quantity of that metal was fused within twelve minutes after.  The
temperature was maintained without trouble, for I kept up a white heat for
four hours for some other metallurgical operations, and was glad to find
that the ash left was all in powder, so there was none of the trouble in
cleaning up that is caused by this land from the coke, said to be produced
for Newcastle (NSW) coal, and which has to be broken from the fire bars
and sides with a hammer, to the great detriment of the furnaces.  I see a
great future for the Collie coal smelting and steam purposes, and as soon
as the Company are able to bring it on the market at a price to compete
with other fuels they are sure to have a good sale, for, being non-coking,
it requires no stoking beyond the ashes being raked out from time to time
and the fires did not require feeding constantly, as when charcoal is
used.  — I am, sir, yours etc.
BERNARD H. WOODWARD,
Assayer.