I lO 



Chank fisheiHes. — This department now controls the 

 chank fisheries along the whole coast between Cape 

 Comorin and Chingleput, which for convenience' sake 

 are named the Tuticorin, Ramnad, and Coromandel 

 fisheries. Mr. Hornell writes as follows : — 



" The Tuticorin Chank Fishery for the year ending 30th June 



1914 is given in detail in G.O. No. 202, dated 21st January 1915. 

 The total number of shells paid for was 232,504 and the net proceeds 

 amounted to Rs. 18,784-3-9. The 1914-15 season just ended will 

 be less productive owing to the interruption caused by a divers' 

 strike which lasted from 20th November 1914 to 22nd March 1915, 

 whereby the best part of the season was lost. The number of full- 

 sized shells fished now in stock and ready for delivery is 129,437. 



"The Coromandel Chank Fisheries brought in Rs. 1,513-5-4 

 for 1914-15. The South Arcot lease expiring on 31st March 1915, 

 tenders for a further term were called for and an enhanced rate 

 was obtained, viz., Rs. 900 per annum for three years from ist April 



1 915 as against Rs. 51 6-1 0-8 per annum for the term ended. 'Fhe 

 revenue from this coast steadily improves. The lessee again com- 

 plains of loss sustained due to the smuggling of shells into French 

 territory, 



" The Ramnad Chank Fishery proved difficult to organize 

 during the first year owing partly to lack of sufficient acquaintance 

 with local conditions and largely to the difficulties put in our way by 

 the chank merchants of Kilakarai who are jealous of the new depar- 

 ture. Since July 1914 these difficulties have been largely niode- 

 r ated as an intimate knowledge of local conditions has been obtained, 

 a nd the opposition to some extent broken down though this may be 

 temporary only. As a result a very satisfactory fishery was held at 

 Kameswaram and thanks largely to the loyal example set by two 

 boats' crews of divers recruited at Kilakarai and the fair treatment and 

 good pay given, a considerable number of other divers attended. The 

 total catch for the current season already amounts to 117,172 at 

 Rameswaram as against 8,218 last year ; 31,564 at Tirupalakudi, 

 Vedalai, etc., against 4,978 last year; 17,584 at Kilakarai against 

 427 last year. 



" Excellent relations have been formed and maintained with 

 the Kilakarai men, and were these divers free from the trammels of 

 the pernicious advance system wherein the merchants and boatowners 

 have enmeshed them we should have the whole diving population of 

 Kilakarai at our call. As it is, many of the men who have worked for 

 us at Rameswaram fear persecution for so doing and ask for protection 

 against this if it occur." 



25. The Krusadai pearl oyster farm. — The general 

 proposals for the establishment of a pearl oyster farm and 

 a subsidiary marine biological station in the island of 

 Krijsadai close to Pamban and for acquiring the island 

 for the purpose were sanctioned in January 1915. The 

 detailed plans and estimates are under preparation in the 



