April — sept. 1859.] the Province of Auckland. 129 



qualities, as the most simple experiments in their ignition will 

 show. 



The thickness of the forest and the inaccessibility of the coun- 

 try prevent our now ascertaining, in an exact manner, the extent 

 of the Drury coal-field. Still the existing openings show an ex- 

 tent of the coal-field quite large enough to encourage any Com- 

 pany to work the coal in an extensive manner. 



I am glad to hear that a Company, under the name of " The 

 Waihoihoi Mining and Coal Company" is formed, to begin the 

 working of this coal.*) 



The same kind of coal I saw again on the northern slope of 

 Taupiri and Ilakarimata range. At Kupakupa, on the left bank 

 of the Waikato, I examined a beautiful seam about 150 feet above 

 the level of the river. The thickness of the seam then exposed 

 was about 15 feet; how much greater the thickness may be it is 

 impossible to say, as the floor has never been uncovered. 



This is the seam to which the attention of the inhabitants of 

 Auckland was directed several years ago by my friend the Rev. 

 A. G. Purchas. I believe several tons were at that time brought 

 to Auckland ; but, owing to various circumstances — the chief of 

 which was the Native ownership, — the hope of obtaining a supply 

 from thence for Auckland was abandoned. No better position 

 could, however, be found for mining purposes ; and the day can- 

 not be far distant when it will be worked to supply fuel for the 

 steam navigation of the Waikato — the main artery of the Province 

 of Auckland. 



I have reason to believe that a Coal Field of considerable ex- 

 tent exists on the borders of the wide plains on both sides of the 

 Waikato, between Taupiri and Mangatawhiri — for which district, 

 shut in on all sides by ranges, I propose the general geographical 

 name, of " The Lower Waikato Basin" 



A third coal-field exists on the Western and Southern bounda- 

 ries of the very fertile alluvial plains above the junction of the 

 Waipa and Waikato, which may be distinguished as " The Middle 



Waikato Basin" — the future granary of the Northern portion of 



this Island. 



Vol. xx. o. s. Vol. vi. n. s. 



