1839] 



Communication in the Carnailc. 



85 



Traffic. 



Fuel 



Straw, &c 



Grain 



Goods 



Passengers, &c. equal to 



40,000 



5,000 

 5,000 

 20,000 

 5,000 



75,000 



Present expence of this traffic at 6 Rupees per ton Rupees 450,000 



It may be fairly conceded that at least one half of the above traffic, 

 valued at Rs. 225,000 per annum, vi^ould pass along the way. Estimating 

 therefore, the current expences of the establishment at Rs. 58,200^ 

 there will remain a balance of 166,800. A sum more than sufficient to 

 remunerate liberally the proprietors, and provide foraH contingent ex- 

 pences. 



However encouraging the above estimate may be of the probable 

 results of such an undertaking, I feel convinced that from its novelty, 

 few private individuals, whether european or native, would be induced 

 to embark in it, without in the first instance obtaining a promise of 

 support from Government. In other countries the state grants patents 

 and monopolies as a recompence for undertaking expensive experi- 

 ments, of which the pulblic is to reap the benefit. I therefore cannot 

 but confidently expect that Government will approve of, and afford the 

 most efficient assistance to put to the fair test of experiment, a measure 

 supposed to carry in its train the amelioration of the natives over whom 

 they rule. Of its rapid and complete success there can scarcely be en- 

 tertained a doubt ; and a probable consequence of success would be that 

 other companies would spring into existence, and be incited to embark 

 in similar undertakings, a superior description of roads would thus be 

 introduced over the country, and one rupee would not in future be 

 required from Government either for their execution or support." 



It is unnecessary to remark that the roads at present in use in the 

 Madras presidency, are, with a few exceptions, of a very indifferent de- 

 scription, and it appears to me that with reference to the climate, 

 their construction is essentially defective. Every shower loosens the 

 soft materials of which they iire composed deep ruts are speedily 

 formed, water collects which sinks down and softens the whole mass 

 to its foundation, and if the road is not immediately repaired, it is by 

 the next fall of rain, utterly destro^'cd. Tram-ways by preventing the 



