359 



It will be perceived that in the examination of the basins of the Manawatu, 

 the Rangitikei and the Whanganui, almost the whole of the country is covered 

 by tertiary rocks. This tertiary field appears also to extend over the greater 

 part of the adjoining Province of Taranaki, and passes below the sea level into 

 Cook's Straits. 



In the basin of the "Whanganui, at the base of these tertiaries, the coal series 

 crops out. I have mentioned three points at which this occurs, viz., — -at the 

 Tangarakau, at the Ohura junction, and above the junction of Ongarue. 



An inspection of the map will show that these three points lie in a straight 

 line, on a strike of about N.N.E. The dip, where observed, appeared to be to 

 the S.W. I consider that there is little doubt that this formation extends 

 throughout to the westward, to the coal seams of Mokau and the West Coast. 

 It may be faulted, and in places beyond reach, but the probabilities are of its 

 extension throughout this district. 



Does this coal field also extend to the eastward, and crossing the Whanganui 

 underlie the tertiary rocks of the Wangaehu, the Turakina, the Rangitikei, 

 and the Manawatu % This is a point of great interest and of great importance, 

 and one which may not be very easy to decide. 



The importance of the question will be admitted when it is perceived that 

 a proof in the affirmative woidd establish the district as the great coal field of 

 New Zealand. I do not speak of the quality of the coal, for that is a point 

 which must be decided after its discovery in different localities, but whether it 

 should prove a coal of very first quality or not, its presence throughout this 

 large area would be of enormous consequence, and would probably add to the 

 advantages of a fertile soil, already enjoyed by the West Coast, the certainty 

 of the future seat of manufactures. 



So far as my observations went, this coal question cannot be settled 

 without sinking. Nowhere to the eastward of the Whanganui valley did I 

 find the outcrop of the coal or coal shales ; but of course in other localities than 

 those passed, this outcrop may be found, and every exertion should be made 

 to find it. 



Is the line of outcrop from the Tangarakau to Ongarue the summit of an 

 anticlinal axis of the coal, or does it show a line of fault ? The latter is the 

 more probable supposition. But the main point to be decided is whether the 

 coal series is found at all to the eastward of the Whanganui valley. 



On the eastern side of the province I have found small coal seams at various 

 points, and indications of coal in others, and it is possible that woi-kable seams 

 may be found on that coast. 



With regard to the probability of gold being found, I have little to add 

 to, or to alter, in the paragraph on that subject in my Essay published in the 

 "Transactions and Proceedings" of last year, and written in January, 1865, 

 except that at Terawiti a small quantity of gold continues to be found, 

 and that a pyritous specimen from the Wai nui o mata has proved slightly 

 auriferous. 



ROAD FROM THE WEST COAST TO THE INTERIOR. 



I will briefly summarize my reports on this subject by the following 

 observations. 



The open country on the West Coast of the Province of Wellington is 

 separated from the open country of the interior by a broad belt of bush. This 

 belt has proved an obstacle of no slight magnitude, both to the settlement of 

 the inland country, and to the rapid concentration of military forces in the 

 neighbourhood of Taupo. A road once opened through this tract would tend 

 very much to the breaking down of the lines of demarcation between the provinces 

 of the North Island, to the mutual advantage of each, politically and com- 



