4 
Record* of the Geological Survey of India. 
[vol. IV. 
who first announced the existence of coal near this place, (as ‘discovered March 14th, 1840,’) 
and the fact had been noticed in all maps issued subsequently. The place had also been visited 
by several Forest Department Officers and others, and it was well known that coal was visible 
in detached localities extending over a considerable area. And although not having survey 
maps to work with, the Geological Department could not, in obedience to the instructions they 
had received, take up the examination in detail, it was highly desirable to obtain a general idea, 
with some accuracy, of the exteut and probable richness of these coal-fields. The vast import¬ 
ance of these fields, whenever a direct line of railway to connect Bombay and Calcutta 
might be brought into operation, had more than once been insisted on by myself and been most 
strongly urged. Mr. Blanford, therefore, proceeded there, and the results of his general exami¬ 
nation have already been published. It is needless to enter here ou the details, which will be 
found in the May number of the Records of Geological Survey of India, 1870. It will suffice 
to say that Mr. Blanford satisfied himself of the existence of very thick and extensive beds of 
coal, yielding fuel of fair quality in abundance, and covering a large area. Tie also traced out 
the continuance of the same rocks with coal far to the eastward, and in the country lying 
between Korba and Ranchi, in Oodeyporc (Ildipur), Jushpdr, &e. 
Mr. Blanford was also requested to take advantage of his being in that vicinity to 
examine the lead vein, reported, by Mr. Smart of the Revenue Survey, as occurring at 
Chioholi near Raipur. This would appear to hold out promise of being valuable. At least 
there is nothing in the appearances inconsistent with the occurrence of a good vein of 
lead and copper ore below the surface. But as the place has not been opened out, and no 
work's have as yet been undertaken on the lode, it is impossible to determine accurately 
its value from surface examination (Records, Geol. Snrv., India, 1870, pt. 2, p. 44). The 
yield of silver in the lead ore proved equal to 9 oz. 19 dwts. to the ton of lead. All this 
country is, however, at present so difficult of access and so entirely without the means of 
free inter-communication with adjoining districts that no extensive works for the econo¬ 
mizing of these valuable minei'al products could he undertaken with any prospect of 
success. There is an immense area here of country very rich both agfiffulturally and 
mineralogically which must remain unimproved until its communications be extended, and 
it he brought into contact with the ports of shipment and the more populous territories 
lying both east and west of it. 
Mr. Hughes was, during the whole of the early part of the year, engaged in the 
careful examination of the coal-bearing rocks of East Bertvr and Chanda, and is still 
carrying out the same. After I had myself left these fields at the beginning of March, 
I entrusted the sole determination of the proper localities for boring operations in the Berars 
to Mr. Hughes, and with the aid of Mr. Bateman Smythe, who had the actual work under 
his control, most successful progress was made in tracing out the continuous extension of 
the thick beds of coal up close to the northern extremity of the East Berar district. The 
monsoon having put a stop to those borings fora time, as there was nowhere in the district 
where good shelter could he procured, the tools, & c ., were all removed to Yeotmahal, all 
repaired and rendered useful again. And on the opening of the season, Mr. Smythe at once 
commenced other borings, and found the coal at or near the village of Pqira or Pipar in the 
north-west of the field, and subsequently near to the river Wurdha, close by tbe village of' 
Suini, or Sewnee, which lies west by north of tho town of Wurrora, about seven miles. ^This 
is tbe most northerly point at which the coal lias been as yet proved in these lields. It is 
in a right line not more than 35 or 36 miles from the station of Wurdha, on the Great 
Indian Peninsula Railway. Under Mr. Hughes’ direction, Mr. Smythe, having thus carried 
up the coal to the extreme north limit of the Berars at this part of the boundary, has since 
commenced testing tbe extension of the coal more to the west, and with a view to prove 
whether it continues under the overlying trap rocks, has commenced boring to the west and 
north of the former sinkings. 
