38 
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.; 
In this Province, when elephants are purchased, they are 
generally in the care of Burman, Karen, or Shan drivers. There is 
little doubt tliat in regard to the handling and general management 
of domestic elephants, they are rarely aS good as the Indian mahout 
as seen in India, but they are in every respect better than the 
majority of so-called mahouts met with here, who are readily dis- 
cerned to be adventurers as far as their pretensions to any previous 
knowledge or experience of elephants, goes. The few Indians 
employed are generally on Government animals, or those working 
in vards. There are many excellent keepers amongst the Burmans 
and Karens ; many however are careless and lazy, and a few are 
impatient and at times cruel. As a general rule they are kind, can 
stand the climate and heavy jungle work, and are usually cheery 
willing fellows. 
The pay of a sin-6k or jemadar ranges, according to qualifica- 
tions, from Rs. 20 to Rs. 40 per mensem ; the pay of an 00-si or 
mahout, from Rs. 12 to Rs. 18 per mensem ; the pay of sl patst 
or cowardie, from Rs. 10 to Rs. 12 per mensem. 
Burman employers usually supply their men with food and in 
addition give them a few rupees monthly. 
It is a good plan to give a good mahout a bonus at the end of 
the year, but I think it would be preferable to give such men a small 
increase of pav. Increments of pay are thought much more of by 
these people. 
