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Note on Shiu-kuan Coal.
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In an article entitled "From the Yengtze-kiang to the China Sea," which appeared in the CO
Geographical Journal" for July 1902, Mr. W. B. Parsons, the American engineer who made the preliminary survey of the Canton-Hankow railroad in 1898 and 1899, makes the following remarks on coal in the Kuang-tung Province:--
"The coal-fields of Hunan extends southward to Shao-chou, but has never been seriously developed, owing to lack of demand, as Canton and vicinity can be more readily and cheaply supplied from West River points, Tonking or even Japan."
[Note. The output of coal from the West River is practically nil; supplies are derived entirely from Japan.]
"With proper transportation facilities the coal-fields of northern Kuang-tung will be developed. The coal is anthracite or semi-anthracite, samples obtained by me showing on analysis, fixed carbon, 80 to 83 per cent.; volatile matter, 12 to 15 per cent.; and ash, 6 to 9 per cent. These coals were firmer than the average Hunan coal.'
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