The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-11-23 00:00:00

THE INDIAN GOLD DISCOVERIES.

Telegrams from India state that, as the result of ex-
plorations conducted on behalf of the Indian Govern-
ment by a staff of Australian miners, large gold deposits
have been discovered at Wynaad, a district in the
Madras Presidency lying on the first slopes of the Neil-
gherry mountains. In an area of 25 miles by 13 ninety
outcrops of ore reef have been found, with a thickness
of two to four feet, and yielding from a few penny-
weights to 200 ounces per ton. The average yield
of the Victorian quartz is now about 104 penny-
weights per ton, and if with this return the Australian
mines can be worked at a profit, a smaller yield should
pay in India, where labour is so much cheaper and
more abundant. The belief, therefore, that with
capital and good management a profitable gold in-
dustry may be established at Wynaad does not seem
extravagant. Experience has no doubt shown that
expensive machinery is required to work quartz reefs
with success, but that and the needed capital and skill
with which to utilise it will certainly be forthcoming;
and if the expectations now formed ate realised, India
must benefit greatly by the opening up of this new
source of wealth. To this ceuntry there will be the
direct gain of an increase in the purchasing powers from
one of our chief customers, and we, in common with
other nations, may reap an indirect benefit. There is,
no doubt, at present a gold scarcity. The world's gold
produce has not been increasing of late, while the
demand for gold has become much greater, in conse-
quence of currency changes. Any fresh discovery of
gold, in quantities sufficient to influence the relations
between the supply and demand must therefore have
an important and, on the whole, a beneficial influence
upon the money markets of the world. For one thing,
it may enable India to lay the basis of a gold curr, ncy.
—Econom&t.

THE RESIDENCE OF THE GOVERNOR.
GENERAL OF CANADA.

Mayfair thus describes the future residence in Canada of
the Marquis and Marchioness of Lorne :

"Rideau Hall, the future residence of the Governor-
General and the Princess, is situated on a portion of
the old Mackay estate, near the right bank of the
River RidPau. It was originally the residence of
the Hon. Thomas Mackay, well known as the con-
structor of the Rideau Canal. The Hall commands a fair
view of the neighbouring capital and the River Rideau.
Between the Hall and the River Ottawa is a dense wood
with well-laid walks. From the lodge to the residence
of the house is a fine avenue, 450 yards in length
shaded by trees. The grounds chiefly consist of a
thick wood, penetrated in varions directions by
gravelled walks. There is, however' a small flower
garden, tastefully laid out, immediately adjacent to
the main wing of the mansion. To the north of the
Hail are stables and coach-houses, with accommodation
for fourteen horses; and in the rear of the stables is a
gasometer, capable of storing 23,000 cubic feet of gas.
Near to the gasometer is a large oval boulder, weigh-
ing some five tons, perched on its end. Lord Dutiex in
was very fond of sketching this relic of the
world's antiquity. Ills lordship erected on a mound,
forty-five feet in height, a large wooden tabogan
slide. The slide proper, with the elevation of the
mound, is about 80 feet, but, of course, the tabogans
travel a much greater distance with the force gathered
in the descent. Near to the slide is a large curling.
rink, used for its original purpose in the winter, but as
a gymnasium in summer, The exterior of the house,
which consists of two to two•and-a-half stories, to say
the least, is not pretty. The interior is, however,
everything that can be desired. The main entrance
leads through a commodious vestibule to the
reception hall. On the right is a billiard-room, from
which admission can be gained to the tennis-court.
To the left is the ball-room, a commodious
room, 68ft. by 56ft., containing ten large windows.
This room can, when desired, be adapted for private
theatricals, for which purpose there is a large movable
stage, with all the necessary scenery and other stage
effects. On either side of the main corridor are suites
of rooms. Those to the left are Chiefly used as offices.
To the right are the main drawing-room, a charming
room, through which entrance is obtained to the lib-
rary, and a cosy library it is. Connected with the
latter again is the private drawing • room, from
which access can be had to three conservatories
and a vinery, all welbstocked with native and
exotic plants. The private dining-room is situated
also to the right of the main corridor, Upstairs are
the sleeping apartments; and the novel mode of
naming, instead of numbering these rooms, deserves
mention. They are each named after the various pro-
vinces :—Ontario, Quebec, Ste. Even Vancouver's
Izland has its room. All the rooms are supplied with
hot air. And, lastly, the Governor-General library
is in telephonic connection with the Premier's office at
Ottawa."