PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TLC.O. 882
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
No. 35.
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Dr. Montgomery is too old for the active superintendence of the hospital; and I have already had occasion to represent the condition of that establishment.
And although Dr. Powell may be as well qualified as would be any ordinary surgeon who would take the situation at the salary which is given, yet the fact of his being in large practice and frequently absent from the asylum, with no reliable person to supply his place, must necessarily affect the efficiency of the arrangernents of that institution."
Nevertheless, it will be seen that the Chief Medical Officer speaks most favourably of those two officials, and, indeed, of all who are under his supervision.
I am satisfied, however, that there is much ground for disapprobation as to the manage- ment of both of these institutions, and with regard to the supervision that ought to be bestowed upon them. And, although it is difficult to enter into an inquiry which would produce a satisfactory result, in consequence of the impracticability of placing on a Com- mission, medical men who (either in the Civil or Military Departments) are under the Chief Medical Officer; yet it is my intention to pursue that inquiry into the working of the whole Medical Establishments of the Colony, with reference to its sanitary and charit- able institutions; the result of which, at a future time, I hope to transmit.
Civil Commissariat, Mr. Bishop.
Mr. Bishop is the Military as well as the Civil Commissary, and performs all the duties that are required of him with efficiency and satisfaction.
Director of the Botanical Gardens, Mr. Duncan.
Mr. Duncan has a good practical and scientific knowledge of his business, and gives every satisfaction in the department which he fills.
WILLIAM STEVENSON.
Réduit, Mauritius, May 1, 1858.
(Signed)
SUBORDINATE CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS for the Year ending December 31,
Sir,
1857.
No. 1.-Clergy of the Established Church.
[By the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan.]
IN compliance with your Excellency's request I have the honour to send a confidential Report of the Clergy under my charge, and, though several of them are not in the esta- blishment as Government servants, I shall include them all in their capacity as clergymen of the Church of England in this diocese
The Rev. L. H. St. George.-I regret to have to begin with a case which I cannot repro- sent in a favourable light. The Military Chaplain, the Rev. L. H. St. George, has refused to take a license from me, and I have in consequence inhibited him from officiating publicly as a clergyman of the Church of England. The circumstances attending his refusal have been of a very unpleasant character. Before he left England he boasted that he was coming out quite independent of the Bishop in every way; the same kind of language was repeated here so as to excite much attention; and when I wrote to inform him that a day was fixed for the completion of the licenses of the Clergy, requesting him to attend, he replied in a defiant and offensive manner.
Since that time a dying Serjeant of the Royal Artillery Corps was anxious to see me, and at the request of the Colonel in command I visited him, having had much to do with him when discharging the Military Chaplain's duties during the nine months that we were Another offensive note was sent, which I forwarded to his Honour the left without one. Major-General commanding the troops, to whom I had also sent all the previous cor- respondence.
I am at a loss to account for this clergyman's conduct, tending, as it does, so directly to weaken the cause of the Church of England in the colony. Roman Catholic French families in town have already, I am informed, seised upon it as an occasion for disparaging remarks. Such conduct is not only opposed to the constitution and practice of the Church of England, to the solemn vows of the ordination service, and the express terms of the Queen's Royal Letters-Patent, but is also quite inconsistent with the following expression, which Í extract from a letter of the Chaplain-General, introducing Mr. St. George's predecessor to me: "Mr. Walsh will of course consider himself as one of your Lordship's Clergy, though his duties will of necessity be chiefly among the troops.”
The Rev. J. G. R. De Joux, Chaplain of Bells Isle and Vacoas.I consider him to have been for several years one of the greatest benefactors of the ex-apprentice population in the spacious district extending from Curepipe to the Morne, and from Vacoas to the western coast of the island, where large numbers of them have established themselves as squatters. His unwearied seal has enabled him, under God's help, to awaken and partially
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elevate a large portion of that degraded and apathetic race by the means of catechists, itinerating schoolmasters, small schools, and one or two larger central ones, to which during the last year he has added one or two schools of industry. One of these latter has failed, the other is flourishing. Many of his attempts have been thwarted by the want of efficient and persevering helpers, but his sanguine spirit and truly benevolent heart prevent him from yielding to discouragement. His knowledge of medicine is of the greatest service to him in alleviating sorrows to which no one else can, in many cases, attend, and in opening the way for his ministrations as a minister of the Gospel.
The Rev. Philip Pennington, Civil Chaplain at Mahébourg (with Military duty also).— His congregation has, I fear, not been at all augmented from the residents in and around Mahebourg; nor does he seem likely to draw any increase of numbers to it, though there were at one time many who were inquiring into the doctrines and practices of our Church. Mr. Pennington seems to me more suited for joint ministrations in a town parish in Eng- land than for the partly missionary work of a colony like this, with several differnet elements of population in every part of part it.
The Rev. W. L. Mason, Civil Chaplain in Port Louis.—Mr. Mason takes part in the public services and parochial visitation connected with the Cathedral, and has a full share of arduous duty, which he discharges with seal and energy, and is particularly acceptable among the sick and afflicted at the Hospital and elsewhere. I gladly avail myself of this opportunity of recording my grateful sense of the efficient help which he has given me since he resumed his appointment as Chaplain, after retiring from the inspection of the schools.
The Rev. A. Fallet, Seychelles, Civil Chaplain.—I mention this clergyman next, because he is the last of those whose salaries are entirely paid by the Government. His work lies amongst the most discouraging difficulties, from the low moral standard of the people, who have been greatly neglected. He is a very diligent as well as a very able man, and, though very strict in his rule, there were at Mahé 106 communicants on Christmas-day last, and at Praslin, soon afterwards, 89, while he is gathering his congre- gations in four other islands, to be taught and trained in Christian doctrine and duties.
The Rev. Stephen Hobbs, St. Thomas's, Plaines Wilhems. - Mr. Hobbs receives 5OL a-year from the Government, and ministers to the English congregation at St. Thomas's, Plaines Wilhems, on Sunday mornings. He is an Agent of the Church Missionary Society, and has laboured in that capacity for more than seventeen years in Southern India. He is now beginning to make his way among the planters, for the edu- cation and training of the children of the coolies. In a recent tour round the west and south-western extremities of the island, beginning with Petite Rivière and ending with the Savanne, be met with much encouragement, not only from the Protestant proprietors and managers of several large estates, but also from Roman Catholics; and it is probable that he will soon settle in the Savanne altogether, as missionary teacher of the Indians.
The Rev. George Leatherdale, St. John's, Moka.—Mr. Leatherdale performs the duties of Incumbent of the above-named church, and receives 1201. a-year from Government, to meet the same sum furnished by the churchwardens. By the conditions of Sir William Gomm's endowment, by which the salary is partly made up, the clergyman at Moka is expressly bound to attend to the spiritual wants of the labouring classes in the district. In accordance with this excellent stipulation, Mr. Leatherdale avails himself of the oppor- tunities which offer for teaching any of the negroes to whom he has access, and has an Indian catechist, under the supervision of a missionary, to gather the people and to teach their children.
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I now come to the clergy who receive no part of their salary from the Government :- The Rev. J. G. Bichard, Chaplain to the Seamen.-He left a flourishing business to give himself to the work of an evangelist among the seamen in this harbour. Having begun with a weekly service in a dredging vessel, he has now arrived at the happy result of having a ship expressly set apart for a seamen's chapel, in which he holds three services regularly every week, while he visits the sailors on board their ships, in the hospital, and in the prison, with unremitting seal. One of the best testimonies to his usefulness is that of the captains of ships, which often reaches me, expressed in terms of the strongest appro- bation. His salary is paid by the Colonial Church and School Society; the other expenses are made up by voluntary contributions.
The Rev. T. Wheeler, Pamplemousses.-Mr. Wheeler has long been known in Port Louis as a teacher of the usual branches of an English education. He was ordained by me nearly two years ago, and has since that time given as much time as he could spare to the members of the Church of England at Pamplemoussen. Since the beginning of this year he has lived out there, and devotes the whole of Sunday and three days of every week to his ministerial duties. All that I have been able to give him has been 1001, a-year, which has been provided by myself. Mr. Wheeler's good repute in the honourable pro- fession which he has carried on here, makes me hope that he will, with God's blessing, be successful in the sphere in which he is now labouring with much diligence, and, I may add, with much toil at times; for the distances to which he has to go are great.
The Rev. Adolphe Vaudin-Has recently been ordained and sent to the Morna
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference -
C.O. 882
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON;
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District. He is an excellent French scholar, having been educated in the Island of Sark by a Swiss clergyman, who took great pains with him. He has five stations, at which he holds services under Mr. De Joux, in that remote and neglected part of the island. For his salary I am responsible.
Mr. Arthur Taylor.—Mr. Taylor may be regarded as the first regular missionary employed among the Indians here. Being an East Indian himself, and having had a solid education at Madras, and much practical acquaintance with missionary work from his youth, he has proved a most valuable agent among the Tamul Indians, and has been very usefully employed in superintending Tamul schools, one of which is the Government school in Moka-street. His efforts have been directed towards the object of gathering the baptized adults among the coolies into assemblies for Christian instruction, and of pro- viding schools and teachers for the children. In this he has succeeded, through God's blessing, and has now a steadily-increasing congregation, which meets regularly for Chris- tian worship three times every week. There are at present 122 baptised Indians connected
with it.
Mr. Taylor's services in the prisons have been very acceptable; and his good offices are often required in the arrangement of differences, and even in settling matters of litiga- tion among the residents in the town. I consider his gentle, yet earnest and persevering efforts, as among some of the most important appliances brought to bear on that increasing portion of the population. His salary is paid by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, who have recently sent out another accomplished Tamul scholar of the same class as Mr. Taylor, with a diploma from the Missionary College at St. Augus- tine's, Canterbury.
The Rev. G. Husorgé. Has not been quite a year in the island, but has produced a great impression on the Bengalee Indians. He laboured for nine years in Bengal, and is very skilful in the work of schools. Seventy-four Indian children gathered together in his school at Grand River are a proof of the confidence of the parents in his readiness and ability to do their children good. He is supported by the Church Missionary Society.
VINCENT W., MAURITIUS. To his Excellency the Governor.
(Signed)
No. 2.-Roman Catholic Clergy.
[By the Right Rev. W. B. Collier.]
Abbé Masuy.—In Port Louis the Abbé Masuy, who is a Belgian, has, ever since his arrival in 1845, distinguished himself for his qualifications as a preacher, and has, undoubtedly, done much moral good among the higher classes, to whom his discourses have been chiefly addressed.
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Abbé Laval.-The Abbé Laval has devoted himself principally to the class of the ex-apprentis," or emancipated slaves, and has been instrumental in correcting greatly their former prevalent habits of intemperance.
Both the Abbé Masuy and the Abbé Laval are worn out and exhausted with their hard labour continued since their arrival in 1845 and 1841 respectively, and are physically unable to undergo the same amount of fatigue they used to endure ten years ago.
Abbés Hogan and Bardet.—The Abbés Hogan and Bardet are very efficient Priests in Port Louis, and render great service in despatching the laborious work of the Roman Catholic Cathedral, in which there have been performed during the last year, 954 funerals, 293 marriages, and 1,793 baptisms.
Abbés Thévaur and Blanpin. In the country districts, the Abbé Thevaux at Pample- mousses, as well as the Abbé Blanpin at Poudre d'Or, are very punctual in the discharge of their ministerial duties, and give satisfaction both to the public and to myself.
Abbés Lambert, Spellissy, and Thiersé.—In the district of Hacq, the exertions of the Abbé Lambert and of the Abbe Spellissy, the one a Frenchman, the other an Irishman, have been productive of much moral good. And I can speak in terms of equal commen- dation of the zeal and exertions of the Abbé Thiersé at Mahébourg.
Abbé Eggermont.-The Abbé Eggermont has laboured hard and successfully in the district of Moka. He has enlarged his church his own exertions, and he has esta- blished peace and harmony among certain members of his parish who were formerly at
variance.
Abbé McDonald.—The Abbé McDonald in Plaines Wilhems has a very extensive district for his parish, and devotes himself unceasingly to the performance of his duties.
Abbés Comway and McGovern.-The Abbé Conway at Souillac, and the Abbé McGovern at Bambous, are laborious Priests, who spare no pain to do good among their flocks. They are the two most unpretending and humble members of the Roman Catholic Clergy, but are nevertheless greatly respected.
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The most prominent feature of the Roman Catholic Clergy is the zeal and courage which they bring to the discharge of their overwhelming duties.
I do not consider it possible for any body of Clergy to obtain from their flocks more respect than the Roman Catholic Clergy of this diocese obtain.
To myself, every one of the Priests show the most prompt and willing obedience.
+ W. B. ALLEN COLLIER,
(Signed)
Roman Catholic Bishop.
No. 3.-District Court-House, Port Louis.
[By H. M. Self, Esq.]
Mr. Girandeau, Clerk of the Court. Has performed the duties of his office to my entire satisfaction. He is under security in the sum of 5001. for the due performance of such duties, which cousist in taking charge of all moneys paid into Court whether on private accounts or for Government; in having the custody of the Records of the Court; in attending in Court in Civil Sittings and upon the Magistrate in Chambers when necessary; in making up the jurors' book and issuing the necessary summonses, and in the super- intendence of all the work done in the office of the Court. He was several years the Registrar of the late Peace Court, and previously to that was in the office of the late Mr. D'Epenay, then Procureur and Advocate-General. He has been with me for six years, and has seen other district clerks of a far less standing in the service of Government, and whose qualifications did not, in my opinion, exceed his own, passed over his head. I can recommend him to your Excellency for promotion.
Mr. Pakenham, Deputy Clerk.-This gentleman, formerly an officer in a regiment of Cavalry in the service of the East India Company, and who had never been in Govern- ment employ, was sent to my office upon the suspension of Mr. Evelyn in February 1857. We had to teach him his business, of which he naturally could know nothing. He remained with me four months, and was then removed to the chambers of the Chief Judge, where he still is, but drawing half salary from my office to the prejudice of the Acting Deputy, who is doing all the work, and I consider the hardship the more so since I am still ignorant as to the fact whether Mr. Pakenham has ever been confirmed by Her Majesty in the situa- tion of Deputy Clerk.
Mr. Laroche, Acting Deputy Clerk.—Joined this department in July 1857. His duties are, taxing bills of costs; issuing warrants of seizure against property; summonses after unsatisfied judgments and orders for attachment of moneys in the hands of third parties; receiving informations and issuing process in cases of contravention of the Excise laws; receiving and placing oppositions against departures from the colony; affixing and remov- ing seals on the property of deceased persons: he also replaces the Clerk in Court or Chambers when the latter is unavoidably absent. I have had every reason to be satisfied with Mr. Laroche. His attendance at office is very exact, and he is fully competent to perform the duties of his present situation.
Mr. Paton, Acting Assistant Clerk-Receives the plaints and issues the summonses thereon to the defendants and witnesses. Keeps the cause book; draws up bonds for security upon the departures from the colony; makes copies of the Magistrate's orders to the officer of the Civil Status under Ordinance No. 21 of 1853. He also, in the first instance, receives the Court fees upon the plaints and bonds, for which he accounts to the Clerk. He was promoted to his present place on the 13th of March, 1856, upon the removal of Mr. Singery to the Clerkship at Rivière du Rempart. He is a very intelligent and excellent clerk, and as it does not appear likely that Mr. Singery will return to this office, I would beg to submit that Mr. Paton be confirmed as Assistant Clerk. I consider that he really merits this as a reward for his assiduity.
Mr. Drenning, Acting Marine Clerk Joined this department in November last. I exclusively charged with the business of the Marine Branch, and when not so employed, gives his assistance in the performance of the general duties of the office. He is very attentive, and should Mr. Paton be confirmed by your Excellency, I would propose that he be named Marine Clerk.
John Joachim, Interpreter of Indian Languages.-Conduct good, and attendance very regular.
H. M. SELF, Senior District Magistrate,
(Signed)