[Read before the Auckland Institute, 11th October, 1875.]

In bringing this subject before the Institute, it is not so much with the idea of entering into the chemistry of the subject as to show the absurdity of importing every year, as we do, enormous quantities of coal at a very large cost to the Colony, when we already have in the Colony a superior article to that imported.

With this object in view I will, in the first place, mention that, during the year 1873, there was imported into New Zealand no less than 108,203 ¼ tons of coal; valued at £187,833; and, in 1874, 128,719 tons, valued at £211,081. Now, it will be at once seen, what a vast benefit it would prove if this large sum of money could be retained in the colony.

I will now show, that we have in the province of Auckland a very superior class of coals. For the sake of comparison, I will in the first place, give the analysis of the two coals principally used in Auckland—namely, the Bay of Island and the Newcastle coals:—

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