June i, 1891 . 1 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
829 
MINES AND MINING- IN CEYLON. 
Wo think our exposure the other day of the 
attempt to depreciate the value of our Gemming 
Industry was justifiable and satisfactory. We arc 
as anxious to get at the truth as any “ roving 
correspondent” of our Indian contemporaries, and 
we are equally desirous to avoid exaggeration. 
But wo cannot possibly understand how the total 
gross returns from an industry, enterprise or 
speculation which calls forth the energies of 20,000 
able-bodied Sinhalese, can be put down at no 
more than £10,000 per annum. Even if it be said 
that the 20,000 natives do not work all the year 
round, but only at certain seasons, and that many 
of them, failing success in gemming, fall back on 
their relatives and village resources for means of 
support; it is absurd to say that so great a number 
not simply in Sabaragamuwa but in the Southern 
Province would continue to labour in gem pits — 
work extremely trying under any circumstances — 
or even in surface work, for an average return of 
not more than live rupees per head per annum. 
On the whole, we consider our estimate of fifty 
rupees a very moderate one. 
But our object today is not to extend discussion 
which has already so fully occupied our columns 
in reference to Gems and Gemming ; but rather 
to call attention to the other great branch of our local 
mining enterprise, namely the digging and export 
of Plumbago. Of the gross returns from this 
industry there is not room for the slightest doubt 
or inaccuracy. Every hundred-weight, we may 
almost say every pound is exported. The rise 
and progress ol this great native industry in our 
midst has been very remarkable. Going back forty 
years, we find an export of no more than 23,823 
cwt. in 18.50, and we give the decennial exports 
to show tha 
rate of progress 
Export of Fiumbago. 
1850 
... owt. 23,833 
1860 
„ 75,660 
1870 
„ 85.210 
1880 
„ 208,738 
1890 
„ 385.751 
It was DO wonder therefore that “ plumbago ” 
mining alter the primitive native fashion should 
attract the attention of Mr, Barrington Brown 
when in our midst. Whatever difficulty he 
experienced in collecting correct infurma- 
tion for his principals in respect of “ gems,” 
he could have no difficulty about plumbago. 
We have been accustomed to call it our only 
mineral of “commercial importance.” Apart from 
gems, this will no longer be correct, for the export 
of “ mica” is beginning to make some show. But 
the great demand for Ceylon plumbago for crucible 
purposes, has made the industry one of first-class 
importance. Mr. Barrington-Brown did not fail 
to see this, or to note the practical monopioly 
which this Colony has of the supply. And 
yet he found that in oonueclion with the indus- 
try, no modern mining appliances, the results of 
English skill and invention, had been applied. A 
few natives, it is uue, use pumps; but ouly after 
a primitive fashion. On this part of his mission, 
the expert was able to report with confidence. 
Ho visited a large number ol plumbago mines, 
and carefully inspected those which had been got 
on lease, or purchased for his Syndicate, and in 
nearly every case he was able tj show how in- 
adequate was the native mode of working — how 
when mines got to a certain depth, ihu aid of 
capital and skill became indispensablo in order 
to free the pits from water, and how oonscquontly 
the works are not prosecuted as they might be 
by European Companies in ocmm.uid of capital. 
104 
In one case, Mr. Barrington Brown illustrated the 
primitive way in which things were being done. 
There was a boiler led from a tank supplied 
with water by two men who hoisted it frorn a 
stream, and a Sinhalese watchmaker had arrived 
to reyrair the pumps. In this he failed and the 
water in the pits rose to within, 12 feet of the 
surface. All the time there was a large 
Etream flowing close by which could have 
driven a waterwheel giving power to the pumps ! 
Scientifically worked, the ‘expert” felt sure 
that the plumbago properties secured by his 
Syndioata would prove very profitable. On this 
opinion, the London promoters have acted, setrding 
out an English mining engineer and a supply of 
pumps to erect on some of their properties in the 
Ktiluiara distiict. The result of- his operations 
will, no doubt, be seen erelong ; but meantime, we 
cannot help once more expressing regret that the 
Syndicate did not see their way to send back Mr, 
Barrington Brown with power and means to 
direct opeiationa in reepeet of both gem and 
plumbago mines in correspondence with his very 
practical and valuable Iteport. Until this is done, 
wo can scarcely feel that justice has been dorio 
to local mining industries and a fair test applied 
to their value and prospects of development. 
■ ■■..-,^■ 1 
LETTERS EROM JAMAICA. 
JAMAIOA nxUlBITION— I PENTN'G CEliEiVIONY — TUB BUICD- 
ING AND EXHIBITS— inB RECIiPITON OF PUINCB OEOIiGE 
OF WALES — THE FEs'l IVI l IBS —LEGISLATIVE SESSION — 
POOH CHOPS uN THE SLUE MOUNTAINS. 
Per Paekat of 10th March. 
Itisegaina long time since I addressed you, 
and I must apologize for not having ere this 
sent you au account of the opening of the 
Jamaica Exhibition ; but as you exchange 
wiili our local Gleaner newspaper, you will no 
doubt, ere you get this, have received a copy with 
particulars of the opening ceremony which proved a 
great success, so that our energetic and hard-work- 
ing Governor Sir Henry Blake was well rewarded 
for the trouble he has taken in bringing about this 
success. Praise must also bo awarded to ail 
concerned in the planning and erection of the 
building which is a very pic'.uresque edifice, and 
causes regret that being of woo.t it cannot be 
permanent ; and though it would be a grand 
thing for the town of Kingston to take it over, and 
keep it up es a sort of “ Crystal Palace,” I leain the 
owner of the land declines to sell, so it is feared that 
unless matters can bo arranged the builctmg must 
come down and ba sold as second-hand lumber, 
wliich will bo rathir a melancholy termination of 
the affair. 
TTie Exhibition was opened on the 27th January by 
Prince George ol Wales as representative ot the 
Qui-eii, his grandmother, and his father the Prince 
01 Wales, and very well he acquitted himself, won 
great popularity; and was most warmly greeted and 
received by tha people who turned out in thousands 
to see him, the occasion having been made a publio 
holiday. On the dais was a large gathering of our 
Jamaica notables ; and also the Earl of Bosse, and 
oTurdistiuguisli.d visitors from Kmg'sHcuse, friends 
of our Governor who had been invited to Jamaica 
for the Kxhibition. The B shop of Jamaica read a 
very apiropriale dedicaLoa prayer, and tha choir 
sang “God save the Queen,” “uod bless thePrincoof 
Wales” and a hymn suitable to the oecas on : after 
the pr esentation of the address the Governor asked 
Prince George to deolaietho cxhibiiioii open, and Jio 
moreover made a vory nice speech. The aisles of 
