PART 2.] 
King: Gold-fields of S.-E. Wynad. 
45 
reefs is only in minute strings and grains. The ground can only be worked out by capital, 
the most perfect machinery, and skilled hands to guide the cheaper labor of the country in 
getting out the stone in the safest and readiest manner. And naturally, where the percent¬ 
age of gold in the quartz is as yet so small, everything will depend on getting out a sufficient 
tonnage of stone in a given time. 
Until more is known of the gold-producing powers of the Wynad, no better guidance 
can be given than the following by Mr. A. R. C. Selwyn, Director General, Geological Survey 
of Canada :* “ It should not be forgotten that the most favorable indications are not always 
reliable, and the sanguine prognostications they so frequently give rise to are not borne 
out by the result of actual working; wherefore I should, even under the most favorable 
circumstances, not advise any one to invest in such enterprises to an amount beyond what 
he can afford to lose without serious embarrassment.” 
Hitherto the land in Wynad has been principally parcelled out in coffee gardens, either 
, ,, ..... free-liold, or paying an annual rent to the Rajahs who hold a great 
Land tenure m Wynad. j n , . , ,, 
quantity of the ground, or direct to Government. At the same 
time, after a certain period, a revenue is derived from all the gardens by the Government, 
whether it be Rajah’s land, or not. Now that gold mining is likely to become an industry, 
a new set of land interests are being developed. The Rajahs, of course, retain their right to 
all minerals and can sell these as they like. The Government of Madras has not yet, I 
believe, decided as to how they are to act in the matter, except that applications for land for 
gold-mining and for agricultural purposes on which quartz reefs are supposed to exist, are 
being reserved for consideration until the question of mining interest is settled. 
In the meantime the Rajah of Nellambor has (according to their prospectus) leased a 
block of 15 acres of land near Da.yvallah to the projectors of the Alpha Gold Company for 
twelve years at an annual rent of Rs. 225. Since then it is reported that the Rajah in recent 
applications demands 10 per cent, on the out-turn of any gold-mining which may be carried 
on; and it is very probable he may change this rate. Nearly all the land in the Nambaly- 
code Amsham is owned hy the Rajah of Nellambor. Equally, as with the revenue derived 
from estates on Rajah’s lands, it may he found advisable that the gold from these reefs should 
pay a royalty to Government. 
In conclusion, I have to tender my thanks to all the planters whom I have yet met in 
Wynad for their great kindness and hospitality, and for their assistance in every way. Also 
for the readiness displayed by the Directors and the Manager of the Alpha Gold Company in 
allowing me to examine their quarry and giving me such specimens as were required. To 
Mr. J. W. Minchin of Dayvallah the greatest debt is due for having allowed all the speci¬ 
mens to be crushed at his extemporized stamper and subsequently manipulated by his 
Pannirs and Korumbars. 
Notes and Observations on the Gold Fields of Quebec and Nova Scotia 
