was being turned out of the mine, and with night shifts this can l>e increased. With the enormous quantity of coal in the mire the company can execute any sired order. A representative from this

paper recently visited the mine. I'he shaft is 173 ft down to th? interim Hate level. On this level are three bords. No. 1 showing a seam of Toft of solid coal. Men are engaged working in these bords. and each face contains great quantities of coal of beautiful quality. The main heading west is 3’ chains under the Waikato River, ami the men are there working on a big face of very fine coal. It is intended to continue the heading on under the west bank of the river, where the company possesses a mile frontage and B'M) acres of virgin ground. This ground over the river has been bored 45 feet in two different holes, and no bottom was found at that depth. The bores were in coal when the boring was discontinued. so there is every reason to think that the big seam on which the company are now working under the

river will continue in this new ground. Undei the river the coal "s • hickvnirg and deepening as progress is bring made, and this is a good sign. The seam is apparently dipping north ami wt The strata which overlays the coal seam is estimated in some parts to b? GO feet thick and in other parts 100 feet. This strata is composed of hard sandstone and layers of white fire clay rock. A great feature about the coal is the even quality in all of the faces. It is of the brown order, and solid and clean. The faces vary from Bft by 14ft to 14ft by 16ft and 18ft. and those faces are to be enlarged, for the coal stands well and makes splendid working pillars and roofs. The depth and width of the seam is said to be the largest this side of the line. An inspection of the coal after burning shows that it burns to a clean ash.

there being no ‘clinker' or conglomeration left in the grate. On the score of safety to the miners nothing has been left undone. The men are working under most favourable conditions, for there is plenty of room, and the mine is particularly well ventilated, and nice and open. There is no foul gas in the mine, and it is free from water. Some forty vigorous young men are employed in th? workings, all being on piece work, the hours of toil being from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m A few of the most expert men. it is stated, earn as much as £4 per week, and others £3. The haulage arrangements for getting the skips of coal from the workings to the bottom of the shaft are most complete. and everything in this connection works smoothly. Mr W. J. Ralph is general manager and Mr M. A. Philips secretary of the mine.