5 2 
The Purari limestones contained numerous fossils, but only one 
proved to be in a condition to be recognised, viz., the phragmacone of 
a Belemnite , characteristic of the Cretaceous rocks of Europe and 
Queensland. This formation was met with between 96 and 120 miles 
up the river, and at altitudes up to 3,000 feet. 
According to the latest observer, Sir William McGregor, a man of 
true scientific insight, these beds (sandstones) at the east of Naivaia 
have been thrown into a series of folds. The beds in the range at 
Naivaia were observed to dip at about 30 degrees to the south-east, or 
east, whilst at some spots they proved to be practically horizontal. 
Several fragments of coal were met with in the muddy sand and 
shingle of Abukuru Island, which is in the Purari River, about ten 
miles above its confluence with the Baroi. As the coal, states the 
Administrator, “was in sharp, clean, crystalline masses in some of the 
specimens, it does not appear likely that the pieces could have 
travelled far.”! 
Twenty-one samples were collected, and of ten a proximate 
analysis was made by the Government Analyst of Queensland, Mr. J. 
Brownlie Henderson. The composition is as follows : — 
TABLE OF ANALYSES OF PURARI RIVER COAL. 
Moisture 
Volatile Hydrocarbons 
Fixed Carbon 
Ash 
A 
B 
C 
D 
E 
F 
G 
H 
I 
J 
Av’ge 
15*4 
366 
40 '3 
77 
15-8 
397 
39 '0 
5‘5 
163 
34 '9 
42 0 
6'8 
i7'o 
39'i 
39 '9 
4'0 
19*1 
36’3 
36'2 
8-4 
I9‘6 
327 
43 '6 
4*1 
I9’9 
37*5 
397 
2 ’9 
I5‘8 
38 ’9 
35 '9 
9 ‘4 
i8’i 
39‘i 
37 '9 
6’9 
i8'o 
39'5 
3i7 
10 '8 
i6'5 
37 ‘2 
38 '6 
6.6 
IOO'O 
IOO'O 
IOO’O 
IOO’O 
IOO'O 
IOO'O 
IOO’O 
IOO'O 
IOO'O 
IOO'O 
Remarking on the quality of the coal, Mr. Henderson says : — 
“ I he composition of the coal has probably been altered by long ex- 
posure to running water and air, so that it would be impossible to 
judge accurately ol the coal in the seam, from which this was derived. 
Still, it seems evident from the analyses, which show the samples to 
come from different parts ol the same seam, that the coal will be a 
good one for heating purposes.”! 
The greenish-grey sandstones and the blue limestones very likely 
belong to one and the same lormation. It would appear 
X Despatch 2, 1894, par. 7. 
fR. L. Jack and W. Ii. Rands, Reports on Geological Specimens. Appendix B.B. 
Annual Report, B.N.G., 1893-94, Brisbane. By Authority, 1894, pp. 91-96.' 
