PEAEL FISHERY. 293 



operating against the second occupant, he also 

 was ejected ; and this process continued, until 

 the sum tendered amounted to rs. 19,000 per 

 annum. The party to whom the farm devolved 

 at this large rent soon discovered that he had 

 entirely overestimated its value ; and by cease- 

 less importunity got released from his contract. 

 The Ameers then ordered the fishery to be con- 

 ducted on their own account, until, finding it 

 unprofitable, it was discontinued. 



"At the close of the year 1839 the Kurrachee 

 Harbour (in tlie creeks adjoining which the 

 pearl oyster is found) was again let for two 

 years, for rs. 1100 ; six months afterwards other 

 speculators offered rs. 21,000; it was finally 

 let for rs. 35,000, the contractors relieving the 

 former occupants, and taking possession of the 

 pearls that had been collected by them. These 

 parties, however, failed, but were made to pay 

 rs. 20,000. The Ameers, as at Kenjur, took 

 the management of the fishery, which in three 

 months, it is said, realized between seven and 

 eight thousand rupees, — a doubtfiil cii'cum- 

 stance, as after a short trial it was altogether 

 relinquished by them. 



" When the country became a British posses- 



