qualities being for a time against it, but when understood are advantageous, as has been found in England.
In connection with the mine, there are 12 coke ovens capable of producing 60 tons of coke per week, which is in excess of the demand at present. In quality the Brunner coke is hard and dense, having the silvery appearance which is so much looked after by coke users, and in consequence is highly appreciated for foundry purposes. It is also used for the locomotives on some of the heavy grade lines of the Colony. For city lines like Lyttelton and Christchurch the wonder is, why coke is not used instead of coal, and so get rid of the smoke and sulphur so obnoxious to passengers, especially in long tunnels.
The works for the manufacture of bricks, gas retorts, and other fire-clay goods, have been established for some years, but during the last 12 months, the old works have been superseded by the erection of a complete new plant with improved machinery and drying sheds. These works are now capable of producing fire-bricks of all shapes and sizes, gas retorts, pipes and sanitary pipes, or other special goods to supply the whole colonial demand. At present nearly all the large gas works in New Zealand are users of retorts made at the Brunner works, and users of fire-clay goods may have confidence in obtaining goods at these works equal, if not superior, to imported articles. Large quantities of bricks, tiles, and other goods, also ground fire-clay, are always on hand and ready for immediate shipment.
The markets for the produce of this mine may at present be said to be New Zealand and Victoria. In New Zealand the coal is used for the production of gas, steam, and for smithy and other purposes. In the Colony of Victoria it is used for gas whenever it can be obtained, and is much preferred to New South Wales coal. The obtaining of new outlets for the produce of this mine will largely depend on the further contemplated improvement to the Greymouth harbour, for, with depth of water to enable larger vessels to enter the port, there can be no reasonable limit put to the distance to which the productions of these works may be sent. As it is, the works now in course of being carried out at the mine will enable the large demand to be met wherever the facilities are provided for carrying it away.
At present there is a difficulty in competing with Newcastle coal in New Zealand markets, as most of the Newcastle coal is imported in large bottoms of 1000 to 3000 tons, carrying round charters from Home. These vessels come from Australia to load grain, taking in coal at Newcastle at nominal freights. There are also four or five large steamers, each 2000 tons, coal carrying, regularly employed between Newcastle and New Zealand. Their coal freights are also nominal, relying on passengers and return cargo to pay them. The outcome of this is seen by the fact, that in 1878 the colonial railways at Lyttelton and Wellington paid 35s. per ton for Newcastle coal for their requirements. Last year the price was 24s. for West Coast coal, which is 10 per cent, superior. Thus the Colony effects a yearly saving on the 80,000 tons of coal used for railway purposes, 10s. per ton, or £40,000, by the West Coast coal, apart from other considerations.
