66 BALL : GEOLOGY OF AUSUNGA AND HUTAU COAL FIELDS. 



Altogether it may be confidently asserted that there is a plentiful 

 supply of ore in this neighbourhood, which, as the 

 of?hettsSne.''"*''^ ^^P ^^ ^nly 5' and less, might be easily worked. 

 The quality of the ore too is satisfactory, a fair 

 sample having yielded on assay 49'2 per cent, of metallic iron. So simi- 

 lar in appearance are these ironstone shales to the group of that name 

 in the eastern fields, that it might easily be supposed that they are of the 

 same age. The occurrence of Barakar sandstones, &c., however, higher 

 in the sequence, indicates their true position beyond a doubt. Somewhat 

 similar ironstones occur with the Barakars on the east of the Karanpura 

 field. The true Ironstone Shale group I believe to 

 abs^nr*"""^ Shale group ^^ ^j^^^y unrepresented in the Aurunga field and 

 its outliers. In one of the latter, as will be shewn, 

 these Barakar ironstones are likewise strongly developed, forming a very 

 important deposit. 



We have then in tolerably close proximity to Rajbar coal, ironstone, 

 and limestone {vide map). The quality of the two latter has already 

 been described. Regarding the coal it will be necessary here to say 

 a few words in anticipation of the fuller account which will be found in 

 the chapter on the economic resources. The extent of the carbonaceous 

 deposits here exposed could scarcely fail to attract the notice of a passer- 

 by, and a vast supply of coal might be thought to exist ; close examina- 

 tion soon reveals the poverty of the seams, and the 

 ^^^Coal of inferior qua- ^gg^^g ^j^-^^ j ^^^^ j^^^^ ^f ^^^^ ^f ^.y^g best look- 

 ing bands of coal have fully confirmed the unfavor- 

 able opinion which I formed in the field. At the same time I do 

 not wholly despair of the existence of tolerable coal in workable 

 thicknesses ; but that coal suitable for iron-smelting will ever be 

 found in this neighbourhood is, I regret to say, scarcely to be hoped for. 

 A pit near the river bank east of Eajbar might easily be sunk to test 

 these seams thoroughly. It is to be hoped that 

 such may be done before any final conclusion is 

 arrived at. 



( 66 ) 



