1843.] in Kumaon and Ghurwal. 469 



years (if operations were carried on to a large extent) cease, and the 

 works be abandoned owing to the non-existence of coal. This is not 

 a mere conjectural hypothesis, but rests on what has already occurred, 

 and will again occur in this district. Even under the present petty 

 system of operations, many mines have been abandoned from this cause. 

 The following is an instance of the kind. In the valley of Kheisaree, 

 the northern extremity of which forms the boundary between Kumaon 

 and Ghurwal, iron ore of a good quality is found in great abundance, 

 and many mines have at different times been worked by the native 

 miners, who resort thither annually from the eastern purgunnahs. 

 At present, the chief supply of iron in Kumaon is from these mines, yet 

 although the total quantity produced would with reference to the 

 gigantic scale of English transactions appear perfectly ludicrous, the 

 valley has notwithstanding become nearly denuded of trees, and it is 

 only by shifting about to new sites, less removed from the forest, that 

 operations are now carried on. The extensive pine woods of the 

 Doorgadhee and Jowrasee range, even at the distance of five and six 

 miles from the mines, are now beginning to experience indiscriminate 

 havoc at the hands of the charcoal burners, who cut down and leave 

 to rot on the ground thousands of fine trees, merely consuming the 

 smaller branches, (to save themselves the trouble of splitting the large 

 trunks,) while no provision is made for the renewal of the forest. 



As compared with the Pokree and other mining localities of Ghur- 

 wal, the Khetsaree valley is, in many respects favorably situated, 

 being four days nearer to Chilkea, to which mart the route is almost 

 entirely through a level country, and bisected by the Ramgunga 

 river, the power of which, and some of its nearer affluents, would be 

 ample for every kind of machinery. Limestone too exists in great 

 plenty, and in skilful hands, would doubtless be turned into large use 

 in the reducing processes. The climate, however, in the valley itself, 

 is unsuited to the European constitution, and until the last few years 



Almorah at a less price than the hill copper, the present price of the former being 

 1 Rupees 10 Annas per seer, of the latter 1 Rupee 12 Annas to 2 Rupees. 



By recent quotations, the price of imported copper at Calcutta is shewn to be as 

 follows ; viz. 



Sheathing, per Factory maund,.... 36 12 to 38 Sicca Rupees. 



Brazier's 36 to „ 



Old Copper 37 8 to 37 12 



3 Q 



