MINERAL COALS. 



During their survey of Trinidad, Messrs. Wall and Sawkins 

 discovered seams of coal, which they reported to be of very good 

 quality. This fuel cannot fail to be a most valuable addition to 

 the already numerous and valuable resources of the colony. 



The coal has been found at Pointe Noire, between Manzanilla 

 and the mouth of the river Oropuche. The coal district would 

 extend, according to all appearances, from the eastern coast to 

 the Gulf, across the counties of St. Andrew, Caroni, and part 

 of St. George. Unfortunately it was surveyed on an extent of 

 only nine miles. 



At Pointe Noire the coal is quite near the surface, and 

 consequently can be worked at little expense, and with prospects 

 of immediate return. 



From the work of Messrs. Wall and Sawkins I have the 

 following information. 



The geological conditions indicate that the fuels of the island 

 are contained in strata of recent origin, the carbonaceous 

 deposits of the eastern coast being probably middle Tertiary, 

 whilst that of the southern coast may be of even later date. 

 Preliminary experiments having established considerable diver- 

 sity in the qualities of the coals, the leading varieties only were 

 selected and subjected to as complete an examination as practic- 

 able. The results are summarised in the following paragraphs : — 



The specific gravity of the whole of the local specimens is 

 comprised within the usual limits — 1*2 to 1*4. 



Sulphur does not exist in excess in any of the island speci- 

 mens j in some the amount is very trifling. 



The colonial fuels are less perfectly mineralised than those 

 of the English formation. 



The whole of the specimens from Trinidad having been 

 collected from the outcrops of the .beds to which they belong 

 are in a more or less deteriorated condition, on which account an 

 improvement may be confidently anticipated in the following 

 particulars : a decrease in the amount of ashes; a decrease in the 

 water mechanically mixed ; and an increase in the illuminating 



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