398 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [Dec. 
same seams outcrop half a mile to the eastward on the terrace on the south 
side of the stream, and here both are from 18 in. to 24 in. thick. A few 
chains westward of the sawmill on the Ohura-Tongaporutu Road at 
Piopiotea, about five miles from Ohura, coal shows at several points in 
the creek-bed. The thickness of the seam could not be observed. Coal is 
reported also to outcrop high on the steep spurs at the heads of the 
Mangaparare and Huiutahi Streams, branches of the Mangaroa rising 
south-westward of Ohura. Coal fragments were observed in the beds of 
both streams, but the outcrops were not located. 
From the above it is evident that the coal-seams existing in the southern 
portion of the Ohura section of the Taranaki Coalfield are not so thick as 
those in the northern portion described by Mr. Ongley.- 
Tangarakau River Section. 
The plateau formed of coal-measures and overlying beds that con¬ 
stitute the Ohura section of the Taranaki Coalfield extends many miles 
farther southwards. This portion of the coal-bearing area may be termed 
the Tangarakau section of the coalfield. The northern end of the plateau- 
edge in this area is for five miles drained by the Heao, a branch of the 
Tangarakau. Many outcrops of coal are reported to occur in this part 
of the Heao basin. Near the end of the formed track leading up the Heao 
Valley, and about a mile north-west of Tatu village, a seam of coal at least 
5 ft. thick (no floor seen) is exposed in the creek-bed. It is overlain by 
10 ft. of soft claystone, and this in turn by massive sandstone. Four other 
outcrops of the same seam were observed in the neighbourhood, but none 
were so clearly exposed. 
The Tangarakau River has cut a deep tortuous gorge into the plateau 
of coal-bearing rocks, and its bed for at least eight miles is within or 
close to the coal-measures. The road between Ohura and Whangamomona * 
follows the river for this distance. The writer has explored only three 
miles of the gorge, but has passed along the whole eight miles by motor¬ 
car. In the three miles explored two groups of outcrops were examined, 
the seam in each locality being about 4 ft. thick. There are obvious 
indications of the presence of the coal horizon throughout the whole length 
of the gorge, and several outcrops of thick coal are reported to exist. One 
of these, near the lower end of the gorge, is stated to have been worked 
by residents of Whangamomona, but the adit is now flooded by the river, 
and the seam was not found during the few minutes the writer had at his 
disposal. The strata are well exposed along the gorge. They dip gently 
in a general way to the north-west, and were not observed to be disturbed. 
Access to the Coalfield. 
Of the three sections of the Taranaki Coalfield the northern portion of 
the Ohura section, near the head of the Waitewhena Stream, contains 
much the best “ show ” of coal. The railway from Okahukura, on the 
Main Trunk line, to Ohura is under construction, and about ten miles of 
construction-work is more or less completed. The nearest point of this 
railway will pass about eight miles from the area containing thick coal, 
and the total distance from Waitewhena to Okahukura will be about 
twenty-six miles. 
The means of access to the Mokau section of the Taranaki Coalfield are 
not good. The mine-entrance at Maryville is about twenty-three miles 
from the river-mouth, and before the blockage in the channel took place two 
years ago the little steamers used in the trade could not carry more than 
100-ton cargoes. If a mine were opened in the valley of the Mangaawakino 
