PUBLIC
RECORD OFFICE
C.O.
Reference :-
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of 1974 as to rates for roads, bridges, and primary education, to provide means for effectually assessing for rate all the classes liable. Under Section IV. of Regulation 4 any number of sub-wardens may be appointed to collect the rates; and under Sections IX., X., and XI. they may visit all parts of the island, make out assessment rolls, and deliver bills of demand. It was considered absolutely necessary with reference to the remote places, where most of those who are liable to pay rate hide themselves, to give the sub-wardens the power in case of nonpayment to point them out for immediate arrest to a constable. An appeal by word of mouth lies to the District Judge under Section XXIV., so that immediate relief can be given if the demand for payment of rate is shown to be wrong. I consider this summary proceeding essentially necessary to the success of the whole plan. Those who are really squatters, who have no bonest livelihood, and who live by habitual thieving, will thus come under observation, be driven from their places of concealment, and will have to labour to pay their dues to Government. Undoubtedly with such a people these measures may take a long time to effect what is wanted, that is, to bring Africans to regular habits of industry, but I think that by steady perseverance in carrying out the regulation, the evils which now exist will be reduced, if not altogether removed, while the funds raised will eventually con- tribute to the instruction of those who so much require it.
10. I may mention that the only difference of opinion in the alteration of the law among the inhabitants of the Seychelles Islands is as regards the " moitié-moitié" tenure. I doubt if half a dozen of the proprietors would now support the former Regulation, though many admit that they were, when it was passed, in favour of it. Mr. Le Marchand, though a member of the Board of Civil Commissioners, was not present when Regulation No. 2 of 1875 was passed.
The Right Honourable
The Earl of Carnarvon.
I have, &c.
A. P. PHAYRE.
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6th. Because it is undeniable that none of the advantages that could be procured by the system of working at halves when well directed, before the promulgation of the said Regulations can now be secured under the conditions of these Regulations. Experience and the results attained prove and demonstrate it.
7th. Because these Regulations, far from ameliorating the condition of the population, has deteriorated it in an extreme degree by leading to the abandonment of small culti- vation (the cultivation of food), which was the only object of the working of half shares, and by vagrancy, the inevitable result of abandoning cultivation, engendering robbery and pillage.
8th. Because also, as a consequence of the abandonment of petty cultivation in conse- quence of the said Regulations, the general population, and especially the poorer classes, suffer more, and this latter is exposed to great misery and to the chance of famine, having always been fed by petty culture, which now fails them, and being unable to live on rice, the price of which often reaches the exorbitant price of nine dollars a bag.
These are the considerations which the undersigned could submit to your Excellency, should you consider it desirable.
But the undersigned humbly but earnestly entreat your Excellency attentively and specially to consider their prayer, and they are persuaded that your Excellency, who is solicitous to ensure the prosperity of the Seychelles and desirous of securing their welfare, will accede to it.
The undersigned have the honour to be your Excellency's
Very humble and obedient servants.
[Signed by 82 persons.]
882
3
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
TO HIS EXCELLENCY SIR ARTHUR PHAYRE, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of
the Island of Mauritius and its Dependencies.
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
THE undersigned inhabitants and proprietors of Seychelles have the honour respectfully to represent,-
That they solicit your Excellency to abrogate Regulations Nos. 9, 10, and of 1874. for the following reasons:
1st. Because they have always considered and consider that these Regulations in their general terms are opposed to the interest of the place.
2nd. Because the system of working by half shares, or half to employer and half to labourer, as it was understood and as it existed before the promulgation of the said Regu- lations, is the only one that can suit and does suit cultivators in general and small proprietors in particular, with the exception of some modifications which might be intro- duced in order to compel the general population to labour and to prevent vagrancy, which modifications your petitioners will take the liberty of submitting to your Excellency should you consider it desirable.
3rd. Because by permitting this working at half shares, as practised up to the pronul gation of Regulations 9 and 10 of 1874, proprietors and occupiers of land could cultivate a notable portion of their lands without any outlay, the produce of such cultivation serving to feed the proprietors and occupiers of lands, their servants and labourers, and the surplus augmenting the food supply of the public in general, advantages of which the proprietors and occupiers of land and the public in general are now deprived, in conse- quence of these Regulations.
4th. Because the small proprietors, who are very numerous in Seychelles, and who are unable from the restricted means to have salaried agricultural labourers, were able to associate one or two working hands at half profit to cultivate their small properties, and furnish them with the means of existence without expense or cost. Of these advantages they are deprived by the above Regulations.
5th. Because the majority of the population of Seychelles is poor, and can only live by laborious daily work.
No. 2 of 1875.
A REGULATION of the BOARD OF CIVIL COMMISSIONERS for the SEYCHELLES ISLANDS to REPEAL REGULATIONS Nos. 9 and 10 of 1874.
WHEREAS it is expedient to repeal Regulation No. 9 of 1874, being a Regulation" for the Registration in certain cases of Persons in occupation of Land and Premises," and Regulation No. 10 of 1874, being a Regulation "to provide for the Registration in certain cases of Leases and Agreements of Property;"
Therefore be it enacted, and it is enacted:
I. Regulation No. 9 of 1874 and Regulation No. 10 of 1874 are hereby repealed. II. This Regulation shall come into force from and after the date of its confirmation by his Excellency the Governor.
Passed by the Board of Civil Commissioners at a Meeting held at Goverment House, Mahé, on Monday the eleventh day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-five.
C. S. SALMON
Chief Civil Commissioner.
A. P. PHAYRE,
Confirmed the 15th day of October 1875,
No. 9 of 1874.
Governor.
A REGULATION of the BOARD OF CIVIL COMMISSIONERS FOR THE SEYCHELLES ISLANDS for the REGISTRATION in certain cases of PERSONS in OCCUPATION of LAND OF PREMISES.
residing, all persoOS
1. Every owner or occupier of land or premises who shall have in occupation of any owners or occupiers land or premises whereof he is the owner or occupier, any person other than one who shall be in occupation of such land or premises in virtue of any lease or agreement, shall declare or notify the name of such person, the nature of the employment (if any) of such person, and so far as possible the number of the family of such person to the warden of the ward wherein the land or premises is situate which is occupied by such
D 2
to declare all persons occupying land, to- gether with the ployment, and, as far
poble, the
nature of their em-
number of their families.