GOLD IN AFGHANISTAN.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 142, 30 July 1880, Page 1 (Supplement)

GOLD IN AFGHANISTAN.

Not very long ago something of a panic arose on account of the enormous out-put of silver from the Nevada mines, aiulgLomy people shook their heads as they predicted that our half-crowns and shillings would soon 1)0 ' worth little more than the same weight of tin. These lamentations arc no longer heard, but according to present appearances, somewhat similar misgivings will liiul expression beforo many years elapse in connection with gold. From east and west and south come tidings of fresh discoveries, and we could not feel at all surprised if Commander Cheyne, of alighting at the North Polo from his balloon, found gold there, too. The vory latest discovery is in Afghanistaii, and fortunately in the very part where 1 English influence is strongest. In -the Pishcen Valley, just beyond the Khelat State, • auriferous quartz of promisi g appearance is reported to have been founu quite recently, and rumour declares that it likewise shows itself in the beds of the Helmund and Harirud rivers. There seems little question that a genuine gold mine of considerable importance exists in the t’andahar district. In Kohistan and Badakshau gold exists in considerable quantities if we may believe native reports. With these many indications pointing to the same coilelusion, •it seems reasonable to believe that Afghanistan is one of the gold-yielding countries of the world. Adding this dis- - mvery to thoso lately made in the Wynaad, on the West Coast of Africa, in the Transvaal, and on the other sido of the Atlantic, and a prospect presents itself which ought to re-assuro those who have feared that our supplies of gold aroslikely to run short.— ‘ Globe.’