380 



the base of the formation, which rests on the top of a range of mountains from 

 two thousand to three thousand feet above the sea level. 



The only obstacle to the working of this coal is the expensive character of 

 the works required for conveying it to the shipping place ; but the Buller 

 river is so much superior as a port, to any other place on the 1ST. W. coast of 

 the Island, that with such coal seams in its neighbourhood, it is certain in 

 time to become one of the chief places from which coal will be exported. The 

 coal is the best in quality of any yet found in New Zealand, and judged of 

 both by chemical analysis and by practical test, compares favourably with the 

 best British Bituminous Coal. 



The two fields last mentioned have more a prospective than an immediate 

 value in the present state of the West Coast District ; but the development of 

 the Mount Davy coal field will have a practical influence on the resources of 

 the country at the present time. 



The area occupied by the coal formation in this instance is not so great 

 as that of either the Pakawau or Mount Rochfort fields ; but the value 

 and accessibility of the coal seam gives it a superior importance. The best 

 coal appears to be in one main seam, associated with micaceous sandstone and 

 grits containing plant impressions, and small carbonaceous layers, as seen at 

 the Brunner Mine, in which the coal has been followed on the level for 1100 

 feet, and likewise explored to the outcrop ; the total length of the galleries and 

 chambers being nearly 4000 feet. 



The thickness of the seam varies from fifteen to twenty-three feet, and is 

 contained between a roof and floor of solid grit, which enables it to be worked 

 with facility, timbers being required for the support of the roof only in a few 

 places where it had a tendency to flake. 



The coal formation rises, at an angle of 12°, in an easterly direction from 

 the water level to an altitude of at least 2000 feet in the Mount Davy 

 Mountains, and extends to the north for a distance of seven miles, intersecting 

 the coast about twelve miles north of the Grey river. (See Map and Section, 

 Plate 14.) Any coal within this area can, of course, be worked "level free," 

 as in the case of the present mine, which system involves the least possible 

 working expense, all excavations being in marketable coal, and no outlay being 

 required for hauling the coal or draining the mine. 



Westward from the mine the coal dips under 1500 feet of strata of sand- 

 stone and septaria clays, which are again overlaid by indurated chalk marls, 

 with fossils characteristic of the upper secondary period, principally Echino- 

 dermata (Sea-urchins), ten species of which have already been distinguished and 

 figured, and a large Inoceramus. Under a considerable portion of this area, 

 coal will hereafter be worked by shafts ; but the coal above the water level will 

 be the first to deserve attention. 



To the eastward, we find the coal formation cut off suddenly by a great 

 break or fault, as shown in the section. 



The facilities for working the coal on the south, or Canterbury side, are 

 not so great as those at the present mine, but the southern extension of the 

 field in that province is not yet ascertained, and it is probable that even a 

 larger area will prove available for working by shafts on the south than on the 

 north side of the river. 



The supply of the coal is not equal to the present demand at the port, 

 being controlled by the defective system of transport from the mine by barges. 

 In the ordinary state of the river, the barges can only take a very small 

 quantity of coal, rarely delivering more than forty or fifty tons a day, and 

 involving a very large expenditure of labour. A survey has been made for a 

 railway from the port to the mine, a distance of seven miles ; and, from the 

 favourable nature of the country, this line should not cost more than £20,000 



