Page:Rambles on the Golden Coast of New Zealand.djvu/213

Rh forming a new company with a capital of £100,000 in 20,000 shares of £5 each, of which 12,500 shares are to be offered to the public. The scheme proposes the purchase of steam colliers specially adapted to the trade and generally extending their operations. The position of this mine for advantageous working is unique, and many of the remarks made in reference to the Brunner Mine apply equally to the Coal Pit Heath Mine.

The Coal Creek Company’s ground adjoins that of the Coal Pit Heath Company on the north-west side. The quality of the Coal Creek coal is similar to that of the other companies above referred to.

I should like to have been able to have quoted in full an excellent geographical report on the coal and goldfields in the Grey Valley, contributed to the Colliery Guardian by Mr Jonathan Harrison, F.G.S., which gives valuable information, not only in respect to the coal measures here alluded to, but likewise in reference to the great reefing country of Inangahua.

The Dispatch Foundry Co., Limited, Greymouth, acquired the business of engineers, iron and brass moulders, millwrights, wood turners, boiler moulders, and general smiths, that was carried on by Messrs Rae & Sewell in 1874. Those gentlemen invested £2400, but found this sum quite inadequate to carry on the business. Seeing that a local foundry was a boon to the district, the public at once responded, and contributed the sum of £7000, so that the premises and tools might be complete to take in any job that might offer itself. From the very great competition in New Zealand towns and Melbourne, the shareholders were aware that small dividends would be their share. Still, rather than suffer the inconvenience and loss of time incident on sending work away, they were satisfied to support the undertaking, knowing well that indirectly they were furthering the interests of themselves and the public at large. In the payment of dividends they have not been mistaken. The company has barely paid the shareholders 4 per cent, per annum on their capital, although the most rigid economy and best management has been practised. The company employ and have employed eighteen hands on an average, paying them weekly about £50; moulders and blacksmiths are paid £4 per week; fitters and turners, 12s. per day; labourers, 9s. per day; and boys, 7s. to 30s. per week. It is necessary in this, as in all jobbing shops, to have a man who can take the head of each department above mentioned. The staff must be kept up so that any job that offers in those departments can be taken in hand and finished. Very often it happens that there are no jobs in for a particular class of hands; these then assist the others and try to surmount the difficulties attending on all such workshops as the Greymouth Foundry. The work turned out by the company is and has been of the most varied description. The heaviest casting they have been called on to turn out was a little over three tons, but they have appliances for turning out much heavier work than this. The heaviest gun metal casting was 600 pounds. The same can be said of this branch. The company have in the best working order 17 machines or tools of the latest construction connected with their main shafting, fitted with fast and loose pulleys, and are adding two more, namely a set of boiler rolls to take in a nine feet plate, and a