32 Existence of Copper in the territory of Luz. [No. 97- 



Q. Do the people work the ore ? 



A. No ; they are ignorant Mahomedans, and think of nothing 

 but their cattle and thieving. 



Q. Is it known to many that the ore exists ? 



A, I do not know ; but believe it is ; the Jam is aware of 

 it, and some of his people. 



Q. Of what description was the copper you brought ? 



A. Of the best, equal to that sold in the bazar, which is sheet 

 copper, and comes from Velete (Europe). 



Q. What average does the ore yield ? 



A. Some will yield \, others J or |, but the average is a 

 little less than \. 



Q, How did you extract it ? 



A. We simply melted it with wood in a mud furnace, and 

 the copper ran off like a stream of gold. 



Q. At what cost ? 



A. At that of the firewood, which is mere nothing. 



Q. What is the value of copper here (Kurrachee) ? 



A. Sixty rupees for 80 lbs. the best. 



Q. Do you know the value of 80 lbs. of copper in Bombay ? 



A. I believe, about 42 rupees. 



Q. Where is it brought from ? 



A. It is sheet copper, brought from Velete (Europe.) 



Q. What would be the cost of bringing 60 lbs. of copper 

 from the place you had the specimen you speak of? 



A. I could, I think, bring 60 lbs. of copper to Kurrachee, and 

 sell it with profit for 30, or 28 rupees less if worked on the spot. 



Q. Are any other metals found where the copper is pro- 

 cured ? 



A, I cannot say ; we searched by stealth, and were afraid of 

 being discovered ; but it is said that silver is found in these 

 mountains. 



Q. Did you ever hear of a black substance like charcoal, 

 which burns well, being found ? 



A. No, I never did ; but I have told you, how much afraid of 

 being found out we were. 



Q. Could you shew me the hill from which you got the 

 copper ? 



