Vol. 68.] ANNIVEESAET ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT. Xcix 



expenditure would be a new departure for this country, and one 

 which could not be taken in hand without the assurance that not 

 individuals alone, but the country as a whole, would benefit by the 

 scheme. 



{d) A Eoyal Commission suggested. 



The question is so difficult and complicated, and yet of such far- 

 reaching importance, that perhaps the best course would bo the 

 appointment of a Eoyal Commission to consider it in all its bearings, 

 to study the plans adopted by the Colonies and Foreign Countries^ 

 and to suggest such alterations in the law as may bring about a 

 solution of the problems by which we are confronted, while avoiding 

 the innumerable pitfalls that surround the subject. 



If such a Commission were appointed, it seems almost inevitable 

 that it should suggest the grouping together of the numerous 

 Departments and fractions of Departments which deal with various 

 branches of our mineral industries under a single expert Department 

 and Minister, as is done in many of our Colonies and in Foreign 

 Countries. After many centuries under other Departments,, 

 Agriculture has at last achieved a Department of its own. It is to 

 be hoped that it will not be necessary to wait until our mining 

 industries are in as parlous a state as that which Agriculture had 

 reached, before they too receive similarly favourable treatment. 



(4) Summary. 



The enquiries of the Coal Commissions have shown that of the 

 coal left unworked in Britain 100,000 millions of tons remain in 

 the proved and 40,000 millions in trhe unproved coal-fields. 

 It is pointed out that it is as safe to reckon confidently on the 

 latter quantity as on the former. 



Careful estimates by competent authorities show that this 

 quantity of coal is likely to become exhausted between 2130 and 

 2200 A.D., according to the precise basis upon which the calculation 

 is made. 



The fact, that of the potential energy resident in the coal in situ 

 not more than 8 per cent, is extracted as work, indicates that there 

 is room for immense improvement in getting and employing the 

 coal, and for effecting important savings in our known resources. 

 This economy touches mainly Miners, Chemists, and Engineers. 



The Geologists' share of the problem is to ascertain whether or 

 no we possess other supplies of workable coal not included in the 



