LABOUR AND LABOURERS. 39 



building, road-opening, or what not, into a con- 

 tractor's hands has advantages and looks feasible, 

 it has its drawbacks. 



The troubles which the planter escapes of un- 

 certain labour supply, unpropitious weather, and 

 all similar difficulties, weigh equally upon the 

 responsible native to whom he transfers them. 

 That person may commence his task, proceed a 

 certain way with it, and then become a fraudulent 

 absentee, or his funds may really give out, or he 

 may not finish the allotted task within the prescribed 

 time any of which is very painful. Planters 

 and especially those whose practical experience is 

 limited advise the taking of sureties and bonds 

 when a contract is formed for estate work. The 

 chief objection to this is that few natives are in 

 a position to give any adequate forfeit money ; and 

 those who might, usually will not ! 



My experience leads me to believe, work the 

 men really understand, and earn their usual living 

 from, will generally be done well and honourably 

 by them. I have, for instance, employed gangs of 

 Tamils as sawyers, and others as fellers of forest. 

 They brought their own tools ; built their own huts, 

 according to fancy ; had abundance of the food 

 they were accustomed to, and received far the 

 largest portion of their money on finishing and 

 leaving. A mutually satisfactory result to both 

 sides was the usual result. But, on the other hand, 

 when a Hindoo, more distinguished for his push 



