360 
gone by this fishery probably was counted in with the 
Tanjore fishery or worked separately according as the 
northern boundary of the Tanjore kingdom waxed or 
waned. With the declension of the Tanjore fishery 
proper, the more northern section was neglected and it 
was left to the Madras Fisheries Department in 1910 to 
begin the process of revival. Pending means to inspect 
and assess accurately the actual potentiality of the chank 
beds lying off the coast of this district, it was considered 
advisable to lease the fishery. Accordingly tenders 
were called for and although the highest bid amounted 
to the trivial amount of Rs. 235 for the period from rst 
January 1911 to 31st March 1912, it was decided to 
accept this tender, as a tentative measure. On the 
expiry of the lease fresh tenders were called for and a 
healthy competition for the lease resulted in its renewal 
for three years at a substantial advance, Rs. 516-10-8 
per annum being given for the privilege of working this 
royalty. | 
The system adopted by the renter is to appoint 
agents in the various fishing villages, who buy the shells 
from the fishermen at such rates as they can arrange, 
varying, I believe, according to the size, and forward 
them from time to time to the lessee’s head-quarters at 
‘Cuddalore. The proximity of the French territory of 
Pondicherry is conducive to smuggling and it is alleged 
that quantities of shells fished in British waters are 
clandestinely taken to Pondicherry, where probably 
slightly higher prices for chanks may rule than in the 
British coastal villages. 
The quality of the shells fished on this coast is the 
same as that of those from Tanjore. 
(4) THE TRAVANCORE FISHERY. 
This fishery is carried on in the same way as 
that of Ceylon, an export duty being the means taken 
by Government to coliect the revenue due on this 
industry. Any one may engage in it without payment 
of any special dues other than this export tax. The 
fishery appears to bea petty one producing not more than 
100 bags of shells perannum. ‘The fishing season runs 
from December till April. A few particulars gleaned 
when in Bengal are given elsewhere (p. 89). The 
shells as fished are purchased from the divers by petty 
