TREASURE TROVE AT CABUL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 15, 17 January 1880, Page 5

TREASURE TROVE AT CABUL.

[Pioneer Mad, Nov. 15,] Our. Cabul correspQadenfc telegraphed on the 30,fch OctobersThere is a probability that the taking of Cabal may aot be so barren as we j

first thought in the matter of loot. The city itself having been respected, there was not much to be got out of the Bala Hissar beyond warlike stores and ammunition. But to day the good new* had. been given that a vast store of treasure is hidden in houses belonging to Yakoob Khan, or his near relatives living within the walls. Oar treasurechest has sunk very low of late by reason of the enormous purchases made by the Commissariat which has to provide five months' stores for the army. Carriage was so scarce when we worked up from AH Kheyl, that only a few lakha were brought up, and poverty was staring us in the face, and as nothing had been done to exact the fine imposed upon the Cabulis, it was clear that specie would have to be raised from some source yet untouched. It is said that Yakoob Khan, on assuming the Ameerahip, appropiated many lakhs of rupees which his father had given to the mother of Abdullah Jan, Shere All's favorite son, and these he had cleared out of the Bala Hissar, and with other property of value, had hidden in the city. A little party of British soldiers filed off to. the house indicated by our informers this morning, and the officer in charge of our treasare-chest (Major Moriartyj and ' Lieutenant Neville Chamberlain, Assistant Political Officer, had soon their eyes g.addened by bags and boxes of gold corns, besides finding on all sides rich silks, brocades, and such portable property of enormous value. About eight lakhs in gold were secured, and there are rumours that before the examination comes to an end, a million sterling may be unearthed. Boxes innumerable have still to be opened and our spies are firm in their assurance that the value in coin and precious stones alone is eighty lakhs of rupees (£800,000). To-morrow the examination of the place will be continued and it is hoped another good day's find will be the result. This prizemoney, for no doubt it'will be considered as such, if it is confiscated, will be a just reward for the energy and dash our commander and troops have shewn in the capture of Cabul ; and even if ifc is found necessary to use the money now for our immediate wants, the debtor and creditor account should be carefully kept in view of future distribution.