CHAPTER IX.
A FINAL WORD.
Climate
of the Wynaad—European comforts—Our church and our doctor—Apathy of the
Government—Enterprise of the companies —Want of hanking
facilities—Necessity of a railway, and resulting advantages—An excuse
for unfrequency of official reports—Farewell.
And now
my task draws to a conclusion, and I must say a final word or two on
three matters: the climate ; the means of communication; and the
misconception by many at home of the extent of the difficulties
companies have to contend with—the immediate cause of much seemingly
unnecessary delay. In climate the Wynaad will compare favourably with
that of almost any part of India, and is infinitely preferable to the
climate in many centres of European trade. Except during two months of
the year—the middle of March to the middle of May—the district is
tolerably free from fever. The monsoon, or rainy season, begins at the
end of May and lasts till the end of October; the rainfall is very
heavy, but it is not anticipated that mining work will be much
hindered. Surface operations, such as road-
