1838.] Reports on the Coal and Mineral Resotirces of India, 15/ 



Our attention was also directed at an early stage to the existence of 

 coal in the Rajmahl hills, but we regret to say that a re-examination of 

 the localities formerly pointed out by Captain Tanner at Sikrigiilly* or 

 at Hurrah, has not led to any more favourable hopes from this quarter^ 

 Lieutenant Don could discover no coal at the former place, while at the 

 latter it is extremely bad : a mere bituminous shale, small in quantity 

 and situated below water level. The whole range of the Rajmahl hills 

 might well deserve a fresh examination directed to this object and to that 

 of the other mineral stores, they are reported to contain ; viz. sulphur, 

 alum, iron, lead, &c., since Dr. Buchanan's visit was but cursory, and 

 we are not aware of any more recent professional inspection of their 

 resources. 



During our association as a Committee, the existence of coal in other 

 quarters of less immediate interest has been officially made known to 

 us : Lieutenant Kittoe in Cuttack, has announced the discovery of ex- 

 tensive deposits situated some way up a northern branch of the 

 Mahanadi, but he has not yet had an opportunity of visiting the spot. 



Major Ouseley has continued liis discoveries hi the vale of the Nerbud- 

 da, where several extensive deposits are now known ; though unfortu- 

 nately the navigation of the river does not yet admit of its application, 



A discovery, highly curious and interesting in a scientific point of 

 view, has also lately been made in the experimental boring in Fort 

 -^William. At a depth of 400 feet below the surface, rounded fragments 

 of coal were met with, exactly similar to the worn pebbles found in the 

 beds of mountain streams in the vicinity of coal beds. Their qua- 

 lity approximates to that of the Assam coal, being of low specific gra- 

 vity and highly inflammable. There can be little doubt then of coal 

 beds existing at considerable depths below the alluvium of the delta, 

 fhough no direct practical benefit ia likely to ensue from the 

 knowledge. 



In conclusion, we beg leave to place collectively under your Lord- 

 ship's eye a list of all the sites of coal at present known to exist on th« 

 continent of India. 



Burdwan,— Ranigunje, the principal Colliery, Discovered by Jones, 



Chinakooree, the best quality of coal, Mr. Betts. 



V Various other beds have been occasionally opened. 



8p 



Adjai Seedpoone, I ^^ ^^^^^^ ^ 



Parinarpoor, , S * 



There seems however to be some doubt whether Lieut. Don found out the right 

 spot for examination." 



