The Portuguese do not appear to have devoted any attention to these matters: we can find no trace of any efforts on their part to improve the agriculture of Ceylon. It is true, the greater part of the ancient works of the Sinhalese monarchs were situated in districts beyond the territories of the Portuguese, but with those which were in their immediate neighbourhood, nothing whatever appears to have been attempted,

The Dutch, far more skilful as Colonists than their predecessors, and ever mindful of work connected with Agriculture and Commerce, devoted much time and labour to canals, and we have good reason for believing to some of the nearest tanks.

The only light thrown upon their labours in the matter of Irrigation works, is contained in the despatches of the Dutch Governors, published at intervals; but there is no doubt much more valuable information contained in the Dutch records lying in the almirahs of the Colombo Kachcheri. Several reports on the Giant's and other great tanks, by Dutch engineers, are in existence, and have proved of use in the recent engineering operations of our Government.

Although surveys and reports on several important tanks were made in the early part of the British rule, Sir Edward Barnes may be said to have inaugurated Public Works under our Government, by the commencement of the great Kandy Road in 1821. The Péradeniya Bridge, and other useful works followed, but it was not until coffee had drawn so many enterprising cultivators to the Island, that the Department of Public Works assumed any great importance.

STATEMENT of Outlay on Public Works in Ceylon since 1830.

THE following are the miles of roads made during various periods:—

The operation of the Road Ordinance since its introduction in 1848, has, perhaps, done more for the prosperity of Ceylon than any other measure we could name. Thoroughly popular amongst the natives, it has opened up tracts of country hitherto unavailable for wheeled traffic, and has enabled the

P

population of many districts to find a market for their produce that was before left useless on their hands. It would be perhaps impossible to over-rate the value of this measure. STATEMENT of Outlay on Public Works in Ceylon, during 28 years, compared with Ordinary Expenditure.

VOTES of Surplus reserved for Works of Public utility, during 1858.

The above is irrespective of Outlay on Roads, &c., under the Road

Ordinance of 1848.

The paper by Colonel Sykes, to which I before alluded, went to shew, that the East India Company had expended on Public Works in their territories, between the years 18371838 and 1845-1846, a sum averaging £253,654; a large sum, it is true, but if compared with the total Civil expenditure of the Company, after all, only about 1 per cent. on their gross outlay, omiting that on Military objects. In Ceylon, we have this year reached the extraordinary proportion of 34 per cent., with every probability of its exceeding 40 per cent. over total ontlay during the year 1859;-an amount altogether unprecedented in the history of any other Colony or Country.