Coal Analysts in London, on a sample of Bunbury coal which I brought from
Western Australia.

I shall be obliged if you will cause the reports to be communicated to
those concerned, and published.
Yours, etc.,
F.  NAPIER BROOME.
H. E. Sir Malcolm Fraser, K.C.M.G.
etc etc etc
London, March 22nd, 1890.

Sir, — The sample of coal from Bunbury, West Australia, has been submitted
to examination, according to instructions; and with the following results: —

Physical Properties.  — Black, bright, hard, compact, firm; showing lines
of bedding structure; fracture somewhat uneven or hackly, across the lines
of bedding; and somewhat conchoidal, along the lines of bedding.  On one
surface of the coal there are impressions of fossil plants, formed of a
yellowish grey clayey substance.  A very few small particles of iron
pyrites, and small portions of clayey matter, occur in the coal.

Analysis.  — A fair average sample of the coal was submitted to complete
analysis.
Composition.     Per cent.
Carbon  … …  62.83
Hydrogen … …    5.77
Oxygen … … 13.94
Nitrogen  … …   1.20
Sulphur   … …   0.71
Ash  … …   2.80
Water  … … 12.75
                                                         100.00

The colour of the ash is greyish white, and is light and bulky.

Coking Test.  — When a portion of the coal is heated in a covered vessel,
the gases given off burn with a yellow, luminous, smoky flame, and a very
slightly coherent, somewhat bright coke-like residue is left; no true coke
is formed.  The percentage results obtained are as follows: —
Coke-like residue ... …  49.50
Gases  … …  37.75
Water   … …  12.75
                                                               100.00

When small lumps of the coal are exposed to the furnace heat, each lump
splits more or less on the surface, exfoliates, and burns with a long
smoky flame.

Remarks.  — The coal belongs to the class called "lignites," which are
characterized by a much larger proportion of water, which enters into
their composition, then occurs in the so-called "bituminous coals."  Many
lignites resemble bituminous coals in external appearance, and contain
from 9 to 25 per cent.  or more of water.  Lignites of similar composition
to this occur in New Zealand, Tasmania, and other localities.  The ash is
small in proportion, and is so far favourable.  The sulphur is less in
amount then occurs in some coals, and is so far favourable in gas-making
and other purposes.  It is probably present partly in organic combination
and partly combined with iron as iron pyrites.

The physical characters of the coal are favourable, and would enable it to
bear carriage or transit without breaking up.

The coal cannot be employed for making coke.

The coal may be used for the production of gas, as the gases given off on
heating are fairly illuminating.  The coal would not yield any "gas coke,"
but the coke-like residue left in the retorts may probably be utilised in
some way as fuel.

The coal is of the "non-caking" or "free-burning" class, and would be
available as a fuel for raising steam, and also for general use for
household and other purposes.

Generally, it may be regarded as a very good coal of its class.
I am, &c.,
RICHARD SMITH.
Of the Royal School of Mines.
Sir Frederick Napier Broome,
17, Elm Park Gardens, S. W.

Metallurgical Laboratory,
Royal School of Mines,
Exhibition Road, S. W.
March 27th, 1890.
DEAR SIR, — I now reply to further inquiries respecting the coal from
Western Australia.

(1.) Coal of the lignite class is extensively used for locomotive and
other purposes, on the continent of Europe, Prussia, Austria, Saxony,
Bohemia, Hungary, etc.; one of the best of this class occurs at Teplitz,
Bohemia.  It also occurs in the South of France, Slovenia, British North
America, etc.  I do not think it likely that there would be a demand for
this variety of coal export, unless it was to localities without coal of
any description.  The New South Wales coals are of the "bituminous" class,
and of a superior character, quite equal to some of the best British
coals.  Compared with coals of this character or class, lignites would be
inferior, chiefly on account of the large amount of water which they
contain.

(2.) Lignites generally occur in tertiary or recent formations; there is
therefore a possibility that the true carboniferous or other formation,
carrying coal, may be found below.  This can only be determined by an
examination of the geological structure of the country in the locality
where this coal has been found.  That should be the first points to settle
before any money is expended in sinking deeper.  There is a geologist at
Perth; he can probably help you.
Yours, etc.,
RICHD SMITH.