HALIBUE.TOX OX EXPLORATIONS IN PICTOU COAL FIELD. 97 



surface, that we purchased the bed of the river and the property 

 to the westward, aud commenced explorations on the supposed 

 line of crop. The first trial pit on the edge of the river was 

 successful, as it struck the crop of the main seam, which was 

 found lying at a heavy angle. Following the course indicated 

 by the plan, we sunk a trial pit nearly half a mile to the south- 

 westward, where we again struck the same outcrop. A working 

 shaft was then sunk, and the results are thus described in the 

 official report of the government Inspector of Mines : — 



' ' A company has been formed with the title of the Montreal 

 and Pictou Company, to work the seam which has recently been 

 opened by E. G. Haliburtou, Esq., on the west side of East 

 river, and adjoining the Albion mines on the north. A shaft 

 has been sunk through several beds of coal, varying in thick- 

 ness from 2'. 6" to 15'. 6", and separated by beds of fire clay from 

 7 to 10 feet thick. They dip to the south-east at an angle 65". 

 Although these beds are so far apart as to be practically distinct 

 seams, there are points of resemblance and other circumstances, 

 Avhich lead to the belief that they represent the main seam of 

 the Albion mines, and that this colliery is on the northern crop 

 of that seam. The shaft has been sunk 180 feet, and drifting 

 commenced at a depth of 165 feet.* 



" The discovery of coal on this area has added to the impor- 

 tance of the Pictou coal field in a remarkable degree. It has 

 given to it a conformation which appears to have been entirely 

 unsuspected, and by which a large quantity of coal is placed 

 within easy reach. The same seam has been discovered by IMi*. 

 Kirby on the east side of East river, and to the north-east of 

 New Glasgow. This extension of the knowledge of this portion 

 of the coal field will doubtless lead to further explorations, the 

 progress of which will be watched with interest." 



CuLTON Area. — Explorations were commenced on this pro- 

 perty in 1865, with a view to discovering the Campbell seam, 

 which had beem identified by Mr. Poole with the Culton seam 

 found on this property, and worked by Mr. Culton. The adit 

 driven by him is situated on Bear brook, about a mile and a 

 quarter from the Provincial railwa3^ Explorations were com- 



*Since the publication of this report a level has been driven 100 yards to the west- 

 ward on the upper bench, which has increased to 25 ft. from roof to floor. The partings 

 have apparently been only local, and caused by a bend in the strata, and have given out, 

 leaving the seam without any partings. On the northern side of the basin therefore, 

 the main seam more nearly resembles the same seam at Middle river, than at the Albion 

 Mines. The coal was found to improve rapidly in quality to the west, and the meastire* 

 10 be undisturbed in our west level, 



13 



