earth
that is washed on any of the feats that has not the same quantity of
gold in it, but at a depth of 40 feet the gold becomes a degree larger,
and liradley and his party think there is no doubt but that nuggets
will be found on the primitive or bed rock—they have now a tine shaft
sunk of about 40 feet, at the bottom of which there are little streams
of water working out of the sides; by careful observation the precious
metal can be seen washing out from the land, and from this indication
the men at work say there is sure to be a treasure close at hand; the
next part of the work will be to drift or tunnel, and in doing so, the
north and south directions are the intended course.
With the glaring facts now before us of gold being found even in small quantities, is it not a reasonable question to aik what do Government intend to do ': 1
most humbly think it is time that his Excellency the Governor had put
all doubt at rest by expressing his intention to encourage or
discourage the enterprise, as also to say what would be the reward
given if gold was found in paying quantities at Nuwara Eliya or its
vicinity. By a statement of the 1 Government intentions, a capitalist
would be able to judge if it would be worth his while to compete with
liradley for the reward which is now uuv supposed will be given. There is another question, if answered by the Observer, would
be of infinite benefit to all parties holding property in this island.
Would the discovery of gold in large or paying quantities do good or
harm to (he island generally ? Yon may perhaps think any answer
to my question just now would be premature, and I would much like to
see some discussion on that grand point; however anticipating as I do
from reasons I will hereafter mention, that the good to be derived
from such a valuable metal being found in quantity would be of
universal benefit to all classes of Her Majesty's subjects. 1 cannot
but look on with surprise at the little that has been done by the <
Government of this island towards investigating completely this pending
matter ; the men now engaged have not the means left them to go on
exploring, and what individual having means within his power would
invest it oh a speculation, when in doubt as to the intentions of Government ? Let any man read liis title-deed and the answer is there, all minerals and gems go to the Crown. It
is supposed that the discovery of gold in this island would affect so
much the prospects of its present staple article " Coffee," that the
Government fear to interfere, in case there should be a cry out by the
proprietors of estates. Surely there are no men amongst that
intelligent body who can for one moment conceive the idea that finding
gold in large quantities would harm their interest. If any I can from a
week's experience of hard digging assure them that there are not 10 out of every thousand coolies
in Ceylon who would stand by the work for one week, indeed it requires
a European of no ordinary spirit and endurance' to remain at work from
day to day for the term of seven days. I think in this opinion the Examiner's Commissioner will join.
The attraction that gold would cause to coolies being the only reason
why proprietors of estates can fear for, being considered as groundless
by all who have visited the Nuwara Eliya Diggings, we will now
consider the good which would occur to planters by the full development
of the hidden treasure.— No. 1, A. Rail-road.—Cheap transport for
coffee to Colombo, and to the railrnad terinimis; low freights
to England and France, as our imports must increase so must shipping;
cheap money as exchange must fall; cheap agency at Colombo, as then
merchants will have more competition, and lastly, export duties of all
kinds would fall, as our island revenue would increase to so great a
degree by imports and land licences, that Government could then
afford to do so. As to superintendents becoming diggers, which I doubt,
many of them could stick at it, I would say to proprietors that there
is as good Jish in the sea as ever was caught, more good
men could be brought out from home; but to come to one point in
particular, may I ask would it not benefit Her Most 1 Gracious
Majesty's Exchequer to find gold in large quantities ! How there-lore
can any uian suppose that the Government of Ceylon would fear the
clamour of one particular class! No more than would a bailiff on anv gentleman's
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