1838.] Report upon the Coal of Behar. 965 



supply of coals from mines not yet in operation, would not be found to 

 answer so well, as by the government giving in the first instance a 

 grant of land wherever the mines are situated, and by afterwards making 

 advances on a private contract, to the parties holding the grant, for a 

 permanent supply of the coal to the depots, where it would be desirable 

 to lay it down for the use of the river steamers. 



4th. " The committee would feel much obliged by your answering 

 these questions at your early convenience, and favouring them with 

 your opinions generally as to the best and most economical way of 

 introducing any coal with which you may be acquainted in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Danapur" 



4th. In the first instance we have to take into consideration all the 

 obstacles to the undertaking in view ; in the second, the best means 

 of overcoming such obstacles, should they exist. As to the practicability 

 of procuring coal from the beds in the Palamow district, I have never 

 entertained any doubt ; but whether we may be able to produce the 

 article of the quality and in the quantity required, we are not certain : 

 although the whole mass of information, to which I have access, would 

 tend to confirm the opinion, that the mines will not only be productive, 

 but will require but little excavating of soil, and clearing, in raising the 

 coal to the surface. 



Until operations have commenced, and have been continued for some 

 time, it would be rash to dwell too much on such a doubtful subject as 

 mining is well known to be, but as to the natural advantages, and facility 

 of communication either by land or water, we can speak with more cer- 

 tainty : a few most important points must be kept in view to ensure 

 success. First, the quality of the coal on the surface cannot always be 

 allowed to point out the best spot to open ; and second, an elevated 

 point of the beds must be sought for the obvious advantage of running 

 off waste water ; third, a spot as near the deepest navigable river as 

 possible, will be an important consideration ; and, lastly, a spot com- 

 bining as many of these advantages, together with a thick stratum of 

 coal to work on, where a mine is opened, will also require to be 

 attended to. 



As to the navigation of the Soan river, I do not apprehend any 

 great difficulty, except in very dry seasons ; and to obviate this a great 

 quantity of coals ought always to be kept in store at the general depot. 

 We should require to use boats of a size proportionate to the depth of 

 the water found in the rivers, and to be regulated in all the arrange- 

 ments, as economy may dictate from time to time. 



