South Island.

Although the deposits of the North Island have proved of great benefit in the past, and will no doubt as settlement progresses become still more valuable in the future, it cannot be expected that by their aid any great export trade will be established. In the South Island, however, the case is different. On the west coast are seams, the produce of which can hold its own with that of any existing mines, and nothing is required but cheap methods of working and transport to enable these coals to compete successfully in the great markets of the world.

Before passing to these busy and successful centres it will be requisite to take a passing look at the coal-fields of the northern part of the South Island, the first of which is that of Picton.