659
184 25
6
1
$
497 3 4
1,689
597
178 3 5
491 98
295
*
2,556
762 2 54
1 1
3-4
Total -
5,668 36
38
*VI.-COPIES OF NOTES OF EVIDENCE Taken,
Nildandahinna, July 11, 1889. Mr. J. Whitefoord says:-I have been in this neighbourhood since 1878. The people were in bad circumstances then. I have been in many villages and have seen that the people were in a very poor state, and were unable, often, to work. But I cannot state how many deaths have arisen from destitution, although I know, from information given to me at the time touching particular people whom I have missed, that many died of destitution. I cau only say, in a general way, as the result of personal observation, that there is less cultivation than there was 10 years ago, and that the people are in a much worse state than then. I believe that the tax was excessive. I can only state this generally. I cannot specify particular fields which are overtaxed. presume I have come to the conclusion that the people have fewer resources now. Their coffee gardens have disappeared, and they have not the same opportunity of employment in clearing jungle on estates which they used to have. The people at work on the relief works here are physically incapable for doing a proper day's work on an estate. Seventy- three were once sent to me when I gave notice that I would employ Sinhalese labour,
but not more than seven were fit to work.
Mr. Whitefoord also adds, in reference to his letter published in the "Independent," that he is not prepared to give the names of any persons who died of starvation, but that what he meant was that he could easily procure such information, and even now, if asked, can do so.
Nildandabinna, July 12, 1889.
Bastian Perera says:-I live at Munwatta, in Uda Héwáheta, but I have land in Walapane. I have resided in this country for 32 years, 15 of which I have lived in Nildandahinna. When I first came the people were in a flourishing state. Distress first appeared about 12 years ago; it gradually increased, and became serious about seven years ago. The people chiefly depended upon the produce of their coffee gardens, which began to fail about 12 years ago. As the coffee gardens ceased to yield, the people became more and more dependent on their fields; when their fields came to be sold, seven years ago, they began to leave the district; some died of starvation; and some, when they became ill owing to insufficiency of food, had no means of procuring medical relief or other assistance. The fields were sold because the tax fell into arrear. The tax fell into arrear because, being wholly dependent on the produce of their fields, the people found such produce barely sufficient for their support, and they could not pay the tax. Besides the fields, people had chena cultivation. Those who had no fields either chenued or took employment as coolies; there was no lack of employment for them; they helped the well-to-do field owners, and also on estates. The opportunities for employment on coffee estates have decreased gradually during the last 12 years. The produce of the fields and chenas was insufficient for all the people-those who owned and those who did not own fields.
I know that the price of paddy for commutation purposes was raised in 1964 from 18. 4d. to 28. 8d. in Uda Héwábeta. There was no general increase then in the price of grain. Paddy ordinarily sold in the market at from Re. 1:25 to Re. 1:50, but at harvest time 62 to 65 cents was the usual price. Those who borrowed in advance agreed to give paddy at the rate of a bushel for 50 cents. Whilst coffee was flourishing people had no need to contract loans on such terms.
I cannot particularise cases in which people whose fields were sold died from con- sequent starvation, except 10 or 15 cases; but I know from general rumour that many died in such circumstances.
I know that Ketakanduró Kórá'a, who owned the field Munamalgasarawa, of one amunam in extent, was ill for a long time for want of nourishment, and died three years after the sale of his land. I bought the field, and during those three years used to help him from time to time. His wife and his two children now wander from place to place working in different capacities. He was a well to-do man before his field was sold; it
was a fertile field.
Kapurala, of Yatimadura, owned Palléwattakumbura of two pelas; was beggared, and whilst on his way back to his village from begging he died on the patanas. He used to cultivate the field and chenas. I know his child was found sitting near the body.
Siyatu, of Udamadure, had a field which was sold, and he died at Andawela, by the side of a paddy field, three years ago. I do not know the name of the field. The villagers of Uḍamadure took charge of his child.
I
62068.
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