14 MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN VOL. XII, 



per 1,000, against Rs. 155 obtained last year. It has been decided 

 to hold the shells till the market recovers. 



26. New Chank Contracts. — As the Ramnad chank contract 

 expired on 30th June 1919, public tenders for the produce of the 

 fishery for a period of three years from that date were called for. 

 The offers showed a great falling off compared with those made 

 three years ago. The highest was that of Mr. Hem Chandra Kar, 

 who tendered Rs. 215 per 1,000 for Ramesvaram shells, Rs. 161 per 

 1,000 for Kilakarai quality shells, Rs. 101 per 1,000 for Tirupalagudi 

 shells and Rs. 101 per 1,000 for the jadhi and patti shells fished off 

 Pillaimadam and North Vedalai. In view of the depressed condi- 

 tion of the Calcutta market his tender was accepted. Although 

 the rates are much less than those of the expiring contract, the 

 main rate, that of the Ramesvaram quality, compares satisfactorily 

 with Rs, 140 per 1,000 received in 1915-16 for the same shells. 

 The lower prices will, it is hoped, go some way to help the 

 banglemakers in Bengal to meet the difficult situation which now 

 confronts them, owing to the falling off in demand owing to the 

 inability of the poorer classes to afford luxuries. 



27. The lease of the Tanjore Chank Fishery expired on 28th 

 February lQIQ, with a debit balance of Rs. 1,822 still owing by the 

 lessee. Legal proceedings are now being taken to recover the 

 amount. Tenders for a new term of three years were called for 

 and the highest bidder, M. K. Periatambi Marakkayar Sahib, has 

 been awarded the lease ; the rent to be received is Rs. 4,466-10-4 

 per annum. Considering the state of the market, this rate is a 

 highly satisfactory one. 



The South Arcot Fishery has also had to be re-leased owing to 

 the default of the former lessee. It has now been rented for 

 Rupees 1,546-2-6 per annum for a period ending 30th June IQ22, an 

 increase of Rs. 46-2-6 per annum on the previous rental. 



The Chingleput and Nellore fishery which has been held by 

 M. K. Periatambi Marakkayar Sahib since its revival in IQI4, 

 was obtained by S. Abdul Qadir Sahib in public competition for a 

 further period of three years from 1st July IQIQ on an annual rent 

 of Rs. 1,250, an advance of Rs. 650 per annum on the previous rental. 

 Such a large increase is most gratifying and is concrete proof of 

 the value of what, a few years ago, was a neglected asset of 

 Government. The three leased-out fisheries have now been 

 brought to a satisfactory state of development. 



