442 
ROWLEY : OUR COAL RESOURCES. 
The report of the Geological Committee shows that the great 
coalfield on which we are situated contains concealed resources 
under the Permian, Trias. &c., very nearty double those of all 
the other concealed coalfields put together. 
The South Yorkshire and South Nottinghamshire districts 
will very shortly be the scene of further important colliery 
developments. 
The collieries sunk in the next few j'ears be very large 
ones, royalties being obtained now which were considered at 
one time large enough for two first-class collieries. Sinking 
operations have commenced at Bentley, near Doncaster, and are 
contemplated at Brodsworth, to the west of Bentley, and Askem 
on the north. At Frickley the Shafton coal has been struck at a 
depth of 239 yards, which will make the depth to the Barnsley 
seam here over 600 Awards. 
Borings are being put do\Mi at Barlow, near Selby, and at 
Thorne, both of which liave reached Coal ^Measures, and the 
result of these borings will be watched with great interest, as 
giving information as to the commerci?dly workable limit of 
the coalfield of Yorkshire. 
At Oxton, about seven miles north-east of Nottingham, 
the Babbmgton Coal Co. are putting down a bore hole, which 
will have the effect, if successful, of extending the coalfield on 
the east of the Leen Valley line. 
The south part of the Midland coalfield, however, has been 
rather disappointing, as proved by tlie borings at Ed^^alton 
and Ruddington. 
