INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

236 APPENDIX.
vation wages of three-halfpence daily, payment being
irregular.
" Inform me immediately amount of labourer's daily
pay, and price of rice at Durbungah.
" Message adds that shortness of money in loeal tressury
threatell8 collapse of transport and public works.
,. Telegraph whether this is true."
From the Viceroy, Calcutta, to the Sect;etary of State for
India. Sent March 2d, receiver! March 2d, 1874.
"Your telegram 28th. Sir R. Temple, who is here,
informs me that rice at Durbungah sold at 11 to 12
seers, of 2 pound!!, the rupee. ~[urwa, kind of pulse
much consumed by relief labourers, 12 to 13 seer8 the
rupee. Wages of relief labourers, one and a half annas
per diem (equal to two and a quarter pounds of rice).
Something less for women or children. Usually whole
family works. One bad case of irregular payment occurred
from mistake of officers concerned; remedied
immediately on discovery. LabOllreI'!! paid daily.
European supervision for all relief-works impossible.
Cash in Durbungah treasury, from large dbbursements,
run low; will be fully supplied. No danger whatever
to transport from this."
"SEETAMI:R8EE, Thursday.
"I have ju,t seen the Viceroy's reply to Lord Salisbury's
telegram of the 28th February as to my Durhungah
statements.