NUMBER OF WELLS. I 77 



number is amended a possible number of 243 wells existed in 1855. 

 This figure agrees so well with my estimate that if we suppose that 

 there were 250 wells, productive and unproductive, we will be very- 

 near the mark. Dr. Oldham's estimate of 200 productive wells, 

 which would give a calculated total of 374 wells, is undoubtedly too 

 high ; because if we add to this number the number of Royal wells 

 and wells dug since 1885 we get a total of 624 which would mean 

 that since 1855 till 1885 no new wells, except the Royal wells, were 

 constructed. As we know, however, that during this period at least 

 120 new wells were dug, and if we add this number to the above 624' 

 we get a total of 744 wells supposed to be in existence in 1890. As 

 there are, however, only 632 we see that Dr. Oldham must have 

 overestimated the number of productive wells. 



Now having arrived at the conclusion that in 1855 there were 

 hardly more than 250 wells in existence we may fairly assume that 

 the number of 200 as given by Mr. Crawfurd represents the total of 

 wells, which were 107 productive and 93 unproductive wells, and 

 supposing further that the same rate of progress existed during the 

 period 1797 to 1826 as from 1826 to 1855, the probable number of 

 wells at Captain Cox's time was something like 130, of which 70 

 were productive and 60 unproductive wells. 



The number of 280 wells arrived at by taking Captain Strover's 

 statement of 150 productive wells as basis for the calculation agrees 

 so well with the figure arrived at by theoretical speculation that we 

 may take it as accurate as possible. 



Dr. Friedlander's statement of 450 wells made only a year later 

 seems hardly to harmonise with it. We shall, however, see that the 

 apparent disparity is the evidence of the correctness of this state* 

 ment, and on the other hand strongly supports the statement of the 

 natives that the so called Royal wells were dug between 1873 and 

 1874. 



If we suppose that Captain Strover's figure applies to the number 

 of wells previous to the construction of the Royal wells, and if we 

 further suppose that Dr. Friedlander visited the oilfields after their 

 N ( 223 ) 



