Star.
London, England, 1830-06-15 00:00:00

GOLD IN INDIA.

The following is extracted from the evidence of T. H. Bober,
Esq
Had any gold been discovered in Coimbatore before you left In-
dia ?—Yes ; not only in Coimbatore, but throughout that tract of
the country lying west and south of the Neelgherry Mountains and
• Koondanad. I have often seen the whole process, and have pur-
chased gold extracted before me.
Is it found there in any quantities?—Yes. The whole of the
country west of the Neelgherry Mountains, in the Taloogs of Para-
kameetil, especially at Nelliala, Cherangote, Koonyote Kotah, Nam.
bolacto, Daraloor, &c. also the adjoining Koundanad and Gist
Mountains, and all the rivers and cholas (watercourses) down as far
west as Nellambore, and south-west as Caladicota, Kanmpure, Ali-
paramba, &c. the whole tract, including the mountains, perhaps,
comprising 2,000 square miles, I may say, is impregnated with gold.
Even the very stones in the beds of the rivers, when pounded, have
been found to contain particles of that valuablemetal.
Do you know whether any considerable quantity has yet been
brought from that country, or in large pieces P—l have seen pieces,
perhaps, weighing half -a-guinea ; solid pieces : but generally it is
in extremely small particles.
Is it found in washing the sand of the river?—Yee, in all the
rivers as far as Nellambore, Karimpure, &c. as well as in the soil.
Is the right of searching for it confined to the Government, or to
the proprietor of the land ?—To the proprietor of the mountains and
places where it is found, which are equally private property as the
lowlands.

Are there any establishments formed for the purpose of seeking
for it ?—None. The persons employed arc the slaves of the pro.
prietors.
How long has it been known to be produced in this river ?—As
long uwe have known any thing of Malabar. The process is, as
your lordships may suppose, with such people, extremely simple.
How does it happen, if it is so abundant, that it has never been
sought for on a greater scale ?—Because the land belongs to indivi-
duals, who are exceedingly jealous, and will allow no persons but
themselves to dig for it. They probably extract as much gold as
their means will enable them.

Are the proprietor' poor 7—Generally very poor.
Would it require capital to carry on this simple process 7—Some
capital, certainly ; but unfortunately that part of the country is so
very unhealthy that few strangers could stand the climate.
Is there any gold on the Neelgherry hills 7—Some was brought
to me from about half way up the western hills, by the Hodes, pot. I
ten, and basket-makers.
The climate of the Neelgherry hills is very good, is it not T—lt is
perhaps the finest in the world. The thermometer ranged from
about 60 degrees to b 5 degrees during the time I was there.
Have the agents of the Company ever been instructed to make an
attempt to establish a more extensive search for it (the gold) P.—
Never. The Government derive a revenue from tht pattees, or the
trays in which the gold is washed. Each pattee pays so much per
annum ; i forget the amount, but I know it is a very few rupees.
Have you any notion of the quantity that has been found i is
there any account of that ?..—No, I have cot ; and the people them-
selves are averse to giving any information. They naturally sup.
pose that our object, in all inquiries of this kind, is to raise our
demands upon them.
Are the Government aware of the amount P—No; they merely
lay an assessment on the pattees or trays employed.
It has no reference to the actual quantity of gold produced?—
Not that I am aware of. The revenue, I believe, is merely Domini!:
merely an acknowledgment.