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GOLD
IN CEYLON
47
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chisel;
the other certainly bore the impress of being pure, it had originally
been about the size of a common pea, but it had had two portions of it
cut off leaving the fragment flattened on both sides. The other nugget
alluded to by the Observer as having been sent for from about 8
miles distance by Mr. Tower, did not arrive but we saw an influential
native, the Basnaike Nilame of Katugampola, a place about 8 gowas or 32
miles to the Westward of the Maha Oya; an old respectable chief, who
told us that there was no gold in this district, nor had he ever heard
of any being found, and other natives concurred in saying that they
feared there was no hope of any but small bits being found. Both Mr.
MacCartney and Mr. Power are doing their best to elicit the best
information as to the existence of Gold as likely to afford a
remuneration for the expense of search, but we do not think up to the
present time either they or any who have enquired into the matter have
any sanguine hope that any digging in the Maha Oya or the surrounding
districts will afford any but the most infinitessimal quantities of
Gold.
Mr.
Power, having a "roving Commission" and properly so—has set off with
Bradley for a search higher up the river either at Mahwanelle, or
Gordon's Bridge towards the hills. Mr. John Selby also accompanied him,
and we may expect the result of Mr. Power's observations in the course
of two or three days. The sum total of our observations is this—the
Gold is in certain localities in the Island—that it is both the
duty and interest of Government, to ascertain additional facts by
issuing orders to every Government Agent in the interior to expend a
sum of money in the exploration of the different stream beds and
vallies of the Island. That the result of the researches may end in
nothing is probable, but as small portions of Gold have been found
there is no reason to ignore the possibility of finding gold in
localities nearer the hill ranges in quantities which may induce
extended search which may possibly be a source of profit to
speculators. But so far as we have yet seen if the prospectors find no
more than has hitherto been seen the whole thing will prove a "
delusion." Much amusement has been produced by the issue of licenses by
Government, who have yet to " catch their hare" before preparing it for
the spit: they should rather encourage every attempt to find out the
hidden treasures of the soil of the Island and it would then be time
enough to " put the screw on " when they had ascertained the fact of
the existence of gold enough to pay the expense of a 10 shilling
license. Just now not a man would purchase one. We shall look with
anxiety for the results of the exploration of Mr. Power which will we
believe settle the question of the existence of gold in large
quantities in the Colony. At present the matter is a perfect problem on
the solution of which depends most important changes. It is, we
believe, an ascertained fact that Mr. Talbot, the Government Agent of
the Southern Province, has forwarded to the Colonial Secretary a small
fragment or nugget of gold found at Ratnipura, it is about the size of
a seed of the sweet pea, and from what we hear appears to be a bona fide production
of the soil and which has never been in the goldsmith's crucible. We
mujt conclude our remarks today by referring our readers to extracts on
the Gold Question taken from the columns of the " Examiner " and Observer. The
whole question is still as far off solution as ever, and our opinions
as to the improbability of finding gold to pay the outlay required in
collecting it remain as unchanged as ever.
P.
S.—3 p.m. Since writing we have just heard from the "Diggings" in date
yesterday. Other visilors have made their appearance there and one
writes us that he does not think much of the appearance of things at
this " fashionable watering place." The diggers still find gold but
"very little of it."
On
parting remarks we may make, which is that as a large body of Police
are at the Maha Oya, and a Detachment of Rifles are under orders for
the same locality, it would be just as well if Government allowed them
additional subsistence money. There is nothing to be obtained in the
desolate hole itself, and prices of all kinds of provisions are
exorbitant. At the same time we may aqd that the services of a Medical man will also be necessary, for we have oq
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