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It is possible that as convenient sites for working the coal as the old ones may be found nearer Victoria Harbour, and the whole island should be thoroughly examined by some good practical mining engineer before operations are commenced.
A rent of 1,0007. a-year was charged formerly by the Government. This has been omitted from the estimate, as it would be well, perhaps, to charge a nominal rent of 1007., and a royalty to be after- wards determined on each ton after 2,000.
Inclosure in Appendix No. 2 of Joint Report of Colonel Crossman, R.E., and Commander Carey, R.N., Her Majesty's ship "Lily," dated December 19, 1881.
Dear Colonel Crossman,
Labuan, December 17, 1881. With reference to the inquiries you have been making about Labuan coal and the cost of raising it, I inclose you a copy of the estimates upon which Mr. Cook bases his statement, made to you yesterday, that the local cost of putting out 2,000 tons of coal a month would be 1 dol. 60 c. per ton, and of putting out 5,000 tons a month 80 cents per ton. This estimate was framed by Mr. Cook in July last for the information of the directors of the Association, and I have every reason to believe that it is conscientiously drawn up and reliable, though, perhaps, the salaries of the manager and accountant are underrated, as it would be necessary to obtain the services of very good men for these two posts.
Believe me, &c.
(Signed)
W. H. TREACHER.
Appendix No. 4.
LABUAN.
APPROXIMATE Cost of raising 70 tons per Day of Clean Coal,-say 2,000 tons per Month.
Staff, Stores, and Timber per Month.
1 Practical Coal and Mining Engineer as Manager
1 Underviewer..
1 Working engineer
1 Working carpenter
4 European tenders and miners, at 60 dollars each
6 Native engine-drivers and engineers, at 65 c. to 70 c. per day
10 Native or Chinese carpenters and blacksmiths, at 15 dollars each 100 Chinese coolies, at 8 dollars per month
100 Malays, at difto
•
Accountant, clerks, &c.
Material and general stores
.
•
Dollars.
200
100
100
60
240
120
150
800
800
200
2,770 500
3,270
Equal to 1 dol. 60 c. per ton of clean coal.
The screenings not being included or valued, part could be used for firing boilers; the remainder is valuable for burning bricks, the making of which would give a profitable return.
The above staff, with the addition of 100 Chinese coolies, is capable of raising 170 tons per day, or, say, 5,000 tons per month, and would reduce the cost per ton to 80 cents.
Timber has become scarce in Labuan, but 7 miles off, on the coast of Borneo, there is an inex- haustible supply, price of best about 12 cents per cubic foot.
July 20, 1881.
No. 82.
(Signed)
ALEXR. COOK.
Sir,
*
Colonial Office to Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.
Downing Street, March 2, 1882. WITH reference to the letter from this Department of the 15th February, I am directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you, to be laid before the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, a copy of a letter from the Admiralty, inclosing a copy of the remarks attached by Vice-Admiral Willes to the Joint Report of Colonel Crossman, R.E., and Commander Carey on the defences of Labuan.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
Inclosure in No. 82.
Admiralty to Colonial Office.
(Confidential.) Sir,
Admiralty, February 22, 1882,
I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit to you, for the perusal of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and for communication to the Royal Commission
* No. 81.
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