1x6 



subject of temperance of which I had spoken to them at Malpe and 

 they unanimously came to the conclusion that drinking should be 

 prohibited among the members of the community. Accordingly all 

 this caste people living in the two taluks of Udipi and Coondapoor 

 gave up drink. The result was that the toddy shop vendors in the 

 fishing villages began to feel the pinch and they sent up petitions to 

 the district authorities about the fishermen's resolution to abstain 

 from drink. The authorities could give them no help and they then 

 got round some of the leaders of the fisher community and by under- 

 hand means tried to nullify the resolution. In some villages I am 

 sorry to hear they have succeeded, but in most places the people 

 have understood the spirit of the resolution and have not taken to 

 drink again. I am certain that a few more meetings of the elders 

 will ultimately win the day for temperance. A temperance society 

 for the benefit of this people has been in existence in Mangalore 

 during the last four years and branches of this society have been 

 formed in various other villages and the membership has increased." 



It was mentioned in my report of 1910-1 1 that some 

 of the older lisherfolk themselves opposed the efforts of 

 younger men to adopt temperance on the ground that 

 drinking was customary and should be adhered to ; the 

 obstruction or rather the active efforts of the toddy shop 

 vendors mentioned in the two paragraphs above can 

 only be characterized by a word which is theological 

 but not official. It is, however, of great interest to note 

 the influence of caste panchayats in guiding special 

 matters and that such influence can even withstand 

 opposition. 



The whole matter will be discussed and, I hoj)e, 

 practical recommendations made in the paper mentioned 

 in paragraph ^2> together with any commentary that 

 may be necessary. The cognate matter of improving 

 the financial position of the fishermen and curers, 

 whether by Government loans or co-operative societies, 

 etc., which has been under enquiry and discussion for 

 years, is mentioned by Mr. Hornell (paragraph 26 supra) 

 and by Mr. Govindan, and will be more fully discussed 

 in a note now in hand submitting to Government a 

 programme of future work based on the enquiries and 

 operations of the past ten years. 



35. Primaiy school for fisher boys. — This was men- 

 tioned in paragraph 39 of last year's report and has been 

 continued during the year ; the Assistant Director 

 writes as follows : — 



'' There were 23 pupils in the rolls; in addition to elementary 

 education they are being taught technical subjects such as carpentry, 



