1 ( 15 )
2 and that of these 670 had been dragged to bank of river ready for floating down
3 to depdts. During tho year the following logs were brought to depéts :—
4 Debroo depot xp on re ne si 78 logs.
5 Dehin eer ae a ois 3 245,
6 Dhunsiri ,, (Golaghat) 242 ~,,
7 Total logs... 565
8 many of them dragged to the bank of rivers.
9 76. Of this timber 89 logs were disposed of to the Public Works Depart-
10 ment at Golaghat, and 15 were carried away by
11 the streams and lost.
12 77. These operations, owing to the absence of the divisional officers, already
13 referred to, suffered in some degree before the
14 services of an overseer could be obtained to take
15 charge of them as a temporary measure, pending the arrival of another officer,
16 und they were stopped by Government so far as any extension of them was
17 concerned. ‘This experiment, the object of which was explained in paragraphs
18 119 and 120 of last year’s report, and carried on under very unfavourable
19 circumstances, rather encourages the idea that timber operations in Assam may
20 eventually prove remuncrative.
21 78. The pele Meares overseer put in charge of the work seemed to find no
22 difficulty in obtaining labour from the neighbouring villages, and the men seemed
23 perfectly happy in the jungles during the rains. The rate of pay given was
24 3 annas per man, and 4 annas for a rough carpenter.
25 79. The timber now at depdts has cost Rs. 4-3-10 per log (averaging
26 17% cubic feet); this gives a rate 4 3 annas
27 10} pie per cubic foot, which is a low rate for
28 the commencement of work. It must be stated, however, that the timber
29 was not dragged any great distance to river bank, and that some advances
30 to the extent of Rs. 476, still outstanding, may not all be recoverable from
31 the contractors, and may eventually have to be charged to the timber. A
32 forester, since dismissed, made these advances while temporarily in charge, and
33 did not take sufficient care to see that the work was done. The orders regard-
34 ing stoppage of the work, too, naturally damped all hopes, and the contractors
35 could not be got to finish their work. The Assistant Conservator will file
36 civil suits against those who are able to pay.
37 80. There will perhaps be a market at Golaghat for all timber at that
38 depot, and that still lying in the forests may with
39 advantage be brought down to the depéts if only
40 for Governmont purposes. A number of light logs (215) with which to float
41 this timber to Golaghat, such as Poma, Credrela Toona, Hooklook, &c.,
42 were felled during the season, and will be available for floating the heavier
43 logs, besides being of some value at the depdt for sale. The breaking up
44 of the Dehing Saw Mill Company has disappointed the hope of their
45 taking over the Dehing timber, us was proposed when it was felled, and this
46 timber, unless the saw-mill is started again, will have to be rafted down to
47 stations below for sale, if natives who are occupicd with timber operations
48 cannot be induced to take it.
49 81. ‘The Dobroo logs will find a sale at Debrooghur on being taken to
50 the station. The Assistant Conservator does not appoar to have chosen wisely
51 as regards a timber depét, having selected a place nine miles above the station
52 of Debrooghur, where timber cannot be sold.
53 82. Some logs of Sal have been felled during the past cold season for
54 local purposes under orders of the Commissioner, us
55 ae _ Ssuggosted by the Conservator, in the Kamroop Dooars,
56 tier tt information regarding expense and number of logs has not yet been
57 Timber sold.
58 General remarks.
59 Cost of work.
60 Disposal of the timber.
61 SAL felled in Kamroop.