266 DOCKYARD TIMBER. 



is now scarce, and of insufficient size. This year, great difficulty 

 was experienced along the coast in obtaining a sufficient number 

 of logs for the preparation of 103 Government ferry-boats. In 

 Malabar and Wainad, the tree (there called ayni) is abundant, 

 and is largely felled by European settlers when clearing land for 

 coffee cultivation. There is no trade, however, to enable me to 

 judge of the quantity procurable ; and the localities are almost 

 inaccessible. 



" 3. Price. — The market price at Quilon was Es.3 to 4, but now 

 it is Ks.6 to 8 per candy. The present price at Allepi is Es.8 to 

 10 per candy; of large size, Es.12. The quantity annually 

 available of the stated size at Allepi and Cochin will seldom ex- 

 ceed 230 loads. 



" 4. Quality and Quantity. — Angili stands next to teak in the 

 estimation of ship-builders ; and the demand for this wood is in- 

 creasing. The present annual supply in the territories of Cochin 

 and Travancore averages from 6000 to 7000 candies, but not 

 more than one-tenth part would square to the required dimen- 

 sions. This appears to arise chiefly from the difficulties of trans- 

 port, as the trees; are of great size. No difficulty is anticipated 

 in providing annually 3000 tons along the Travancore coast. Mr 

 Crawford suggests a contract at Es. 14 per candy ; while Mr Kohl- 

 hoff proposes an agent to give advances to contractors, and to 

 arrange for shipment. 



" 5. It will be observed that the estimates vary considerably. 

 However, there is one opinion as to the abundance of the tree in 

 the S. Provinces ; and the opening up of two new roads which 

 have been for some time under the consideration of Govern- 

 ment — I refer to the Karkur Ghat in Malabar, and the proposed 

 road from the Anamalai Hills to the Cochin backwater* — would 

 facilitate the delivery of the wood. These great lines (the latter 

 especially), would open up dense forests, and throw much angili 

 timber into the market. On the whole, I think that, if con- 

 sidered desirable, 3000 loads of the dimensions stated might 

 be exported annually, at a cost not exceeding Es.14 per candy, f 



* The importance of this road is recognised by Sir C. "Wood, in a despatch, 

 dated 23d March 1861, and its construction urged, 

 t Equal to 13j cub. feet. 



