628 Further information on the gold washings of Assam. [July, 



much gold as they possibly can within a short period, which was the 

 case in the instance above alluded to. 



The only peculiarity I can find worthy of notice, in regard to the 

 foregoing information is, that in washing the sands of _the Noa Diking, 

 a quantity of beautiful and minute crystals of quartz are left after the 

 dirty portion and larger pieces of gravel have been thrown aside, and this 

 description of residue is not observed in any other rivers of the upper 

 portion of Assam. 



I have also to remark that it is the custom with the sonewahl Cassa~ 

 rees of Sudiya to reckon four men to a gote, their method of washing 

 for gold requiring for each durrunee, or trough, four men to keep the 

 operation constantly going on, the distribution of them, being, one man 

 to wash, two to bring the soil, and the fourth to dig — and all relieving 

 each other at intervals. 



5th May. — The information which is herein given may be depended 

 upon as correct ; it was taken from the head of a party of sonewahl 

 Cassarees now residing at Burgohain Pokni, on the south bank of the 

 Booree Diking who make a yearly visit to the known sources of the 

 precious metal. The dates are not specified, but the washing for gold 

 took place at different periods. 



1. In the Lohit or Buramputer above Sudiya, a party of gold- wash- 

 ers consisting of 12 men washed for 20 days, and realized 7 tolas of 

 gold. 



2. In the Dholjan or A. B. Buramputer, a party of 20 men washed 

 for 16 days and realized 1 tola. 



3. In the Jungi, 15 men washed for 20 days and realized 1\ tolas. 



4. In the Desue or Jorehaut river, 15 men washed for 12 days and 

 realized 1\ tolas. 



5. In the Dhunseree river, 15 men washed for 12 or 15 days and 

 realized 1\ tolas. 



With reference to the above I have been told that the quantity of 

 gold obtained in the three last mentioned rivers or rather hill streams, 

 may be taken as a good average of what can be procured from them ; 

 they are considered rich with reference to other streams in this province 

 which are washed for gold, and the quantity which could be obtained 

 must depend upon the number of people employed. In my inquiries 

 regarding particular localities, soil, &c. washed, I can obtain nothing 

 additional to what I have already laid before you, a sudden turn in the 

 river where there is a deposit of loam sand and small round stones or 

 pebbles, and a situation where the level of the country commences to 

 ascend towards the hills, seem to be considered the most favorable loca- 

 lities with reference to the small streams which I have noticed here. 



