144 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XIV. 



According to the Madras standard, this capacity will be 

 enough for the cultivation of 3,180 acres of field, irrespective 

 of the allowance for the water that will be flowing in while 

 the sowing is in progress. 



At present, during a prolonged rainfall, 681 amunams, equal 

 to about 1,362 acres, are cultivated in the valley of the Kola* 

 munu-oya by damming up the river at various places in 

 its course towards the Deduru-oya and diverting its water 

 over the low-lying lands on its banks ; but this water supply 

 cannot be depended on, for with the cessation of rain, which 

 only lasts a few weeks, the whole crop is often lost for 

 want of an occasional shower. 



By the restoration of the tank the supply of water available 

 will be found sufficient to irrigate the whole extent of land, 

 namely, 3,190 acres, that is, 2,240 acres of fields, 890 acres of 

 irrigable land belonging to private parties, and 60 acres of 

 Crown land, all situate under and in the immediate vicinity 

 of the tank. 



According to the estimate prepared by Mr. Parker, the 

 Irrigation Officer who was specially detailed for the work, 

 the probable cost of restoring the tank will be Rs. 102,591. 

 The restoration will consist of the repair of bund, building 

 two sluices, constructing two gauges, forming a spill water, 

 constructing a foot-bridge, excavating irrigation channel, 

 lines, bridges, and transport and compensation, amounting to 

 Rs. 64,818, while the cost of making a new roadway 3J miles 

 long, and raising the portion in the tank, as well as con- 

 structing an iron bridge 140 ft. long and a 20-ft. culvert, 

 will be Rs. 37,773. 



Mr. Parker says that the landowners who are to be 

 benefited by the repairs have willingly agreed to pay the 

 whole cost in ten yearly instalments, or to pay a perpetual 

 water-rate. According to his figures the former would 

 necessitate an annual charge of Rs. 4*14 levied on all irrigable 

 lands, and for 1,565 acres in ten years would amount to 

 Rs. 64,791, by which the people will of course be free from 

 any further special taxation. The latter will yield a net 



