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GEMS IN CEYLON.
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Royal
Highness feels truly touched by so gratifying an expression of the tie
of sympathy connecting her with a distant possession of the British
Crown, and I am to request Your Excellency to accept for yourself, and
to convey to all those who have contributed to, and co-operated in the
preparation of this offering, the warmest and most heartfelt thanks of
Her Royal Highness. I am at the same time commanded to inform Your
Excellency, that Her Royal Highnesss has worn the bracelets, which have
been much admired, and has placed one casket on Her table, and sent the
other to a jeweller's in this town to be exhibited.
I have the honor to be, sir, Your Excellency's most obedient servant,
(Signed) E. De Stockmar, Private Secretary to H. R. H. To His Excellency, Sir Henry G. Ward, K. G. C. M, G., Governor of Ceylon.
" GOLD IN CEYLON."
REPORT ON QUARTZ REEF ON AMRLAKA.NDA ESTATE DOLOSBAGE.
There are two prominent quartz reefs crossing this estate striking N. 2or W., and having a dip of from 7°' t0
So° to the W. This strike nearly coincides with the auriferous reefs of
South India, the geological age of which is contemporaneous with the
hill districts of Ceylon.
I
traversed the principal reef from the Ingurugalla boundary to the
opposite limit of the estate in the ravine near the store, as well as
the greater portion of a parallel reef. I had a few blasts put in
several places which were much weathered, in order to determine the
nature of the quartz below, and eventually selected two places which I
thought advisable to examine. The one was in the ravine near
the store which had to be abandoned on account of water. Most attention
has been paid to the main reef standing out prominently forming a
ridge, about centrally situated on the estate. In this ridge a large
cutting has been made across the reef which is over 20 feet broad to a
depth of over 12 feet. As the pit deepens the quartz becomes more
compact in texture, and contains iron pyrites as well as magnetite and
limestone. It is also slightly chloritic, due to the presence of
chlorite. In some parts it is laminated with hornblende and felspar,
and veins of micaceous clay are met with. A. large portion of the
quartz is cavernous. Towards the centre of the reefs the quartz is
very compact, and I think extends to a great depth.
I
have selected specimens of the rock from time to time and tested the
samples. Near the surface no trace of gold was evident, but deeper down
I met with slight traces, and the samples last taken furnish slightly better results—not more however than 4 grains to the ton, which is a very small proportion.
I am inclined to think that on further examination of this reef in its extension which
is considerable, and probably even in Amblakanda, that gold will be met
with in much larger quantity. The reef is well defined for a long
distance to the North and South, probably the same as that met with on
Mount Jean.
The
time occupied in blasting has been long, and the depth to which the pit
has been carried has but barely reached the limit I intended. The work
is now stopped on account of the rains.
Alexander Campbell Dixon, F.C.S., B. &*., Honors London University.
Colombo, 23rd June 1881.
[June
25th.—It is likely that Mr. W. Evans, a practical Gold Miner, will be
engaged to follow up Mr, Dixon's exploration in Dolosbage and Amba-gamuwa.—Compilers.]
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