71

Extract from "New Zealand Gazette,"
February 15, 1862.

Nelson, December 13, 1861.

SIR,—In accordance with instructions received from you, I proceeded to Collingwood on Wednesday evening, on board the "Tasmanian Maid" steamer, for the purpose of observing and reporting upon the qualities and capabilities of the coal from the Grey River.

No other kind of coal was used on board, either in going or returning, so that we had a fair opportunity of testing it.

We left Nelson about 9 p.m., passed Separation Point at half-past one, and arrived in Collingwood at 4 next morning, having steamed slowly during the latter part of the run purposely, as we could not get into Collingwood sooner, on account of the tide. The night was almost calm, sea smooth, and no sails were used.

We started on our return from Collingwood about 4½ p.m. on Thursday, arrived off Motupipi at 6, stopped there an hour and a half to land goods and passengers, and arrived in Nelson about 1 next morning,—sea smooth, and with a light head wind. The engineer of that vessel, Mr. Nancarrow, kindly offered every facility for a proper examination of the qualities of the coal, and I therefore inspected the fires at frequent intervals, made notes at the same time of the speed of the engines, force of steam, and vacuum, &c., endenvoring to keep these as uniform as possible (in which there is no difficulty), and the fires of an average and usual thickness.

Having ascertained from the engineer the usual rate of consumption of Sydney coal per hour, I proceeded in conjunction with him to compare this with the Grey coal on board, and for this purpose made two separate and distinct experiments.

A quantity previously weighed was placed in the stoke hole, and the time required to consume it was carefully noted—the state of the fires at the commencement of the trial being observed, and sustained, as equally as possible during the experiment.

The result of both these experiments was the same—viz., that 4 cwt. of Grey coal lasted as long and did the same amount of work as 5 cwt. of Sydney coal.

This of itself is a most important fact. But another valuable quality of this coal is that it does not appear to have the slightest disposition to form "clinkers," not a trace of them being observable at the end of the run

either way, and the fires never having been "pricked" or "cleaned" during the whole time.

All that passes through the bars is a small quantity of grey ash and clean cinders, which latter would be consumed more thoroughly, were the fire-bars closer together. It would appear in fact that the operation of cleaning the fires and removing the clinkers, so frequently needed with other coals, will never be required in using the Grey coal, which will be an immense saving of very disagreeable labor to the firemen.

The tubes in the boiler also keeps much cleaner than with Sydney coal, no soot being formed in them, as is the case with the latter; a deposit of fine sharp dust is all that is to be observed, most of which is carried right through the tubes—thus diminishing the necessity of cleaning them out, and being a direct saving of labor and tools; of this fact an increased economy of fuel is also the certain result.

The coal burns clear and bright, cakes sufficiently well to keep the fire open and lively, emits no unpleasant odour, and is apparently quite free from sulphur; as indeed from any impurity whatever, as the fires if left to themselves burn right down and leave the bars quite clean.

The weight of this sample of coal appears to be rather less than that of Sydney coal in the proportion of 180 to 183, but it is quite probable and fair to assume that it will weigh heavier when the seam is worked further in.

In conclusion I have great satisfaction in recording my most unqualified approval of the Grey coal for steam purposes, and doubt not that it will, when better known, come into general repute and use, and be the means of making Nelson the future rendezvous for all steamers in the southern seas for coaling purposes. Whatever means may be taken to bring it into notice, such an amount of capital should be employed for the purpose as would insure its being worked on a large scale, so that the market might be kept always well supplied with an article so valuable and desirable in every way.

I have, &c.,
JOHN BLACKETT,
Provincial Engineer.

His Honor the Superintendent,
Nelson.

Nelson, December 26th, 1861.

SIR—For the information of your Honor's Government, I beg herewith to hand you a report on 12 tons Grey river coal supplied the