Aus:
The Money Market Review, 30. Mai 1868. S. 589/590.
Schließen

The half yearly Reports of the Madras and East India Irrigation Cos.

Until the assumption of the Gvt. of India by the Crown there was no fixed policy for the general extension of irrigation works. Though the Crown succeeded the Co. in 1858, it was not until 1861, that the famine in the North Western Provinces revealed the necessity of irrigation. Five year years afterwards the more deplorable famine of 1866. Erst 1867 und 1868 absolute sanction given by Gvt. to all needful extensions of the practice. For the delay in the irrigation of Madras and Orissa, these Cos. not responsible. The character of the works they are constructing make full amends in durability and efficiency. … The Gvt. has decreed the systematic irrigation of India because it is the best security for the public revenue; and these Cos., in the territories which they cover, are providing an indefinite number of canals from several rivers which will provide every acre of every estate, at the hottest seasons, with ample supplies of the fertilising element. … The two great instruments to prevent famines are irrigation and roads, inasmuch as they constitute the means of producing and distributing food. As to roads, the old East India Co. replied, that owing to a want of stone the means of making good roads did not exist. (in Bengal) The same thing was said of other provinces. Violent disputes always occurred when the wretched vehicles of the country proceeding in opposite directions met in nullahs – torrents during the monsoons, but narrow gorges in dry seasons – from the impossibility of their passing each other. These natural tracks are gradually being superseded now; and Bengal presents at this time a very different aspect in this particular to what it did 30 years ago. By means of its internal communications, some of which are tidal channels constructed by one of these Cos, stone is being brought into it.