18 MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN VOL. XV 



river Vaigai during the last rainy season. The whole cure of the 

 two seasons 1919-20 and 1920-2 L, was sold last year in Singapore 

 at good rates, but in spite of this and of the sales being in Straits 

 dollars standing at a premium as compared with the depreciated 

 rupee, the transaction involved a loss of Rs. 447-7-5. This un- 

 favourable result was due to deterioration and loss of weight 

 through prolonged storage ; it appears preferable in every way to 

 despatch consignments as ready, without waiting for long periods 

 for some problematic improvement in market rates. 



26. The Pearl Fishery remains in abeyance owing to the 

 almost complete absence of pearl oysters of any age upon the banks. 

 Here and there, as usual, occasional individuals have been found 

 during the partial inspections which are alone possible pending the 

 re-commissioning of the Lady Nicholson. The cost of these and of 

 the upkeep of thi3 vessel amounted in the year under notice to 

 Rs. 8,488-7-9. As Baron Von Imhoff once remarked in a review of 

 the Ceylon administration, '* There is more of glitter than of gold 

 about the Pearl Fishery." According to a calculation of probabil- 

 ities which I made some years ago, we cannot expect another pearl 

 fishery for another 4 or 5 years. 



27< Fishery Vessels. — During the past year an order was placed 

 for two twin Gleniffer engines each of 50-75 B.H.P., for the re- 

 engining of the Lady Nicholson. These have now arrived and will 

 be installed shortly. Thanks are due to the Ministry of Agricul- 

 ture and Fisheries in London for the kind assistance of their expert 

 in arriving at a satisfactory choice of engine. The Sutherland \ 

 Pearl and Leverett have all done good service in the chank fisheries, 

 particularly in the towage of chank divers' canoes to and from the 

 beds : the Leverett was especially useful in this way and her services 

 obviated the employment of a hired tug during the Rameswaram 

 fishery, a saving of approximately Rs. 4,000. This however was 

 possible only because of the small number of canoes engaged in the 

 fishery. Had a normal number been employed, a more powerful 

 towing launch would have been a necessity, and the extra profits 

 made would have far exceeded such an expenditure. The Levereft 

 is now undergoing alterations which should improve her sea-going 

 qualities. All the above vessels are in good condition, but it is 

 probable that the Sutherland will have to be replaced by another and 

 more powerful launch within the next two years, as both her hull 

 and engines begin to show the effects of old age. 



The purchase of a sea-going launch capable of being used not 

 only for towage but also in commercial fishing experiments aiming at 

 the introduction of new methods, is under the consideration of 

 Government. 



