8 HAYDEN AND HATCH : GOLD-PIELDS OF WAlNAD. 



old mines in south-east and south Waina'd were visited during the 

 camping season of 1899-1900, and a preliminary note on the subject 

 was published in the General Report for 1899-1900. 1 The extraordi- 

 nary discrepancy between the reports, made on the various properties 

 of Wainid by mining experts, and the actual results subsequently 

 obtained made it desirable that a careful investigation of the reefs 

 should be made in order to ascertain how far improved modern 

 methods might render it possible to revive, with some prospect of 

 success, the gold-mining industry in this area : for the belief is un- 

 doubtedly still current in many quarters that the previous failures 

 were in large part due to unsuitable appliances as well as to ineffici« 

 ent supervision. It was, therefore, arranged that Dr. F. H. Hatch, 

 whose services had been temporarily retained by the Secretary of 

 State for India, should include the Wainid mines among those to be 

 examined by him while in India. 



A preliminary visit was, therefore, paid to south and south-east 

 Waindd with a view to examining as far as pos- 



Preliminary examina- 

 tion of south and south- sible all the old mines and ascertaining how far 

 east Wainad. 



it would be practicable to make a detailed in- 

 vestigation of the characters and value of the quartz reefs. Most of 

 the tunnels and shafts had, during the last ten years, become to a 

 great extent filled with debris and water, and it was considered ad- 

 visable to open up one or more of the most important mines. The 

 preliminary examination showed that the " Phcenix " mine, near 

 Pandalur, and the " Alpha," near DevaMa, were the most suitable for 

 this purpose, having been developed to a greater extent than any 

 other mines in Waindd. 



Between the months of July and November 1900, the work of 



Preparations for clearing and opening up the old drives was 



sampling. carried out, for the greater part of the time, 



under the superintendence of Mr. Stonier, Mining Specialist, assisted 



1 General Report, Geol. Surv. Ind., 1899- 'Q 00 ' P* 53' 

 ( 3 ) 



