89 
ON THE RECENT EXTENSION OF MINING OPERATIONS UNDER 
THE PERMIAN FORMATIONS. BY THOS. WM. TEW, ESQ., J.P. 
I HAVE pleasure in again welcoming the Society to the historical old 
town of Pontefract. You met here on Thursday, the 4th November, 
1869, under the presidency of Lord Houghton, and thirteen years 
have not dimmed the recollections of that visit, to those who were 
then present, or relegated to oblivion the discussions which took 
place with regard to the geological wealth surrounding this ancient 
Borough, and the division of Osgoldcross, of which it considers 
itself the chief centre of importance. We, as residents in the town 
and district, hope that the speculations then hinted at have been 
developing cautiously, but surely, towards commercial success and 
realization ; and we trust that the members of this Society may 
find that during this interval of time, industry, energy and capital 
have been brought to bear in the development of our underground 
wealth ; and that they may appreciate the progress which has 
been accomplished by this practical application of geological science 
since they last honoured Pontefract with a visit. 
First allow me to thank the Honorary Secretary of this Society 
and yourselves, for the compliment you have conferred upon me, 
in requesting me to act as your Local President on this occasion. 
I ask your considerate forbearance and co-operation in undertaking 
the duties of this Chair. At the same time, I desire to assm^e you 
of my earnest -^^-ishes to promote the interests of this valuable 
Institution, with which it has been my privilege to be associated 
for upwards of twenty years. 
After the exhaustive addresses of your past Presidents, the 
devoted attention to special subjects of the scientific members of 
this Institution, and the published papers in its transactions, it is 
difficult for an amateur- Geologist, like myself, to discourse on a 
special subject ; but with your permission, 1 will venture to make 
