56 SECOND REPORT ON FOREST OPERATIONS 



timber that goes down the river. I failed in ray attempts, but 

 succeeded in getting the contractors to reduce their rates from 

 7 to 6 annas per plank. 



12. In anticipation of Lord Harris's visit to the forests, a 

 wooden bungalow was erected, at a cost of about seventy rupees. 

 This amount is included in the hutting expenses. The building 

 has proved very useful for the establishment. 



13. The Kaders, who were formerly located near Tunacadavu 

 (our forest station), have entirely left our portion of the forest, 

 and have gone over to the Cochin territory. They state their 

 reasons for so doing to be, that the hill produce on our side is 

 exhausted. They pay Mr Kohlhoff, on behalf of the Cochin forests, 

 Es. 100 per annum for the privilege of collecting cardamoms, 

 ginger, &c. ; whereas they paid no seignorage for the hill produce 

 collected in our forests. I regret the loss of their services as 

 guides ; but otherwise they were of no use in the forest, refusing 

 to undertake any labour whatever. One of the tribe (Atly) has 

 agreed to reside at Tunacadavu as a guide, receiving an increased 

 salary. 



14. There have been great changes in my office establishment 

 during this year. Mr St Martin, head overseer, resigned his ap- 

 pointment. Mr Lennon, second overseer, was then at Madras, and 

 his return to the department was at the time doubtful ; so I nomi- 

 nated Mr Smith to the office. He suffered much from fever, and 

 resigned immediately. Mr Lennon was afterwards appointed first 

 overseer, and has given much satisfaction during the last working 

 season. Mr Martin, junior, third overseer, also resigned his ap- 

 pointment about the middle of the working season. I procured 

 a second overseer in Mr Eagles, and I have appointed a native 

 to the office of third overseer. My writers and duffadar have 

 several times been changed, the fever frightening them away ; 

 and one writer, who had been two years in the Forest Department, 

 died from jungle fever. 



15. The district engineers of Trichinopoly and Salem have 

 indented largely for teak timber this season ; the former has paid 

 Es. 3342 for teak logs, and the latter has received teak to the 

 value of Es. 2270-12-10. This timber was all supplied from 

 logs cut in former years, and outlying in the forest. These large 



