VI] A CEYLON PEARL FISHERY 73 



Northern Province, Jaffna, Ceylon, up to the end of 

 January, after which date they should be addressed 

 to him at Marichchikkaddi. 



" By His Excellency's Command, 



''A. M. x\SHMORE, 



" Colonial Secretary. 



"Colonial Secretary's Office, 



"Colombo, December 16, 1904." 



This fishery of 1905 was of very considerable 

 value. The temporary town of Mariclichikkaddi was 

 larger than ever known before. The inhabitants 

 crowded in to it and were at least 10,000 more than 

 in the previous record fishery of 1904. The numbers 

 of oysters fished and the money obtained for the 

 Government of Ceylon were far beyond all previous 

 records. In fact, 81,580,716 oysters were taken and 

 the revenue alone was £167,381. In the three years 

 1903, '04 and '05 the revenue amounted to £293,735, 

 quite enough to show the importance of this fishery 

 to Ceylon. 



Now we may proceed to describe, first the events 

 of inspection which lead to a fishery, and secondly 

 the fishery itself. 



There are numerous preparations necessary before 

 sailing for the pearl banks. Boats have to be re- 

 paired and painted, old stores overhauled and new 



