160 



Account of the Gold Mines 



[No. S2, 



the deepest shafts,) it will then as above mentioned, appear evident 

 that were these mines systematically worked on the European prin- 

 ciple, the quantity of gold to be had would be very considerable. 

 But situated as I am without the above means, and with so small a 

 party, we can do little more than as many of the Natives, and can 

 only for the present continue the search for the most lucrative mines 

 in the District, and for those places where it may be worth while for 

 Government to keep up regular Mining establishments, amongst 

 which number these mines may most undoubtedly be classed. The 

 Pioneers have collected nearly an ounce of gold during the week they 

 have been here, and had I the regular European apparatus this ounce 

 would, I have no doubt, have been ^ pound.''^ 



The mines of Caput do not appear to have been previously known, 

 though Mr. Sheffield mentions that gold had been found by digging 

 pits in the TermooUy Hill near Momhaat Angudy. In addition to 

 the gold collected by the Pioneers at Capuly Lieutenant Nicolson 

 purchased two other pieces obtained by Native workmen in other 

 parts of the Nelamhoor valley, which on being analysed in the Assay 

 Office at Madras gave the following results. 



No. 1. The specimen of gold from the mines is very fine, 



being B 1 car. 3j grs., its weight was 2 dvvts. 14 grs., and its value 

 Rupees 5, Annas 9, Pie 5; one hundred parts of this specimen would 

 consist of the following metals : 



Touch. 



5 9 5 Gold 99-22 



4 4 0 Silver 078 



Grain 1 5 5 100-0 



One ounce of gold of this fineness would be worth Rupees 43, 

 Annas 4, Pie 8. 



No. 2. The specimen of gold from the iVeZ<2m5oor Rajah's mines 

 is of fineness B 0 car. 2| grs., its weight was 3 dwts. 4 grs., and its 

 value Rupees 6, Annas 8, Pie 6 ; one hundred parts would consist of 

 the following metals : 



Touch. 



6 8 6 Gold 94-53 



5 12 0 Silver 5*47 



Grain 0 12 6 100 0 



One ounce of gold of this fineness would be worth Rupees 41, 

 Annas 4. 



