37 



toals. But so far as tlie trials went the results shewed that the coals 

 worked in the Kurhurbari field were superior to those obtained from the 

 Ranigunj field, in the ratio of 113 to 100. 



The principal advantage possessed by the Kurhurbari field is one 

 of position as a supplying area for up-country and the stations west of 

 Lukki Serai, there being a saving of 23 miles of carriage as compared 

 with the Ranigunj field. But this must be considered in connection with 

 the available amount of coal, and the financial problem : — Will the 

 saving in carriage over Ranigunj coals give a profit upon the expenses 

 of railway construction, and price of lands? still remains open to 

 discussion. 



If the rate of consumption be assumed at 250,000 tons a year, the 

 Kurhurbari field has a life of about 300 years. 



IX. — History of the Coal Field. 



This coal field was first brought to notice by Dr. McClelland in 

 1848, and some coal was raised at the outcrop of several of the seams to 

 test their excellence. Systematic working however was initiated by 

 Mr. Inman in 1851, who mined the bottom seam of coal at Ramnuddi. 

 This coal was all carted to the Ganges. 



Messrs. Ward and Co., railway contractors at Monghyr in 1855 

 held Kuldiha and Ramnuddi, which Mr. Inman formerly possessed. 



In 1856-57, the interest in these two localities was transferred to 

 the Bengal Coal Company, who now possess in addition holdings at 

 Dhobidih, Mukpitto, Sati ghat, Oopurdaha ghat, Domahani ghat and 

 Bayra. The most valuable part of their property is that west of 

 Kuldiha, and mining operations in this direction are being vigorously 

 prosecuted. The Ramnuddi property is small, but it yields good coal, 

 only a little inferior to that at Kuldiha. In 1862 the working of the 



(^ 24.5 ) 



