IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. d 



Hall, and amended by Messrs Fisher and Kobinson, are calcu- 

 lated to ensure a regulated and safe expenditure, if the subordi- 

 nates do their duty, and if the trees be marked by the conser- 

 vancy establishment. In regard to forest arrangements, I may 

 observe that Canara, though still imperfectly organised, is in 

 advance of every other district. The arrangements for the con- 

 servation of the teak and blackwood are so far satisfactory ; but 

 there are still difficulties as to the supply of firewood to large 

 towns, and of house-building timber in those parts where there 

 are no auctions. 



5. Wants of Public Departments. — The requirements of the 

 Indian navy, the Madras and Bombay railways, the public works 

 and telegraph departments, have been unusually heavy, and the 

 partially organised establishment was seriously crippled and 

 curtailed for a time by the removal of officers, overseers, ele- 

 phants and bullocks, required in the field during this eventful 

 year, so that the pressing indents of various departments have 

 been met with difficulty, and in some cases imperfectly. 



6. Railways. — The progress of the railway has produced mar- 

 vellous changes on the face of the country as regards tree vege- 

 tation in some districts. I may specify Palghat, the Shevarai 

 Hills, and the North Arcot Hills ; in these the old woods have 

 everywhere fallen, to meet the urgent demand for timber ; and 

 the pressure continues to exist in the central portions of the line 

 between Vaniembady and Palghat : at the two extremities, the 

 supply has been completed. In the Official Eoad Book, pub- 

 lished by Major Scott not many years ago, opposite Waliar, we 

 find this remark, " Dense jungle, beware of elephants;" but in 

 looking from the staging bungalow, the traveller sees several 

 tentative lines of rail, each 200 yards broad, and so extensive a 

 clearing of the neighbouring forest, that no elephant could easily 

 find a cover. The encircling hills, formerly crowned with timber, 

 are now to a considerable degree laid bare. These changes, so 

 far as I can learn, have been the gradual result of unrestricted 

 cutting, but much aggravated, during the last few years, in con- 

 nection with the enormous demand for railway sleepers, and for 

 the department of public works. In the contracts which have 

 been made for the supply of the Bombay railway, 1£ rupee has 



