April — june, 1857.] Breakwater for Madras. 153 



plant, viz. steamers, boats, rails, cranes, &c. for l s 200 tons a day 

 and 1 Rupee a ton besides for quarrying &c, we shall be safe, and 

 this would make 25 lacs for 2,000 yards,* and it might be extended 

 at the rate of 1,000 Rupees a yard. 



There are excellent data now for this sort of work in England 

 from which allowing for the difference in the price of labor, very 

 safe estimates may be made. But this seems quite sufficient to 

 show that the cost of such a work Would be very small compared 

 with the vast objects in view. The interest at 5 per cent, would 

 be 6| annas (10 pence) per ton on the present tonnage (315,000 

 tons) or ■§• per cent, on the reported present value of the imports 

 and exports (711 lacs of Rupees). But these do not include the 

 coasting trade, which strange to say, is not entered in any form in 

 the Custom House returns. 



The Pier Committee state that about 70 boats make an average 

 of 4 trips in a day throughout the year, carrying each 2 tons or 

 under, which would give about 150,000 tons a year shipped and 

 landed at an expense of from 8 annas (12 pence) to upwards of 12 

 annas (18 pence) a ton, or perhaps 10 annas (15 pence) on an 

 average, total 100,000 Rupees, besides Passengers. So that no 

 doubt on the present traffic the interest of the cost of such a work 

 would be saved in boat hire alone, leaving the diminution of risk 

 and detention of vessels, that of pilfering and damage of goods in 

 the boats, the time, convenience and safety of Passengers, &c. and 



• Rough Estimate of the cost of a Breakwater, 2000 Yards in length, for Ma- 

 dras Roads, in 6| fathoms water. 



Rupees. 



One Steam Tug of 100 tons burthen, and 40 Horse power, Rupees 



35,000 



Six do. - - 2,10,000 



One Stone Boat of 103 tons, - - Rupees 5,000 



30 do. 1,50,000 



"Waggons, Cranes, Rails, &c. - - 1,00,000 



Jetty, &c, to facilitate loading boats, &c. - - 40,000 



5,00,000 



Stone. 



2000 x 800= 16,00,000 at \\ = 2 Mn. Tens at 1 Rupee including Sun- 

 dries, - .... 20,00,000 



Total Rupees.. 25,00,000 



