56 



THE MADRAS HARBOUR. 



the really cogent argument, wliichis the uninteresting one of 

 pounds, shillings and pence. 



I must ask attention for a few minutes to this view of the 

 question. Look at the position of Madras in its relation to 

 India behind it, and the great highway of the ocean in front 

 of it. Leaving the question of how it became so, here it is, 

 a great emporium of trade with every facility for communica- 

 tions inland, by railway and canal, and within hailing 

 distance of the ships which convey its merchandize over the 

 sea. But between the stores on shore and the ships on the 

 sea there is a barrier — the surf. This surf is bad enough as 

 a cause of discomfort to passengers, but its effect on goods is 

 even worse. Conveyance over that short mile is as costly as 

 over forty miles of railway, or one thousand miles of sea, 

 while goods are damaged and pilfered, and sometimes for 

 days together communication is entirely cut off. 



Now, can the horrors of this " middle passage " — horrors 

 which in a greater or less degree of intensity exist every day 

 and all day long, and not merely at exceptional stormy 

 seasons — be abated ? Yes, by the formation of a harbour. 

 This will enable the landing and shipping of goods to be 

 effected at one-third the cost, and without damage or loss by 

 pilfering, by a larger and more convenient description of boat 

 than the existing masula boat, and with comparatively little 

 delay from bad weather. This saving on the cost of trans- 

 porting goods between the ship and the shore will be at least 

 -equal to the interest on the cost of the harbour, while there 

 will be thrown in gratuitously the contingent advantages of 

 saving of damage, saving of insurance, greater comfort to 

 passengers, less detention of ships, less wear and tear and 

 damage to ships' sides and their tackle, freer communication 

 between ship and shore for incidental purposes, whatever 

 additional safety there may be in exceptional storms, and 

 whatever advantages there may be in a harbour of refuge. It 



