1838.] of Coal in the Tenasserim Province. 703 



8. The discovery of this coal field seems to be very important at 

 the present moment when steam communication begins to spread over 

 the whole of the eastern seas, and when the demand for coal annually 

 increases. 



9. It is not certain if the locality can compete with the coal market in 

 Calcutta, but Mergui seems to be destined in future to supply this 

 coast, the Straits, the Chinese seas, Madras, Ceylon, and perhaps Bom- 

 bay and the Red Sea, with coal. 



10. If Ceylon become the central point in the comprehensive sys- 

 tem of steam communication, the locality of Mergui seems particularly 

 adapted to supply the depots at Point de Galle, the distance being 

 in the favorable season only eight or ten days' sail. 



11. A great advantage in the locality is the total absence of land 

 transport. The coal fields are divided quasi on purpose by nature by 

 the river, and the pits can be opened twenty yards from the banks of 

 the river. 



12. The distance by the river is albout 120 miles from Mergui ; 

 sixty miles of this are accessible to vessels of 100 tons burthen 

 throughout the year, and 40 miles more are under the influence of the 

 tides. The difficulty of the navigation concentrates in the last 20 

 miles. The passage is obstructed by hundreds of uprooted trees lying 

 across, impeding the navigation and giving constant occasion to the 

 formation of sand banks. 



The clearing of this part of the river from these impediments will be 

 expensive, but a great deal can be done without any particular expense, 

 if Government convicts are employed. 



13. The last thirty miles are navigable only during five months of 

 the year : it is therefore necessary to have a depot of coal near the river 

 banks, ready to be shipped, when the water begins to rise. 



14. Bamboo rafts, each holding one ton of coal, are the best means 

 of transport in the first instance ; tall bamboos fit for the purpose are on 

 the spot in the greatest abundance. 



15. Bamboos fetch always the price of one rupee eight annas, to 

 two rupees per hundred at Mergui. The rafts can therefore be sold 

 with advantage. Should vessels arrive from distant parts, then the 

 bamboos would rise in price, the superior quality of those growing 

 in these provinces being appreciated on the other side of India, the 

 vessels will be glad to find another article to take along with the 

 coal. 



16. If however annually, a very large quantity say, 10 to 20,000 

 tons are required, bamboos will not be sufficient, and it will be necessary 



4 T 



