335 



years, prohibited the possibility of obtaining any 

 advance of money on the security of the cultiva- 

 tion, and the bulk of the planters being men 

 of small means and unequal to operations on a 

 large scale, they were compelled to -witness the 

 plants, in which they had invested their little all, 

 choked with rank jungle, or their precious leaves 

 harden and spoil on the bushes before their eyes. 

 The cultivation, thus, was seriously checked j and 

 a struggle arose for the labor that was available. 

 The course pointed out by the Lieutenent-Governor 

 was partially adopted. Inducements, higher wages, 

 were offered by those planters who were reduced 

 to the greatest straits. The temptation had its 

 effect Coolies under engagements for a terra of 

 years, broke their contracts and deserted in 

 bodies. The planter who to-day hugged himself 

 iu the belief that the next day he should pluck 

 a full crop of leaves, awoke on the morrow to 

 find half his Coolies gone. Ill-feeling naturally 

 arose. Every planter looked upon his neighbour 

 with suspicion and distrust. True, the planter 

 could prosecute each coolie for breach of contract 

 and imprison him for fifteen days ; but what could 

 he gain ? an infinity of trouble, and the loss of 

 his time and more money. 



At this juncture, the Government of Bengal turned 

 its attention to the advancement of Public Works. 

 Here was a chance for the Province. Paternal by 



