^8 MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN VOL. XI, 



hand-to-mouth existence, and it is the exception to find that any of 

 them save money. Those who do are usually the men who own 

 the boats and nets. 



How far improvements are possible in the local industry it is 

 difficult to determine. Longer fleets of nets in the case of the 

 drift netters seem the most promising line of advance, but at 

 present this is barred by the fact that the size of boat now in use 

 is the largest which oar-power can manage during calms and head 

 winds — these boats carry as many nets as the accommodation will 

 permit. As suggested above, motor power instead of oars would 

 give greater net accommodation and would save several men's 

 labour and wages. Against this at present is the difficulty 

 experienced in finding men able to work and care properly for a 

 marine motor upon a low wage. The only remedy I see is the 

 establishment of a marine motor school where men of the fisher 

 class shall be taught the mechanism and working of a simple type 

 of marine internal combustion engine. Nothing of this at present 

 exists and fishery progress is hampered directly and most seriously 

 by this want. Given a supply of fishermen mechanics, I am 

 convinced there are moneyed men in the ranks of the fisher castes 

 who would be willing to put motor fishing boats into commission. 

 At present the average marine motor driver knows just enough 

 to spoil his engine besides having an inordinate idea of his own 

 value. 



TUTICORIN, 



7th Septombcr 1916. JAMES HORNELL. 



