COAL. 



It may be interesting, in connection witli this consideration, to see 

 what proportion the out-turn of the larger companies bears to the whole. 

 In 1868, the Bengal Coal Co. raised 61,39,105 maunds ; Gobind Pundit, 

 Sirsole, 24,28,428; the Beerbhoom Co., 13,62,635; the Equitable Coal 

 Co., 11,60,292, and the East Indian Coal Co., 8,30,605, these five compa- 

 nies thus giving an out-turn of 1,19,21,065, out of a total of 1,34,50,829. 

 With reference to the few localities outside the Ranigunj field, 

 where coal has been raised in India, I would add a few words. Of 

 those in the Nerbudda valley, the coal at and near Lameta Ghat 

 (although only offering prospect of a very limited supply of inferior 

 coal) has been worked very spiritedly by Mr. Walker, railway con- 

 tractor, chiefly for local use, brick burning, &c. The coal in the Sher 

 river, which is of the same geological age as that at Lameta, has also 

 been worked by the same gentleman. At Mopani, it may be said that 

 little coal has been raised, but active and efficient preparations have 

 been made, so that, on the opening of the railway, the colliery wiU be 

 able to turn out some thousands of tons per month. 



Near Chanda, (at Googoos) south of Nagpore, a little coal has 

 been raised from a pit sunk there, chiefly for trials. This proved to be 

 very inferior coal. It was tried on the G. I. P. Railway (Bombay), 

 but reported to be quite unfit for locomotive purposes, and unable to 

 give a welding heat in the fires. A systematic examination of this field 

 (Chanda) has been undertaken by Government, to test the extent, 

 thickness, and quahty of the coals there to be met with, and the results 

 will be published from time to time. 



The use of Assam coal does not appear to have extended much. 

 And there seems to be still considerable difficulty, from the want of facili- 

 ties of communication with the Burhampooter, in bringing this coal into 

 general demand. 



A very considerable amount of coal has been raised from some of 

 the beds of the Bokaro field, near Hazareebaugh, which has all been 



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