Runanga is the name of a Government township recently laid out near the State coal mines, about five miles from Greymouth, and is distinct from Dunollie, a private township, which is nearer to the mines. There are very few houses yet (1905) erected in the settlement, although the streets are formed and gravelled through the bush land of which the settlement is composed. So far, the township consists of two or three small business places and a public school. The post office is conducted at the store of Messrs R. Masters and Company, near the mines, There is an hotel at Dunollie, and there are a few small farms in the neighbourhood of Runanga. The mines are connected by rail with Greymouth, and the line crosses the Grey river by a traffic bridge at Cobden. Runanga is in the Cobden riding of the county of Grey, in the electorate of Grey, and in the provincial district of Nelson.

Government Sawmill, State Collieries , Runanga. In connection with the State Colleries at Runanga, near Point Elizabeth, a large quantity of timber is used, and it was thought advisable that this should be cut by a State-owned mill. Accordingly, a very complete plant was purchased, and set up near the mines in August, 1903. It includes a twenty horse-power boiler built by the Dispatch Foundry, Greymouth; a twelve horse-power Marshall engine, twin saw breast bench, a breast bench planer; and an eight horsepower hauling engine, built by the Dispatch Foundry. The output is about 45,000 feet per week. Fourteen persons are employed, and there is practically, an unlimited supply of bush.

Mr. Robert Pollock , Manager (under contract) of the Government Sawmill, at the State Collieries, Runanga, was born in Dunedin, in the year 1858, and educated in Westport. He afterwards learned sawmilling, and took charge of the co-operative mill at Westport for five years. Mr. Pollock has since managed various mills, and erected dredges, principally in the Buller district, where he has his home on a small farm of about seventy acres, near Birchfield. He was a member of the Seddonville school committee, and was for many years handicapper for the Waimangaroa Caledonian Society. As a runner, wrestler, and jumper, Mr. Pollock has competed with a fair amount of success. He is married, and has two sons.

The State Coal Mines at Runanga were taken over from the Greymouth and Point Elizabeth Railway and Coal Company by the Government in the year 1903, and in the same year the branch railway line from Greymouth to the mines was also acquired. The coal produced is bituminous, and is used principally in the Government service. About 500 tons a day are obtained. The board and pillar system of working is used, and the coal is taken to the surface on an endless rope. The mines are drained by gravitation, and the levels are ventilated by Hay's fans. The width of the seam worked varies from four to fourteen feet. At the railway page 274 siding, near the mine, bins capable of holding 2000 tons have been erected. The buildings include a commodious office, with four rooms, workshops in which repairs are effected, and the usual shed for machinery. There is also a complete sawmilling plant in operation, worked under contract. Employment is given to 240 persons. In the year 1905, Mr. Joseph Herd was manager, and Mr. George Millar engineer.