COAL AND IRON OF CUTTACK. 7 



'•' stone and slate. The coal may be transmitted down the Brahmini River 

 " to Hunsooa, the Export Salt Depot, and from thence can be easily shipped 

 " to. Calcutta. The expense of carriage is against the opening of these 

 " beds" (p. 89.) He mentions the abundance of Ski timber in many places. 

 " Iron is said to be abundant in Angool, and to be smelted there as well 

 " as in Keonjhur and Mohurbunje" (p. 87,) " and to be also procurable in 

 " the hills of Dhenkanal" (p. 84.) 

 Such was the published information regarding this district up to the 



Mr Su erintendent ^^*® °^ *^^^ ^°^^ Committee Report (1846.) Mr. 

 Gouldsbiiry reports coal, Gouldsbury, while Commissioner of the district 



in 1850, reported to the Government of Bengal the occurrence of coal 

 in one of the localities previously mentioned by Lieutenant Kittoe, and 

 ■ forwarded specimens for examination, stating that the beds from which 

 these specimens were procured were supposed by Mr. Overseer Harton 

 (who had seen them while employed in cutting timber in the forests) 

 to extend from 8 to 10 koss. The coal was supposed to be of good qua- 

 lity and the cost of its delivery in Calcutta was estimated. 



On being subjected to examination, however, by Dr. O'Shaughnessy, 



at that time Chemical Examiner to Government, 

 wjiichprovea useless. 



this so-called coal proved to be nothing but a bitu- 

 minous shale, " leaving 45'5 per cent, of incombustible ashes," and 

 " totally valueless as a fuel" Not satisfied with this trial on the small 

 scale, Mr. Gouldsbury forwarded 100 maunds for experiment in July 

 1851. This second specimen was collected with greater care than 

 the first, but yielded 34'80 per cent, of ash, and, on trial on board the 

 Indus Steamer, was reported to be "50 per cent inferior to Ranee- 

 " gunge coal and quite unfit for steam purposes." 



In November 1852, Mr. Gouldsbury again forwarded specimens of 



Talcheer coal, with a zealous determination to 

 Furtter trials. 



test, in the fullest manner, the value of the mine- 

 ral produce of the district under his charge. These specimens were 



