67 



be landed at centres where there exist special facilities either 

 for curing or for disposal in the fresh condition. For the 

 former the proximity of a salt factory whence salt may be 

 obtained without incurring heavy transit charges and of a 

 conveniently situated fish -curing yard are the main desiderata ; 

 for the latter the most suitable centres will be such as will 

 possess a large population, or offer special rail facilities for the 

 transport of fish inland ; the presence of an ice factory at any 

 rail port will be an attraction of no mean weight. 



59. In a survey of the East Coast from a point 100 miles 

 north of Madras (I have not been able as yet to visit the 

 maritime districts beyond the Penneru river) the most suitable 

 centre whence a fleet of sea-going fishing boats may work is 

 undoubtedly Madras. It fulfils every requisite condition — a 

 harbour offering in the new boat basin absolute protection 

 even against cyclones, a population aggregating over half a 

 million, an excellent train service, and the largest ice factories 

 in South India. 



60. North of Palk Straits, Negapatam probably offers 

 advantages which would rank it next after Madras, principally 

 because the fishing grounds off Negapatam and Point Calimere 

 and extending thence towards the north of Ceylon are particu- 

 larly rich both in surface and in bottom fish and because the 

 railway from Negapatam gives rapid access to the rich Tan j ore 

 and Trichinopoly districts, these towns being reached in 2| 

 and 4 hours respectively from Negapatam. 



Cuddalore and Porto Novo are also promising centres ; 

 they are fairly good havens and both well served by the 

 railway. 



61. Boats fishing from the above-named ports presumably 

 would dispose of the bulk of their catches in the fresh condi- 

 tion ; for those relying more upon curing as an outlet for their 

 catches, Tranquebar and Kistnapatam are the most likely ports, 

 the special reason being that a salt factory is situated within 

 a short distance from the landing place in each instance. 

 Cheap transit by water is available at both ports, at Kistna- 

 patam by means of the Buckingham canal, at Tranquebar 

 by native coasters. 



62. Of the numerous ports available south of Palk Straits. 

 Tuticorin is probably the best favoured ; its harbour is safe 

 and open the whole year round, it is a rail terminus, is 

 situated conveniently to a salt factory, possesses an enterpris- 

 ing population, keen traders, and the best of boatmen, and 

 maintains steamer connection with all parts of the world. 



