28

rising through the cracks of the broken strata below
into the seam. But in a coal field situated as this,
I do not anticipate much trouble from inflammable gas,
though from the quality of the coal, a good deal might
be expected, if it were at any great depth; however
it is quite possible that it may be found in places, and
is certainly not to be forgotten in the working of any
coal mine.

Now I will suppose that a little further up the
River Rapid than the point N. at an elevation
of 800, feet a bore hole is put down, and at the depth
of 150 feet the coal is found, which it is determined
to work; the first thing would be, advisable, instead of
suitable place to put in a drift or tunnel, to drain the
water and bring out the coal. As an important
object is to get the mouth of the mine at as low an
elevation as possible, it would be advisable, instead of
driving level, to go sufficiently below the seam to
allow of a proper inclination for working a self-
acting incline to the greatest advantage. The
length of the tunnel would of course be regulated by
local circumstances; but supposing it to be 400 yards
with a fall of 1 in 15, it would give 80 feet, which
being added to 150 feet (the depth to the seam)
makes 230 feet below the top of the bore hole, or
570 feet above the sea. To admit the waggons used
on the railway into the mine, would require the
tunnel to be of considerable size; but it would pro-
bably be more convenient to use smaller ones under-
ground in which case six feet square would probably
be sufficient, with additional room where the wag-
gons pass each other in the middle; where for a short
distance the way would be double, and in the upper
half where there would be three instead of two.

It is probable that a tunnel for the use of this
tunnel would pass through loose debris, and would
require to be secured either by timber or arching;
it would therefore be advisable to reduce its dimen-
sions to the smallest size consistent with thoroughly
efficient working capabilities. If there were more
seams above, it would be well to continue the tunnel,
perhaps with a sharper rise, and so cut them all
diagonally.

It would be necessary to sink a shaft for the per-
manent ventilation of the mine, but six feet in dia-
meter would be sufficient for that purpose for a long
time. Possibly also a small shaft might be required
for the ventilation of the tunnel itself during its
formation. But it is unnecessary to enter into these
particulars, indeed it is impossible without data to
do so; but I will suppose that £5,000 is necessary to
win the coal and put the mine in a working state at
this place, viz.: about nine miles from the mouth of
the Buller and 570 feet above the sea. Now the
highest point on the line marked out from the Buller
before ascending the hill, is at No. 6 station of my
former survey, 123 feet above the sea,* (see Plan 2,
Sheet 11,) if there figure is kept skirting the
hill-side, as partly shown by the dotted line on the
plan, at an uniform ascending gradient, which will
allow a locomotive to take back the empty waggons,
a considerable height will be overcome in the next
three miles, which is about the distance to the pro-
posed mouth of the mine. That that gradient ought
to be as important engineering question with
which I will not meddle; but judging by heavy
gradients on English locomotive lines, I find on the
"Birmingham and Gloucester Railway" a plane
upwards of two miles long with a gradient of 1 in 37.
This is called the "Lickey incline," and is worked
entirely by locomotives, and that with traffic both
ways, whereas the whole of the traffic on the Buller
line would be descending, and nothing going up but
empty waggons and light articles, such as timber for
mining purposes, and provisions for the workmen,

• This was incorrectly put down before as 110 feet.

&c. Now a gradient of 1 in 37 in three miles will
overcome an elevation of 142 feet, so we have the
following figures.

Feet
Mouth of the mine above the sea ... 570
Deduct height of No. six station ... 123

Deduct height overcome in three miles, }
by a gradient of one in 37... 147

Ft. 305

thus leaving only 305 feet to be overcome by self-
acting inclines. Whether it would be better to con-
tinue the locomotive line so far as here suggested, or
use the self-acting inclines more extensively, is a
question to be determined by an engineer after a
minute survey of the ground. But on all these points
you will shortly have the report of the Provincial
Engineer. I was so unfortunate to miss that gen-
tleman on his visit to the West Coast, which I regret
exceedingly.

You will observe that in my report of September
3, 1862, all the calculations are based on the suppo-
sition that the mine would be in Coal Brook Dale,
and that I merely suggested the probability of its
being obtained on the side of the mountain below
the level of the table land; for at that time though I
felt very little doubt in my own mind, I touched very
lightly on the subject, as I had not sufficient data to
justify and in information or opinion; I there-
fore confined myself to what I knew.

At that time I had no means of judging in what
part of the field the known seams were situated;
now I have proved that some of the most valuable
are in the lower part and therefore must be below the
level of the edge of the table land. I feel confident
that for years it will not be necessary to take the
railway on to the higher part of the field at all, though
eventually it must go there. Probably at present it
will not require to go more than 600 feet above the
sea, thus avoiding at least three miles of the very
worst part of the line and 1529 feet of perpendicular
ascent.

To set against those advantages there is the ex-
pense of boring for and winning the coal in this po-
sition; but even if it cost £10,000 to do this instead
of the £5000 I mention before, there will be an im-
mense saving in the first outlay and a great reduc-
tion on the cost of conveyance to the port.

Whether I am justified in those conclusions, by
the data I have laid before you in this report is for
others to judge, but I feel very confident on the
subject.

It would be a great satisfaction to me, as I have
before mentioned to your Honor, to have the opinion
of some other mining Engineer on this most exten-
sive coal field, for I feel that the subject is of great
importance both to the province and the Colony, and
deserves the greatest attention.

I think no time should be lost in making the ne-
cessary borings, &c., to ascertain the exact position of
the different seams on the mountain side. But before
this can be done, it will be necessary to form a pack-
ing road at least, to enable the apparatus and stores
to be taken up: this I think could be done at a very
moderate expense.

As the chief item of expenditure in this work will
be the railway, I will not venture to form an estimate,
as you will have the views of the Provincial Engineer
on the subject; neither have I attempted to mark out
any line up the mountain side. But in cutting survey
lines and paths, one of my greatest objects was to enable
any one to get from place to place so as thoroughly
to examine the nature of the ground. I also burnt, as
much as possible, one of my standing orders was "use