1838.] Report upon the Coal beds of Assam. 955 



indeed the rains had commenced prior to any coal being brought 

 from the mine ; but notwithstanding this drawback Captain Hannay 

 succeeded in raising 1050 maunds of coal, and conveying to the mouth 

 of the Boree Diking upwards of 800 maunds, the whole expense on 

 which amounted to 96 rupees 5 anas 6 pie : so that the coal has been 

 brought down to the confluence of the Boree Diking with the Brama- 

 putra at something less than 2 anas a maund*." 



Boorkath and Jypoor > the places at which the coal beds just noticed 

 are situated, are laid down in the annexed sketch-map between No. 3 

 and No. 2 ; the advantages of the former beds over the latter in regard 

 to situation may also be seen on this map, the Jypoor river joining 

 the Bramaputra 18 miles higher in Assam than the river on which 

 the Boorkatk coal would have to be carried. Besides this, the Jypoor 

 coal is situated from 1 J to 3 miles from water-carriage, while boats 

 may approach at Boorkath to the mines. Nevertheless, these differ- 

 ences are so slight, that a preference to one or other locality must 

 depend on its comparative healthiness, on the quality of the coal, and 

 on the general capabilities of the place. 



Of the healthiness of Assam generally people now begin to form 

 very favourable notions compared with Bengal ; and Boorkath and 

 Jypoor are said to be situated in one of the finest quarters of the 

 province. In the present state of things, perhaps, the Boorkath and 

 Jypoor coals are only to be regarded as the elements of local improve- 

 ment ; the intercourse between Upper Assam and other parts of India 

 must assume a better footing, before its coals could be supplied to 

 Calcutta at a cheaper rate than Bengal coals, but whether the former 

 might not compete with the Bard wan coal in the supply of the depots 

 on the Ganges, unless the present prices of the latter can be consider- 

 ably reduced, and whether it would not be advisable, considering the 

 local improvement to which such an arrangement would give rise, to 

 adopt measures for supplying the Gangetic steamers from this quarter, 

 even though no direct saving were at first to be expected, may deserve 

 consideration. Such a question, it is not perhaps the business of the 

 Committee to examine into ; still it is one of so much importance, and so 

 intimately connected with the practical results of its proceedings, that 

 we may be pardoned for alluding to it in detail. 



* In concluding this letter Captain Jenkins observes, — ** It gives me much 

 pleasure to bring to the notice of Government through the Committee, the 

 zealous manner in which Captain Hannay, at considerable risk and trouble, has 

 co-operated with me, not only in this instance, but in every other, where an attempt 

 has been made to develope the resources of the eastern districts of Assam." 



