1854.] and Mineral resources of the Singliblioom Division. 117 



the rate of about Es. 2 per man per mensem. The Bhoomij of 

 Dholbhoom however often goes to the Mauritius classed as a Dhan- 

 gur. Wood-fuel may be had in sufficient quantity to last eight or 

 ten years near all the localities named. I am unable to say whether 

 coal could be brought at the end of that time at a rate sufficiently 

 low to admit of its use. The Eaneeguuj collieries are, I think, the 

 only ones which could be thought of for the supply. 



From the diggings at Kamerara* there is a good road only 85 

 miles in length to Tumlook. The distance from Landoo or Jamjora 

 to the Cossye Eiver at Dhee Kullianpore is about 70 miles, and that 

 river might, it seems probable, be available for water-carriage during 

 short periods in the rains, as the Damoodur is, at points far above 

 those where it is ordinarily navigable. There is every facility for 

 the construction of a good road to Dhee Kullianpore or to Midna- 

 pore, and in fact there was formerly a Government route in nearly 

 the same direction ; the old road from Grurbheta in Midnapore to 

 Sumbulpore, which might possibly be still available for some dis- 

 tance, though it has been abandoned by Government these thirty 

 years. The distance from Tumlook via Midnapore would be about 

 132 miles. 



Iron. 



This metal is found at almost every mile throughout the district. 

 The localities in which a superior metal is produced are not however 

 numerous. At Bita Booroo, and Narain Bera in Khursawa, several 

 localities in Serai Kela at Neeldee, and Huldee bunnee in Dhol- 

 bhoom, and two or three places bordering on the Midnapore frontier 

 within the latter estate, where the ore is worked for exportation to 

 Behar, Burdwan and Midnapore. The best metal is from Narain 

 Bera, where a nodular ore is worked ; schists, and near Badea a rock 

 seemingly of igneous origin, slightly magnetic, are smelted. The 

 laterite is also used, I believe, towards Midnapore. The ore of 

 Narain Bera is strongly attracted by the magnet. The ironsmiths 

 move about, abandoning rich ores on the failure of a supply of wood, 

 which alone limits the production of the metal. 



Potstone. 



Potstone, which would appear to me a variety of schist, is worked 

 * 45 miles west of Midnapore. 



