148 



13- The Pearl Fishery brought in the modest sum of Rs. 2,000 

 net revenue, the amount at which the Tondi Pearl Banks were leased 

 to a Nagore merchant. So far I fear his venture has not been a 

 success, as the inducements he offered to divers proved inadequate to 

 attract their attendance at his fishery. Very few divers attended and 

 I am informed that the fishery lasted for eight or nine days only (April 

 1 91 6) and produced barely 5,000 oysters. The lessee hopes to have 

 better fortune in September. It appears that a considerable propor- 

 tion of the younger oysters left upon the ground fished in 1914 have 

 survived — a gratifying fact, as it confirms my belief that Palks Bay 

 is the nursery of the pearl oysters which from time to time re-populate 

 with their spawn the more profitable banks located in the Gulf of 

 Mannar. 



14. Pearl oysters were also found in 5 1 to 6 fathoms off 

 Rameswaram during the chank fishery, and this source I hope to draw 

 upon for material when the Krusadai Pearl Farm be completed. 



15. Inspection of the pearl banks off the Tinnevelly coast was 

 again hampered by the absence of the Inspection Schooner " Lady 

 Nicholson ", which was on War Service at Madras till November 

 1915. Overhaul and repairs detained the vessel in Madras till the 

 end of March, and when she arrived at Tuticorin the inspection season 

 was ending. However by the utilization of the motor launch 

 " Sutherland ", the principal banks off Tuticorin were inspected ; the 

 result was as last year — an absolute dearth of pearl oysters thereon. 



16. On one occasion, however, when a bamboo buoy placed on 

 Rolikunjutavu chank bed (near the Tholayiram Par) on 17th Decem- 

 ber 1915 was removed on 22nd February 1916, great numbers of 

 undoubted pearl oyster spat were found, showing the first favourable 

 sign of a pending re-population of the banks seen for several years. 



17. Krusadai pearl-ailhire station. — During the past year the 

 revenue authorities placed this department in possession of Krusadai 

 island. The acquisition value assessed as compensation to the 

 former owner (the Raja of Ramnad) was Rs. 4,882, but against this I 

 understand that he has appealed. The island when surveyed was 

 found to measure 107*7 acres in area ; two cocoanut topes comprising 

 972 trees in or near bearing and 287 young ones form the only 

 cultivation. These plantations were in a very neglected condition 

 when taken over and will cost considerable expense and much 

 trouble to bring into a satisfactory state. The undergrowth is now 

 being cleared away, the trees earthed, paths made, wells dug, and 

 efficient watering organized. With attention and care the trees should 

 yield a remunerative return in the course of a few years. 



The final plans and estimates of the buildings have not yet been 

 received from the Executive Engineer. 



18. Sea fisheries other than those fvr pearls and chunks. — Consider- 

 able increase in our knowledge of the methods and requirements of 

 cur local fisheries was gained during the year, together with some 

 valuable data, yet to be worked up, in regard to the life-histories and 

 parasites of our food-fishes, edible crustaceans and shellfish. The 

 latter will be referred to further under the heading " Research " 

 Work was Qontinued upon the surface circulation of water in the local 



