Coal Workings.

The first export of coal from New Zealand was made in 1866, amounting to 261 tons.

The first notable development of the coalfields was due to the great increase in the consumption of the Kawakawa coal, owing mainly to the circumstance that the Union Steamship Company adopted it for their coastal steamers, and reported most favourably of its utility as a steam coal; but now the coal mined near Greymouth and West-port is principally used for the same purpose.

It appears from the table on p. 39 that the total consumption of coal in the colony during seven years from 1878 to 1884 has been 3,314,933 tons, of which 2,311,488 tons were derived from New Zealand mines. The total output of the coal mines of the colony up to the 31st December, 1884, was 3,005,120 tons.

It is not at all likely, however, that these figures will long continue to bear the same relative proportions, there being a fair prospect that the improvements now in progress for affording increased railway transport and better shipping facilities will give such a stimulus to this valuable industry that the output will be sufficient, not only for the supply of a fair portion of the home consumption, but also for a greatly increased foreign trade.