Indian Antiquary Vol 60

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 102

84
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
MAY, 1931
D'Oyly (Bt.) from the 4th to 13th January, contain muoh matter which is worth preserving, and extracts therefrom are accordingly added here.
Mr. E. H. Man's Report. 4th January-Having embarked myself, Captain Anderson, I.M.S., Mr. D'Oyly, and a Police escort, servants, plant-collectors, convict boatmen, six Andamanese and a trader, the steamer left Nancowry Harbour for Car Nicobar.
5th January.--Anchored at 8 a.m. in Sawi Bay near Mus village. Mr. Solomon, the Government Agent came on board and reported all well. Landed with Census papers and explained to him how to take the Census during the absence of the steamer at the other islands. It was observed by Captain Anderson, that itoh was very prevalent among the natives, and a bad case was noticed among the traders. Advice was given as to how to eradicate the disease. On returning to the steamer, took a canoe and some natives to assist us in landing at the other islands.
6th January. Having left Car Nicobar at midnight, arrived at Chowra at about 7 a.m. Lalu (the former headman) came on board and reported that Tamkoi (the new headman) was absent on a visit to Nancowry. Landed with Captain Anderson and Mr. D'Oyly and took the Census of the inhabitants, who at present appear to number only 522 against 690, the estimated population in 1886. There were no foreigners residing at the island.
7th January.Left Chowra at 5 a.m. and anchored off Bengala (Teressa Island) at 7 a.m. Gibson and his wife came on board and reported all well. Landed and took the Census of Bengala, Eoya and Chanumla. A beacon was fixed on a conspicuous cocoanut tree at Bengala by the officers of the steamer. The vessel then proceeded to Kerawa, where all landed and the Census of the remaining villages of the island was taken. Twelve Burman kopra-makers constituted the entire foreign element on the island.
8th January.- Leaving at 5 a.m., proceeded to Bompoka where the Aung-khyanthagyi (Burmese barquantine) was anchored off Poahat village. Landed there and took Census of the inhabitants of the island. Left at 8 a.m. for Nanoowry harbour, and anchored in Spiteful Bay at 11-30 a.m. Rati Lal came on board and reported that on 24th October last a cocoanut tree fell on to the roof of his quarters, doing much damage. Landed at Inuanga and visited Malacca. Arranged for taking Census on the following day of Nancowry, Trinkat, and of the east and south-west portions of Camorta. Found two baglas at Inuanga, a junk off Trinkat, and a barquantine near the west entrance of Nancowry harbour.
9th January.--Took Census as arranged and found only one foreigner, a Burman trader, who was at Trinkat. Visited the Government station and took note of the damage done to Rati Lal's quarters. Received from Rati Lal a current-slip found a month ago in a bottle on the north-east coast of Camorta; handed this to Lieutenant-Commander Wilson for disposal.
10th January.--Left at 6 a.m. for the east coast of Katchall, where the Census of all the existing villages was taken, and the cave visited. Leaving at 2-30 p.m., reached the anchorage outside Dring Harbour at 3-30 p.m. Landed and took the Census of the northwest of Camorta, excepting Puli Pilau, which must be done on the spot owing to the number of new settlers from Chowra and Teressa. Fresh tracks of buffaloes were discovered near the village, but no animals were seen.
11th January.--Left at 5 a.m. for Kondul, anchoring off that island at 0-30 p.m. Took Census of entire southern group. Ascertained that there were no foreigners at any of these islands. Visited Chinese junk off south-east coast of Little Nicobar, and found that she had obtained a permit to trade. Left at midnight for Katchall.
(To be continued.)