The Sun.
London, England, 1852-10-14 00:00:00

THE SUN,

MINERALS AT THE CAPE.
(From the Cape Papers.)
DISCOVERY OF COAL AT NATAL.
GOVERNMENT NOTICE.—(NO. 50, 1852.)
Colonial-office, Natal, July 21.
The Lieutenant-Government directs the publication
of the following report, for general information.
By command of the Lieutenant-Governor,
S. B. GORDON, Acting Secretary to Government.
Surveyor-General's Office, July 21.
Sir,--I have the honour to state that, in compli-
ance with the directions of his Honour the Lieute-
nant-Governor, issued in consequence of a discovery
—for the communication of which we are indebted to
Robert Dixon, Esq., agent for Messrs. Chiappini and
Co., of Cape Town—l have inspected the indications
of coal on the coast, near Compensation, the property
of E. Morewood, Esch about forty miles from
D'Urban.
In this inspection, I have availed myself of the
valuable assistance of Messrs. Madigan and Turner.
The vein of coal shown itself on the side of the
cliffs overhanging the sea ; it is a distinct and very
remarkable feature.
The outer crust of the coal, exposed as it hes been
for ages to the action of the air, is very difficult to
kindle ; at the depth of a few inches this disadvantage
sensibly diminishes. I have seen the coal used in al
smithy at Compensation, where every process of
heating and welding iron ie performed with the
greatest facility.
The stratum of coal and the cliff is not more than
about two feet in breadth, and under several super-
incumbent strata of clay, slate, sandstone, &c. This
at once forbids the hope of working it with advantage
in the immediate neighbourhood of the coast.
At the entrance of a small cave, however, the
stratum of coal is seen to dip inland, and with a sen
Bible increase in its breadth. It is, therefore, pro-
bable that at some distance inland the vein may
be of sufficient breadth to be profitably worked—
and it is still more probable that below the first
vein, a second more copious and of superior quality
may be found. But this favourable conjecture re-
quires corroboration by boring, before the discovery
of coal near the coact can be pronounced important.
I have made arrangements for the conveyance of
six waggon-loads of coal to the Custom House at
D'Urban, in order that the officers of the steamer,
now daily expected, may have it in their power to
test its quality and value for steam navigation.—l have
the honour, &c.
Joins' BIRD, Acting Surveyor-General.
The Honourable the Acting Secretary to
Government, Pietermaritzburg.
Fine samples of coal from this newly-discovered
bed have been exhibited is Pietermaritzburg, during
the past week. Certainly the thing, to all appear-
ance, augurs something real, and the coal we have
seen is as pure as any we have seen from Europe.
A quantity is to be shipped for trial on board the
steamer.
A fine vein of coal, equal to any from Newcastle,
has been discovered upon the farm of Mr. J. C.
Boshof, at the Mooi river, shout forty miles from
Pietermaritzburg. Several other mineral productions
of value, as saltpetre, &c., have been found in the
same vicinity. These, with other indisputable signs
of wealth in the Natal territory, stamp the country
Nigh an importance that can scarcely be overrated.
GOLD AT NATAL.—TaIk about gold, copper, and
the other valuable minerals of Natal! Ho w can
they be found to avail if they are not sought for ?
That the country is rich in all the useful minerals
is already demonstrated ; hut what of this knowledge
unless it be turned to practical use ? Mr. Herschel
Bebbege was sent out to Australia to undertake a
minearological and geological survey of the colony,
and a reward of 1,0001. was offered for the discovery
of gold. Let such encouragement be held out to
Natal, and we will not limit the result. The coal of
Mr. Morewood's is infinitely better than the big
lumps of gold. We find nothing in the papers to
confirm th discovery of gold in the Water Kloof.