Report upon the Coal beds of Assam, [Nov. 



they are three in number, but the only bed of coal the site of which 

 is known, is that on the Joomoona, a little above the falls. I went to 

 this myself during the last cold weather, and raised about 8 or 10 

 maunds, specimens of which I sent to you at the time. What I got 

 did not appear to be of a very fine quality, having apparently a good 

 deal of earthy matter mixed with it, but it is more than probable that 

 if the vein were worked further, excellent coal would be found. The 

 thickness of the strata is about 2 J feet. I laid the surface bare for some 

 ten or twelve yards, but how far the vein extends beyond this I am 

 unable to say. I believe no difficulty would be found in working the coal, 

 if it ever should become an object of importance to do so. The popula- 

 tion is certainly scanty, but then it is composed of a class of people, 

 Mikeers and Kacharees, who can be taught, and will willingly put their 

 hands to any thing that will afford them a moderate remuneration for 

 their labour. 



* The bed is situated at the foot of a small hill on the east side of a 

 little nullah, which runs from the north into the Joomoona, about half a 

 mile or three quarters of a mile above the falls of the latter, the distance 

 of the coal from the Joomoona itself not being more than 80 or 100 

 yards. This river is at all times navigable to the falls by canoes, and 

 two or three of these lashed together can take down a considerable 

 cargo. The river is deep again above the falls, so that it is only for about 

 800 or 400 yards over these, that porters would be required ; a boat 

 from Gowahatti would, on an average, reach the falls in 20 days, and 

 return in 10 ; but this would vary with the season. 



" Pieces of coal of good quality have been picked up by myself in 

 the bed of the Nambua, a small stream running into the Dhunseree 

 from west, but we have no information as to the position of the 

 beds." 



The locality of these last fragments is marked No. 4 in the 

 annexed sketch-map, and beyond the specimens picked up by Ensign 

 Brodie, we have no further evidence of the existence of coal at the 

 place in question. Here then is the sum of all we know regarding coal 

 in lower Assam : the particular part of the province in which, if found 

 in sufficient quantity and of good quality, it would most favour- 

 ably compete with the coals of Bengal in the Calcutta market. It 

 is desirable therefore that the indications of coal in this quarter should 

 be thoroughly investigated. Captain Jenkins, impressed with the 

 importance of this, has made repeated efforts to have the district 

 examined, and when the scientific mission was in Assam, he directed Dr. 

 Wallich, to detach one of the members of the mission for this pur- 



