Kolar Gold Fields or K.G.F.
First, Greetings for the New Year 2004 to all you readers.
I came across a very interesting book that had some info on KGF, so I
decided to pinch with apologies to the author and share notes with you all.
Sad, till date have not received any old photographs of KGF to add to this
page.
"Tips for Tourists, Extracts from: A Guide to Bangalore and Mysore
Directory, 1905. Compiled and Published by J.W. Morris"
The Kolar Gold Fields ... these are to the south of the Bowringpet
Taluq, to the east of a low ridge of hills of which the Betarayan Hill,
3199 feet above sea level is the most conspicuous point. They are connected
by the Gold Fields Railway with the Bangalore-Madras line at Bowringpet,
and a road runs through them from Bowringpet to Kamasandra, where there
is also a railway station. There is no Hotel at Oorgaum now (1905). The
origin of the Kolar Gold Fields is recorded in Rice Gazetteer as follows
:- " In that year 1873 Mr. M.F. Lavelle, a resident in Bangalore, retired
from the army, with some knowledge of geology, applied to the Government
for the exclusive privilege of mining in the Kolar District, his thoughts
being principally directed to the possibility of finding coal. His request
was granted on certain terms.. On these conditions, Mr. Lavelle commenced
operations by sinking a shaft in 1875, near Oorgaum. But finding that large
capital would be required for carrying out the work, he next year, with the
approval of Government, transferred all his rights and concessions to Colonel
Beresford. This officer, with some friends amoung racing men, formed a syndicate
known as the Kolar Concessionaires, whotook up the matter in earnest ...
By 1881 the Concessionaires had secured the valuable aid of Messrs. John
Taylor & Sons, a firm of mining Engineers in London. A general rush
was then made for gold. ... Up to 1891, about ninety seven square miles in
all had been leased out for gold mining, the land being situated in every
district except Bangalore. ... In what was a desolate waste, a large flourshing
town has sprung up, provided with most of the conveniences and institutions
of European life. A branch railway on the standard guage, 10 miles in length,
was opened in 1893, running from the Bowringpet junction to the Bangalore
line through most of the principal mining properties, and has proved an
immense convenience and success. The principal commodity carried by it is
coal, to which may be added timber and machinery."
The population rose from 7085 in 1891 to 37964 in 1901!! Recent discoveries
(1905) have disclosed that the lodes have a tendency to run in a direction
towards the Dharwar Gold Mines, which presumably form part of the same
geological formation, and as far as can be calculated the mines are capable
of yielding gold in average quantities for many years to come.
The following were the principal Mines in the Gold Fields in 1905:-
The Mysore Gold Mine
Champion Reef Mine
Ooregum Mine
Nundydroog Mine
Tank Block Mine
Balaghat Mine
Gold Fields of Mysore
Coromandel Mine
Oriental Mine
Nine Reefs Mine
Road Block Mine
Mysore Reefs Gold Mines Coy
Until the year 1902 all the machinery in the Mines was worked by steam
power, but in August 1902 the completion of the Cauvery Power Works, brough
about a complete revolution in the working of most of the Mines on the
Fields, whereby 4000 H.P. of electric energy is transmitted to the Gold
Fields from the Cauvery Falls Power Station received at an elaborate Transformer
House centrally situated and distributed to the various mines in quantities
contracted for and by the mneans of this electric power the majority of
the mines work their milling and stamping machinery.
The Kolar Gold Field water Supply Scheme was completed in 1901-1902.
The water was drawn from the Bettamangala and Ramasagram tanks. Rotertsonpet
suburb was established around 1901, and the name was given by the then
H.H. the Maharaja in commemoration of the memory of Sir Donald Robertson,
KCSI, late Resident in Mysore, on 15th August 1903. In the same year Kolar
Gold Fields established a Corps known as the Kolar Gold Fields Volunteers,
and earlier part of the Bangalore
Rifle Volunteers
. The Corps had its Head Quarters at Oorgaum.
In Oorgaum, there was a Kolar Gold Field Club and Kolar Gold Fields
Library in a building called Oorgaum Hall. In 1905, S.M. Pritchard (the
Clubs Hon. Secy), H.H. Osborn (H. Treasurer), with R.R. Rodda. G.H. Burnell
(Secy & Librarian), Committee members P. Bosworth-Smith, H.M.A. Cooke,
Rev. L.G. Pollard.
Some of the schools that existed then were Kolar Gold Field School,
Nundydoog Mines (1901), St. Joseph's Convent Girl's School (Order of
St. Joseph of Tarbes), Champion Reef, St. Thomas School.
One of the bigger public instutions was The Kolar Gold Field Gymkhana
Club, which hosted a Polo, Golf and Hockey team.
Churches:
St. Paul's Church (S.P.G. COE), which was shared with a Tamil congregation,
the services at different times.
Wesleyan Mission, English and Tamil congregations.
St. Thomas' School Chapel (National Church of India)
Lutheran Mission, Tamil congregation at Robertsonpet
Roman Catholic Churches, Our Lady of Victories (Champion Reef), which
also covered St. Mary's Anglo-Vernacular School.
St. Sebastion (Coromandal)
Entertainment was provided by the Kolar Gold Fields Choral and Dramatic
Society, and for the souls of many, the Royal Army Temperance Association
was available.
THERE IS NEW SITE ON KGF AT www.kgfonline.com
please check it out.
.... Some Notes ... KOLAR GOLD FIELDS. (KARNATAKA) This little mining
town, about 22 kms, east of Bangalore, was once the pride of the erstwhile
Mysore state, and also that of India. This gold mine produced a sizeable
amount of gold during the days of the British Raj. It employed nationals
from Britain, Italy, Germany and also a good number of Angto -Indians.
The entire labour force in those days, were the Tamils from the neighbouring
state of Tamil Nadu, who were the best preferred for their honesty, ability
to work hard and with no ties to labour unions. .
As the years rolled by, and the gold reserves diminished, coupled with
the freedom struggle, the Expatriates began to leave the mines, though
the British, who owned the mines still, held on to key positions. Anglo-indians
were the next favoured kind and they took over many Administrative &
, Managerial posts. Meanwhile the school of mines which was then started
began to produce some good Indian Miners & Engineers, who were soon
absorbed into Managerial levels on the mines.
By this time the Central Government took over the Mines from the British
and later handed over the Mines to the State Government. Gold reserves
dwindled and the once prosperous Gold Mine showed signs of decline. Emigration
was now in the air and the Anglo-indians were leaving India to greener
pastures in large numbers. Some to U.K., some to Canada, Australia, New
Zealand and even to some countries in Europe. The skilled personal left
to the Gold Mines in Ghana, West Africa.
Talking of Kolar Gold Fields brings back old memories of the social
life there, in those days. With four or five Clubs with facilities for Tennis,
Billiards & Snooker (skittles on Sundays) and even a separate Golf
Club, life was something very did@rent. The frequent Dances and social
functions were something to be witnessed to believe. Come December, the
whole place will be humming with activity. Dances, Christmas Trees, Gifts
for children in all these Clubs, were the highlights of this festive season.
Many from Bangalore would also come to these Dances at Kolar Gold Fields.
Well Kolar Gold Fields is no longer the same, economically and socially.
The posh Bungalows have been divided and sub-divided to accommodate more
familes. The glass panes in the windows have been replaced by plywood
when broken and the walls have not seen paint for quiet awhile. The then
renowned KGF Club, which once was out of bounds for the Indians, is failing
to bits The brass door handles, knobs and hinges have all gone. The highly
polished floorboards have not seen wax for a few decades. The sterling
silver cutlery which were specially ordered fcom 'the U. K for the Club's
Restaurant with the emblem of the Club on it have all disappeared. There
is not even cold beer on a summers Sunday morning to quench ones thirst.
It is sad but that is an end of an era.
This writeup above is by Mr. Valentine. He is a member of the Institute
of Engineers and also a member of the Institute of Engineering Designers
of U.K He started his career as a draftsman in KG. F in 1960. He went
to Ghana in West Africa in 1974 and was later promoted as senior Design
Engineer in the Gold Mines of Ashanti After 12 years abroad he has settled
in Bangalore, India, and is now working in a Design & Drafting Section
of an Engineering Project Management Firm, as a Manager.
Update on
K.G.F. ( Kolar Gold Fields ) January 1st, 2003!!.
Here's wishing you
all a Happy New Year 2003. This is Jan 1st, 2003, and I am just back from
K.G.F.. Yes, I actually made it there for the New Year's Dance. I must say
that I enjoyed myself. I congratulate the organizers for the excellent effort
in the event. I was a bit sore as I missed about 2 hours of the dance
due to a traffic jam on the Bangalore-Madras highway. We came in
a group from Bangalore Sally & Reubin Fernandes (Saudi), Nimi &
Faustin Fernandes (Canada), Lyn (Madras), Leslie & Althea and kids (Bombay),
and of course yours truly Ronnie & Maisy (Bangalore).
After a journey of over 4 hours that should have been actually
2 hours I gathered myself and took in the surroundings of the 'Skating
Rink', my first impression was that of a 'Country & Western Barn Dance'
and a very 'rustic' atmosphere, with corrugated roof, and tatty (cane) ceilings,
propped by a large wooden door, and a stage to match. I have never been
in surroundings like this, one sees it only in the movies. We came in
2 cars and unfolded ourselves, not really running for the tickets because
we purchased them in advance through Ingrid and Maurice Rosario (thanks
to them, check out Barn door in background!), whose son was playing in "The Last Resort" band. More about the
band later.
When I stepped into the hall or should I say 'Barn!!' , I was
amazed to find such a lovely collection of lovely ladies and gents around
the corridors. ( I have taken pictures of the dance, lets hope it will
come out as my camera has a problem of too little flash and some leaking
light, and above all lets hope that the darn film was loaded properly!! Sorry, camera did not live up to my expectations, I am sure many took pictures, but how to get their results is a miracle!!).
The people seemed to look very friendly, but since we did not
know anyone besides the Rosarios, I guess it's professional observance
that is expected. Perhaps if I do venture and meet some more people, then
people may smile and perhaps say 'Hello' to us strangers from Bangalore,
who are visiting KGF for the first time!!
Interestingly the scene of 100% Anglo-Indians in attendance,
reminded me of the 'good old days' of Bangalore's 'Richmond Institute',
'Bowring Institute' and 'Catholic Club' functions. There was a 'King
& Queen 2003' parade ... married and unmarried entries were accepted!!
[ 2003 Queen line up,
2003 Queen more line up,
2003 Queen floor walk,
2003 Queen still more line up,
2003 Queen, you can never be too old or too young! ],
and the couple were selected by a panel of 3 judges and I think the result
was ideal for a 'Grasim' ad?. There was also the 'cats-eye' masks
that is a traditional commodity amoung AI's. (I am curious why people
did not get on the floor at Midnight wearing the masks, instead all were
'seated' at their tables?, while the old man went around with trumpet and
drum band, and the New Year fairy was on the stage, too far to be really
seen, giving her message for 2003, somebody should have taken her on a round
to show how pretty she looked. Wonder if there is a reason for these traditions?
[ Breaking in the New Year circle,
Dancing 2003, Reubin and Sally Fernandez (my sponsors for this dance!!),
Peck couple, somebody else I knew from Bangalore, what a relief!!,
Ronnie & Maisy, first dance for 2003, I'm sure it wont be our last at KGF!!,
Warmed up after 2003, the larger circles,
The action just begining after 3am!!,
Couples filling the floor, ]
The Band, The Last Resort, played excellent ball room dance music,
and sang well. I guess they catered to the crowd, perhaps they should
have had a session of Rock & Roll for the younger generation, or maybe
some recorded music between breaks. The band played all night and were playing
till 4 a.m. when we left back to Bangalore (puncture to make it still
more eventful!!). Quite a strain on the boys.
My wife Maisy's relations (a 3-day-old married couple, expectedly
landed around 2 a.m.!!) Karen and Gibson won a prize for an elimination
dance.
I asked Maurice to introduce me to some people around and I met
Mr. D.J. King, Dr. G.W. Dias
and Mr. R. Simento ( I know his uncle in Brisbane, Australia ).
I spoke to Dr. Dias about this web page and he welcomed the idea of putting
the notice about a Fund for the Anglo-Indians in K.G.F., which you can
find below.
Cheers, I an surely keen to come again for another show at K.G.F,
but provided I can organize some transport, it's too far to come by bike
(sorry, I don't own a car, only my rich relatives do!!)
Ronnie
The Anglo Indian Achievers of Kolar Gold Fields
The Melbourne Medical Fund
(For Needy
A.I.'s of K.G.F. only.)
Welcome
The Executive committee takes
great pleasure in inviting Members of the Community in K.G.F. and from
Bangalore to attend the Sixth Anniversary of the functioning of the above
fund.
Date:
January 11th, 2003 ; Place: Skating Rink, Nundydroog; Time: 8-00
p.m.
The Leading Band of K.G.F.
"The Last Resort"
will be there to keep you entertained through the night.
Entrance:
- Rs.25/00 per head for Members
of KGF
- Rs.100/00 per head for Members
from Bangalore
- Rs. 200/00 per head for
Members who are from abroad and on a visit to KGF / Bangalore
- Children upto the age of
12 years ... FREE
-
The above rates include DINNER and a complimentary DRINK
For Reservations:
Please Contact: Mr. D.J. King, Phone: 361940, KGF; Mr. Clinton Kelmen,
Phone: 9845105922, Bangalore
Please Note: Reservations shouold be made on or before January 7,
2003 Final. Entrance not available at the door for any late comers.
Executive Committee:
Dr. G.W. Dias, Phone: 360038, Mr. W. Orton, Phone: 360622, Mr. D.J.
King, Phone: 361940, Ms. Sheola Monisse Phone: 360162.
A newspaper cutting,
Deccan Herald 29th April 2000, Vatsala Vedantam
I spoke to the (Late) Bill Richards, ex-President of the All India Anglo
Indian Association (KGF Branch) , he said that he would give me some material, unfortulately this did not materialize, and so if anyone
else can give me the same information, please do. Ronnie
People who have sent in their contributions regarding requests for
family information, records, and about people present, past and overseas.
Also photographs.
(Page is being
updated all the time, but I need inputs and photographs from people of
KGF to make it happen, can you help?, We need photographs of various mines,
group photos, cemetery photos, events, weddings etc, lets make it a 'family'
page, even those of you around the world who would like to 'update' others
on your appearances and families, most welcome to send photos, news .. [max
file size of each photo should be around 40K at 72dpi format .jpg for best
viewing and downloading, number of photos not a problem]. If anyone can
give me a good contact at KGF where I can collect inputs, and be able to
stay a day or two, with someone local to take me around the place, I will
make an effort to gather as much as I can and perhaps make a new site if
space is required) Ronnie
Ron's new e-mail: Ronnie 2
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