2 MINERAL STATISTICS. 



more coals to market that season — this period thus became the ens-' 

 tomary close of the local year. 



The total returns give an average out-turn of coal for the past three 

 years of 87,37,454 maunds, or about 320,631 tons. But it is scarcely 

 just to consider this as giving a fair mean of the present out-turn, for 

 during the first of these years there were, as is well known, disturbing 

 causes at work tending to injure the regular trade of the country — ■ 

 and a fairer average, though determined by too small a number of years, 

 will be obtained by taking the mean of the last two year's produce. 

 This will give 100,25,020 maunds, or about 367,890 tons in the twelve 

 months. 



The returns also show one important and interesting fact, namely, 

 that however the local out-turn may have increased or diminished, as 

 affected by local causes, the general out-turn has steadily and mark- 

 edly increased, apparently indicating a healthy and sound extension 

 of trade and commerce. 



The total out-turn for 1860 (that is, for the twelve-months ending 

 October 1860) was 100,88,113 maunds, or 370,206 tons, an amount 

 almost contemptible (about the 200th part) if compared with the won- 

 drous total of the coals raised annually in Great Britian, viz. 72 

 millions of tons ! But still evidencing a large and increasing commerce 

 and the spread of many of the arts of civilization. 



To the table a few notes have been appended, referring to other 

 parts of the country where coal is either known not to occur, or where 

 it may have been found in small quantities, but is not workable. 



The tables commence with the details of the Raniganj coal field 

 by far the most productive as well as important coal field in India 

 and the other localities are referred to afterwards. 



