16
GOLD IN CEYLON.
Girooella
or Girioulle is a village on the left bank of the Maha Oya on the road
from Colombo to Kurunegala via Negombo. We lately travelled over this
road as far -as Dalpatugedara (within 7 miles of Girooella) and can
answer for its being in beautiful order so far. Girooella is about half
way between Negombo and Kurunegala. being 22 miles from the former and
25 from the latter. The Hapitigam Korale of the Western Province which
borders on the Maha Oya at the place contains a population of 12 to
14,000 inhabitants. In proceeding from Colombo to Girooella the
traveller crosses the Kelani Ganga over a Bridge of Boats at the 3rd
mile stone, and a little beyond the 9th mile finds the Resthouse of
Jaela. Negombo is 10 miles further on, but the road to be pursued turns
away to the right just before reaching the town. To Kandawelle at the
end of the base line through Kadirane gardens is 3 1/2 miles from
Negombo. Katookandy, with a number of Sugar and Coconut estates, and
where Mr. Nietner is trying Nutmegs and Cloves, is 8 1/2 miles further
on. Dalpatugedara village, where the last of the European properties,
that of Lt. Margesson is situated, is 3 miles further on. Then at a
distance of 2 miles more is Welliheina or Cottadeniawa, and 5 1/2
beyond the road terminates at the ferry and village of Girooella, where
the traveller crosses the Maha Oya, a river, the natives now say,
so impregnated with gold, that the very waters taste of it! And this
raises some interesting antiquarian questions. It appears from some of
the ancient Sinhalese records that many of the villages were
distinguished as " gold yielding," and that at one time, at least 16
gold mines were known in Ceylon. Query, whether geographers may not
have to reconsider the decision which has lately and after much
controversy fixed on a portion of the African Coast as the Ophir or
Paravaim of the Scriptures, whence Solomon received his gold and apes
and peacocks. Ceylon, with its great emporium at Mannar, may again
become the favourite. The Phoenicians are said to have traded in this
gold of Ophir long before the time of Solomon and even of Job by whom
it is mentioned. And many an old history speaks of expeditions to and
Embassies from regions far remote, From India and the Golden
Chersonese, And utmost Indian isle Taprobane. We observe that the local
Tunes in a small Extra issued this morning continues to express
himself sceptical as to the substance received being actually gold, but
on this head there remains no doubt. Our contemporary states that a
quantity is under analyses by Dr. Ellery of Kandy. Dr. Ellery's report
has reached Colombo, and we learn that it entirely agrees with that of
Mr. Antho-nisz here. It is gold ore in connection with a supplement of
iron and small nodules of other substances. It is curious enough that
Dr. Davy in his work in Ceylon should have recorded the statements that
both Gold and Quicksilver had been found native in Ceylon only to throw
doubt on them. Able and keen as Dr. Davy was as an observer, however,
it must be remembered that the period of his residence and the extent
of his researches were limited. We have received the following notes on
the subject of the disccvery :—
Colombo, 13th March, 1854. Dear Sirs,—Our
planting friends are, I believe, much alarmed, lest the discovery of
Gold should cause a scarcity of labour for estate purposes, but I fancy
their fears are for the present groundless, if it be true that
Government, at the instance of the Great Obstructive, has sent a
detachment of Rifles to prevent anything being done till the position
of each digger's hole can be ascertained with trignometrical
exactness; in this case we look for the commencement of the diggings
in the reign of Albert the Third, and our friends in the interior may
keep their minds at ease and depend on gathering their next crop
without loss, even should it amount to 600,000 cwt.—Yours truly, Y. Y.
Z.
Kandy, 12th March.
I do not know if you have got any official information about the Gold, but 1 have just heard that the Governor received intelligence last evening from
