VALUE OF WELLS. I 7 [ 



gradually increases, chiefly in consequence of the increased time 

 required to haul the diggers up. We may put down this fact to the 

 fatigue of the coolies, as the observations were taken about i| hours 

 before the day's work was stopped. But the most remarkable fea- 

 ture is the exceedingly small percentage of useful time, namely 

 such time as the man stays down in the well engaged in digging. 

 It varies from 18 per cent, to 10 per cent, of the total time, an 

 exceedingly poor result ; it may be that sometimes the percent- 

 age of useful time is higher, but we may fairly assume that it is 

 never more than 25 per cent, of the total. Of course this applies 

 solely to wells which have reached the oil bearing strata ; in higher 

 parts where the diggers are not troubled from want of breathing air 

 a man may stay down for hours. But, taken as a whole, it is evi- 

 dent that the process of deepening a well once it has reached the oil- 

 bearing sand is a tedious process, accompanied by much waste of time. 



I never heard of any accidents resulting from choking, although 

 the diggers sometimes come up apparently much exhausted and 

 streaming with perspiration. 



Approximate value of a well of average depth. — The data 

 above will enable us to arrive at an idea as to the cost of a well of 

 average depth under normal conditions. This calculation will be 

 found useful as a check to statements of the natives about the 

 amount of money invested in the wells, and furthermore it will serve 

 as a basis for the estimate of the capital value of the native oil 

 fields. 



A calculation of the probable cost of a well 120 cubits = 180 

 feet, and 150 cubits = 225 feet, will be quite sufficient. 



1. Estimate of cost of a well 120 cubits = 180 feet in depth : 



(a) Wages for digging — 



80 cubits at the rate of 

 10 cubits at the rate of • 

 10 cubits at the rate of 

 10 cubits at R7-8-0 per cubit 

 10 cubits at Rio per cubit 



Total 



200 



45 

 60 



75 

 100 



400 



( 2I 7 ) 



