Chap. II.] NAVIGATION OF THE MAITAWELLI-GAXGA. 427 



wealth. It would also afford an easy transport to the sea 

 for the ebony, satm-wood, and other valuable timber, 

 which now grow in neglected luxuriance and in 

 almost exliaustless proflision throughout the forests in- 

 tersected by the Mahawelh-ganga. It is a painful but 

 convincing illustration of the evils consequent on the 

 destitution of facilities for communication, that, notwith- 

 standing the abundance of timber in the eastern province, 

 it is cheaper, at Colombo, to import teak from Burmah, 

 and jarrah wood from Australia, than to bring halmalille 

 beams from the forests of Neuera-kalawa. Of the large 

 quantities of cabinet woods exported from Trincomahe 

 only a very small portion is carried down the river, 

 and the trees which are sent by it have first to be cut 

 into short lengths, as there is not sufficient water in 

 the channel to float heavy logs. Were the obstnictions 

 judiciously removed, and the water restored to the old 

 channel below Kooroogalgammoa, the gain to Government 

 from the exportation of timber alone woidd in a few 

 years repay the outlay, not to speak of the permanent 

 increase to the revenue which would necessarily arise, 

 from the extension of the quantity of land brought into 

 cultivation for rice. 



At one extremity of the town of Bintenne is the 

 Wellawe, or residence of the local headman, a chief 

 named Gonnigodde, who formerly held the high rank of 

 "Dissave of Bintenne." Its buildings encircle a court- 

 yard, round Avhich a covered verandali supported on 

 pillars affords a commmiication with the several apart- 

 ments. So little idea of domestic comfort or refinement 

 have the Kandyans, even of this high rank, that the 

 largest of these chambers are httle dingy dens from 

 ten to twelve feet square, each lighted by a single 

 window, or rather a hole, the area of which does not 

 exceed a square foot. 



The old chief escorted us to visit the ladies of his 

 family, who were introduced as we sat at table in the 

 small entrance room. Ilis wife, a rather comely person, 



