Excerpt from North of England Institute of Mining Engineers, Vol. 15: Transactions, 1865-6

To draw attention to the great loss which the Society has sustained, by the demise of their late President, would be merely a superfluous task on the part of the Council. That which all feel and which all lament does not need comment, and does not admit of exaggeration. To repair the loss we have sustained the best way is to follow the example set us by our late President, and never to omit, by the exertion of such energy and talent as are embodied in this Society, to aid its progress and to increase its usefulness as an Institution.

On looking through the Transactions of the year just ended, we shall find the Society indebted to the meeting held at Manchester, and to the gentlemen of that locality for a series of very valuable papers, relative, in part, to the geology of the district, but also embracing various practical subjects. Amongst these the merits of various pumping engines have been treated of and discussed in a way calculated to interest and instruct the mechanical as well as the mining engineer. In addition to these the Council may also draw attention to some able papers, as well as discussions connected with 'the transit of coals underground; a matter of growing importance, as the working of coal becomes more and more extended, and the area to be passed over of greater dimensions.

Turning their attention to subjects of more general interest, the Council cannot refrain from congratulating the Society upon the appoint ment of a Commission to enquire into the supplies of coal still remaining to this country. And they may further be permitted to express their satisfaction to find an able, experienced, and practical man - as is the President of this Institute - selected, together with Messrs. Woodhouse and Elliot, to take part in an enquiry at ones so important and so interesting. That an estimate, substantially correct, of the supply of coal still to be raised from the coal-fields of Great Britain, may be con structed by the enquirers the Council are inclined to admit, and Without much. Hesitation. They cannot, however, recognise any impropriety on their part if they venture to advert to an opinion, very commonly entertained, that an enquiry if limited to the known coal-fields does not embrace more than half the question.

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