[ 18 ] 



and the development of fhe trade in it ; tlie improve- 

 ment and development of Indian silk, the produce of 

 the domesticated as well as of the wild worms ; the 

 introduction of suitable machinery for the treatment 

 of rheea ; the development of paper-making from fibres 

 grown in the country, and the experimental cultivation 

 of new or hitherto little known and neglected fibres. 



Fisheries. — The whole of the inland and sea fisheries 

 of the different provinces of India were systematically 

 inspected and reported upon under the orders of this 

 department, and measures taken, where necessary, in 

 communication with Local Grovernments, for their con- 

 servation. A scientific manual of Indian Fishes by 

 Dr. Day was also arranged for and has been pub- 

 lished. 



Port Blair and the Nicobars. — The administration 

 of these settlements was vested in this department, 

 and remained with it for over a year and a half, when, 

 for reasons of administrative convenience, the work 

 was retransferred to the Home Department. 



Sanitation, — Questions connected with rural, urban, 

 and army sanitation, and the organisation and work- 

 ing of the Sanitary Department, and the administra- 

 tion of lock hospitals. This work was retransferred 

 about twenty-seven months later to the Home Depart- 

 ment. 



Municipalities. — Including all questions connected 

 with municipal taxation and municipal government 

 generally ; the making of loans to municipalities for 

 the execution of projects of local improvement, and 

 cognate matters. This work was, after five and a 

 half years, retransferred to the Home Department. 



