170 Topographical and Statistical Account of 



six days' labour, is only one shilling and six-pence ; this is just 

 half of the real proportion, but this arrangement was pur- 

 posely adopted, on the supposition that hired coolies do more 

 work than statute labourers ; besides which, this system enables 

 one to concentrate one's efforts on such roads as most immedi- 

 ately call for attention. I think however, that these advantages 

 have been over-estimated, and that the rate of commutation 

 should have been higher. 



Of late years, a good deal has been said about the desira- 

 bleness of giving to the natives municipal privileges, and it was 

 hinted that the Road Ordinance was but the first step in that 

 direction. In those districts with which I am best acquainted, 

 the hopes of the Progresistas have been wofully disap- 

 pointed; the people frequently not shewing the slightest 

 interest in^the elections; not recording their votes; not even 

 taking the trouble to attend. 



There being little trade in this District, and the people hav- 

 inor a great dislike to strangers and to bustle, the Road Ordi- 

 nance is even now far from popular ; but the more intelligent 

 villagers are becoming convinced of the advantages which it 

 secures to them. 



Climate. 



Some one said long ago, that the climate of Noowerakalawiya 

 was very deadly ; that the place was a second Sierra Leone; and 

 no amount of proof to the contrary has yet dissipated this ab- 

 surdly erroneous opinion. It is quite possible, that twenty or 

 thirty years ago, fever was more prevalent than at present ; but 

 I do not know of anything to warrant the conclusion, that even 

 at that time it was unhealthy during the greater part of the 

 year. Situated in a vast plain, which is covered with dense 



