the shore is lighted up for miles with chools to guide the boats, and guards are
set to prevent the crews landing the oysters, and all the
establishments are of course obliged to be in attendance. In 1857, the
large quantities daily fished, and the combination oh the
part of the buyers, so retarded the sales, that I have been frequently
kept at this work until 10 at night; indeed there are no regular hours
of work, all must attend as the need requires ; the occupation is
incessant and laborious, and only kept up by the excitement of each
day's proceedings.
Anncxure No. 3. (Corrected to 1881). GOVERNMENT ADVERTISEMENT.
Notice
is hereby given that a Pearl Fishery will take place at Silavaturai in
the island of Ceylon, on or about the 20th of February, 1881, and that
the bank to be fished is the north-west Cheval, estimated to contain
oysters sufficient to employ 100 boats for thirty days, with average
loads of 10,000 oysters each per day.
It
is therefore recommended that such boat owners and divers as may wish
to be employed at the said fishery should be at Silavaturai on or
before the 15th February next, and it is notified that the first day's
fishery will take place on or about the 20th of Febrnary, weather
permitting.
The
fishery will be conducted on account of Government, and the oysters put
up to sale in such lots as may be deemed expedient.
The arrangements of the fishery will be the same as have been usual on similar occasions.
All payments to be made in ready money in Ceylon currency.
Drafts
on the Banks in Colombo or Bills on the Agents of this Government in
India at ten days' sight will be taken on letters of credit being
pro-duced to warrant the drawing of such Drafts or Bills.
For
the convenience of purchasers, the Treasurer at Colombo, and the
different Government Agents of Provinces will be authorized to receive
cash deposits from parties intending to become purchasers, and receipts
of these officers will be taken in payment of any sums due on account
of the fishery.
No deposit will be received for a less sum than five hundred rupees.
By His Excellency's Command, Colonial Secretary's Office,
J. DOUGLAS,
Colombo, 9th December, 1880.
Colonial Secretary.
