No. 1 (1921) AlVMINISTRATION REPORT, 1919-20 33 



6. Chank fisheries (Paragraphs 32 — 43). — The season was by 

 no means as favourable as the previous one and the profits were far 

 less than those of the previous year. This continues however to be 

 one of the most profitable of the heads from which the receipts of the 

 department are derived. 



The Government have already sanctioned the writing off of a 

 sum of Rs, 969-8-7 being the irrecoverable arrears due on account of 

 advances made to divers, and have now under consideration a proposal 

 put forward by the Accountant-General for watching the recovery 

 of such advances made from time to time. The Government agree 

 that the most hopeful line of action to ameliorate the conditions of 

 the divers will be to start socio-economic work among them and 

 establish day and night schools, and await with interest the results of 

 Mr. Govindan's efforts in this direction. 



7. Marine biological luork. — Only some nine months' work in 

 this section is included in the year under report, the office of Marine 

 Biologist having previously been vacant. The Government agree 

 that a satisfactory start has been made and are glad to note the 

 appreciation with which Mr. Whitehouse's work has been received by 

 the institutions supplied by him with specimens. The work is, it is 

 understood, at present much hampered by the lack of suitable 

 buildings. The question of providing them will be taken up when a 

 decision has been arrived at as to whether the work should continue 

 at Tuticorin or should be tiausferred to some other marine centre. 



The popularity of the Marine Aquarium, as evidenced by the 

 receipts from visitors, showed a remarkable increase in the year, the 

 receipts having advanced by nearly 150 per cent. 



Owing to Mr. Hornell's absence on leave, no progress could be 

 made in regard to the preparation of plans and estimates for the 

 construction of the new Marine Aquarium and laboratories at Madras. 

 ^ow that he has returned from leave, this question and his proposal 

 to open a Fisheries College will be taken up for consideration. 



8. Inland fisheries. — An interesting account of these activities 

 is given by the Director in paragraphs 58-67 of his report. A 

 number of incomplete schemes are included in this branch, some of 

 which have had to be deferred owing to lack of funds. 



9. The Government are glad to note the progress in co-opera- 

 tion among fishermen described in paragraph 21 of the report and 

 the commencement of educational work managed by the department 

 itself referred to in paragraphs 23 and 24. Temperance and socio- 

 economic work progressed on sound lines. 



10. The department as a whole was managed during the year 

 (as shown in statement II) at a loss of Rs. 19,086 as against 

 Es. 42,026 profit in the previous year. The difference is almost 



