CHAPTER X. 



, TASMANIA. 



Both Permo-carboniferous and Mesozoic coals are found 

 mid worked in Tasmania. From 1880 to 1909, inclusive, 

 1,119,387 tons of coal were produced in Tasmania, valued at 

 958,309. r lii 1909 the production was 66,161J tons, valued at 

 56,237. This is the. largest output ot coal from Tasmania in 

 any one year. 



The different seams of coal worked produce coal of various 

 qualities, from semi-anthracite downwards; but, on the whole, 

 they are not of the highest quality, as will be seen from the 

 analysis given. The Permo-carboniferous coal is a sulphurous 

 gas, house and steam coal. The following coal basins are 

 recognised: 



1. The Mersey coal basin. Seams 18 to 20in. thick are 

 worked at Spreyton and Dulverton on a small scale. 



2. Preoleima basin, on the north-west coast. Here three 

 seams of kerosene shale are met with; the top one, 20in. thick, 

 is the most important. There is also gas coal in seams up to 

 3 oft. thick, but it is not worked. 



3. Mount Cygnet basin. The Mt. Cygnet seam is 3ft. 

 Gin. to 3ft. 9in. The coal is dull, compact, high in ash, burns 

 slowly, and without much flame, but gives a strong heat in the 

 grate. This seam is looked upon as being younger than the 

 Mersey measures. 



4. Southport coal basin. A diamond drill bore was put 

 down for the Southport Coal Prospecting Association to a depth 

 of 012ft. 2in. in 1893. The rocks are regarded as Permo- 

 carboniferous. Nothing of importance was found. 



5. Mount Pelioii and Barn Bluff Basin. The coal in this 

 basin is not worked. One seam, 17 in. thick, of bright firm 

 black coal contains a considerable quantity of pyrites. A 

 second seam is split by a four-inch carbonaceous shale, the 

 upper portion being five inches and the lower 21 inches thick. 



2. G. A. Waller. Report on the Recent Discovery of 

 Cannel Coal in the Parish of Preoleniia, and upon the New 

 Victory Copper Mine, near Arthur River, 1901. By authority. 



3.' W. H. Twelvetrees. Report on Gold and Coal at Port 

 Cygnet, 1902. By authority. 



