Published 3/10/1889
We have seen that our greatest competitor in the production of coal is New Zealand, and before leaving that colony it is well to turn for a moment and examine her yearly output since 1878. Prior to that time very little coal was mined, but in that year we find that 162,218 tons were raised. In 1881 that amount had grown to 337,262 tons, while in 1887 no less than 558,620 tons were brought to the surface. Last year the increased was even greater, as nearly one million tons were won and this result in a great measure was due to the strike which closed our mines for three months.
At the present time the other coal-producing colonies of Australasia, besides New Zealand and New South Wales, are Queensland and Tasmania. Coal measures are extensively found throughout the former colony, and although 50,627 tons were raised in 1876, it was not until recently that attention has been drawn to its mining capabilities.
The importance of Queensland as a coal-producing colony cannot be easily over-estimated, as she has resources equal if not superior to this colony. Up to the present there is a known area of coal measures equal to 24,000 square miles, and new seams are being discovered very rapidly. Mr. Tenison-Woods, the eminent geologist, states that Queensland must become in the end the grand emporium of the Southern Hemisphere, and in support of that opinion he maintains that the quality of the coal will greatly improve as the measures are developed, and as yet the surface can only be said to be scratched.
In the year 1880 extensive deposits were found not far from Gladstone, while still larger seams have been discovered at the Wild River in the north. Within the last few months a seam of splendid coal has been struck at Cooktown. A syndicate of English miners are at present boring at Stewart's Creek, near Townsville, and expect to find an 8ft seam. Extensive beds of coal have been found on the banks of the Brisbane and Bremer Rivers, and in fact on all the beds of the larger streams in the colony. At Burram, near Maryborough, there is a large seam which is said to contain coal equal to the best we can produce in the Northern district, while the opinion is general among experts that it can be found anywhere on the western plains. The quality of the Queensland coal up to the present time has not been very good, and it is doubtless owing to this fact that we have been apt to look down upon the coal resources of our Northern neighbour.
That the mineral is improving in quality as the measures are developed is proved by the way it has forced our coal from the Brisbane market, in 1887 we sent 15,668 tons to the ports of that colony, but in the following year not a single ton was received by them. In 1880 only 58,052 tons were raised from their mines and then our coal was used on their railways, their gas works, and their factories. Five years later they had increased their output to 209,698 tons, and last year nearly 400,000 tons were raised.
These figures are astonishing and we may expect Queensland in a very short time to have a quantity available for export. Many of the large steamship companies are interested in the mines close to Brisbane and the Northern ports, while the boats in the China trade may ere long take a return cargo of coal to Hongkong and Singapore, which are at present among our largest purchasers.
Besides these places they are close to India, Java and the Philippine Islands, to which we sent last year considerably over 100,000 tons. Should Queensland mines improve with developments as they are expected to do, our immense trade with that quarter of the world may be menaced, and only that share left to us which comes after keen competition.
Although the island of Tasmania when compared in size to the other colonies is dwarfed into insignificance, it is still by no means to be despised as a coal-producing country.
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The History & Coal Resources of Newcastle from 1830 - 1889
from a series of articles published in the Newcastle Morning Herald covering the period 26th September, 1889 to 21st November, 1889
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THE COAL RESOURCES OF THE DISTRICT
IMPORTANT FIGURES (Cont)
The Outlook
IMPORTANT FIGURES (Cont)
The Outlook
Its close proximity to Victoria and South Australia renders it a rival to Newcastle of no small importance, but as yet its coal measures have scarcely been opened.
The mineral is abundant in the north east of the colony, while splendid coal exists at Hamilton, near the centre of the island. Within fifty miles of Hobart, exists a four feet seam containing coal said to be equal to the best Welsh.
There are also extensive deposits of anthracite coal at Port Arthur and at Newtown, and it is from these latter that the city of Hobart is chiefly supplied. Mr Thureau the eminent mining geologist, some time ago reported upon the coal fields of Tasmania, and stated that they represent "a most valuable accumulation of a highly valuable mineral", and prophesied a grand future for them. The quality of the coal from the mines has often been tested, and found equal to our best, and great strides are being made in their development. In 1885 only 533½ tons were raised in the entire colony, but last year the total reached 41,000 tons. Last year we sent them 33,514 tons, but there is every reason to believe that at the end of the present year, we will find the trade greatly diminished.
Victoria has long desired coalfields within its own boundary, and, with that end in view the Government have spent vast sums of money in boring operations. Up to a few months ago, however, no coal in a payable quantity had been found; but the events of the past few weeks show that seams exist. Despite the results said to have been obtained with it, it is of an inferior quality, but great hopes are entertained that more bituminous coal will yet be found. So far as is known, only 16,510 tons have been raised up to the present time, while many mines have been abandoned owing to the thinness of the seams.
South Australia is in much the same condition, and for the discovery of a payable mine the Government offer a reward of £10,000. Geologists have long maintained that coal does not exist in that colony, but a seam has been at Kuntha Hill, away in the interior. It is, however, of very little account, being of poor quality, and too far away. Anthracite coal of poor quality has also been struck near Adelaide but the seam is not workable.
In Western Australia, coal is now being found at Irwin. Only a few weeks ago the first trial was made on one of the coasting steamers with satisfactory results. The coal is said to be equal to the best Welsh, and, if proved to exist in payable quantities, a big trade is bound to be opened up with India.
It will thus be seen that those colonies which possess coal measures are rapidly developing them, and are fast supplying their own demand; while those which nature has not so well favoured are leaving no stone unturned in their endeavors to ascertain if it can be found at a great depth. We certainly possess in the Northern district the finest and most extensive seams of the true coal yet worked in the Southern Hemisphere; and, as pointed out in the first article, we are not behind in the march of development. Our intercolonial trade, however, showed a large decrease last year, while our foreign exportations are rapidly assuming enormous dimensions. The effect of the late strike will also be noticed when the returns for the present year are made out, and the coal companies find it extremely difficult to secure ships, owing to the demand for tonnage throughout the world.
Another serious feature of the strike question has just sprung into life, and is causing no small amount of discussion in mining circles. It appears that a large and well-known shipping company have refused to allow their ships to be chartered for next year unless a guarantee is given that in the event of a strike all expenses incurred by the ship owing to delay will be paid. That this is a serious outlook for the coal companies none will deny, especially when it is understood that to ensure the fulfilment of foreign contracts it is necessary that ships should be secured months before, and their cargoes in readiness for them on arrival.
The mineral is abundant in the north east of the colony, while splendid coal exists at Hamilton, near the centre of the island. Within fifty miles of Hobart, exists a four feet seam containing coal said to be equal to the best Welsh.
There are also extensive deposits of anthracite coal at Port Arthur and at Newtown, and it is from these latter that the city of Hobart is chiefly supplied. Mr Thureau the eminent mining geologist, some time ago reported upon the coal fields of Tasmania, and stated that they represent "a most valuable accumulation of a highly valuable mineral", and prophesied a grand future for them. The quality of the coal from the mines has often been tested, and found equal to our best, and great strides are being made in their development. In 1885 only 533½ tons were raised in the entire colony, but last year the total reached 41,000 tons. Last year we sent them 33,514 tons, but there is every reason to believe that at the end of the present year, we will find the trade greatly diminished.
Victoria has long desired coalfields within its own boundary, and, with that end in view the Government have spent vast sums of money in boring operations. Up to a few months ago, however, no coal in a payable quantity had been found; but the events of the past few weeks show that seams exist. Despite the results said to have been obtained with it, it is of an inferior quality, but great hopes are entertained that more bituminous coal will yet be found. So far as is known, only 16,510 tons have been raised up to the present time, while many mines have been abandoned owing to the thinness of the seams.
South Australia is in much the same condition, and for the discovery of a payable mine the Government offer a reward of £10,000. Geologists have long maintained that coal does not exist in that colony, but a seam has been at Kuntha Hill, away in the interior. It is, however, of very little account, being of poor quality, and too far away. Anthracite coal of poor quality has also been struck near Adelaide but the seam is not workable.
In Western Australia, coal is now being found at Irwin. Only a few weeks ago the first trial was made on one of the coasting steamers with satisfactory results. The coal is said to be equal to the best Welsh, and, if proved to exist in payable quantities, a big trade is bound to be opened up with India.
It will thus be seen that those colonies which possess coal measures are rapidly developing them, and are fast supplying their own demand; while those which nature has not so well favoured are leaving no stone unturned in their endeavors to ascertain if it can be found at a great depth. We certainly possess in the Northern district the finest and most extensive seams of the true coal yet worked in the Southern Hemisphere; and, as pointed out in the first article, we are not behind in the march of development. Our intercolonial trade, however, showed a large decrease last year, while our foreign exportations are rapidly assuming enormous dimensions. The effect of the late strike will also be noticed when the returns for the present year are made out, and the coal companies find it extremely difficult to secure ships, owing to the demand for tonnage throughout the world.
Another serious feature of the strike question has just sprung into life, and is causing no small amount of discussion in mining circles. It appears that a large and well-known shipping company have refused to allow their ships to be chartered for next year unless a guarantee is given that in the event of a strike all expenses incurred by the ship owing to delay will be paid. That this is a serious outlook for the coal companies none will deny, especially when it is understood that to ensure the fulfilment of foreign contracts it is necessary that ships should be secured months before, and their cargoes in readiness for them on arrival.
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