ATLGIRI MILLS. 321 Transfers of land are frequent and easy. Between natives, these are generally effected by the traditional form of conveyance, and in timated to the Settlement officer. But the European practice of conveying by stamped and registered document is becoming popular. The price of land, of course, varies very much according to classgood forest land in the Wainád and Ochterlony valley sometimes reaching £100 an acre; but £2 to £10 an acre is the average auction price for coffee land. The price of land in the Settlement of Utakamand has of late risen very considerably owing to the increased demand for building sites. Natural Calamities. —No famine is ever known to have occurred within the Nilgiri District. But high prices in the plains affect prices here ; and in 1877, serious distress was felt among the poorer classes, European as well as native. Means of Communication.— The District, notwithstanding the difficulties of construction and repair, is fairly supplied with roads; but much yet remains to be done in this respect before the country is fully opened for the introduction of European capital. There are altogether more than 280 miles of road bridged and open for wheeled traffic, of which 180 are on or leading to the plateau, and nearly 82 in South-cast Wainád. The principal Nilgiri lines are the Coonoor ghút rond, and thence to Utakamand, 28 miles; Utakamand to Karkanhali for Vysore, 26; to Gúdalúr, 30; Coonoor to Kotagiri, 12; Ctakamand to Avalanchi, 14; Kotagiri ghilt road, 20. Several other ghits and plateau roads are maintained for pack-bullocks, but are not practicable by carts. A railway from Káliár, at the foot of the ghút, to Coonoor (Kúnúr) had been guaranteed by Government under certain conditions, and the prospectus of the Company had been published; but the promoters failed to raise the required capital on the terms sanctioned, and have made (1883-84) fresh proposals to Government. Janufactures and Trade.—There are no special manufactures in the District, except the weaving of a coarse cotton cloth by the Badagas. Several European industries exist, for local purposes solely; and there are two breweries. The trade consists in the import and sale of European goods and food-stuffs, and the export of tea, coffee, and cinchona, and some garden produce. The principal market, locally called shandy, of the District is held at Utakamand every Tuesday. At Coonoor a shandy is held on Sundays and Tuesdays, and at Kotagiri on Mondays. The Kadu festival of the Todas, at which is performed the annual ceremony for the dead, which consists of dancing and slaughtering buffaloes, is held in different localities. The Badagas and Kotas also have annual festivals, which are attended with dancing and music, sacrifices of sheep, buffaloes, etc. Institutions.- The Nilgiri Library at Utakamand and the Lawrence VOL. X.
