NeC 12. — 1860-1.] badulla and its products. 



with returned) are not equal in quality to the specimens forwarded in 

 November last, just before I returned from England. Some of these 

 latter specimens (No. 2) are herewith enclosed. 



I have also pat together some specimens of English and other imported 

 paper, with the prices marked (No. 3). 



4. With regard to the quality of Mr. Oadaatjie's papers, it appears to 

 me that even now they are much better than a great part of the paper 

 manufactured in India, and extensively used in public offices there. I 

 would however offer the remark that as Mr. Ondaatje has made so much 

 progress towards complete success in the manufacture of common paper, 

 lie might possibly with improved machinery be able to extend that 

 improvement, by making the paper thinner and lighter. At present, it 

 weighs rather more than half as much again as English paper of the 

 same description and size. If the thickness and weight were reduced, 

 I think it might become serviceable paper. 



5. With regard to the second point, if His Excellency the Governor 

 should deem it right, that stationery should be issued to the headmen 

 for their returns, &c„ doubtless, Mr. Ondaatjie's paper would answer 

 the purpose exceedingly well. I was under the impression that one of 

 the reasons given by Mr. Bailer, the former Government Agent, for 

 his large demand foi stationery, was, that the numerous returns required 

 to be furnished by the headmen required that stationery should be 

 issued to them. 



6. Lastly, with regard to comparative price, I should for the present 

 exclude Colombo from consideration, but if Mr. Ondaatjie can supply 

 paper equal, or rather superior, to the best of the specimens of common 

 paper furnished by him, at 5s. a ream at Badulla, and at 5s. 6d. a 

 ream at Kandy, and if he could also supply blotting paper made 

 of the full size of the English blotting paper at a price increased 

 in proportion to the increase of size, (taking his present specimen 

 as worth 75. at Badulla, and 7s. 6d. at Kandy), I strongly 

 recommended that some of it should be supplied for the use of 

 the Government Agent at Kandy, and of his Assistant at Badulla. 



7. The envelopes I do not at present consider necessary, as half 

 a sheet of paper answers the purpose quite as well and can be used 

 twice, which is not the case with envelopes, added to which 2s. 6d> 

 per 100 is too dear for them, as they can be made here for the 

 Colonial Secretary's Office at 2s. a hundred. 



8. In conclusion, I would beg to suggest that Mr. Ondaatjie be 

 invted to endeavour to submit specimens of paper of a thinnei 



