106 J. McC. Meadows — On the Leinster Coal-field. 



In addition to the foregoing, some few pits are occasionally met 

 "with upon shallow portions of basins of the three-feet seam, for 

 recovery of remnants of Coal that may have escaped the efforts 

 of former searchers. 



The present output of the Coal-field is at the rate of about 80,000 

 tons yearly. Of this quantity about one-half consists of small Coal 

 and Culm, which are used for the burning of lime and bricks, and as 

 fuel by the poorer classes. Sixty years ago, when Griffith made his 

 Eeport, the output was estimated at about 170,000 tons yearly. 



CJiaracter of the Coal. 



All the seams are of the Anthracite class and entirely smokeless. 

 The three-feet seam was a very pure coal, and in its composition 

 almost entirely free from the pyritic or sulphurous intermixtures 

 with which the other seams are more or less impregnated. 



To persons not familiar with the use of these descriptions of Irish 

 Anthracite coal, the gases given off in burning are disagreeable 

 where there is not suflBcient chimney draught for their removal, and 

 for this reason, amongst others, the iise of the coal for house purposes 

 has not extended much beyond the belt of country in which, around 

 the Coal-district, it has become long and well established as the local 

 fuel. With those that have been accustomed to it, the disadvantage 

 referred to weighs, however, but little when the high heating power 

 and lasting properties of the coal are taken into account. For the 

 drying of corn and of malt there is a good external demand for this 

 coal, and as for these purposes the best and hardest portions are 

 always selected, it adds to its other qualities capability of transport 

 to long distances without much waste or loss. 



The Mining Population. 



About 600 persons, including men and boys, are at present em- 

 ployed underground in the several mining works. Of this number 

 270 are colliers, whose special work is the getting of the coal from 

 its bed, and about 240 constitute the miscellaneous mining labour 

 employed underground in bringing the coal to the bottom of the 

 pits or shafts, and keeping the working places and roadways or 

 levels of the mines in working condition. About 70 are able miners 

 who are employed in the sinking of the shafts at present in progress 

 in the district. 



Speaking from experience, and taking into account the labours 

 \hey undergo, the miners, as a class, are an intelligent and well- 

 disposed body of men. Owing to the nature of their work, they do 

 not, however, in general, enjoy the robust health of the mechanic or 

 field labourer, and much yet remains to be done for their better well- 

 being in life. 



It is much to be desired that with the progress which now brings 

 material comforts to most classes, improved dwellings may in future 

 replace the almost comfortless abodes that are now pointed out to 

 the stranger as the miners' homes, and which for the most part give 

 but doubtful shelter to families and men upon whom not only the 

 district itself, but a large extent of country around it, is mainly de- 



