FORESTERS’ LIFE IN THE ANDAMANS 207 
The trees now constituting the forest are large, 
and some of even enormous dimensions; it is re- 
ported that all are within two miles of tidal creeks, 
which, once reached by the aid of buffaloes or 
elephants, would conduct the timber without risk to 
one of the numerous harbours where vessels could 
lie in safety, but so far capital has not been attracted 
to this enterprise; it has perhaps been deterred by 
the trouble of arranging for the importation of 
labour from Madras, and of erecting huts and 
machinery for the accommodation of the workman 
and the conversion of the timber—in short, by all the 
details of starting a new industry in a new country. 
But it is hardly probable that this source of a good 
timber-supply will, now that it is known, remain for 
ever undeveloped, and it seems likely that, if the 
enterprise is undertaken with knowledge, it will prove 
remunerative to an unexpected degree. Meanwhile 
State ownership of forests can afford to wait both 
for the reduction of the excess capital and for the 
interest on the normal capital, offering meanwhile, 
to all who wish to read it, the excellent working 
plan drawn up by Mr. Todd, the Forest Officer who 
spent many arduous months in these wilds collect- 
ing exhaustive information about the primeval 
forests. 
In the South Island the Forest Officer exploits 
the forest, and shows what may and should be done 
in the northern area. He has at his disposal some 
eight hundred convicts and twenty to thirty ele- 
phants, and has constructed tramways working 
by steam or bullock power to bring his timber 
to Port Blair; he has a timber boat that transfers 
