180 MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN [VOL. XVI, 



done without any hindrance, and more profit will result than is expected, 

 at all events the gain will be real and not merely ostensible. It is not to be 

 denied that at first sight some difficulties appear to rise in opposition to 

 this plan, but the undersigned will now relate everything that to the best 

 of his knowledge can offer hindrance, and show how in his opinion every 

 obstacle may at once be removed. 



15/ Objection. — The Theuver and the Naick of Madura having had 

 from all times three days free diving in each fishery will not allow this 

 privilege to be taken from them. 



ist Ansiver (a). — This privilege seems to have been merely conceded 

 because the greater number of the dhonies and people required at a public 

 fishery come out of their country, and these will not be required if the 

 diving takes place with a limited number of persons ; the right may there- 

 fore be withdrawn. 



(b) If they venture to pretend that their right rests upon a better 

 ground, and cannot therefore so easily be withdrawn, it is certain that on 

 the other side they have never fulfilled that portion of their concessions 

 which are laid down in legal contracts between the Company and them- 

 selves and the Company is therefore fully authorized to deny their right, 

 even if it can be called by that name. 



(c) If there remain any doubt that this can justly be done, yet this 

 need not prevent the rentings, as their privileges may still be guaranteed to 

 them under proper restrictions. 



2nd Objection. — It will be difficult to find persons of so much property 

 as to pay the price of the rent in advance. 



2nd Ansiver. — Even if they be not found in this island, speculators 

 enough will come from the coast, and even money enough exists among 

 the Ceylon merchants, for many together will make a Company to take 

 shares in the adventure. 



yd Objection. — Even though the number of the dhonies be limited 

 speculators will arrive from all sides, and there will be as large a crowd of 

 persons to purchase the pearls as ever there was at an open fishery, and 

 then the Company will not obtain its purpose in this respect. 



yd Answer (a). — It is very different from an open fishery which is 

 proclaimed on all sides, and to which all persons are invited, but in a 

 rented fishery it would only be necessary to give orders that no person 

 should be admitted except those who are absolutely required to be present, 

 and the uninvited might be sent away. 



{&) The oysters might be opened on the shore by the renter's people, 

 and might be taken away at pleasure, but if it be imagined that this would 



