VAGA HILLS 153 now been generally introduced. In 1871, ordinary day-labourers could not be obtained for less than 6d. or yd. a day; skilled artisans, who are imported from Assam or Bengal, demanded £1, 1os. a month. In 1883-8.4, the price of unskilled labour was as high as from is. to 25., and skilled artisans obtained from 25. to 4s. per diem. The excessive rate of wages, indeed, forms the great obstacle to the carrying out of public improvements. In March 1871, best cleaned rice sold for £i per cwt., common rice for gs. 4d. per cwt., and common unhusked paddy for 4s. per cwt. These prices, however, vary greatly according to the season and the state of the market. In 1883-84, the price of common rice was vos. uid. per cwt. Manufactures, etc.—The manufacturing industries of the Nágá Hills are solely confined to the production of the few rude articles required for domestic use. The most important is the weaving of coarse thick cloth of various patterns, the prevailing colours being dark blue, with red and yellow stripes, and brown, with black stripes. The material is either cotton, the fibre of a plant of the nettle species, or the bark of a certain crecper. The wearing is done by the women, on whom also is laid a full share of the burden of agricultural operations, as well as all in-door work. The only ironwork consists of the forging of dáos, kodálís, and spear-heads. Trade is generally conducted by means of barter, and has increased very much both in amount and complexity of recent years. There are no permanent markets, and the profits are entirely in the hands of Márwárí and Muhammadan traders. During the rains, water communication is available by means of the principal rivers. A tolerable road, 67 miles in length, extends from Sámaguting to the river mart of Golághát, in the District of Sibságar; and there are several passes across the southern hills into Cachar and Manipur, over which ponies can be led. A good bridle road has now (1883) been opened out from Dimápur to Kohima. The local products available for export comprise rice, cotton, cloth woven from the nettle fibre, ivory, beeswax, and various dyes obtained from the jungle. In exchange, salt and iron are imported; but the one great desire of every Nágá, to satisfy which he will run any risk and pay any price, is a gun and ammunition. Administration.—The District has been formed so recently, and still remains in such a backward state of civilisation, that the revenue bears a very small proportion to the expenditure. In 1869-70, the receipts from all sources amounted to only £497, which total, however, shows an increase of more than eleven-fold on the year but one previous; the house-tax contributed £430, and the land-tax proper, £55. The expenditure on civil administration in the same year was £6220. In 1881-82, the house-tax and land revenue combined yielded a total revenue of £2496, and in 1883–84 of £2829. The other main items of
