Schouten Island. 15 



The river, it is to be regretted, has a bar entrance, 

 against which a deep heavy surf rolls even in the finest 

 weather, rendering it not only dangerous but impracti- 

 cable for shipping, or even boats ; but the distance is 

 only seven or eight miles, and nearly upon a level the 

 greater part of the way to Wabbs' Boat Harbour, and 

 there small coasting vessels can in ordinary weather come 

 alongside a wharf to load. 



In reporting upon, and recommending-, the coal at the 

 Schouten Island as adapted for almost any purpose to 

 which English coal may be applied, and stating what I 

 considered to be difficulties and drawbacks connected 

 with mining operations there, I have omitted to notice 

 the probable cost of production of the mineral. 



One of the miners formerly employed, and having a 

 beneficial interest in the workings, at the Schouten 

 Island has informed me, that he could afford to deliver 

 coal at the water's edge there from 4s. to 5s. the ton. 



If the cost of production, including all minor and inci- 

 dental expences, be taken at 7s. instead of 5s., and 7s. 

 more be added for freight to HobartTown, with an allow- 

 ance of Is, per ton as a royalty, the entire outlay upon 

 the article, when brought into market here, would be 15s. 

 per ton. 



Port Arthur coal— a very inferior article — is sold, I 

 believe, on the wharf at Tasman's Peninsula at 8s. 6d. ; 

 and the price in Hobart Town has recently been 16s. per 

 ton. 



Sydney coal averages in the Hobart Town market 

 25s. to 30s. the ton. 



As the Schouten coal is, for every purpose, verv 

 superior to that of Port Arthur, and some parts of the 

 seam are fit for any purpose to which Sydney coal may 

 be applied, it appears that the ordinary state of the 

 market prices relatively to them is such as to afford a fair 



