No. 7 (1917) ADMINISTRATION REPORT, I917-18 189 



while the receipts amounted to Rs. 1,496-7-0 as against Rs. 925-13-9 in 

 the preceding year. The net profit for the period under report deducting 

 supervision and depreciation charges comes to Rs. 614-0-5. The catches 

 and respective sales consisted of — 



9,052 lb. prawns 

 4,718 lb. fish 

 Rental for crab fishery ... 

 Miscellaneous ... 



Total 



As in 1916 -17, the bulk of the prawns were sold to line fishermen, 

 who greatly appreciate the advantage of getting regular supplies of bait. 



24. The long delayed completion of the sluices and weir is expected at 

 the end of next month ; thereafter the running of this lagoon as a real fish- 

 farm will begin. The present and past satisfactory results have been 

 attained in spite of great difificulties, which the provision of sluices should 

 largely decrease, to the additional financial profit of the undertaking. 



25. Pulicat oystei- park. — The collection of spat and the supply of 

 cultivated oysters have now become established routine. There is nothing 

 special to chronicle for the past year save that appreciation of their quality 

 and of the care taken in cultivation under hygienic conditions has resulted 

 in a considerable extension of sales, whereby the small loss in 1916-17 

 upon working has been further reduced. The financial aspect is shown as 

 follows : — 



Expenditure 

 Receipts ... 



Loss 



The expenditure consisted of wages Rs. 377, freight Rs. 337-1-3, 

 miscellaneous charges Rs. 410-4-6. 



26. Zoological specimen supply. — This phase of our activities has con- 

 tinued to expand and the sales of specimens, sent out at little over cost 

 price, to educational- institutions throughout India aggregate Rs. 736 for 

 the past year as against Rs. 576 in 1916-17. The disabilities mentioned 

 ill last- year's report continue to retard progress. 



27. A large range of specimens including both museum and dissection 

 specimens -in alcohol and : form aJ in, and educational type collections of 

 shell fish and crustaceans, were exhibited at the second M^d.rfts Exhibition 



