1 ( 38 )
2 22. From Jailbanga as far as Ruila there were rapids and strong water, but the
3 Talehcer. boats were passod over without being unloaded.
4 23. After this large boats might be used as far as Jinapore, the head of the canal
5 joining the rivers Brahmini and Mahanuddy; and I saw one of about |0 tons’ burthen at
6 IIatiadanda, from which point there is no obstacle to Damrah port ; but for the present it will
7 not be necessary to send timber beyond the canal works.
8 24. I do not by any means wish to under-rate the difficulties of transporting the timber
9 over the various rapids alluded to and marked in the
10 maps. Difficultios there are, but with care there is no
11 danger of losing logs; and I am of opinion that it is perfectly feasible, and that it will be
12 romunerative
13 25. I do not think that it will at first be possible to obtain a contractor to do the
14 rafting work ; it will have to be done by the oflicer in charge.
15 26. From inquiries made during my journey, I understand that canoes can be
16 constructed and put into the water at from Its. 10 to 15 each, and that they oan be made
17 in about a week.
18 27. Ata place called Gugua, in Bamara tributary mehal, I saw 20 new canoes placed
19 side by side on the bank roady to be taken down the river.
20 Goneral.
21 28. I would suggest therefore that a certain number be made by the Forest Department,
22 and that the timber be transported entirely by their means to Cuttack or such point as may
23 be decided on after commuuicating with the irrigation officers in Orissa, who are greatly in
24 need of timber and require more timber than during the first season’s operations this depart-
25 ment could possibly supply.
26 29. These canoes, when sent down the river, will sell for between Is. 30 and 40,
27 according to size,—a very indifferent one fetching Rs. 16 to 20, which would in a great
28 measure pay the cost of rafting operations.
29 30. In Cuttack I went with Mr. Walker, Superintonding Engineer in the Irrigation
30 Department, to the Jubbra Government workshop under his orders and in immediate charge
31 of Mr. Faulkner, Executive Engineer, where I heard the supply of timber is a great source
32 of anxiety.
33 $1. Mr. Faulkner told me that Teak from Moulmein costs at the rate of Rs. 2-4
34 per cubic foot, but that for most purposes good Sal would answer equally well. I om there-
35 fore confident that we could obtain from Rs. 1-12 to Rs. 2 per cubic foot for good Sal of
36 not less than 22 feet long by 50 inches mid girth. The only Sal I saw in these workshops of
37 any sizo, such as this department would send from Sarunda, was not more than 12 feet long;
38 such timber, of course, being useless for the heavy beam by which the canal lock-gates
39 are opened.
40 32. One difficulty I could not got over, and that was to got any information regardin
41 rates. It must be borne in mind that my entire journey by river was through Native states, an
42 that there toa great extent the people are the vassals of the Rajah, bound to give him
43 service,—vide the case of the boatmen kindly sent with me by the Bonai Rajah, who were, so
44 they told me, not paid for the trip, but fed only. In the face of such a system it was simply
45 impossible to get at rates, and I could obtain no other answer even from the Rajah of Bonai
46 himself than ‘“‘ what you choose to give.”
47 33 This very system will make it difficult to obtain labor unless the Rajahs could be
48 induced to aid us at first, and I think they would, as our success would be to their ultimate
49 advantage as proprietors of extensive forests.
50 34. Many of the boatmen lead a wandering life, living on the island during the season
51 that the river will allow of their doing s0 without habitations, only in the rains retiring to
52 the main land aud there building rude huts in the jungle at the river’s edge, living on fish
53 and on what they obtain from collecting the castor-oil, called “rahindee’’ by them, which
54 they sell for about Re. 1 per maund.
55 35. Others again there are who aro settled in villages ond are agriculturists, only at
56 times when there is little work in tho fields taking to their boats.
57 36. Tho former would be the class of men through whom we should most likely begin
58 to work ; they are a very poor race, and their mode of living apparently precarious. Whether
59 it would be possible to induce them to take to regular labor, remains to be seen.
60 37. On reaching Cuttack I went to report my arrival to the Commissioner of
61 Orissa, and with reference to his No. d89A, dated 30th July 1871, stating the navigation
62 of the Brahmini to be impracticable, ho informed me that during one of his tours he saw
63 the rapids at Jailbanga, and from this concluded that the river above was not navigahle.