1847.] 



Laccadice Islands. 



S9 



amount sent to Bengal yearly since 1247, and the amount credited 

 per candy at the bazar rate in Mangalore. The prices realized have 

 fluctuated greatly during the last 20 years ; they have been frequent- 

 ly below the price paid to the Islanders, and at best, have never 

 yielded about 12 to 20 percent, profit. 



Sources of During the first five faslies of the British rule in Ca- 



Surplusre- , • i i 



venue. nara, the islands were rented to Packy Beary by whom 

 probably very large profits were made. In 1804 their management 

 was assumed by the Government, and from that year till fusly 1226 

 a considerable surplus revenue was derived from these islands, prin- 

 cipally from the difference between the purchase and sale prices of 

 the article. The average surplus profits of the monopoly for 5 years 

 from 1814 to 1818 was rupees 23,424 per annum, and of 5 years 

 from 1819 to 1823 both years inclusive was rupees 25,105 per annum. 

 The value of coir having fallen, the Bengal Government declined 

 crediting the district with more than the Mangalore market price for 

 the article supplied to Ihem, and the average price realized by the 

 sale of coir since 1237 has been rupees 21-8-8 per candy, but as the 

 purchase price was about 20-5 per candy scarcely more than 5 per 

 cent, was derived from the proper source of a monopoly revenue. 

 Some excess of receipts over disbursements however has been main- 

 tained in the following manner. The price of coir paid to the 

 Islanders has from time immemorial been paid |th in coir and |th 

 in rice, at a fixed average rate of 84 rupees per corge of 42 

 mooras^ 



State of the The accounts of 17 years since the important change 

 late years, in the prices obtained for coir, show that as far as con- 

 cerns this district, there has been a balance of receipts over disburse- 

 ments in 15 years averaging for the 15 years, rupees 3,741 annas 12 

 pice 9 per annum. In 1832 and 1833 there was a net deficiency as an 

 offset against this balance I believe an allowance of 1,500 pagodas 

 (5,250 rupees) enjoyed by the house of Cannanore as compensation 

 since about 1,232 should be reckoned. Should such an allowance exist 

 it is clear that during 12 years from 1237 to 1241 there was, with two 

 exceptions, 1245 and 1247, an annual net deficiency in the revenues 

 of the islands as compared with the charges. However since 1249 

 the prices realized have been steadier and better, during the 5 years 

 1249 to 1253 there has been an excess of receipts over disburse- 

 ments, averaging annually rupees 7,857 annas 8 pice 4, and leaving, 

 even if necessary to charge the whole allowance above alluded 



