1802.] the Isthmus of Krau. 353 



and introduce a hardy and hard-working population (the Chinese) 

 into provinces which contain mineral wealth in known and unknown 

 quantities ; wealth, which merely requires labour to develop to any 

 extent, and in search of which the Chinese even now find their 

 weary way, but who would then come in large numbers, especially 

 as the new treaty allows them to emigrate with their families. 

 Much and valuable information regarding the great mineral wealth 

 of these provinces may be found in some interesting papers by Colonel 

 Tremenheere, Bengal Engineers, and Professors Heifer and Oldham.. 



17. The Tables annexed I. II. & III. show the economy of fuel, 

 establishment, and time, which would be arrived at by establishing 

 easy communication across the Isthmus. A canal we consider out 

 of the question. A railroad is not only quite practicable, but likely 

 to cost less per mile than any other in India. 

 1st. Table I. exhibits the costs of the present line 

 of steamers per month, without taking into consi- 

 deration the expenses of idle vessels, or any inci- 

 dental expenses whatever, merely the cost of fuel 

 and establishment per trip, for running steamers, 

 as kept up by the P. and 0. Company from Ceylon 



via Singapore to Hong-kong, Pis. 39,700 



Table II. the cost of ditto, (kept up we believe by 

 Messrs. Apcar &. Co.) direct from Calcutta to 



Hong-kong via. Singapore, 40,200 



Table III. the ditto, of ditto, kept up by C. &. B. S. 

 " N. Company from Calcutta to Maulmein via. Akyab 



and Rangoon, 1],900 



Total Cost of present arrangement per month, 91,800 



2nd. Table I. shows again the cost of a line run- 

 ning from Ceylon to Krau and from Gulf of Siam 

 (Tayoung) to Hong-kong, Rs. 32,900 



Table II, the cost of a line from Calcutta via, Akyab, 

 Rangoon, Maulmein, Tavoy, Mergui and Siam and 

 thence per China-line to Hong-kong, 17,300 



Total cost of two lines which would answer all the 



purposes of the present three lines, 50,200 



