IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. 



97 



7. It has been customary to review forest operations under 

 two heads, viz., Amani and Contract works. Strictly speaking, 

 all works are amani, or all works are done by contract, which 

 means, every one is paid for cutting, squaring, carting (or floating 

 below ghats) by measurement. The only difference is, that the 

 contracts above ghat (where all timber is carted) are small, lasting 

 for a few months ; whereas those below ghat are large, extending 

 over several years, and must therefore be reviewed separately. 



8. There has been an increase of work, which necessarily en- 

 tailed an increase of the establishment. Previous to introducing 

 the system of working the jungles ourselves, and selling the 

 timber at regular depots by public auction, the establishment had 

 only to mark trees in the jungles, which were sold standing in 

 large lots. After the contractors squared the logs, the establish- 

 ment had to stamp them, and to look after the contractor's works. 

 This was easy, and much of it was done by peons. Now, trees 

 are cut for Government by contractors. They are first marked, 

 and when the logs are cut and squared, they have to be num- 

 bered, measured, and carted to depots. At the depots they are 

 sold, delivered, and stamped. For the time being, additional 

 hands are required, called " Temporary Establishment." 



9. The following table shows the work of the establishment, 

 leaving the large contracts out of the question : — 



It thus appears that 7087 trees were cut, and 15,874 candies 

 carted to depots under the superintendence of the establishment. 

 Add to these 1571 logs, containing 1426 candies of old fallen 

 teak and jungle-wood, collected now at the depots, we have a 

 grand total of 17,300 candies of work begun and finished during 

 the year. 



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