IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. I 



as Captain Michael's Eeports have been published in the Madras 

 Government Eecords (No. V. 1855), I will only now allude to the 

 recent changes and improvements in management of this forest 

 effected during the past year. After the removal of Captain 

 Hamilton, Lieutenant Beddome, travelling assistant, received 

 charge. He was in the immediate neighbourhood at the time of 

 the vacancy. An additional overseer was sanctioned. The timber 

 slip was repaired by Wuddur contract at an expense of 500 rupees. 

 The bridge at Machenackenpollium, much required for the trans- 

 port of wood eastward from the Anamalais, has been rebuilt. The 

 road fromColungode has been repaired, and several nallahs bridged 

 to facilitate the cartage to Ponany. The overseer's house was 

 purchased ; six sling carts were made up by Mr Eoss, railway 

 engineer ; a depot was arranged at bottom of slip, and a site was 

 selected for the overseer's house at Pulachi during the unhealthy 

 months. 



I may here mention, that the prospective supply of teak 

 (roughly estimated at the rate of the present requirements) from 

 the forest now rented from the Colongad Numbady will not 

 apparently exceed 15 years. This is a serious consideration, as 

 it is the only forest from which long planks suitable for a frigate 

 can be procured. I have in view a scheme for consolidating the 

 table-land of the Anamalais, that part belonging to Government 

 as well as that rented from the Colongad Numbady, into one 

 Government forest, which should be a reserve in perpetuity for 

 the Indian navy, and where planting operations should be sys- 

 tematically carried on. The working establishment of the Ana- 

 mallai forest has always suffered severely from sickness, and, 

 considering the large number of employes, I recommended to 

 Government the location of a medical officer. Unfortunately, 

 Mr Drew was removed by death before joining, and, as the in- 

 spector of jails disapproved of the introduction of convict labour 

 into the forest, from fear of the escape of the prisoners, I have not 

 again asked for the services of a medical officer, more especially 

 as the establishment of a dispensary at Pulachi under Native 

 Surgeon Kanagaroyen will be of much importance to the depart- 

 ment ; and an adjacent piece of ground has been allotted for the 

 overseers. 



