50 Timehri. 



These figures are in respect of adult males and females ranging 

 between the ages of say 18 and 29. Indians are for the most part small- 

 boned, and a man of 10 stones in weight looks much heavier than he 

 really is. 



In addition to recruiting labourers, Agents are from time 

 to time required to secure Indians for employment by Colonial Govern- 

 ments as Interpreters and clerks. The Government of Fiji not infrequent- 

 ly ask that half a dozen Clerk Interpreters be sent clown in a coolie ship. 

 Their agreements are usually for 5 years with a free Keturn Passage at 

 the expiration of that time. In cases where men give satisfaction and 

 Government renew the agreements, the former count for pension from 

 the date of the original contract. 



The salaries paid vary from £75 rising to £100 for a 2nd Class Clerk 

 Interpreter, to £100 — £150 for a 1st Class Clerk Interpretor, and, occa- 

 sionally £200 for a man with special qualifications where an Interpreter 

 for the Supreme Court is required. Free quarters are part of the agreement. 



Returning Emigrants. 



A telegram arrives that a steamer with time expired emigrants is 

 coming up the Reach and will be at her moorings at 8 a.m. next morning. 

 At that hour then the Agent with his Staff of Babus his Peons and the 

 " Doctor JBabu " set off to board her. She is lying in the River, her 

 sides very rusty from the long voyage, and with a swarm of native boats 

 round her. Some of these hope for a ' fare " but others are busy salving 

 the tin Lotahs (drinking cups) and Thalis (eating pans) — not to mention 

 old clothes — that are being thrown overboard. 



The Surgeon is wreathed in smiles : he has had no death on the 

 way, and there are only two cases for Hospital. 



On the deck all is bustle and confusion. The Roll is being called, and 

 a second Babu is busy ascertaining the number of persons for the various 

 places up-country so that the Railway passes may be made out. This 

 latter task is not as easy as it might first appear as one or two of the old 

 Paupers are not quite clear where they want to go. 



By noon the Agent is able to commence " Paying off." Paupers 

 are given the dole that is to keep them until, shall we 

 say, " they are settled ;" and persons with remittances have 

 their cheques on the Bank of Bengal (which have accompanied them) 

 signed and handed over. By p.m. all is finished and the disembarkation 

 is fixed for 7 a.m. next morning. 



The next morning then sees boat loads of coolies making their way 

 ashore. The paupers under the escort of a Peon are being taken by water 

 direct to Howrah Station, while the cheque-wallas in hired "Band-Gharris" 

 (native cabs that will carry ten people on the roof and half as many inside 

 again) travel to the Bank of Bengal to get their cheques cashed. 



