67 



reliable data were to be obtained, gives 114 millions of tons of 

 coal which have been wrought in this little exposed coal-field. 

 No less than 106 i^arishes occupy the surface, out of which 74 

 contain coal, and in 57 it is worked. 



Mr Ethekidge then entered upon the question of the great 

 unworked stores still unwrought and awaiting the application 

 of labour and capital, and noticed the probable extension of the 

 northern coal-field west of Almondsbury, occupying the Valley 

 of the Severn, between Portskewett and Almondsbury; the 

 presence of the coal-measures having been already determined 

 by Mr. Richakdson, C.E., in the Severn, about 100 feet below 

 the Eed Marls. 



The Royal Commission have arrived approximately at the fact 

 (based upon close research) that in Gloucestershire alone we 

 have resources of untouched coal to the amount of 1,230,000,000 

 of tons, and that in the richer field of Somersetshire, no less 

 than 5,717,000,000 of tons, making a total of 6,947,000,000 of 

 tons, for the futm^e supply and use of the people in this one 

 coal-field. Deducting 1,000,000,000 of tons from the above as 

 a possible source of error, it leaves 5,947,000,000 of tons of 

 available coal, which the advance of science and high mechanical 

 application may enable us in time to reach. 



It must be borne in mind that the coal hitherto extracted 

 (114,000,000 of tons) has been obtained from a depth not exceed- 

 ing 1,500 feet out of 6,000 or 7,000 feet of known coal-measures ; 

 and it is questionable if any of the deep coals, or those below 

 4,000 feet, will ever be worked, this depth being governed by 

 natural laws, which limit the capabiHties of human labour, it 

 being found that at a temperature of 98* (or that of the blood) 

 in moist air, no sustained power of work can be got out of man 

 by which he can carry on continuous labour. 



Mr. Etheridge further entered upon the question of the 

 dviration of the remaining unwrought coal in the basin, as based 

 upon the total output at the present rate of yield, assuming it 

 to be on reliable data at the rate of 1,000,000 of tons per annum. 

 This quantity, although small as compared with other coal- 

 fields, may be increased to any amoimt if needed ; but assuming 



