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6
GOLD IN CEYLON.
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direction.
Mr. Cameron has already done good work both in England and Scotland in
developing and promoting scientific agriculture, and in this respect,
as well as in connection with the examination of quartz reefs, we trust
his visit in Ceylon will not be without results.
At
the same time, and whatever advantage may be taken by private
individuals or public Associations of Mr. Cameron's services, we do
not think that the proposal to secure Mr. Brough Smyth and his
practical miners to report on our auriferous region should be lost
sight of by His Excellency the Lieut.-Governor. Mr. Smyth's prolonged
connection with the Victoria Government and his engagement with the
Madras Government afford special reasons why the Ceylon Government, if
it moves in the matter at all, as we hope it may, should endeavour to
secure his services.
As regards " Gold in India," we may quote as follows from a letter received yesterday from a correspondent at Tellicherry :—
"
Mr. J. D. Massey (formerly of Kandy) has been busy in the Wynaad
reporting and reef-testing for English brokers and Directors of Gold
Mining Companies. Nothing but ' gold, gold,' talked of over here, and
it's not all mere talk, but actual results. A friend has sold half his
coffee estate for an enormous sum—over £60,000 it is said !—but the
coffee is of little use, the attraction being a splendid reef running
through it."
With
reference to gold in Ceylon we notice that in Nov. 1868 a find of gold
nuggets in the Sabaragamuwa district excited attention, and was
referred to in the Observer as follows:—
"
At the moment there is considerable excitement created at the report of
what looks like a real gold discovery in Saffragam, the district which
has been ever famous for its gems, Ratnapura, the name of its chief
town, indeed, signifying ' the city of rubies.' The quality of the
nuggets brought to Colombo is of the very finest. The only question is
one of quantity, and it is quite possible that, in the lower strata of
rocks, gold as well as gem-bearing quartz may be found in abundance.
Did time permit the probable effects of a profitable gold field in
Ceylon might afford matter for interesting speculation.
"
Real nuggets have been found by a ' gemming' party in Saffragam. The
pieces which have reached the Kachcheri are from 1/8 to 3/8 of an inch
in length, of various breadths, flattened and much like specimens from
New Zealand. A mass of the weight of half a sovereign, tested as true
gold has been melted from the nuggets and is declared to be 22
carats—better than sovereign gold."
We have been asked to republish in pamphlet form all the information given in the Observer during
1854 respecting the exploration and prospecting for gold, and we shall
at once proceed to comply with the request, adding one or two useful
papers on " How to find gold," and cognate subjects. Some of the
results of a development of Gold-mining enterprise in India, and to a
great extent in Ceylon, may be seen from the following extracts from
Mr. Hyde Clarke's paper on " Gold in India" :—
"
So far as concerns the Indian gold, the districts now under
consideration are in a hill region, subject to a very heavy rainfall.
This is carried off by streams, and in some parts will not be
available, and cannot be founded or secured by bends. There are,
however, estates where streams, and in other districts storage, are
available for water. In fact, India in these respects has advantages
equal to most portions of the Californian regions, and beyond
Australia. There are few parts of New Zealand better provided, nor are
there in Brazil.
"
Thus, where an estate has a good reef on it, and the water well laid
on, the prospects may be looked upon as hopeful. Still, there will be
vicissitudes, a season of short rainfall, the bursting of dams, and
various incidents, which may interrupt steady working.
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