Ixxxviii 



ing classes ate and in the clothes and jewellery they wore there had 

 been a great improvement since that time. 



Mr. A. J. Stuart, Sub-Collector of Eajah?nundry.^—The ordinary 

 rate of wages obtained by a labourer was 3 annas a day or Rs. 67^ 

 per annum, if he managed to find employment every day, which 

 probably was rarely possible. The price of rice then was an anna a 

 seer in Rajahmundry and 3 annas would have done little more than 

 feed 4 or 5 people. Occasional expenses, such as a shred of cloth- 

 ing for men and a common cloth for women, would have disposed of 

 any balances and there was always the toddy shop at hand if there 

 was any unusual balance. The farm labourer was paid chiefly in 

 grain ; his earnings were less than the above, but more certain, and he 

 had a master to depend upon in case of any unexpected expenses, 

 or for such outlay as was incurred in marriages or funerals ; the 

 earnings might be estimated in the delta at about 2 putties of paddy 

 worth Rs. 50. It was paid in various ways, but amounted on the 

 average to about 2 putties, just sufficient for the support of his 

 family. On the whole, by far the greatest part of the population 

 was poor and had little beyond food, clothing and shelter ; in no 

 country in the world was the taxation so high in proportion to the 

 income of the people it was raised from ; and little or no advance 

 was observable in the condition of the masses and certainly none in 

 that of the labouring classes. 



Mr. H. E. Sullivan, Collector of South Arcot. — The full and inter- 

 esting account furnished by Mr. Sullivan regarding the condition of 

 the labouring classes in the South Arcot district is given below : — 



As regards the present condition of the labouring class, there 

 is nob the least doubt that it has materially improved during the 

 last twenty years. It is somewhat difficult to estimate the annual 

 earnings of a labourer, as the majority are not employed on the same 

 work or remunerated in the same manner all the year round. Agri- 

 cultural labourers may be divided into two classes : those who form 

 the regular farm stafiF and who are engaged at the rate of one man per 

 plough and the occasional hands who are taken on when required. 



When the first description of labourers is engaged, it is usual for 

 the employer to make him an advance of money, varying from 

 Rs. 7 to Rs. 35, which is known as the "^ Mothakadan " or first loan, 

 which binds him to the service of his master. Neither this loan 

 nor any subsequent advances, which, on the same principle, he may 

 receive from his employer, bear interest nor is repayment of the 

 capital sum demanded unless the labourer elects to quit the service. 

 This class of labourers, although they are attached to the farm under 

 the system above described, are not employed on it all the year 

 round, and during certain months of the year their services are dis- 

 pensed with, and they are at liberty to take employment elsewhere, 

 being bound, however, to come back whenever required. Whilst 

 regularly employed on the farm which is generally from June to 

 November they are paid monthly and in kind, never in money. The 

 following are the ordinary rates : — 



45 Madras measures of varagu, 

 11 do. do. of ragij 



