182 Dr. Heifer's Fourth Report [No. 98. 



The Palamow, and Cherra-Poongi coal-fields will either be 

 given up entirely, or if they can compete with the Burdwan 

 coal in cheapness, the latter will suffer still more, the quality of 

 the former being superior, and the demand for coal for the 

 river navigation in Hindoostan as yet so limited, that one of 

 these localities can supply all the wants. 



The importation of coal from Europe will probably cease en- 

 tirely in time, for it would be very strange indeed, and only the 

 effect of very bad management, if coal-fields well situated, with 

 a material of a superior quality in the hands of one and the 

 same nation, and many thousands of miles nearer to the place of 

 consumption, should not render India altogether independent of 

 Europe. 



The first expense of the opening of the Mergui mines will be 

 considerable, and the prices in the beginning high; either the 

 Burmese must be employed, or a population introduced (Chinese 

 suiting the best). In both cases the wages will be high — 

 Burmese, independent in their character, and provided easily 

 with all the wants of life, and induced only to work for high 

 wages ; and Chinese to be introduced into a new country, must 

 in the beginning also be enticed by the prospect of higher wages 

 than they can get elsewhere. 



The expense of machinery and the setting it up, will be great- 

 er than in any part of India ; vessels arriving empty will only 

 carry coal for higher freight, and counting only to be remune- 

 rated by the return cargo. 



These are the difficulties which will throw themselves in the 

 way the first years, but gradually the coal will become cheaper. 



Coal could be turned advantageously into use, by working 

 the mines of iron in the neighbourhood of Mergui with coal ; the 

 nearest one is but a few hours distant. Mergui will undoubt- 

 edly become a considerable place; colonists ought to be advised 

 to settle in the neighbourhood, and men of capital to resort there 

 in preference. 



1. It being that part of the country which possesses the 

 coal mines. 



2. It being peculiarly adapted for perennial plantations, and 

 alone fit for the introduction of spices. 



