No. 1 (1922). ADMINISTRATION REPORT, 1920-21 9 



13. Oil and guano operations — were restricted owing tp the 

 dearth of sardines. Only 27*4 tons were purchased as against 260 

 tons in the previous year. The quantity treated yielded 337 gallons 

 of oil and 4*8 tons of guano. The operations though very small 

 were highly remunerative ; the cost of the material was Rs. 406 

 while sales and stock in hand amount to Rs. 603. The highest rate 

 for guano was Rs. 120 per ton f.o.r. Tanur. The few sardines 

 fished in the past season were extremely rich in their oil content, 

 amounting to as much as 6'3 per cent in December 1920 as against 

 J -3 per cent in 1919. I had a sample of superfine sardine oil 

 analysed by the Chemical Examiner to Government. Its constitution 

 and characteristics were as follows : — 



Specific gravity 0927 



Iodine value ... 161 



Saponification value ... ... ... ... 196 



Free fatty acid (as oleic acid) .... ... ... 0*5 per cent 



Colour ... ... ... ... ;.. ... Yellow (pale). 



The percentage of acidity is considerably lower than is allowed 

 by the British Pharmacopoeia for codliver oil, hence it is probable 

 that this oil has equal therapeutic value and may prove an effective 

 substitute for the former ; large samples have been sent to the 

 Tuberculosis Hospital for actual trial. The cannery has also suc- 

 cessfully employed this quality of oil ia the canning of certain 

 descriptions of sardines. It is certain that if oil producers will pay 

 adequate attention to the separation of superfine and No. 1 oils, their 

 enterprise will be richly rewarded. Unfortunately carelessness is 

 prevalent and the factories seldom turn out any but low grades of 

 oil of dark colour and high acidity, and therefore of low industrial 

 value. 



The trading accounts of the station show a gross profit of 

 Rs. 425-8-4 ; after allowance for depreciation and overhead charges, 

 this sum is converted into a small loss of Rs. Id 5- 15-8. The poor 

 result is due entirely to the dearth of sardines which yielded a 

 return of Rs 603 only as against Rs. 5,171 in the previous year. 



14. Improvement of the oil and guano industry. — With a view 

 to minimise the nuisance caused to the public by the insanitary 

 working of the oil and guano factories, a set of rules for the guid- 

 ance of factory owners was approved in G.O. Mis. No. 1381, 

 Revenue (Special), dated 28th July 1920, and the local boards 

 were empowered to enforce them. The taluk boards concerned have 

 accordingly issued lice: ces and appointed Sanitary Inspectors to 

 regulate the working of the factories. As the development of the 

 industry on the right lines is the business of the Fisheries Depart- 

 ment, the Governrneut also sanctioned the appointment of an 

 Inspector of Oil and Guano Factories and a fitter to instruct the 



