OCT. — M in. 1S59-G0.] Scientific Intelligence. 



353 



Puckle, lias, together with the opening of the road, in the first 

 place, driven the robbers from their stronghold and virtually ex- 

 tinguished highway and gang robberies in these Taluqs ; and in the 

 next place, it has mainly contributed to more and more land being 

 continually taken up by the road side, a fact of itself the best evi- 

 dence of the improvement effected. It was whilst Ginji remained 

 an isolated spot dreaded by all, that the Fort and buildings became 

 a prey to any who coveted the valuable store of finely worked orna- 

 mental stones. 



11. But the removal of the stones and destruction of buildings 

 has been put a stop to. An order by Mr. Hall, three years ago, pro- 

 hibited the removal not only of ornamental, but even of the rough 

 stones fit for building purposes lying about in abundance in the 

 Fort ; except, as regards the latter, for the use of Public Works. 

 The Fort has been included in the charge of the new road passing 

 through, and a watcher appointed to look after it. 



12. I have now the honor to submit a proposition for converting 

 the Ginji Fort into a Depot for the sale of Salt. The large granaries, 

 the long ranges of buildings supposed to be the lines, and several 

 more in the neighbourhood, would store a considerable quantity of 

 Salt. Whilst other ranges of buildings might be cheaply construct- 

 ed, with the ahundance of material on the spot, along the ramparts 

 of the second Fort, within which on a reference to the Survey, it 

 will be seen these buildings are situated. The ramparts of the 

 outer Fort would be available also for the same purpose. The in- 

 terior area of the Fort is nearly one-third of a square mile and the 

 whole could be easily guarded. The three gates might be blocked 

 up, and the thing would be done. Ingress and egress should be 

 permitted only by the road passing through the Fort, and gates 

 might be placed at either end under the walls. The distance from 

 the Markanam Pans is 37 miles, the back-water and the only two 

 intermediate rivers are bridged and the principal roads branching 

 from Ginji are one to the west by Chengumah to Krishnagherry 

 and the Salem District, at present the route by which thousands of 

 bullocks are employed conveying Salt ; secondly, to the North by 

 Chetpat to Arnee, and thirdly, by Tiagar Drug to Salem. The 

 greatest quantity of Salt conveyed inland from the Markanam Pans 



