Coal
COAL FROM KANGAROO ISLAND.
The Treasurer (Sir Richard Butler) stated in the Assembly last, week that he had heard that black coal had been discovered at Kangaroo Island. He hoped the report was true, because it would make a great difference to the working of the railways. A gentleman had shown him a piece of the coal, which he stated had been given to him by a friend. (Mr. Crawford Vaughan—Are you sure it did not come from Newcastle?) The quality of the coal, concluded Sir Richard, appeared to be much better than that from Leigh Creek.
A correspondent writes with reference to the alleged discovery of coal on Kangaroo Island:—"A well-informed friend of mine has visited the position of the alleged coal find on Kangaroo Island. The situation is on a level spot close to the river. He showed fragments picked up from the surface—there has been no excavation. It is reported that a coal expert has declared the substances to be good black coal, not like any Australian, and equal to best English. I can readily believe it. The stuff is no doubt just smith's coal, probably Welsh. Many years ago a large boat was built at this spot, and a small forge was used. I am convinced that the discovery is on the site of the forge. The stuff is, I believe, smith's coal originally left, and grassed over gradually as years passed by. In confirmation of this view, I saw one or more pieces of coke; and, as a rule, coke is not found associated with native coal! In justice to the discoverer, I say that he believes the find to be genuine; but it would be a pity if his excessive optimism should raise hopes not to be realized."
"COAL FROM KANGAROO ISLAND." (1917, September 29). Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), p. 30. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article164137106COAL ON KANGAROO ISLAND.
The samples of coal from Kangaroo Island, submitted to the School of Mines, Ballarat, yielded on analysis:- Fixed carbon, 68.17 per cent.; volatile combustible matter, 27.00; ash, 2.41; moisture 2.42; 100.00. This sample produced 70.58 per cent. of fairly hard, compact coke.
COAL ON KANGAROO ISLAND. (1917, October 29). The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), p. 7. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5567170Mining on Kangaroo Island.
'Interested' writes:—
' In the Register of Feb. 9, the following paragraph appeared under the heading "Fifty Years Ago." "We believe that no decision has been come to in regard to the application for land on Kangaroo Island upon which to search for coal, pending the issue of regulations under the Mining Act of last session. The regulations are in type, and their publication will not be long delayed," This recalls to memory the many ventures started on the Island in connection with mining. Even 50 years ago, it is seen, there was 'something doing ' in this line. It would be interesting to have a full list of the schemes promoted in connection with K.I., all of which promised to lift the Island 'from the slough of despond and make it a prosperous mining district. To my knowledge there have been gold mines, silver and lead mines, tin, oil and gem fields, our clays were exploited and fire and building bricks and even crockery was manufactured locally, cement, proved by tests to be superior to the imported article, was manufactured from raw materials found on the Island, but these, and many other ventures, all rank amongst the long list of dismal failures. The natives, in the early days, referred to the Island as a "debbil debbil country," and apparently they were right ; but where does it exist ? Is it a curse, or some unlucky star that hovers over the place that is responsible, or have we to look closer home, to find the real cause of these failures ? I am afraid we have got into the habit of waiting for something to turn up, and shut our eyes to the natural possibilities of the place. We centre our hopes and energies on will-o-the-wisps and never give a thought to the greatest of our assets — the tourist traffic. Therein lies the Island's future, but judging by appearances this will not be recognised by Islanders within the next hundred years."
Mining on Kangaroo Island. (1921, March 19). The Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), p. 2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191552016