20^ 



Order— No. 3461, Revenue, dated 17th October 1918. 

 The Fisheries department continued to do good work through- 



,,. ,, , out the year in the development of the 



Miscellaneous | ^ 



industries entrusted to its care. The report 



does not deal with the soap experiments as the soap factory is no 

 longer under the control of this department. 



2. The Pisciculturist's branch made progress under the charge 

 of Mr. Sundara Raj. The proposals for the utilization of the 

 Mopad Reservoir for piscicultural operations and those for the 

 cultural and sanitary development of the Vellore Fort Moat are 

 under the consideration of the Government. The cannery opera- 

 tions were extended to some extent and the net profits were 

 considerably greater but the scale of operations is still insufficient 

 to meet the general demand. It is satisfactory to note that a 

 scheme for the refrigeration of fish has been elaborated and will 

 be put into immediate operation. The effect of the absence of 

 freight on the oil and guano operations has been to some extent 

 counterbalanced by demands from the Military department and 

 the jute mills and by the formation of groups of producers acting 

 as intermediaries for large customers. The Government note that 

 these groups will be formed into co-operative societies -and will 

 thus be further consolidated. 



3. The Honorary Director has submitted preliminary proposals 

 regarding inshore fishing experiments in Madras. He has shown 

 that the experiments already conducted were a success from a 

 fishery point of view, though financially they resulted in a small 

 loss on account of the cost of bringing boats and men from the 

 West Coast and of inducing the men to remain at Madras. The 

 Government have just sanctioned the Honorary Director's pro- 

 posals for continuing the experiments on a larger scale and for a 

 longer period. 



4. The department is continuing its philanthropic work in the 

 social and economic development of the fisherfolk and the fact 

 that Mr. Govindan is being invited by them to visit the villages 

 and organize societies is a tribute to the success of his work. The 

 Government are glad to receive the assurance of Sir Frederick 

 Nicholson that the people themselves are beginning to understand 

 the need for education and it is hoped that the proposals approved 

 in G.O. No. 2048, Revenue, dated 27th May 1918, will have far- 

 reaching developments. 



