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were also to be supplied on certain points connected with the engineering aspect of the project.

22. The chief engineer laid before us a letter from Lieutenant Walker, civil engineer of the 3rd division, having relation to the first of these three objects. After stating that his removal to Bellary put it out of his power to prepare the plans and estimates required, Lieutenant Walker proceeded to treat of the present defective condition of the inland communication with Sedashegar Harbour, and urged on our attention the necessity of opening out the interior to the port, by means of roads, as an introduction to the improvement of the port itself. He referred more particularly to the roads by the Sengawaree ghaut on the northern bank of the Sedashegar or Black river, ascending to Hulliaul, and by the Kygah ghaut on the southern bank leading to Yellapoor. Lieutenant Walker argued that the harbour in its present state was so excellently adapted for trade, that ships would certainly resort to it, if it were possible to bring down cargo for them; but that without the means of bringing produce from the interior, no improvement of the port could make it a place of trade.

23. Lieutenant Walker proposed that a sum of 50,000 rupees for the Sengawaree ghaut, which he supposed to be in the budget of 1856-57, should be available immediately on the 1st May, and that a further sum of 25,000 rupees should be granted for expenditure in the same year for earth work, on the Kygah ghaut, leaving the estimates for the masonry works to be prepared intermediately for entry in the budget of 1857-58. We observed that Lieutenant Walker was mistaken in supposing that a sum of 50,000 rupees for the Sengawaree ghaut road had been entered in the budget of 1856-57; an estimate of 49,300 rupees for this road had been indeed submitted, but having unfortunately arrived too late for the budget, it was necessarily returned to be sent up again for entry in the budget of 1857-58.

24. We fully admitted the justice of Lieutenant Walker's argument in favour of previous, or at least simultaneously, improvement of the approaches to the port from the land. But under the circumstances above noticed it became unavoidable to postpone the latter work as well as the former for another year.

25. With reference to the lighthouse, we were inclined to prefer placing it on Carwar Head rather than on the Oyster Rocks, as advised by the Marine Board, but thought that if the harbour were formed it might be advisable to have one on each locality. We had desired estimates for both lighthouses to be prepared and sent in at once, and expressed our readiness to sanction a lighthouse and beacon in advance of the rest of the arrangement, calling on the civil engineer for his opinion as to the site on which the first lighthouse should be built. The civil engineer, Lieutenant Walker, has, however, as above observed, been removed to the Bellary district, and has been unable to give his attention to the work. We have not been informed whether his successor in Canara has done anything towards it.

26. The Marine Board recommended that two first-class lights, one for Carwar Head, and one for the Oyster Rocks, should be put in hand at the Arsenal at a cost not exceeding 594 rupees each, and that a column should be erected at each site suited either for an obelisk or to receive a light as might hereafter be settled.

27. The Board stated that if 5,000 rupees were allowed for each of the two columns, this would cover the light as well, supposing apparently that the columns were like that at Cochin, which cost Rs. 4,484. 3. They thought, however, that the columns built at Mangalore and Coomptah should be adopted as patterns, and recommended that authority should be granted to erect them at once at a cost not beyond that (1,800 rupees each) of those above referred to. The total expenses for the two lights and columns would then be (1,800+594)×2=4,788 rupees.

28. We were of opinion that the obelisks would be required in any case, as would at least one of the lights, and the other would be always useful to have for employment elsewhere, if not wanted at Sedashegar. We therefore authorized the construction of two first-class lights at the cost of 594 rupees each, and desired that they might be immediately put in hand at the arsenal at Madras.

29. In reply to our inquiry as to how these two lights could be distinguished from each other, the Marine Board proposed that the light to be exhibited on the Oyster Rocks should be a plain white light of the first-class, and the one on Carwar Head a bright red light of the same class, a distinction which they were of opinion would prove sufficient for the safety of vessels approaching the coast. We approved of this proposition, and directed that two first-class lights of the description suggested, i.e., one with red and one with white glass should be constructed at the grand arsenal.

30. We have called upon the chief engineer, through the Department of Public Works, to submit at once estimates for the erection of two columns, one at Carwar Head and the other at the Oyster Rocks, on the pattern of those at Mangalore and Coompstal, such as may be suited either for an obelisk or to receive a light.

31. We have, at the suggestion of the Marine Board, authorised the chief engineer to strike off 350 copies of each of the charts of Sedashegar Bay and Beitkul Cove, and to forward them to the Board for distribution. Ten copies of each chart are now sent to your Honourable Court.

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EXTRACT DESPATCH in the Marine Department to the Government of Madras,
No. 15, dated 18 May 1858.

14 to 31. Projected formation of a Harbour of Refuge at Beitkul Cove, in Sedashegar Bay, off North Canara, proposed by Lt. A. D. Taylor, 1.N., by means of two breakwaters in

different directions.

10. We gather from these papers, that the plan recommended by Lieutenant Taylor for forming this harbour by means of two breakwaters, is not sufficiently matured to be submitted to the Government of India. We, therefore, abstain from entering into a discussion of the entire project, until the information on all the points involved in it is laid before us. The only portion of the scheme which calls for immediate consideration, is that relating to the exhibition of lights which are recommended both on the Carwar Head, and one on the Oyster Rocks, which lie in a westerly direction from the shore, and are more to seaward than the other site proposed for the lighthouse. The near proximity of these positions to each other (the intervening distance being about three miles only), would, it appears to us, make it unnecessary to build more than one lighthouse off Sedashegar. Lieutenant Taylor recommends that a lighthouse should be built on Carwar Head, which is 640 feet high, whilst the Marine Board, following Captain Biden, advise its being erected on the largest of the Oyster Rocks, with a beacon or obelisk on Carwar Head. Captain Biden in a minute transmitted with these papers, regarding Lieutenant Taylor's plan and survey of Beitkul Cove, remarks "the outer or western Oyster Rock offers a better site for the erection of a lighthouse than Carwar Head, as that position is upwards of three miles to seaward, and in thick weather the discovery of a light indicating the approach to danger so much further to windward, would be a great advantage; I would, therefore, recommend calling Lieutenant Taylor's attention to this suggestion. The Oyster Rock is 160 feet above the level of the sea, which is a sufficient elevation for the display of a light." We presume that whether a harbour of refuge at Beitkul Cove shall be determined upon or not, a good light in that neighbourhood would be very useful to the shipping in general navigating the coast, and not merely for the vessels expected to frequent the projected harbour. In this view of the subject it seems to us that the dangers most to seaward ought to be especially guarded against. We therefore approve of the western outer Oyster Rock, as the most eligible site for the intended lighthouse; when the harbour of refuge shall have been constructed, a smaller light to guide vessels to the anchorage may be added in the position best suited for that purpose.

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PUBLIC WORKS' LETTER from Madras, dated 16 April 1858, (No. 9.)

Para. 1. IN paras. 14 to 31 of our letter in the Marine Department, dated 7th October 1856, No. 22, we had the honour of bringing under your notice a report by Lieutenant Taylor of the Indian Navy on the subject of forming a Harbour of Refuge at Beitcul Cove, in Sedashegar Bay of North Canara, we informed you that the project, as then brought before us, appeared to be promising; that we had required the civil engineer to prepare, in communication with Lieutenant Taylor, plans and estimates for the breakwater, lighthouse, canal, and other works proposed, for the harbour; and that we had called on the collector through the Board of Revenue to supply information regarding the amount of shipping for which a harbour would be required, and the extent of the trade which would be promoted by it.

2. As regards the former of these requisitions, your honourable court were informed, that in consequence of Lieutenant Walker's removal to Bellary, it was not in his power to meet our call for plans and estimates, but that he had given an account of the defective condition of the inland communication with Sedashegar Harbour, and had urged on us the necessity of opening out the interior to the port by means of roads, referring more particularly to those by the Singwaree and Kygah Ghauts, as an introduction to the improvement of the port itself.

P. W. 25 April 1856, Nos. 53, 54
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128-130

3. We have now the honour of submitting the further papers bearing on the subject, recorded in the consultations of the dates noted in the margin. In their proceedings of the 22d June last, the Board of Revenue submitted the result of their correspondence with the acting collector of Canara, and that officer's correspondence with the collector of Dharwar, the superintendent of the Nugger Division in Mysore, Mr. Brice, a merchant in Canara, and the Chamber of Commerce at Bombay. The Board failed to elicit specific information on the points indicated by us, viz., as to the amount of shipping for which a harbour was required, and an estimate of the trade which would be created by such a work; but they were nevertheless in favour of the project, considering that the papers furnished by them supplied sufficient grounds for the formation of the projected harbour.

4. The acting collector furnished an abstract of the opinions of the different authorities consulted by him; and from it we gathered, notwithstanding a difference of sentiment in some respects, that the formation of a barbour at Beitcul would be advantageous to the shipping and commercial interests of the western coast, and to the trade of the countries bordering on it, provided that direct communication were maintained with the interior. The collector of Dharwar, equally with Mr. Fisher, was warmly in favour of the work; and the latter, in addition to the improvements of the roads, suggested the formation of a coast canal, in order fully to develope the cotton trade of Dharwar, Bellary, and the Dooab. By this means also it was represented, that the port of Beitcul would be made valuable to Canara, Mysore, Coorg, Malabar, and even the countries to the south of the last-named province; and Mr. Fisher remarked that the canal alone, even if no artificial harbour were constructed at Beitcul, would be a desirable local improvement, as it would form a highway connecting the numerous rivers, which now offered serious impediment to uninterrupted communication along the coast.

*

*

5. Although the papers before us did not give a unanimous support to the proposed work, we saw in them sufficient to convince us that the project was worthy of very full and careful investigation. The present aspect of affairs forbade the immediate undertaking of a project, which could not but be costly from its very nature, but as we did not wish at the same time, that it should be lost sight of, we thought that the interval that must ensue before the country could recover from the present financial pressure, could not be better employed, than in collecting further and more satisfactory data, to determine the utility and probable expense of the harbour works, and the necessity of those auxiliary improvements which were represented to be essential to develope the main work. With this view, therefore, we resolved to communicate to Colonel A. T. Cotton,

all

all the papers on this topic, and we requested him to take the whole subject into his deliberate consideration, and place his opinion before Government.

*

6. Amongst the papers transmitted will be found a further report by Lieutenant Taylor, of the Indian Navy, on the harbours and rivers of Canara, in which he alludes to the advantages of the Beitcul Harbour, and recommends, in partial modification of his former views, that any works to be undertaken at this place should be on a large scale. In pursuance of our previous resolution, we forwarded this report also to Colonel A. T. Cotton for any remarks that he might wish to offer.

Your

7. Since the date of these papers, we have been furnished with a copy of your Honourable Court's letter to the Government of india, dated 14th October 1857, No 42, and of the communication of the cotton supply association which accompanied it. The proposals of the association refer to two projects, the formation. of a harbour at Beitcul, and the navigation of the Godavery river. Honourable Court are aware that both these projects have engaged our attention for some time, and that in our proceedings we have recorded opinions strongly in favour of the advantages to be anticipated from them. It is unnecessary to recapitulate these opinions, as they are given in our reply to the Government of India, to which we beg to refer you.

Enclosures in No. 3.

No. 128.-READ the following Extract from the Proceedings of the Right Honourable the Governor-General of India in Council, in the Public Works Department (Public), under date the 16th January 1858, No. 271.

Read a Despatch from the Honourable the Court of Directors, No. 42, dated 14th October 1857, forwarding a communication from an association organised in the manufacturing districts for facilitating the importation of Indian cotton.

Order.-Ordered, that a copy of the above Despatch, and of paragraphs 6, 9, 10, and 11 of its enclosure, be forwarded to the Government of Fort Saint George for their remarks and suggestions in reference to the last paragraph of the Court's despatch.

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WE transmit herewith for your information copy of a paper which has been placed before us by an association which has been organised in the manufacturing districts, having for its object the promotion of measures for obtaining an increased supply of cotton, of improved quality and at a reduced price, from all localities capable of producing that important staple.

2. Most, if not all, of the projects advocated by the association in the paper now submitted have been already brought under your consideration and that of the local Governments. Such of them as will expedite and cheapen the conveyance of cotton to the coast, and its shipment at the port of export, and can be executed at a comparatively small expenditure, will, of course, receive your attention whenever you are in a position to resume the execution of useful public works; and we hereby authorise you to communicate to the Governments of Fort Saint George and Bombay your sanction to their undertaking, or authorizing those of the works enumerated which you may feel convinced will really encourage private enterprise to provide the money which is requisite to extend the fertility of the Indian cotton field.

London, 14th October 1857.

We are, &c. (signed)

Already presented, see 234 of 1859, p. 57.

R. D. Mangles,
F. Currie,

and other Directors.

£. 30,000.

EXTRACT from the Proposals of the Cotton Supply Association.

6. The formation of a harbour at Sedashegar, with roads into the interior towards the great cotton district of Dharwar.

We are informed that this proposal has been strongly recommended by the principal engineers and naval officers of the company, and that the site was visited last season by Lord Harris, the Governor of Madras. It is understood to afford the finest shipping port between Bombay and Ceylon, and opens conveniently into the cotton-growing districts of Belgaum and Dharwar, and that it has been strongly recommended by Lieutenants Selby and Taylor, and by the principal officers of the Madras Engineers. We have also been informed that the Court of Directors are in possession of estimates for this work.

The importance and value of this port would appear to justify the expenditure upon its harbour and its approaches of 30,000 7., and as large a sum might be usefully applied upon roads from thence into the interior of this highly productive cotton soil.

No. 129.-ORDER thereon, No. 434; dated 11th March 1858.

Para. 1. With these proceedings, the Government of India communicate a despatch from the Honourable Court of Directors, dated 14th October 1857, No. 42, with certain proposals made to that authority by an association organised in the manufacturing districts, with the object of promoting measures for facilitating the importation of Indian cotton. The proposals of the association bear upon two projects.

First. The formation of a harbour at Sedashegar, with roads into the interior towards the great cotton district of Dharwar.

2. In the concluding para. of the despatch, in reference to which the Government of India invite the remarks and suggestions of this Government, the Honourable Court, after adverting to the projects advocated by the association, observe, that such of them as will cheapen the conveyance of cotton to the coast, and its shipment at the port of export, and can be executed at a comparatively small expenditure, should receive attention when the state of affairs admits of the execution of useful public works being resumed; they then, in conclusion, authorise the Government of India to sanction such of the works as they may feel convinced will really encourage "private enterprise to provide the money which is requisite to extend the fertility of the Indian cotton-field."

3. The papers noted in the margin refer to the first of the two projects above named, viz., the formation of a harbour of refuge at Beitcul Cove, in Sedashegar Bay of North Canara. The Government have already recognised the 53-54 importance of improving this harbour, and, in Extract Minutes Consultation, 23rd April 1856, No. 551, they agreed with the District Engineer 16-17 that the opening of roads from the interior to the port was a necessary preliminary to the improvement of the port itself.

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P. W. Cons. 8 Jan. 1856, No. 42-43
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4. Since then, the Government have received the report of Lieutenant Taylor, of the Indian Navy, on the harbour and rivers of Canara, in which the subject of the Beitcul harbour is alluded to. They have also received the proceedings of the Board of Revenue, giving cover to a letter from the Collector of Canara, on the advantages that may be anticipated from the formation of a harbour of refuge at this place, and communicating their own views on the subject. Previous to making this report, the Collector of Canara had consulted the Collectors of Bellary and Dharwar, the Superintendent of Nugger, in Mysore, the Chamber of Commerce at Bombay, and Mr. Brice, a merchant on the Canara coast; and although the opinions expressed by them did not give unanimous support to the formation of the harbour, there was sufficient in them to convince the Government that the project was worthy of very full and careful investigation. The Government resolved, therefore, in reference to the financial pressure which precluded costly works being undertaken for some time to come, to employ the interval in collecting further and more satisfactory data, to determine the utility and probable expense of the harbour works, and the necessity of those auxiliary improvements which were represented to be essential to develope the main work; they accordingly transmitted, on the 14th August last, all the papers bearing on the subject to Colonel A. T. Cotton, with a request that he would take the whole subject into his deliberate consideration, and place his opinion before Government.

5. As the subject is now engaging the attention of the commercial classes in England, and the home authorities have permitted the Government of India a latitude in the matter, the Right Honourable the Governor in Council is of opinion that no delay should now take place in coming to a decision on the question; Colonel A. T. Cotton communicated his views and suggestions on the Beitcul harbour project, and the Right Honourable the Governor in Council proposes to give the subject his early consideration.

6. It may be remarked here, as bearing on the question at issue, that an estimate of 36,021 rupees for opening a canal from the Tuddry river to. Coompta, for the purpose of facilitating

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