1847.] 



Laccadive Islands. 



23 



as it now stands have been carefully, but I hope liberally, laid down 

 during the last year, with a view to placing the occupation of waste 

 land under some system. The extent of the dry cultivation should 

 now be accurately ascertained and the claims of the people of the 

 island of Ameendevy to proprietary right in some spots of land now 

 claimed by them, examined. However the whole dry cultivation of 

 the island is probably not above 10 or 12 moodas of seed extent of 

 land, and its value will not exceed that of hakkal^ land on the coast 

 so that any assessment on it would be so trifling, as to be scarcely 

 worth weighing against the discontent which its novelty would create ; 

 unless it were expedient as a restrictive measure to force the cocoa- 

 plantation. 



Island of Kil- Kiltan lies about 20 miles from Ameendevy in a 

 north-easterly direction, and though the least, is at 

 present the most thriving and active island in the group. When 

 the ship Byramgore was lost, a large quantity of treasure found its 

 way into this island, and the greatest activity in planting has since 

 been evinced, and the generality of the inhabitants seem well off. 



The superficial area of Kiltan may be about \^ square mile, and 

 the reef on which it stands is extensive. The lagoon is large but 

 shallow and is rapidly filling up, and even now, there is not sufficient 

 water within it at low tide to float one of the native koondras, 

 if laden— within the last 50 years many feet of land have been 

 gained towards the lagoon. The reefs are sufficiently extensive to 

 protect the shore effectually, all the coir is soaked in the sea sand 

 and trees are planted to the water's edge on every side. 



The population of the island as shown by the marginal statement, 

 has increased within the last 15 years from 35 

 to 40 per cent., but it is still far below what the 

 island could support and does not afford hands 

 to make up the coir now grown. The whole 

 population as that of Kadamat and Chetlat is 

 of the Malachery, the lowest caste ; they have 

 the appearance of considerable comfort, and 

 few really poor are to be found in this island. Its inhabitants are by 

 far the most cunning and difficult to manage, and evince considerable 

 dislike to any inquiry being made into their condition. 





Population. 







6 









a 



"3 









o 

 H 



For 1831.. 



22i 



241 



465 



„ 183'.).. 





268 



531 



1814.. 



310 



323 



639 



* The poorest kind of ch•^ laud. 



