276 Proceedings. 



again about 20 feet further down the side of the hill. The situation of this 

 place is nearly opposite the village of Kupakupa, and is from a quarter to 

 half a mile from the edge of the river. The land belongs to the well-known 

 old chief Te Whero Whero, of the tribe Nga-ti Mahuta. 



The second place in which coal was discovered is on the south bank of the 

 Waikato, a little higher up the stream. It is called Papahorohoro, and 

 belongs to chiefs of the Ngati Mahuta tribe. The seam of coal was first 

 seen by some natives who were digging for Tiauri gum in a little gulley about 

 half-way up one of the hills that bound the narrow valley through which the 

 river flows. At the time of our first visit, a very small portion of the seam 

 liad been removed ; but sufficient was visible to lead us to think it worth a 

 careful examination. There was not a pickaxe to be obtained in the whole 

 district — we were, therefore, forced to content ourselves with a mortising axe, 

 some spades and lioes; armed vviUi these, we commenced our labours, and 

 before evening had the satisfaction of uncovering the seam to the extent of 

 about 15 feet in depth, without reaching its lower edge. We also uncovered 

 its upper surface for some distance, and separated about half a ton of coal. 

 1 have the pleasure of forwarding to you a specimen of the coal from this 

 place. It is of a compact kind, having a brilliant conchoidal fracture; and, 

 although burning with a brilliant flame, is very durable, A sufficient quantity 

 for trying its quality has been used to-day by Wr. AVatson, blacksmith, of 

 High-street, Auckland, and found to be too good for smitli's purposes ; that is, 

 having too much flame. For domestic purposes and as fuel for steam boilers, 

 it is said to be superior to New South Wales coal, being clean, and perfectly 

 free from sulphur. In appearance it closely resembles the cannel coal of 

 England, but differs from it in not being so easily lighted. 



The other place visited is a little higher still, on the same side of the river, 

 and, as far as 1 am aware, was only known to the native chief who was my 

 guide. It has, I believe, no distinguishing name. The seam was exposed by 

 a land-slip, and is very large ; but from the hastiness of our visit, it was 

 impossible to make more than a superficial examination. The portion 

 uncovered was probably about 25 feet in width, and from 18 to 20 feet in 

 depth ; but the middle of this is now covered by a new slip of earth, with 

 shrubs, tee-toe, &c. growing upon it. Sufficient, however, is visible to show 

 the great extent of the bed. 



Both of these mines might be worked with the greatest ease, and, for the 

 present at least, would require no machinery. 'I'hey are situated at a consi- 

 derable elevation above the river, tluis afFi)rding a facility for drainage without 

 the use of pumps. The distance from the river's side is only a few hundred 

 yards, with a gradual slope the whole way. 



There is water communication by the river Waikato and the little streamlet 

 of the Awaroa to within three miles of Waiuku, upon the Manukau harbour, 

 and then across the harbour to Onehunga. The portage from the Awaroa to 

 Waiuku is very good even in its present natural state, and with a very little 

 judiciously-employed labour miglit be made an excellent road. 



