100
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
steamers, screened in the ordinary manner of
coals, that the result would be found to be a
saving of fully 20.0 over Newcastle (New
South Wales) coals.

WM. GUNBY,
Chief Engineer s.s. "Lord Worsley."

Soho Foundry,
Nelson, January 12, 1862.

SIR, In accordance with your request, I
have tried the West Coast coal, both in the
smith's forge, and for making coke. In the
smith's forge, I have no hesitation in saying it
is superior to any coal we get here, either
English or Sydney coal. We find that Sydney
coal is better for smith's purposes than English,
and I should estimate the Grey coal to be
about as much superior to the Sydney as the
latter is to the English. For the making of
coke, my opportunities have not been sufficient
to enable me to judge properly; I, however,
obtained some from the coal, which leaves no
doubt in my mind that it has all the properties
uecessary for the making of most excellent
coke.

I am, &c.,
CHARLES BALME.

J. P. Robinson, Esq.

Nelson, January 20th, 1862.

SIR,-I beg herewith to hand an account of
the result of my trial as to the quality of the
Grey River coal.

Conceiving the best test to be a comparison
with a known coal, I procured the best sample
I could obtain of the New South Wales coal,
accurately weighed and watched it burning,
and found that to bring my copper of 386
gallons of water to boiling point, it took 147
lbs. of coal. On the next occasion of brewing,
I as carefully tested the Grey coal, and found
that, to produce the same result, it took 124
lbs. of coal only, which you will perceive is a
clear saving of 18.0 in quantity actually con-
sumed.

As to its quality for my purpose, I decidedly
prefer it to any coal I have ever used in Nelson;
as, there being neither dirt or clinker in the
fires, it requires much less labour than ordinary
coal. The fire I noticed burnt with a clear
bright flame, and when the gas was exhausted,
the body of the fire burnt a clear bright red.
No unpleasant smell arises from them, and they
make but a very small quantity of smoke.

I take the liberty of congratulating your
Honor and the Province on the production of
so fine a sample of coal.

I am, sir,
THOMAS FIELD,
Brewer,
Nelson.

J. P. Robinson, Esq.,
Superintendent,
Nelson.

Nelson Brewery,
8th January, 1862.

SIR, We are happy to be able to report so
satisfactorily of the West Coast coals. We have
used them both for brewing and steam pur-
poses, and find them of a very superior quality.
We got up steam in less time and with one
third less coal than the Newcastle. It is also
very durable, and the ashes similar to the
English.

We hope ere long we may be able to procure
the quantity we require.

We remain, yours, &c.,
G. HOOPER & Co.

To the Provincial Secretary,
Nelson.

TO HIS HONOR THE SUPERINTENDENT, NELSON.

SIR, In accordance with your request, I
have examined the coals from the West Coast
which you forwarded to me for analysis. I
now beg to communicate the result. I may
here state that the opinion which I gave you
on the 10th inst., from my first cursory test, is
now verified by my more recent investigation,
which has been carefully conducted under
various methods. The results of three of these
I submit, with comparisons, in accordance with
the respective modus operandi :-

No. 1.
Carbon
Hydrogen
Nitrogen
Oxygen
West Coast.
74.26
} 25.74
100.00
Sydney.
74 13
} 25.87
100.00

No. 2.
1,000 West Coast
parts. (Sydney
Volatile
Products. Coke.
234
766
247
753
Incombusti-
ble Ash.
13 1-6th
15%

No. 3.
West Coast-
Sydney
Coals. Water.
Ozs.
10
10
Ozs.
20
20
Reduced to
ozs. grs.
9 14
90
8.

West Coast coals burn with a clear flame, and
run together in one mass when thoroughly
heated, and produce very little residue.

The accompanying parcels are cinder, coke,
and ash.

I cannot help congratulating you and my
fellow-settlers on this occasion, upon having at
your command a commodity that is essentially
necessary for our domestic comforts, for our
manufactures as the colony advances, and for
exportation.

I only trust that sufficient quantities may be
found of a similar quality (although the samples
are from the surface); and it will inevitably at
no remote period find its way to our market,
and be a source of incalculable good to our
community.

I am, &c.,
J. W. TATTON.

Haven-road, Nelson, April 20, 1860.