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Sec. III, Ch. 3: Author's Connection with the Ruby Mines of Burma

Sec. III, Ch. 3: Author's Connection with the Ruby Mines of Burma Page of 366 Sec. III, Ch. 3: Author's Connection with the Ruby Mines of Burma Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
The Ruby Mines of Burma.                     173
deserted. The panthays were sent out to call in the people from their hiding places in the jungle and gradually the villagers returned, but a long time elapsed before any of the headmen appeared.
While the expedition was at Mogok, great difficul­ties were experienced and much privation endured ; but at the same time a good deal of information, previously unknown, respecting the mines and the system of working them, was gradually collected. It was discovered that the lessees under King Theebaw were not licensed to work the mines themselves, but paid 2-1/2 lakhs of rupees per annum, for the privilege of collecting taxes and dues. The lessees financed the affairs of the poor miners, lending them money, for which they extorted exorbitant interest, and otherwise using their great power oppres­sively. In February, 1887, Mr. F. Atlay, son of the late Bishop of Hereford, arrived at the mines, with an interpreter, to act as our representative after my sot» had left the district, and he subsequently became manager of the mines for us. He stills holds a position there for the present Company.
At the request of Mr. Carter, the Deputy-Com­missioner, my son acted as valuer for the Government, of all stones brought in by the natives—a task of great delicacy, difficulty and, at this early period of our occu­pancy, even of danger. At a later period he was present with Mr. (afterwards Sir Charles) Crostwaithe, the Chief Commissioner, at an interview with the principal headmen of the district, when the regulations for the management of the mines were discussed, and the rights of the native workers defined and protected. In April, 1887, he signed a pro­visional agreement with the Chief Commissioner for a lease of the mines for 5-1/2 years ; and, pending the confirmation
Sec. III, Ch. 3: Author's Connection with the Ruby Mines of Burma Page of 366 Sec. III, Ch. 3: Author's Connection with the Ruby Mines of Burma
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