190 KHASI HILLS. 



estimated for the cost of the tracks in which he proposes that the coal 

 should be conveyed. 



His calculation as to the quantity of coal which could be readily 

 conveyed down his proposed inclines is as follows : — " Supposing each 

 " truck to measure four feet in length, by 2-3 in breadth, and 1-3 in 

 " depth, three such trucks would carry down 30 maunds each trip, and 

 "supposing only six trips in the hour, we might thus convey 180 

 "maands per hour, 1,800 per day, or 54,000 per month."(rt) Now for 

 such work, at the least, there would be required an establishment of 250 

 trucks, (b) which would require for their construction and repair a con- 

 siderable outlay. And this consideration justifies, I think, my having 

 taken above the higher estimate of' the cost per 100 mauuds. 



At the same time I am perfectly satisfied that, on other grounds, 

 altogether, a mixed system of ordinary cart-roads, and of railed incUnes 

 would be found impracticable. The trucks which Lieutenant Yule pro- 

 poses would be useless on ordinary roads, while ordinary carts would be 

 equally impracticable on the railed descents. The entire distance must 

 therefore be railed, and the trucks travel throughout ; anad this would 

 be decidedly the best plan : or, the coal must be shifted at the top and 

 bottom of each inclined plane from the trucks to the carts, and from 

 the carts again to the trucks. This would involve six loadings and 

 unloadings of the same coals, and the waste consequent thereon : quite 

 sufficient, in my mind, to prevent the adoption of such a system of work. 



I conceive, therefore, that this plan of accomplishing the distance 

 partly by ordinary roads, and partly by railed inclines is quite imprac- 



(a) This supposes 10 hours unbroken work in the dav, and 30 days' work in the 

 month ; which is certainly above the average amount that could be obtained. 



(6) Supposing each truck to make two trips in the day, up and down or, to require 

 for loading, despatch, descent, unloading, and return to the mines, five hours, there 

 would be constantly in motion at the same time 90 of these trucks. The entire distance 

 by Lieutenant Yule's measurements is nine miles, and 702 yards ; or for -the double trip 

 18| miles. This distance could certainly not be travelled in less time than I have calcu- 

 lated, viz., five hours. 



