ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 



187 



together with the renting of the various Fish Markets, 

 amounted to £4,000 or £5,000. These rents were levied on 

 Fish caught in Lakes and Eivers, as well as those from the 

 Sea. It varied in amount in different places, from one-third 

 to one-fifth of the value of the fish caught, after deducting 5 

 per cent., which went to the headmen of the Fisher caste called 

 " Pattangatims" There was a difference always made in favor 

 of fish caught by nets over those caught by lines, the latter 

 paying more than the former. 



The Bents of certain gardens, and the permits for digging 

 for precious stones, although numerous, were but small in value, 

 and scarcely deserve notice. 



In earlier times, the extent of the Government gardens of 

 Cocoa and Areka nuts was large, and realized good sums ; being 

 leased for 2 years at a time. But most of these were after- 

 wards sold, and at the time I am referring to, none remained 

 but very small ones. 



The Arrack and Toddy Rent does not appear to have 

 formed any considerable item in the revenues of the Dutch 

 Government. In the Colombo Collectorate it varied from 

 £1,200 to £1,400, but in the other districts it yielded but a few 

 hundreds. In the Colombo district the farmer of this rent had 

 formerly the sole privilege of exporting Arrack, but this how- 

 ever, was no longer the case at the time I now refer to. The 

 licensed retailer of Arrack was compelled to sell the spirit if 

 within the Gravets of Colombo, at 1J fanam the bottle; and as 

 a means of ensuring him at all times a steady supply of the 

 article, he was permitted the right of taking three-tenths of all 

 the Arrack which was brought to Colombo for exportation by 

 private traders, paying for the same a similar price to what 

 they obtained for the remainder. 



The Bazaar or Shop Tax was rather a ground-rent levied 



2b" 



