960 Report upon the Coal ofSylhet. [Nov. 



lively be accessible for ordinary boats of a certain size ? would any 

 particular boat be desirable and what is the probable expense per 

 maund of delivering the coal at the nearest depot accessible to large 

 boats?" 



2nd. Chattuk, on the river Soorma near the mouth of the small 

 river which runs past Pandua, is best situated for a depot, and is 

 approachable at all times of the year by the common country boats of 

 500 maunds, which it will be best to employ for conveying the coal. 

 The price of coal is likely to vary at Cherra from 20 to 22 rupees per 

 100 maunds ; and as it will be safer to calculate upon the higher price 

 the following will be the average cost of delivering at Chattuk. 



100,000 maunds ofcoalat22 rupees per 100 maunds, Co.'s Rs. 22,000 

 A salary, of three per cent, on the price, to the contractor or 



agent at Cherra, 600 



Expense of building a dep6t for the coal, 200 



Conveying coal from Soorma-ghat to Chattuk, at two rupees 



per 100 maunds, 2000 



24,800 



Thus the rate of delivery at Chattuk would be three anas eleven pie or 

 four anas per maund. I annex a statement showing the expense of 

 conveying, and the price of delivering the coal, at the several stations 

 mentioned in your letter. 



3rd. " Are any parties now working the coal mines in your vicinity, 

 and what is your opinion as to the best mode of proposing for tenders, 

 or otherwise providing for the future supply of coal for river steamers 

 from mines in your neighbourhood, and what your opinion generally 

 as to the best way of bringing such coal into use after July next, when 

 the present contracts will expire ?" 



3rd. The Kasyas are the sole workers of the Cherra vein. That 

 of Lour was worked for a short time by Mr. G. Inglis of Chattuk ; 

 but the coal being inferior could not compete with the Bardwan in the 

 market, and he gave up the attempt. No contracts can be made with 

 the Kasyas for a continued supply of coal, for without some one to look 

 after them, and to see their engagements fulfilled, they would never have 

 the coal at the foot of the hills, in sufficient time. Each supply ought to 

 be bargained for on the spot, and I would recommend, as mentioned in 

 my letter to you of August last, that an officer be appointed to contract 

 with the Kasyas for the necessary supplies, and that he should receive 



