lOO HALIBtrKTON — ON EXPLORATIONS IN PICTOU COAL FIELD* 



area, which is probably on the northern side of the basin . A large 

 amount of shales was found to overlie the seam proved by us. 

 A few yards from the pit we found a reddish sandstone which 

 occurs in great a?jundance along Sutherland's r iver, and dips 

 generally at a very slight angle. It is probable that reddish 

 sandstones on the Culton area are identical with those found on 

 this area. The occurrence of sandstones in different localities 

 cannot be counted upon, as the Albion mines, in sinking their 

 Dalhousie pit passed through nothing but an immense mass of 

 shales, while further west to their surprise they came down 

 upon a light sandstone in sinking a shaft, and for a time at least 

 abandoned it, supposing that the coal must have run out, and 

 that the sandstone belonged to measures underlying the main 

 seam. The same sandstone has been found in the overlying 

 shales at New Glasgow and at Middle river. 



I am disposed to think that the lower measures at Sutherland's 

 river bridge are the equivalent of the New Glasgow conglome- 

 rate, and like it, are the boundary between the southern and 

 northern basins, or as I have termed them, the Albion and the 

 Pictou basins. The southern basin narrows and terminates a 

 short distance to the eastward of Sutherland's river. I have 

 found coal at its eastern extremity, and also have seen caunel 

 coal discovered there. The explorations east of the river were 

 merely superficial, being confined to examining exposures of 

 strata and indications of coal. I speak therefore with some 

 hesitation as to the country east of Sutherland's river. That 

 there is coal there, may be safely assumed ; but the extent of it 

 must be settled by the miner's pick, and bore rod. No intuition 

 can dispense with the drudgery and expense of practical explo- 

 rations, which require a very small amount of science, and a 

 very liberal expenditure of money. 



The accompanying map of the Pictou coal district gives the 

 boundaries of leases, &c., according to maps of the Mines 

 Office. 



