82 Coffee Planting. 



on the estate subsequently, although I had occasion 

 largely to increase the number of the gang, there 

 were no deaths from fever. Sickness there was 

 from this cause, but not to an extent to cause 

 alarm, or that could not be made to yield to ordinary 

 remedies and nourishment. 



If labourers are imported at great expense and 

 after much trouble and anxiety, it is only fair that 

 their engagements should be recognized by law, 

 and rendered binding so as to protect their em- 

 ployers against desertion. It is equally desirable 

 for the labourer himself that the exact tenor of his 

 relations towards the planter should be clearly 

 defined by the Legislature. 



Coolies should, as far as possible, only be re- 

 cruited among agriculturists and persons ac- 

 customed to out-door labour ; natives who have 

 been previously making their living in such occupa- 

 tions as weaving, spinning, cheroot-making, &c., 

 also loafers, horsekeepers, &c., from military 

 cantonments, are quite unsuitable for estate work, 

 and should be rejected. 



In all cases where coolies have been induced to 

 sign written agreements, the greatest care should 

 be taken to ascertain that these have previously 

 been properly and clearly interpreted and explained 

 to them, and to insure this the fact should be 

 attested on the back of the contract by some trust- 



