Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-03-13

er in point OF antiquity or In the con
tinuity of their prosecution with thu
pearl fisheries of Ceylon, which h
thus describes:
The pearl banks of Ceylon date bacl
to the sixth century before Christ. Il
is recorded that vijaya, the first Sing
halese king of Ceylon, in the year 55(
b. c., presented his father-in-law, the
Pandyan king of Madura, "a gift Of
pearls" thus indicating a settled fish
cry for pearls on the coast Of his do
minion prior to the historic date.
A former Ceylon marine biologist
states that no statistics exist of the
revenue from pearl fisheries under
Portuguese rule, while under the Dutch
from 1866 to 1896, the government pro-
ceeds varied from $1,000 to $4,000 an
nually. England took control in 1876,
and two years later the revenue went
up to $4,000. The fluctuations, how
ever. were heavy, the income from
/. pearls dropping in 1915 to less than
$1,000. In 1904 the government re-
ceived from this source $345, 310; in
1905, $797,6S3. and in 1906, $446,O64.
The biologist says further:
From 1909 the fishery, although re-
ceiving more intelligent and careful
attention than ever before, and in spite
of better appliances and the aid af-
forded by more reliable charts, did
not until recent years show the i'm
provement that was expected. In spite
OF every care on the part of the inspec-
tors, long series of recurring failures
took place. cycles Of good years alter
mating with long cycles of blank years.
Finally, in 1900, after a continued fail
ure OF the fishery for ten years, the
governor Of Ceylon decided again to
appeal to science for aid, and two
scientists arrived In Ceylon in 1902 to
carry out investigations on the spot.
Even at this recent date no exact
data exists. Nothing was known of the
habits Of the pearl oyster; the causes
OF Its cratic appearances and disap-
pearances were obscure, and the origin
Of Ceylon pearls had never received
satisfactory study. The influence Of
varying conditions of environment
were quite unknown. Even the ques-
ton of whether the sexes were separ-
ate or united In each individual was
open. Today nearly all these problems
have been solved, and the results Of
the Researches appear in five bulky
volumes published by the Royal So
ciety.
We know now the chief causes which
have prevented annual fisheries, and
the general life history of the pearl
oyster has been worked out in detail.
As a consequence, measures can now
be taken to couhteract many of the ad-
verse influences at work and to de-
crease the number of naturally barren
years. To attain such results large
expenditure and complete reorganiza-
ton OF the methods and system was,
however, necessary. The Ceylon gov
eminent was unwilling to face this,
and accordingly decided to revert to
the lease system recommended one
hundred and sixty years ago by the
most capable governor which the Meth
erlands ever gave to Ceylon. The fish
cry Of 1906 was the last under old au-
spices; the fishery is now leased to
the Ceylon Company OF Pearl Fishers,
Limited, for a term OF twenty years
from the beginning of 1906, under cum
ditions which bind the lessees to carry
out great. cultural program and cost
ly permanent improvements. The
rental to be paid is $4,000 rupees
l$1e0.57 per annum.
Marichchikaddi has, during recent
years. succeeded Silvatturai, and will |
probably become the permanent fishing
camp, because its location affords cas-
Ter access to the Cheval and Periya
paars, and Is the only suitable place
for fishing the Muttuvarnuttu paar. In
December It Is a waste, given over to
, couple OF hundred poverty stricken
villagers and herds of wild or half
Wild bufEaloee. In January work be-
gins, and by February the miracle Is
wrought. Day after day vessels of
many descriptions arrive from India
and Colombo. disembarking a motley
crowd of pearl merchants, oyster buy
ers, divers, traders and coolies by the
hundreds. BY the magic OF the cad !,
Jam and Of bitter necessity a town
arises, and within a week this pearl
metropolis OF the world has popula-
ion Of 10000 to $1,000 city inhabit-
ID by workers only. A thoughtful
government has already established an
ample police force, a sanitary corps,
hospitals with trained medical staff
'eady for every emergency, minis
racy. postal and telegraphic services,
and harbor masters
,ffice. The main street Is an open
horoughfare 40 feet broad, with shops
IN the one side and the quarters for
he divers on the other. Mr.. Herbert
White. in his recent report to the Cey-
on government, says:
The equipment of the pearl merchant
8 small. 1t consists Of a black or
fright red cloth (oppakku). on which
he pearls are exhibited, pair OF
Gales and weights. and a number OF
ieves Of varying sizes, by means of
which the pearls are valued The on
y other article connected with the
BUSINESS In the bountique is safe.
he cry Of the bazaar is "chipi" oy-
teri; every one Is either investing in
ysters-it may be few to open on the
pot. or a large quantity to be subse-
uently vashed-or else hurrying OF