No. 7 (1917) ADMINISTRATION REPORT, 19I7 18 177 



10. The nine societies at work (exclusive of Rayapuram for 

 which figures are not available) had, on 30th June 1918, 884 

 members of whom 187 were females, holding 1,103 shares and with 

 "own " funds, actually collected, of Rs. 10,265; loans were issued 

 for Rs. 18,209, of which Rs. 4,058 were for the paying oft' of prior 

 (often usurious and enslaving) debts. 



An encouraging feature of the year's work was that fisherfolk 

 have begun to invite Mr. Govindan to visit the villages and 

 organize societies. 



11. In the matter of co-operation in general among the fisher- 

 folk, fairly definite proposals have been made to Government, as 

 read in GO. No. 2049, Revenue, dated 27th May 1918, in which 

 Government have laid down that the development of the communi- 

 ties is a primary duty of the Department and hope that the spread 

 of co-operative methods among the fisherfolk may be accelerated. 



12. Temperance. — Two societies continue to do good work and to 

 progress, notwithstanding factious troubles; out-members have 

 been recruited from villages where there were not enough to form 

 independent societies. Mr. Govindan mentions as a reason for 

 intemperance additional to those formerly adduced, that the 

 fishermen's cults require offerings of drink to their deities and that 

 consequently what is good for gods cannot be bad for men a 

 belief which has classical warrant but does not excuse or explain 

 the intemperance of Christian fishermen as so often mentioned by 

 Mr. Hornell. There is much to be done in this way, and Mr. 

 Hornell mentions the good effect of coftee and tea shops for the 

 men employed in his branch of work. On many parts of the West 

 Coast tea and warm drinks (temperance) are sold on the beach or 

 close by, to the fishermen so that the idea, being in indigenous 

 practice may be spread by a diligent propaganda and practical 

 example. J have been favoured with an important letter from the 

 Board of Revenue (Salt and Abkari) desiring to enlist our aid in 

 the provision of " coffoe shops " in place of toddy shops, a philan- 

 thropic suggestion of the highest importance and interest. 



13. Education. — Not much new work has been done, but in the 

 papers read in G.O. No. 2048, Revenue, dated 27th May 1918, 

 general proposals have been made and concurred in by the Director 

 of Public Instruction (the Hon'ble Mr. Stone) whose sympathy with 

 the proposals is of the highest value. Government have generally 

 accepted the suggestions and have ordered definite proposals, 

 which are now occupying attention. It is quite certain that the 



