No. 34.— 1887.] PEARL FISHERIES OF CEYLON. 



29 



one thousand to twenty or thirty thousand, according to the 

 quantity for the day's sale ; and when there are no combina- 

 tions, purchases are quickly made for the larger quantities ; 

 but when there is either combination to lower prices or 

 opposition between the Chetties and Moormen, the sales are 

 prolonged by lots of one thousand or two thousand, and all 

 possible ingenuity exercised to effect the object in view ; 

 indeed, the sales are always the cause of much excitement 

 and amusement. 



As soon as the buyers pay, delivery orders are issued, and 

 deliveries by counting are made by the koddu officers. This 

 goes on daily from the first day of the fishing until the conclu- 

 sion. The work is incessant upon all the Establishments •, 

 there can be no regulated hours, all must work as the need 

 requires. In 1857 (the period of thirty two millions) the large 

 quantities daily fished (often over a million), and the combi- 

 nation of buyers, so retarded the sales that I was often kept 

 at this work until 10 o'clock at night. 



Then at times the sea breeze blows very strong and not 

 fair, driving the boats to leeward of Salapatturai, obliging 

 them to pole for miles along the shore, getting in late — some 

 during the night ; then the shore has to be lighted with 

 " chools," and guards posted to prevent oysters being illicitly 

 landed, and of course all the Establishments have to be in 

 attendance. 



The only relaxation from incessant work occurs from an 

 occasional southerly gale, or the combination proceedings 

 staying daily fishing. 



In 1885, 20 days' fishing yielded over 6,000,000 oysters, 



which sold at an average of 



£1. 



10s. \ 



In 1857, 23 



do. 



32,000,000 . 



.. £0. 



16s. / 



In 1858, 18 



do. 



16,000,000 . 



£1. 



19sA 



In 1859, 18 



do. 



12,000,000 . 



.. £5. 



5s. ( 



In 1860, 14 



do. 



3,000,000 . 



.. £13. 



15s. j 



The total fished at this series exceeded 72,000,000 oysters, 

 the Government share of 54,000,000 selling for £140,300 

 gross, giving, less expenditure, a net revenue of £117,453 ; 



