LIGNITE IN FITZHERBERT.

Manawatu Times, Volume X, Issue 1314, 7 October 1884, Page 2

LIGNITE IN FITZHERBERT.

To the Editor. i3ut, — I noticed m an issue of last week that you stated there had been a seam of lignite discovered on Mr Malcolm Stewart's property at Fitz« herbert. I may say thai such rumor | has been current for some time, and J 1 believe the seam is of considerable thickness and Bbows signs of being of a large area. Lignite is nothing more than unmatured coal and as there are known to exist m the Fitzherbert district Tiany scams of the same, I have no doubt that if the looality were tested by boring, the result would be the obtaining either of a better class of liguite or the true coal. Even if the latter were not the case the lignite might he turned to good account. There is a great deal of it used m the Middl » lsland, its heating properties being far greater than wood. I think that it would be 'good thing for Palmerston if something were done m the way of examining the locality and testing the properties of some of bhe lignite by a cbin« petent person, and reporting thereon. It seems very strange that the Tararua Mountains at. this end of the island should neither contain minerals or metala of any kind m payable quantities, but I believe that fc.uch is not the case ; they only require careful examination. PalLmerston cannot move too soon m such matters, as we shall find that 1 other localities will be on the alert Now if such a thing were to happen that good coal were found m this district what would be the result ? Why a very large increase m ihe . population, the starting of .manufactories of all descriptions, more ready money' circulating, all busi* ness on a more substantial basis, and we could then without fear have a gasworks, waterworks, and drainage scheme and other improvements to the town, arid the burden of taxa> tion would not be felt to any great extent. s ". > '■ I have no doubt that if .Mr ;Malcokji Stewart were interviewed on the subject he wpuld give all j:he assistance that niight -lie m his 'povyeror I think that he might do what I suggest at no loss to himself, as the commence men t of a very profitable trade might be tue result oL so do« ing, A coal mina wonld" pay far better than an uncertain gold reer, of which there seams to be; so many .jo other localities. . „ ... idLoping^ that we may soon hear of; somet||.irig practical bejng done" m tbisdireptiou, • ' ; ■ I am, &c, ■■■■'■ ■■'' '■ '■■'' E. Larcomb. Palmerston North, , ; Sept. 6th, 1884.