78

Besides this it is therefore that great part of the
coal in Mount Rochfort itself might be won from here
(see Diagram No. 1).

Of course in speaking generally of coal being won
from this or that place, I do not mention the various
minor difficulties likely to occur, such as local dislo-
cations, changes of position, &c., all of which are
certain to be met with, and must be overcome by
various mining operations not necessary to mention.
What I wish to be understood is, that if coal is met
with on the side of the mountain near station 18, the
probability is that some hundreds of acres on the
plateau, and also on Mount Rochfort could be worked
by free level, without taking the railway on to the
plateau at all. Now it is very likely that the railway
will expose seams of coal here, if so it may not be
necessary to extend the line further for years, and
thus avoid the most difficult and expensive part of
the railway.

Before closing this part of my subject I will refer
again to the part of the Coal-field on the northern
branch of the Waimangaroha river on the eastern
slopes of Mount Frederic; which I visited with Mr.
Rochfort (see my report dated April 5th, 1862.)

I am sorry that I have not had a chance of going
there again, and connecting it by actual survey with
the other side, so that I can give very little more in-
formation about it. However I can give some idea
of the position of the out-crop of these seams. The
figures on that part of No. 1 Plan show the position
of the seams so numbered in the report of April 5th,
I shall copy them below.

No. 1.—Found on the northern branch of the
Waimangaroha.

Thickness.—12 feet exposed; but how much
more there is below the bed of the river, I had
no means of ascertaining.

Dip.—To S.S.E., 25°.

Above this seam there is a bed of shale a
few feet thick; then 8 feet of flaky sandstone;
then the coarse grit, which forms the general
surface of the table land.

No. 2.—Found on the western branch of the
Waimangaroha.

Thickness.—5 feet at least, but could not get
a satisfactory measurement, as the top was
much destroyed by exposure.

Dip.—To S.W., 15°

No. 3.—Found on the same stream as No. 2, and
at a considerable distance above it, both in
position and order of stratification.

Thickness.—About 8 feet.

Dip.—To S., 5°.

There is a large area of this seam very near
the surface, and I may safely state that 100,000
tons of it could be worked by merely removing
the surface.

No. 4.—Found on the right bank of the Wai-
mangaroha, just at the edge of the table land.

Thickness.—5 feet at least.

Dip.—To S., 7°.

This seam is in a fissure, very much covered
with moss and broken rocks, so it is difficult
to get correct measurement.

I regret exceedingly that I was obliged to leave
before making a minute survey of this, perhaps the
most interesting part of the Coal-field; and where by
fixing the positions and elevations of the different
seams, there is more chance of getting some informa-
tion as to their relative position in order of stratifica-
tion.

I need scarcely state that here, as elsewhere,
enormous quantities of coal can be worked by free
level; Diagram No. 4, and Cross Section No. 2 on
Plan 1 will show that very clearly. I will only state
further that this part of the field is accessible by a
continuation of the railway.

I have not sufficient information, to speak of the
working of other parts of the field; but at Coal Brook
Dale as before described, coal might be put into the
railway waggons and brought to the mouth of the
mine at 2s. 6d. a ton.

PART III.

REMARKS ON THE ROADS, ETC., NECESSARY TO MAKE
THIS PART OF THE COAL-FIELD AVAILABLE TO
THE SHIPPING PORT.

THE BULLER IS TO
BE THE SHIPPING PORT.

The banks of the River Buller at the point where
the proposed railway is commenced, (see No. 1 Plan,
and No. 2 Plan, Sheet I.) is composed of loose shingle,
very much exposed to the action of the stream, and is
being rapidly washed away.

The surface of the ground here is only a few feet
above high water mark, and may possibly be flooded
in a heavy fresh, though I have never heard that it
has taken place. It will therefore be necessary in the
first place, to protect the banks of the river so as to
secure the shipping place.

A wharf and other convenience for shipping, sheds
for storing coal, &c., will also be needed.

From the edge of the river the first mile and a half
of railway will pass along the skirts of the bush, over
loose shingle and sand; almost level (see section).

One and a half miles a small bridge will be
needed over a stream flowing out of the swampy land
in the bush.

15 chains further brings you to the Orawiti River
and Mudflat, which must be passed by a viaduct 28
chains long, but the actual channel here is not more
than 30 yards wide and 3 feet deep at low water; the
remainder is hard firm sandy mud, dry at low water.
As there is such a wide extent of flat, and not much
water in the river, floods need not be dreaded; and I
should think if the railway line was 6 feet above high
water mark, it would be perfectly safe.

From the end of this viaduct the bank rises about
30 feet, and continues for nearly a mile over flat bush
land, but perfectly dry except here and there a soft
place, caused by the stoppage of the small water-
courses by fallen timber &c.

For the next two miles the line passes over flat
open land covered with stunted fern, manuka scrub
and toi-toi, quite free from swamp, and with a hard
sound bottom about 18 inches from the surface.

The 53 chains is through bush much the same
as that on the north side of the Orawiti. In this
bush there are two small streams to cross. After
passing this belt of bush there is open again for 30
chains, dry and hard. Then 37 chains of dry bush
with four small streams. From the last stream there
is a sudden rise of about 40 feet to station 6, but this
can be avoided by skirting the west side of the hill.

From station 6, the line may pass along the side of
the terrace to the point 7½ miles; and from there
sweep round the base of the hills to the Wariatea
River, 8 miles from the Buller.

Though I have not actually surveyed along the line
marked for the railway (the red lines show my tra-
verse) I know that there are no obstacles, and I am
convinced that if it was necessary to carry the line
exactly as I have marked it, for the first 8 miles it
could be done very easily. For up to this point there
are no difficulties in making either a horse, stationary
engine, or locomotive line almost level and at a very
moderate expense.