Rajmehal Coal, 



505 



four maunds and twenty-four seers were only equal to three 

 maunds and five seers of Burdwan coal. 



A subsequent intimation having been received of the 

 arrival of another sample of coal from Doobradgepore, 

 dispatched by the same gentleman, consisting of 130 maunds, 

 it was distributed by the Committee to the Mint, Cossipore 

 Foundry, and the Laboratory of the Public Dispensary, for 

 trial. Upon which Major Forbes reported from the Mint, 

 that this sample was inferior to the last, and that it would 

 not keep up steam. The report from Cossipore Foundry 

 describes this sample to be of a dull brownish colour, 

 with thin bright layers, and that it was evidently a crop or 

 surface coal, and that twenty and half maunds were required 

 to do the work of ten maunds of Burdwan coal. The ap- 

 pearance of this sample indeed shewed, that it should not 

 have been selected, and that the persons by whom it was 

 raised, were ignorant of the properties and appearance of 

 coal. The Committee therefore considered it quite hopeless 

 to expect any further information from this quarter, until 

 a qualified officer, or practical miner, should be deputed to 

 Doobradgepore, for the purpose of examining the district, 

 and of deciding from amidst the numerous beds of coal, no 

 doubt there to be found, the particular one, which, from 

 its qualities and position would afford the best return in 

 working. In the meantime, Mr. Pontet finding the steamers 

 on the Ganges using wood, had a quantity of Doobradgepore 

 coal delivered in January last at Bhaugulpore, for their 

 use. To his disappointment, however, the Captains would 

 not buy his coal ; not that it was bad, but that they had 

 nothing to do with the matter, further than to receive 

 on board such fuel as the contractors for the supply of 

 that article think proper to furnish. Unable therefore to 

 obtain any remuneration for his expences, but at the same time 

 anxious to have the quality of the coal tried, Mr. Pontet de- 

 livered it for nothing to the Captains of three of the steamers, 



S T 



