1842.] Second Report on the Tin of Mergui. 849 



The Kahan ore gave on analysis 0.91 per cent, of metallic iron 

 only, and is believed to be free from the tungstate of iron and sulphur. 



13. No accurate statement can be made of the probable cost of 

 obtaining the cleaned ore at Kahan from the outlay which has been 

 lately incurred. Convicts alone, who were before quite unaccustomed 

 to the work, have been employed, and for this labour no cost appears. 

 Chinese labourers, who understand the process of washing and smelt- 

 ing are to be procured in any numbers, and many, who have heard that 

 enquiries have been lately on foot concerning tin, have come already 

 from Tacopah to Mergui in search of work. They arrive in poverty, 

 and are glad to accept the wages of common coolies in plantation 

 work, &c. till better employment is to be had. Advances of money 

 for subsistence, and to enable them to make the requisite preparations 

 for getting the ore, both in tools, wheel work, troughs, &c. are only ne- 

 cessary for commencing operations to any extent at Kahan, or at any 

 of the most available sites of stream tin. The wages of Chinese miners 

 in the peninsula are said to be from five to eight dollars per month ; 

 but they would be found ready to stipulate for the payment of 

 their labour by a certain fixed proportion of the produce. At the 

 Dutch mines, I am told they are remunerated by 40 per cent, of the 

 actual produce, the remaining 60 being the clear profit and property 

 of Government, which has been found at Banca and in the Straits to be 

 the best mode of paying them. They are in mining operations, as well 

 as in common labour, more skilful and industrious than any class in the 

 East with which I am acquainted. By Rule 4th, concerning grants of 

 waste forest and jungle land, published at Moulmain on 10th May 1841, 

 a tax not exceeding 10 per cent, is leviable on the part of Government 

 on the gross produce of mines worked within the limits of any 

 grant. 



The freight of tin from Mergui to Penang with the present craft, 

 (China junks,) plying between the two places, would be two rupees 

 four annas per 100 viss of 365 lbs. Freight from Penang to China by 

 the Penang Price Current of April last, was 55 to 65 cents, per picul. 



To Whampoa about 50 cents, more than to Lintin. 



From Penang to Calcutta, eight annas to one rupee per picul. 



» >> > t to Bombay ten annas to one rupee ditto. 



» » 93 to London 1/. per ton of 20 cwt. 



