No. 6.— 1853.] DISTRICT OF CHILAW AND PUTT AL AM. 



51 



fishers make use of a fine net worked in such a manner as to 

 form a lengthened funnel-shaped figure, to the large circle 

 forming the aperture of which small lead weights are attached. 

 The net is carried folded over the left arm ; a rotatory motion 

 is given to the weighted end, which is ultimately propelled to 

 a considerable distance, and in such a manner as to fall on the 

 water expanded and with the opening downwards ; the lead 

 weights immediately sink to the bottom and enclose within the 

 circle the fish which happen to be on the spot. 



Large quantities of fish are dried, salted, and despatched to 

 the interior ; the process is, however, carried out in the most 

 imperfect manner, and the product, consequently, in many 

 cases utterly unfit for consumption, is without doubt a fre- 

 quent cause of illness among those who partake of it. 



Since the tax upon fish was removed, the trade in this article 

 has very much diminished, and the boatmen are most anxious 

 that the duty should again be levied. This may appear para- 

 doxical, but I speak positively; all the chief fishers here 

 having on one occasion expressed their opinions in my pre- 

 sence, and this under circumstances which makes me feel 

 confident that such is the real state of feeling among them. 



The anomaly is easy of explanation. When the fish tax 

 was farmed out, it was of course the interest of the renters 

 that as much activity as possible should be displayed. They 

 accordingly made advances to the poorer boatmen, caused 

 their canoes and nets to be repaired, and in return constantly 

 urged them to assiduity. The renter thus secured himself 

 from loss, and the fisher, besides receiving an advance when 

 in distress, found that he had by his industry secured for him- 

 self a larger sum than hitherto. In fact, the wish for the tax 

 is merely a modified acknowledgment of the advantages of 

 capital. The people are too wanting in enterprise and too 

 divided among themselves to unite for any useful purpose, and 

 although aware of the advantages of industry, have not energy 



