266 KING: KADAPAH AND KARNÜL FORMATIONS. [PART IV. 
climate of the country and the difficulties of approach were of no 
account, for life was held cheaply. 
In the present day all the old workings in these rocks within the 
British territory are deserted, with the exception 
Non-development in 
the present day no sign of a few diamond mines in and around the Banag- 
"ue mms anpilly country; yet it is almost certain that 
they were deserted not on account of the ores or the precious stones having 
been thoroughly worked out, but because there are now no natives 
in the territory able or willing to speculate in mining, and that the 
climate, means of approach, and want of labor are serious difficulties 
in the way of the development of the country being taken up by 
Europeans.* 
Itis true that Europeans have attempted the workings of mines 
in these districts (notably J. Ouchterlony, Esq., 
of Ootacamund, and the old firm of Hart and 
Simpson in Nellore), but these all resulted in 
European attempts at 
mining failures hitherto. 
failure, principally through expenditure on <“ plant,’ failure in health 
of the European or Hast Indian subordinates, and general mismanage- 
ment, which last seems to have hitherto been the general cause of 
failure in nearly all English-connected mining schemes in India. 
۰ ۰ 4 
Perhaps the best paying resource in the KADAPAH and KARNUL rocks 
within the last few years has been that of simple 
Within the last) few TN 
years Nerjee stone paid building-stone. As already related, Mr. E. ۰ 
best. 
Barnett, the principal contractor on the north-west 
line of the Madras Railway, has made extensive use of the limestone 
from his quarries at Nerjee, some 30 miles west-north-west of Cuddapah. 
In fact, so useful bas this stone been to him that he has carried it in 
* Mr. Richardson of Madras has only ventured to take up the old diamond mines 
near Cuddapah on the very favorable rent of Rs. 100 a year, and yet there are accounts 
of two diamonds having come outof this field which were eventually sold for £5,000 
and £3,000 each. 
( 266 ) 
