302 Silver Lead Ores of Kumool and [No. 8, new series. 



Notwithstanding the enormous waste both in material and labor 

 consumed, and the high price of the Iron resulting about £20 per 

 ton, the manufacture is carried on both with advantage to the dis- 

 trict as well as considerable profit to the merchant supplying the 

 capital, it becomes desirable therefore to consider if some improve- 

 ment could not be effected in the details of the operation, under 

 the existing system. 



The great disadvantage under which the native works, is evident- 

 ly the inefficient means he has of producing the blast, on this ac- 

 count his furnace is so small in size, and the expenditure of fuel so 

 large. 



i 



Near Roodrar in the jungle where I have mentioned that the 

 furnaces are worked during the dry season, there appears to be a 

 good position for the construction of a tank, the water of which 

 might be employed as a source of power, for supplying the blast to 

 a number of these small native furnaces. 



The drainage area of supply to this tank is about 16 square miles, 

 this with the average rain fall of 27 inches would, if collected, give 

 \\ horse power throughout the year for every foot of fall for which 

 the water could be made available. 



The valley in the lower part has a fall about 20 feet per mile, 

 and at about 3 miles above the lowest part the tank could be con- 

 structed. 



At three places therefore there could be established furnaces 

 with water power of 30 horse at each. 



With this power not only could an efficient blast be supplied for 

 50 of these native furnaces, but rolling and shingling mills for 

 working up the blooms for the whole of the furnaces could be 

 wrought at each of the three places along this valley. 



Labor in the Roodrar district for Iron making being confined to 

 a particular caste of men is very limited in amount ; by the assist- 

 ance of water power, instead of taking 5 men to each furnace, 2 

 men could attend at least 3 furnaces for charging and drawing 

 them, the men thus released would engage themselves in collect- 

 ing ore and fuel. 



The consumption of ore and fuel might safely be reckoned upon 



