1838.] Report upon the Coal beds of Assam. 957 



This would leave the higher stations to be supplied on a separate 

 contract from Bardwan, or any other source from which it might be 

 done cheapest. The average charge for coal at the five depots from 

 Surdah to Danapoor is at present 72 rupees 3 anas per 100, or 

 721 rupees 14 anas per 1000 maunds. 



The entire consumption for the past year has been about 91,000 

 maunds, on the whole line from Calcutta to Allahabad, but should the 

 number of steamers be increased, the expenditure of coal must also 

 increase in the same proportion, and the supply would in such case 

 become, in every sense, an object of more importance. 



Boats of any draught would have a favourable current throughout 

 the year from Disung Mookh on the Bramaputra to Surdah, with the 

 exception, during the dry season, of about 80 miles from Jafirgunj to 

 Surdah, they would thus be enabled to reach Surdah, one of the 

 depots for coal, in about one month, or say, six weeks from the date of 

 leaving the Disung river. Returning unladen for fresh cargoes, they 

 would be about two months, thus making three trips in the year with 

 the greatest ease, inclusive of the time required for taking in and 

 discharging cargo. 



The following are the rates at which boats are hired by the commis- 

 sariat for the conveyance of public stores, and, though higher perhaps 

 than those which merchants pay, maybe taken as established charges, st 

 which any extent of tonnage may be had. The boats required for this 

 duty should each carry at least 1000 maunds*. 



Hire of boat, at three rupees per 100-maunds burden, per 

 mensem, Rs. 30 



1 mangy, at 5 rupees per mensem, 5 



15 boatmen, at 4 rupees each, 60 



95 



undertake the delivery of coals at Cutwa for a year, by way of trial, should no one 

 else offer to do it on more favourable terms. The Rajmehal coal discovered by Mr. 

 Pontet, will, that gentleman thinks, cost at Berhampoor about six anas per maund ; 

 but further particulars require to be known regarding it, before any reliance could be 

 placed on receiving supplies from this bed. 



* Note by Captain Johnston. 



•' I believe this is for the measurement of the boat ; a boat of 1000 maunds will 

 not carry mora than 6 or 700 maunds weight." The weight which boats may carry 

 depends a good deal on rivers and seasons. In March and October it might be 

 necessary to load bouts lightly, but at other periods coal boats from Assam might be 

 laden if necessary to within six inches of the water, having such fine rivers to 

 navigate; but if a 1000-maund boat be too small, a 1400-maund boat might be 

 employed instead, with the same number of men, which would make a trifling differ- 

 ence in expense, but would give a great advantage in the results. 



