160 Coal Milling Operations at Malmesbury. 



ones whom rumour asserted to have been bought over not to pro- 

 secute the work any farther by the coal-masters of another district, 

 in order to prevent the competition which tbis new mine from its 

 contemplated riches must inevitably produce. Now as this opinion 

 still prevailed, it was not long since deemed advisable to re- 

 investigate the matter, but this time it was determined that such 

 investigation should be intrusted to a geologist, and as such I was 

 requested to undertake the inquiry. 



Having therefore gone to this most interesting district to pro- 

 secute my mission, I was soon in communication with some intel- 

 ligent gentlemen who represented the estate, when the evidence 

 connected with the opening of the shaft was laid before me. About 

 two pounds weight of the previously-mentioned black substance 

 brought from the shaft, was submitted for inspection. This black 

 matter of course proved to be lignite or carbonized wood, thin de- 

 posits of which will be found in most thick clay deposits, and very 

 frequent in this which is the Oxford clay. Such appearances, 

 however, have frequently led to fruitless mining experiments, the 

 usual argument for which is, " here is a good burning coal got a 

 few feet from the surface ; it is true it is but a thin seam, but how 

 much thicker will it become the deeper we descend." 



In addition to this evidence a bill of sale of some land in the 

 district, on which was a statement that the mil ling rights were to 

 be reserved, was put into my hands ; but it came out that the 

 property in question was crown-land in which such reservation is 

 always made. 



Evidence of this character was perfectly valueless, and as it re- 

 solved itself entirely into a geological investigation, I shall now 

 describe the geological facts of the case. 



On going to the site of the old shaft, I soon found that it had 

 been commenced in the Oxford clay formation, and from examining 

 the exposed debris of the shaft, I became convinced that the open- 

 ing of nearly one hundred yards in depth as stated by my guide, 

 had not pierced through the Oxford clay bed. 



Here, then, the question of obtaining coal on this spot was at 

 once set at rest, inasmuch as we should have many thick form- 



