PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :--
C.O. 882
3
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH——NOT TO
( 54 )
At present Africans have to prosecute any complaints personally and have to pay for summons and subpuna, and conduct their case personally in Court against a master. This is too great a disadvantage. The Inspector of Africans should be empowered to t and prosecute for Africans gratis, if they prefer it, but if they wish to prosecute in person they must pay. It would not do for Africans relieved of the expense of process, to be able to prosecute personally in court, it might lead to abuse. I would not take from them the power of personal complaint if they prefer it, or in case the Inspector should refuse, deeming they had no case. At the same time they have not always the necessary money or ability to act themselves.
There is an impression among the officers of the fleet, I have conversed with, and others from abroad, that our system of allotment is unfair, the period of forced service being considered too long. I have much doubt however of the advisability of altering the arrangement which was come to after the most careful consideration.
I have to recommend to your Excellency the services of Mr. Leipsic, the Acting Inspector of Africans, and I consider he is
4 fit person to continue in the post as Inspector of Africans.
I consider the post, however, one that should not be looked upon as permanent by an individual holder.
The appointment should then be renewed every three years, by the Governor, on the same person or otherwise.
His Excellency Major-General
I have, &c. (Signed) C. S. SALMON,
Chief Civil Commissioner, Seychelles.
Sir, P Phavre, K.C.S.L, C.B., Governor.
AGE
WAGES PER MONTH TO AFRICANS.
Males.
I'er month
Females.
1st year
2nd year.
3rd year.
4th year.
5th year.
6th year.
7th year.
8th year.
9th year.
10th year.
[st year.
2nd year.
3rd year.
4th year.
5th year
6th year.
7th year.
9th year.
9th year.
10th year
nder 10 years,
From 10 to 20 years
4 5
11 to 20
4
5
12 to 20
4
5
11
13 to 20
14 to 20 15 to 20
4 5
11
46
11
16 to 21
17 to 22
18 to 23
+1
19 to 24
20 to 25
4990
..
5.
6 K
9
10 12
10 12 13
10 12 13
10 12 13
10 12 14
10 12 14
R
10 12 14
21 to 26
10, 12) 14
1.
21 and upwards
10
12: 14
"
45 and upwards
4
6
8
10 12
SIB,
10
ಕ.
clothing, &c.
12 13 3
11 13
13
wwwwww
440 GO TO 00 00 00 30 OC LO
8. 5.
4.
6
7 8.
4.
J.
3.
9| 10 | 11 | 12
6 7 81 9| 10 12
8 10, 12
6
10 12
9 11
12
10 12
10 12
×
10 12
10
12 13
10 12 13
10 12 13
10 12 13
10 12 13
6
8 10
(Signed)
H. LEIPSIC,
Acting Inspector of Africans.
Mahé, October 4th, 1875.
2 | | 1| 1 T
I AM directed by the Governor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated the 30th ultimo tranmitting the report of the Acting Inspector of Africans for the year 1874, dated the 23rd item.
His Excellency has carefully read this Report, and considers that it is well drawn up, full of facts gathered from observation, and has an impartial and moderate tone, which is very creditable to Mr. Leipsic.
On the whole the Governor observes with much satisfaction that the allotted Africans are well treated by the masters to whom they have been entrusted for a
•
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This
limited period. There are some instances where the treatment has been harsh, and this is to be regretted, not only on account of the individuals themselves who have suffered, but also because severe or unfair treatment, even towards a few individuals, spreads abroad among the people of African race a dislike, even a terror, of the position of a labourer, and intensifies the difficulty of the labour question in these islands. difficulty, which arises from an unwillingness on the part of the African to engage his services for regular work is as much to be regretted on his own account, as on that of the employer. And the best interests of these Islands suffer by master and servant not having confidence in each other. His Excellency feels assured that endeavour to bring about a reconciliation between the two parties, but the chief means
you of accomplishing this desirable end rests with the master himself-
will
The points in Mr. Leipsic's Report which especially require notice are as follows:--
1. The inspector of Africans to be empowered to inspect those in domestic service
as well as those retained for field service.
2. The too frequent want of proper care and attention to sick Africans.
3. The supply of clothing in some cases is not sufficient.
4. The hours for working in some cases are excessive, and in two or three cases this has occurred on Sundays which should be a day of rest, and if possible recreation.
5. Women in some instances have been worked harder than they should be.
6. The wages' books require to be kept more regularly than heretofore; forms of such books should be sent to each proprietor, and a notice be issued to each as to what is required. If clothing is supplied to minors entry should be made thereof in the wages' book.
7. Proprietors should be recommended to give opportunities to their servants to receive religious instruction, as far as possible. It is hoped they will do all they can to encourage marriage. In future allotments of men and women the Governor hopes it will be found practicable to provide for this.
All
8. The transfer of allotted Africans, without sanction, should be prohibited.
Africans should be bound to show their tickets to the Inspector when required. The supply of food and of shelter in huts, appears to be on the whole sufficient, but the regulations as to the full ration must be carefully enforced.
44
The Inspector does not explain who the “inhabitants are who will give no information regarding children born of African parents in Seychelles, who are supposed to exist,
44 but were not seen."
The Governor herewith communicates his sanction to the several improvements which you have suggested in your letter now under reply. The whole of these, including the proposed increase in the rate of wages, should be brought before the Board of Civil Commissioners in a draft Regulation. But as marriage fees are payable under the Civil States Ordinance, the legal member (district judge) should be consulted as to the proposed remission of such payments by allotted Africans.
With regard to the existing period of allotted service, namely five years, the Governor does not, on the whole, consider it too long. Liberated slaves arrive, he is informed, generally in a very weakly state, and it requires some time to render them fit to work. A proprietor could scarcely undertake to accept them on the required terms for a shorter period than that stated above. Provided the Inspector looks well after them, the term of five years does not appear excessive.
The Governor approves of your recommendation of Mr. Leipsic, who may continue to act as Inspector of Africans until further orders. His present Report is for the year 1874.
In future the Governor would wish to receive the annual Report not later than three months after the close of the year to which it refers.
In bringing forward the recommendations which have been made to render agricultural labour more readily available for application to the soil of these islands than it has been for some time past, and in order to ensure its continuation for the future, his Excellency requests that you will lay the whole of the papers before the Board of Civil Commis- sioners. He feels assured that the Board will see the advisability of applying the remedies which have been suggested to redress existing defects.
The Chief Civil Commissioner, Seychelles Islands.
G 4
I have, &c. (Signed) H. "GRATTAN.