188 
THE GEOLOGIST. 
fsoi't of brown-coal — to tlie so-called " Claiizkohle," with conchoidal fracture, 
instead of the existence of difl'crcnt scries of scams, one above the otiicr, on 
ditfereut levels. Dr. llociistctter inclines much rather to the opinion that it 
is the same scam, disturbed in its level, which occurs at the diiferent 
localities. The average thickness of the coal seam may be estimated at five or 
six feet. 
The seam consists of three portions : the upper part a laminated coal of 
inferior quality, one foot ; then a band of shale, two inches ; the midtlle part 
coal of a good cpiality, one aud a-hidf feet ; then a baud of bituminous shale, 
six inches ; the lowest part presenting coal of the best quality, two and a-half 
feet. Tlie bituminous shale accom|)anyiug the coal contains fossil plants, 
principally leaves of dicotyledons. It is remarkable that no fossil ferns are 
foimd in connection with the Drui-y coal-beds ; the more so as at another 
locality, on the west coast, seven miles from Waikato Heads, only fossil ferns, 
in a most beautiful state of preservation, are imbedded in gray argillaceous 
strata, alteruatmg with sandstone and small coal-seams, probably of the same 
geological age as the Drury coal. 
The fossil gum found in the coal is a kind of " retinite," derived from coni- 
ferous trees, perhaps related t o the kauri, but it is by no means identical with 
the " kauri-gum," which is only found in the surface soil in those localities 
where there have been kauri forests. The fossil gum and kauri-gum are very 
different in their qualities, as tlie most simple experiments in their ignition 
will show. 
The thickness of the forest and the inaccessibility of the country prevent 
our now ascertaining, in an exact manner, the extent of the Drury coal-field. 
Still the existing openings show an extent of the coal-field sufficient to en- 
courage any company to work the coal in an extensive manner. 
A company, under the name of " The Waihoihoi Mining and Coal Company," 
has been formed to begin the working of it. 
The same kind of coal is seen again on the northern slope of Taupiri and 
Hakarimata range. At Kupakupa, on the left bank of the Waikato, is a 
beautiful seam about one hundred and fifty feet above the level of the river. 
The thickness of the seam there exposed is about fifteen feet; how much 
greater the tliickness may be it is impossible to say, as the floor has never 
been unco^•ercd. This is the seam to which the attention of the inhabitants of 
Auckland was directed several years ago by the Rev. A. G. Purelias. Several 
tons were at that time brought to Auckland ; but owing to various circum- 
stances, the chief of which was the native ownership, the hope of obtaining a 
supply from thence for Auckland was abandoned. No better, position could, 
how(;ver, be found for mining-purposes ; and the day cannot 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. 
Dr. Hochstetter believes that a coal-field of considerable extent 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, he pro- 
poses the general geographical name of " The Lower Waikato Basin." 
A third coal-field exists on the western and southern boundaries of the very 
fertile alluvial plains above tlie junction of the Waipa and Waikato, which 
may be distinguished as " The Middle Waikato Basin" — the future granary of 
the northern portion of the island. 
The localities in wliich coal has been discovered are the following : — in the 
Hohinipanga range, west of Karakariki on the Waipa; near Mohoanui and 
Waitaiheke, in the Hauturu range on the upper branches of the Waipa; aud 
again in the Wha^harua and Parepare ranges on the northern side of Kaiigi- 
toto-mountaiiis. 
