PART 3 .] 
Blanford: Borings for Coal in Godavari Talley. 
65 
Ft. In. 
73 0 
Coal 
2 1 
Shale, carbonaceous 
2 0 
Coal 
1 6 
Shale, carbonaceous 
1 6 
Coal 
1 6 
•i Shale, carbonaceous 
1 0 
Coal 
1 0 
Shale, carbonaceous 
2 0 
Coal 
1 0 
Shale, carbonaceous 
1 0 
Coal 
2 0 
\Shale 
... 23 0 
112 7 
The section is remarkably like that at No. 2. It decidedly strengthens the evidence 
in favor of all the boreholes having passed through the continuation of the same beds, for 
we have in this case a great thickness of shale as in Nos. 7 and 8, with the coal as in No. 2. 
The total thickness of coal as yet proved in this last borehole is 10 feet 7 inches. 
To sum up the evidence: the presence of coal has been proved over a small area which 
contains probably 25,000 tons, or rather more, of which quantity it is as well not to assume 
that more than one-half can be profitably extracted, owing to the great admixture of shale. 
It is probable that the seam may be traced for some distance to the south, because the amount 
of coal, so far as is known, increases in that direction, but it is hardly likely that a seam 
which thins out and disappears within so short a distance as 200 yards can he depended upon 
for any long distance. The quality has not yet been accurately ascertained. If on cutting 
into the coal it is found to burn fairly, a considerable quantity may be extracted, far more 
than sufficient to well repay the expenditure incurred in boring, but, except in the improbable 
case of the coal continuing for a distance to the south and east, no permanent supply can be 
depended upon from this locality. The great admixture of shale and the variation in the 
seam will render it necessary to mine a large quantity of useless rock, and this will increase 
the cost of the coal, hut in a country where no other supply exists, this alone should not 
prevent the coal being worked. 
The locality is most favorable. The river is within half a mile when full, and about a 
mile during the dry season, and so soon as the coast canals are comploted, it will bo in cons¬ 
tant water communication with Madras. 
In conclusion, I would recommend that the remainder of this small tract of coal-bearing 
beds be thoroughly explored, as, even if no extensive seam of coal be found, a considerable 
quantity of useful fuel might be discovered, which would be available on an emergency. 
North of the river a borehole should be pat down below the high bank at Rajgumpa, at a 
spot where conglomerate is seen in the river bed, in order to test if the coal continues so far 
to the south-east. A boring might also be made where sandstone occurs in the stream 
north-east of Gaoriopeta, and another south of the large tank near Egerpeta, west of Tatpali, 
and one of the boreholes already sunk, for preference No. 1, should be continued until the 
metamorphics or Takhirs are reached. There is little chance of good from any further 
exploration on the north bank. On the south or right side of the river, the series of borings 
planned west of Madavaram should be carried ont. The small breaks in the section near 
Amravaram might be explored in the same manner, and especially a spot above the 
mouth of the large stream which enters the Godavari just above the village, as small 
fragments of shale and coal are hereabouts scattered along the edge of the river, and may 
indicate a coal seam below the sandstone exposed at a place where there are some hushes 
beneath the bank. 
