398 NOETHEBN OUTCEOP, CTJMBEELAND COAL FIELDS — GILPIN. 



MACCAN. 



Volatile Matter 37-00 



Fixed Carbon '. 5918 



Ash 3.82 



STYLES. 



Fast coking. Sloiv coking. 



Moisture 405 405 



Volatile Combustible Matter 3372 3818 



Fixed Carbon 55'83 51-37 



Ash 640 6-40 



The Dominion Government have made arrangements for sur- 

 veying a line of railway from Maccan to Barnes' Creek, on the 

 river Herbert, and thence to the Joggins, a total distance of about 

 nine miles. This line of road would prove a valuable feeder to 

 the Intercolonial Railway, and an important outlet to the whole 

 Cumberland coal district. . It passes across and skirts the 

 productive belt nearly the whole way. By it, in winter, 

 the Joggins, Minudie and other mines would find an outlet 

 to New Brunswick and the Upper Provinces. In summer, 

 the Maccan, and Springhill, and other mines, would find by this 

 road an outlet to a shipping port much nearer than Dorchester 

 and Parrsboro', and open for a longer portion of the year. 



The Joggins coal, I presume almost unknown in Halifax, is 

 when carefully prepared a good steam coal. During this year the 

 company have contracted to supply coal for a line of steamers 

 calling at St. John. I am not in possession of any data as to its 

 qualifications for gas and coke making. 



The coal from the Scotia and Chignecto seams has found a 

 ready market as a good lasting house coal, and its adaptability 

 for that important use, iron making and working, is shown by 

 the selection of the Chignecto property by the Steel Company 

 of Canada as a fuel supply. The coal from the Styles seam is 

 also well adapted for domestic use, while from trials made on 

 the Intercolonial Railway, it would appear to be a good steam 

 coal. From its action while burning it should also possess good 



