from
Matale, either from Cateratenne or Kinrara estate. The Hog's-back
tunnel reef is evidently well worth looking after:—
J. Ferguson, Esq.
Sir,—Agreeably
to your request, I have much pleasure in stating for the information of
those planters who sent specimens of the quartz outcrop, on their
estates, to the Observer Office, for examination by me:—
ist. That of all the specimens examined, only two were fine quartz.
2nd. Only one contained pyritous material: the form of combination with which gold is most usually found associated.
3rd.
The purest sample of quartz is the small and very white piece which you
showed me—I don't remember from whose estate it came. The most
promising one is that which I believe to have been taken from a quartz
outcrop at a place known as the Hog's Back. This should be thoroughly
examined as it may lead to satisfactory results. Were the estate mine I
would certainly spend some money in testing the direction and extent of
the reef or bed, as well as of the pyritous material.
4th.
The general appearance of the quartz examined proved conclusively that
the samples were not properly selected; but although with the two
exceptions mentioned, X was compelled to condemn them, it by no means
follows that more promising material does not exist on these estates.
Samples should always be taken at the greatest possible depth ; and in
the absence of free gold, from that part of the reef or bed containing
the greatest amount of pyritous material.
5th.
In connexion with the foregoing remarks and in conclusion, I may state
that a very promising sample of Ceylon quartz was shown me by Mr.
Robertson of the Oriental Banking Corporation, which, if taken from a
reef or bed of satisfactory dimensions, ought to be thoroughly examined
; but the most satisfactory, most promising sample of all, was one
shown me by Mr. \V. Ferguson as belonging to the Government Agent of
the Western Province. This sample, which is nothing more or less than
pure gold nuggets, varying in size from that of a pin's head to that of
a No. 4 shot, was taken from the bed of the river at Ratnapura some 14
years or so ago. This is however highly important for those of you who
are interested in the future development of Ceylon to know that the
precious metal exists at your doors, and I venture to suggest that what
I have now said in regard to the Hog's Back outcrop, Mr. Robertson's
sample, and last but not least, the Government Agent's should not be
lost sight of.
I am &c,
J. Macdo.n'ai.d Cameron,
F'. C S. and Fel. Inst. Ohem.,
Late Assistant, Royal School of Mines, South Kensington, S. W. Laboratory, J2, Lime St., London, E.G.
The
specimens of gold were those belonging to Mr. Saunders already
described by us as found near Ratnapura a short time ago, and which
Mr. Brough Smyth declared to be very fine gold which had not travelled
far from the matrix. We are glad to learn that a trial is now being
made in Ambagamuwa to test quartz reefs at a sufficient depth, some 12
to 15 feet below the surface outcrop. A similar shaft should be sunk in
a favourable spot in Dolosbage.
GOLD MINING IN SOUTHERN INDIA : PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
Mr. C. Rowe writes from Devalah, Wynaad, to the Mining Journal:—
Whatever may be the ultimate result of gold mining in the Wynaad, there
is certainly much that is instructive and interesting in this gold
field. Unlike on the discovery of the precious metals in Australia and
California, there is not the least appearance of a rush. It may be said
to be essentially the capitalist's mining field. There are no working
miners, prospectors on the outcrops, with an arrastra going to grind up
the prill, or choice pieces, as would have been the case on the
discovery of a gold field on the Pacific.
