PART 1.] 
Hughes : On raw materials. 
27 
Slag, light amethyst colour, clear, translucent. Button, on fractured face, dark-grey, coarsely 
crystalline. The amethystine colour of the slag may be due to manganese. 
No. 6. Ore ... ... 150 grains. 
Kunkur ... 130 „ 
Coke ... ... 30 „ (coke picked piece of Sanktoria 
coke), 
Percentage of iron 44 - 0. Slag, slight amethyst colour, translucent. Button on fractured 
surface, not quite so dark as No. 5, coarsely crystalline. 
I made several other assays which I need not refer to. My object was to see whether 
kunkur would do the work that was required of it. The less quantity, 130 grains in No. 6, 
answered quite as well as 150 grains in No. 5 ; but I would recommend equal quantities of 
kunkur and ore, because the coke contains sometimes a large amount of ash. 
I have used throughout only the same flux that could be employed on the large scale. 
Pure limestone is not known to occur in any quantity in or near to the Buniganj field. My 
colleague, Mr. Mallet, however, has discovered a bed of it in the vicinity of the Madaptir 
Branch Hallway; and it is quite possible that when investigations in that neighbourhood 
can be completed more may haply be discovered. The limestone is very pure, and is 
only ten miles from the station, so that if railway rates for carriage were only cheaper, it 
might be employed to supplement the kunkur of the Rtiniganj field. A large quantity 
might easily be removed. I have been informed of another bed south of the Bamfida and 
near to Raniganj ; hut I have not yet had an opportunity of visiting it. Prom the ap¬ 
pearance of the sample sent to me for examination, I scarcely think that it can be of 
much importance. 
It is not to either of these limestones, however - , that we can look for a supply of flux; 
and Rotas stone is so dear comparatively to kunkur that I think we must depend upon the 
latter material. 
Amount of kunhitr .—On the question of the quantity of kunkur available within the 
field, I have consulted with Mr. Dcjoux, Executive Engineer, who is at the head of the 
Special Department devoted to lime, kunkur, and limestones, and he assures me that there 
is an unlimited quantity. In this assurance Mr. Joll, who was for some time Executive 
Engineer at Barakar, unites. Mr. Dejoux’s experience and special knowledge is so much 
greater than my own that I prefer quoting his conviction to offering a decisive opinion of 
my own. I examined several of the localities where lime was being made, and judging by 
what I saw, I am inclined to think that there are very large deposits in the vicinity of 
Barakar; both hanks of the river are full of kunkur; and the quality of the material 
appears to improve at some depth below the surface. 
One advantage that would be derived probably from the use of Rotas limestone is, 
that its average composition might he depended upon. As regards kunkur, I am not sure 
whether this would he the case. Again, quoting Mr. Dojoux, however - , he says that out, of 
numerous samples which he has analysed, ho has found that its composition is much more 
constant than might be anticipated from the nature of its origin, and that 65 to 65 per cent, 
is the usual amount of carbonate of lime that it contains. If this be so,—and the analyses 
now being made in onr office will confirm or disprove this point,—we shall be able to regulate 
the amount Required for fluxing; but if the percentage of carbonate of lime be inconstant, 
tbe working of a furnace is likely to be variable and the outturn of iron irregular both in 
quality and quantity. 
I trust I have made clear the case regarding kunkur: 1st, that there is a large quantity 
available; 2 ltd, that it can be used as a flux; but that unless its composition be pretty 
