August 23, 1918.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

387

were published in the years 1878-1910 by the North
of England Institute of Engineers, and that accounts
of a number of borings in Yorkshire have been recently
published by a committee of the Midland Institute
of Mining, Civil and Mechanical Engineers. These
publications relate to Northumberland, Durham, and
(with one or two exceptions) to that part of the Great
North Midland Coalfield which lies within the southern
half of the county of York. They are of high value
as far as they go, but they cover a limited part of
the country, and are non-critical compilations of
borers’ or sinkers’ records. The identification of coal-
seams and the classification of strata under forma-
tions are rarely attempted. Fossils, which are proving
of great value in determining horizons in coal
measures as well as in secondary strata, are ignored.
While, therefore, the fact of those records having been
published indicates a demand for the preservation of
such information, it does not show that the demand
has been inadequately met.

(3) Underground explorations, which often take the
form of trial-tunnels driven for long distances under
unproved ground, are indicated as drifts or levels on
the colliery plans, but there is no machinery for the
preservation of the results obtained further than that
they may be given by courtesy to the Geological
Survey, if any of the officers happen to be engaged
in the part of the country where the exploration is
made. Unless developments of the new area follow,
the results of these costly explorations are apt to be-
come mere traditions, and though much information
has been collected by the Geological Survey, it is not
exhaustive, and, for the reason stated, does not cover
all parts of the country.

Visible Coalfields.

(I) Proved New Coalfields and Extensions.

(2> Probable New Coalfields and Extensions.

Concealed Areas devoid of Coal Measures

Areas occupied by older formations.

Areas concealed by newer formation^ under which
(3) Possible New Coalfields and Extensions may exist.

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Map of Proved, Probable and Possible

Coal Fields in the British Isles.

It was understood by the Commissioners of 1905 that
the lack of adequate geological maps for all the dis-
tricts to which their inquiry related was due to the
impossibility of the Geological Survey with its exist-
ing staff completing the primary survey on the six-
inch scale as quickly as was desirable, and to the fact
that no provision had been made for periodical
revision of the maps.

They were impressed by the value of the evidence
from all sources which had been laid before them, by
the difficulty which had been experienced in getting
it, and by the advisability of making periodical re-
vision of estimates of coal resources. On November
22nd, 1906, after presentation of the Report, the
Chairman, with representative members of the Com-
mission, waited on the Home Secretary, and laid
before him certain proposals for his consideration. A
report of this interview and the correspondence be-
tween the Home Office, the Board of Education, and
the Treasury, which ensued, has been laid before the
Sub-Committee by the courtesy of those Departments,
and may be summarised as follows: —

The deputation suggested to the Home Secretary
that—

The estimates of coal left in the ground as made
by that Commission should be kept up-to-date
by the Geological Survey.

The survey of coalfields on the six-inch scale should
be expedited.

Provision should be made for the revision of the
maps every ten years.

Machinery should be created for the collection of
information regarding boreholes.

Following upon this representation, the Home Office
communicated with the Board of Education (for the
Geological Survey), and particulars were got out
showing what increase of the staff and cost of the
survey would be required td give effect to the sugges-

tions. On the 3rd July, 1907, the Home Office sub-
mitted to the Treasury a scheme for expediting the
primary six-inch survey and for providing for decen-
nial revision, by addition to the staff at a cost of about
£4,000 a year. The Treasury were not satisfied that
a case had been made out for so considerable an in-
crease in the annual expenditure. In 1908 a modified
scheme, involving an increase of £2,000 a year, was
considered by the Board of Education and the Home
Office, but nothing further was done.

Whether any Steps should be Taken in the Near
Future.—Having these facts in mind, the Sub-Com-
mittee have formed the opinion that steps should be
taken in the near future with a view to furthering
and systematising the development of concealed or new
coalfields. The importance of these tracts may be
gauged by the fact that the Commissioners of 1905
estimated the reserves of coal available in them, in
seams of more than 1 foot in thickness and at a depth
not exceeding 4,000 feet, at upwards of 40,000 millions
of tons, not including areas where large reserves are
believed to exist, but the estimated resources of which
could not be put into figures.

The history of the exploration of such tracts in the
past shows that economy may be effected and greater
efficiency secured. Economy would follow on a better
knowledge on the part of the explorers as to the areas
in which search has been sufficient to prove the absence
of coal or in which it is hopeless. Repeatedly borings
have been made, or even shafts sunk, in Silurian and
other of the older formations on the strength of a
faint resemblance to Coal Measures. While we do not
suggest that a proposal to bore in any spot should be
negatived on the ground that it appears to be useless,





we believe that every opportunity should be afforded
to the explorers of knowing what their chances of suc-
cess amount to, and what previous search has been
made near that spot. Greater efficiency in the explora-
tion would result from a correct interpretation of bore-
holes and from the preservation of the records where
they would be available for the, guidance of future
explorers.

The heavy demands which are being made on the
visible coalfields, and the rapid development of proved
concealed coalfields which has ensued, indicate that the
time has arrived for considering whether the State
should assist in the exploration of unproved coalfields.

Suggestions that the State should undertake or aid
in making borings have been made in several quarters.
It has been urged that it is the duty of the State to
ascertain the resources of so important a national
asset, and to further their development; it is pointed
out that there are cases where landowners are unable,
for financial reasons, to undertake boring or to con-
tinue a boring already commenced, though informa-
tion of much general value might be expected, while
others, for various reasons, may refuse to allow borings
to be made on their property. The suggestions have
received the careful consideration of the Geological
Sub-Committee as areas which fall under the three
heads shown upon Map 1 accompanying this Report:

(1)	Proved extensions of coalfields and proved new

coalfields.

(2)	Probable extensions of coalfields and probable

new coalfields.

(3)	Possible extensions of coalfields and possible

new coalfields.

(1)	Proved Extensions of Coalfields and Proved
New Coalfields.

Under this head may be placed all those areas which
are indicated on the map by dark banding. In these

areas private enterprise has not been lacking, and
State aid appears to be called for in the direction of
recording the results obtained and in guiding the
further activities of the explorers, rather than in
affording them financial assistance. Development of
collieries is following upon the successful explorations.

(2)	Probable Extensions of Coalfields and
Probable New Coalfields.

There are considerable areas in England, for the
most part adjacent to the proved extensions, and
indicated on the map by pale banding, where further
concealed extensions or new coalfields are believed to
exist, but in which no exploration is taking place, or
is likely to take place for some time, the attention of
explorers being concentrated on areas under the head
(1), which are more likely to yield immediate results.
As examples of areas falling under the head (2) men-
tion may be made of—

Small tracts on the Scottish border and along the
northern margin of the Cumberland coalfield.

Parts of East Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, and
Leicestershire.

Parts of the area lying between the coalfields of
Lancashire, Cheshire, North Staffordshire,
Shropshire, Denbighshire, and Flintshire.

Parts of the area lying between the North and
South Staffordshire coalfields.

Parts of the areas adjacent to the South Stafford-
shire and Warwickshire coalfields.

Parts of Oxfordshire.

Parts of Gloucestershire and Somerset.

Parts of Kent.

(3)	Possible Extensions of Coalfields and Possible
New Coalfields.

There are large areas in England overspread by
geological formations newer than the Coal Measures,
in which the character of the underlying palaeozoic
rocks is wholly unknown. In these areas it is largely
a matter of speculation where any concealed coalfields
may be situated, or even whether any exist.

Private enterprise is not likely to undertake the
exploration of several of these areas for a long time
to come. Generally the depth to which it would be
necessary to bore would be great, if the borehole was to
reach the palaeozoic rocks, and the results would be
almost valueless if it failed to do so. If, on the other
hand, the newer formations exceeded 4,000 feet in
thickness, that fact might prohibit the working of
coal even if it were found. The exploration of the
areas under head (3) would therefore be costly and
highly speculative.

The areas which fall under head (3) are situated
in: —

East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Hunt-
ingdon, Bedford, and Essex.

Lancashire and Cheshire.

Worcestershire and Warwickshire.

Wiltshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, Sussex, and
Kent.

Having in view the history of exploration during
recent years, the opinion is expressed that as regards
the areas under head (1), private enterprise has proved
adequate to the task of exploration, and that develop-
ment is proceeding in due course.

As regards areas under head (2), the Sub-Committee
sees no reason to doubt that exploration by private
enterprise will follow when the resources of areas under
head (1) are further developed. It does not appear
that, so far as regards the near future, any assistance
from the State is called for. As regards areas under
head (3), the Sub-Committee cannot say that their
recommendations will lead: to the development of new
coalfields in these areas, but they think that a fuller
knowledge of the mineral resources of the country,
especially in the case of coal, has so important a bearing
upon its future industrial development as to make it
desirable that, powers to put down boreholes should
be conferred on some Department of the State.

It appears to the Sub-Committee that the provisions
of the Finance (1909-10) Act, 1910, with regard to the
taxation of unearned, increase in the value of land
are sufficient to prevent any unfair advantage from,
accruing to individual landowners from the expendi-
ture of public money upon these purposes.

As to the Steps to be Taken.—-It appears, therefore,
that the placing of the exploration upon a more
systematic basis, and the more complete and correct
recording of its results, are the objects in view. For
their attainment these objects require (1) the comple-
tion and periodical revision of a six-inch geological
map, (2) machinery for the interpretation and record-
ing of the results of boreholes and other underground
explorations, and (3) the conferring upon a Depart-
ment of the State of power to put down boreholes.

Those parts of England and Wales which include
coalfields and their surroundings not geologically sur-
veyed on the six-inch scale may be estimated to amount
to about 2,052 square miles. The estimate is based
on the assumption that each sheet of the New Series
One-inch Map, in which Coal Measures are visible,
will be completely surveyed for the special purpose of
completing coalfields, with the exception of Sheets 151,
166, 181, and 234, of each of which a small part only
is occupied by Coal Measures.

It is to be noticed that in such important coalfields
as those of Cumberland, Durham with Northumber-
land, Lancashire, and Yorkshire, there has been little
or no revision for many years, and that much of the
eastern part of the South Wales coalfield, the primary
six-inch survey of the western part of which has not
long been completed, has been more than 10 years
without revision. In Scotland, as regards the coal-
fields of Fife, South Ayrshire, Clackmannan, and all
the small outlying coalfields, little or no revision has
been done for 40 years. The Mid and East Lothian
coalfields and parts of the Lanarkshire and Stirling-
shire coalfields have been revised, but not within the
last 10 years. Revision of a six-inch geological map
in an area where the primary survey has been exhaus-
tive is a short operation as compared with the making