12. THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

pieces of drift wood changed into lignite. To
this formation, I believe, belong likewise the
interesting and valuable beds of limestone, dis-
covered by Messrs. Smith and Cooper in the
Wairoa district, abounding in marine shells. I
do not think that workable Coal will be found
either in or below this formation;—which is
exposed in steep cliffs at the entrance, and
along a considerable portion of the Coasts of
the Waitemata Harbour...

Coeval with, and subsequent to the deposit
of this marine formation, there existed on the
flat margins of the sea-basin marshy forests of
a considerable extent, from which, in the
course of time, the brown Coal now found on
the margin and along the above-described
inner edge of the basin, was formed. Coal
deposits similar to those of Hunua and Drury
may therefore exist at different places within
these boundaries;—as for instance in the
creeks running into the western portion of the
Waitemata, and the North-western portion of
the Manukau harbours; also in the high land
of the Karaka and Wairoa Districts.

The volcanic eruptions in the middle of the
basin, in the neighbourhood of Auckland, must
have taken place at a comparatively recent
period, subsequent to the formation of the
Coal. To the same period belong the strata
found on the Eastern and Southern boundaries
of the Manukau Harbour, extending over the
flat portions of Papakura and Drury.

In the tidal Creeks, and other places where
wells have been sunk, a soft lignitic deposit,
nearly allied to peat, is found at different
depths, and in beds varying in thickness from
a few inches to twenty feet. This deposit
is covered in many places by a greater or
less thickness of a remarkable white siliceous
matter in a state of very fine division. The
latter seems to be derived from a hot lake of
large extent, in connection with the recent
volcanic eruptions in the neighbourhood of
Auckland;—but its true nature can only be
determined by future microscopic and chemi-
cal examination.

I have thus given a slight sketch of the
geological history of Auckland and its neigh-
bourhood; and expect to be able, on my re-
turn to Vienna, to furnish a more minute
and ample description, illustrated by a map
of the geological features of the country,
compiled from the materials which I have
now collected, and from those, which I hope
hereafter, to receive from my friends in New
Zealand.

V. THE WORKING OF THE COAL.

There exists no doubt that the Province
of Auckland is, as we have seen, rich in the
possession of abundance of good workable
Coal,—which will prove of the greatest im-
portance, both for steam navigation and ma-
nufacturing purposes.

With regard to the questions, where and
in what manner the working of the Drury
and Hunua Coal-field should be carried on,
I venture to offer the following suggestions:—

1. I consider the locality of Mr. Farmer's
   place as one of the most suitable for com-
   mencing a systematic mining. For this pur-
   pose it would be desirable to construct a
   tunnel, commencing from the most conve-
   nient point at the foot of the range of the
   hills, —to be carried in an Eastern direction,
   inclining upwards, just enough to allow the
   water to drain off. This tunnel will run be-
   low the Coal, or, perhaps, strike it. A shaft
   should then be sunk from above to meet the
   tunnel, avoiding the present working (No. 1.)
   This shaft will pass through the Coal-seams,
   and the working will then be carried on in
   the usual manner,—the produce of the mine
   being removed through the tunnel, and the
   shaft supplying air to the workings. A rail-
   way from the mouth of the tunnel to
   Stippery Creek can be constructed without any
   difficulty.

2. In a similar way working could be
   carried on at Mr. Campbell's and Mr. Fall-
   well's; and a railway through the valley of
   Symonds' Creek may convey the produce of
   both mines to the Manukau Harbour. If it
   would be desirable to work the lower seams in
   the stream itself, the water can be used as a
   motive power to drive the pumping machinery,
   which would be required in this locality.

3. It is of great importance to ascertain
   whether the coal is confined to the ranges, or
   extends underneath the plains stretching from
   Papakura to Karaka and Mauku, at a lower
   level than the above mentioned recent lignitic
   deposit. As I was unable to see any natural
   section of the lower strata in these plains, I
   would recommend that borings be made in the
   following places:—

One on the low land between Young's Inn
at Drury and the range;
Another at Chisholm's bush;
A third on one of the higher undulations of
of the Karaka District;
And perhaps a fourth on the flat between
Papakura and Wairoa.

I would also recommend that a similar ex-
ploration by boring should be made on the
widest part of the Mauku flats.

Should these suggestions be carried out, I
should be highly gratified to have the results
communicated to me at Vienna without delay;
in order that my promised report may be made
as complete as possible.

And now I conclude with the German
Miner's hearty

"Glück auf!"

FERDINAND HOCHSTETTER, Dr.P.H.
Auckland, January 4, 1859.

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Auckland, 12th January, 1859.

N
OTICE is hereby given that the Public
Offices of the General Government have
been removed to Graham's Buildings, opposite
the Government House Gate.

W. GISBORNE,
Under Secretary.

Printed and Published by W. C. WILSON, for the New Zealand Government, at the Printing
Office, Shortland Crescent, Auckland.