22 HUGHES : WARDHA VALLEY COAL-FIELD. 



having been sunk in Barakars, and the second not put sufficiently to the 

 deep of the other. A more recent endeavour to reach coal in sites 

 selected by myself failed to achieve any further practical result than 

 to demonstrate that the red clays of the Kamthis occur at no great depth 

 from the surface, and that it was impossible, in the absence of piping, to 

 keep the holes clean. There is no reason to suppose that coal does not 

 exist, and I believe it would be met with, judging from results in other 

 parts of the field, at a depth of about 160 feet below the clays. 



None of the ground outside Bailgaon and Kandara was tested, as 

 the indications of the probability of striking coal in shallow bores were 

 not promising. 



The extension of the Barakars east and west of the Lalghat river is 

 obscured by alluvium, and to the south they are cut off by a fault, the 

 continuation of the one near Dongargaon. 



Near Nimsara, there are several little patches of sandstones which are 

 difficult to identify. They may be Barakars, but 

 I have placed them in the Kamthi series. There 

 is no well-defined dip ; it appears to be easterly and low. Coal would 

 very likely be found at an easy depth between Nimsara and the main 

 Nagpiir and Chanda road. The best line for boring on will bear E. 65° S. 

 from the village. 



In the neighbourhood of Khairgaon, a locality is marked on the map 



where the coal probably comes close to the surface. 

 Khairgaon. * . 



Not a trace of Barakar sandstone or shale is visible, 



but the Kamthi beds that are exposed belong to the lower portion of 

 their series. 



Some borings were made near Aikona under Mr. Eryar's direction, 



where a small body of Barakars is exposed in the Dehwal nala. None 



of them were successful in their purpose, which was to cut the coal on 



the left bank of the Wardha, opposite the point where it had been pre- 



( 22 ) 



