8395
183
2395
No. 134.
ACTING-GOVERNOR SIR G. BOWER to MR. LYTTELTON.
(Received 12.10 p.m., March 9, 1904.) ́.
TELEGRAM.
[Ansiered by No. 137.]
Following resolutions have been presented to me this day by deputation repre- senting a public meeting held on 7th March with a request that they be telegraphed
to you:-
Inhabitants of Rivière du Rempart, Pamplemousses and Flacq districts are concerned that the Secretary of State for the Colonies has not authorized for the present construction of proposed branch railways in their districts; they consider delay in construction most detrimental to their interests; small planters will be unable to transport their canes to mills during the next harvest as surra is again raging, and threatens destruction of remaining beasts of burden; most of them were compelled last year to draw their carts themselves, but doubt whether they will be able to do so again without danger to their lives; planters, specially small planters, hope that the Secretary of State for the Colonies will be pleased to authorize the Officer Administering the Government to start work at once as in case of Black River; their fate depends on these lines; the planters request that first plans prepared by Surveyor- General, that is Pamplemousses-Poudre d'Or and Pamplemousses-St. Julien be adopted rather than curtailed project Mapou-Australia and Poudre d'Or-le Val.
I have received also letter from member Grand Port expressing hope that you will authorise construction of Mare d'Albert-Cent Gaulettes line for same reasons.
8520
No. 135.
ACTING GOVERNOR SIR G. BOWER to MR. LYTTELTON. (Received 10.34 a.m., March 10, 1904.) TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 142.]
Referring to your telegram of 25th February,* Loan Ordinance passed 8th March. Request Crown Agents be instructed to raise loan for Black River Railway, £40,000; drainage, £23,500; Mare-aux-Vacoas, £17,000; re-afforestation, £110,000; on most advantageous terms at earliest possible date.
No. 137.
MR. LYTTELTON to Acting Governor SIR G. BOWER.
(Sent 5.30 p.m., March 12, 1904.)
TELEGRAM.
In answer to your telegrams of 8th March, 9th March and 12th March,* you should publish telegrams referred to; also my confidential despatch of 8th February† and such portions of my predecessor's confidential despatch of 6th Julyt as you think best. Regret that am unable to reconsider decision.
9253
No. 138. MAURITIUS.
CROWN AGENTS to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received March 15, 1904.)
[Answered by No. 141.]
SIR,
Whitehall Gardens, London, S.W., March 14, 1904. I HAVE the honour to inform you that in accordance with the instructions contained in your letter of the 10th February, we drew upon the Govern- ment of Mauritius by telegraphic transfer for Rs. 400,000, realising the sum of £26,442, which amount was duly placed to the credit of the Mauritius account.
2. The Colony is now again considerably overdrawn and we have in addition made advances to the full extent of the borrowing power of £225,200, viz., £185,200, under Ordinances, 34 of 1902, and 1 of 1903, and £40,000 under Ordinance, 19 of 1903. It must also be borne in mind that on the 1st August next, £101,200 has to be provided for the redemption of the short-dated 4 per cent. debentures expiring on that date.
3. It is evident, therefore, that the Colony should remit to us largely, and we would suggest that a despatch should be sent to the Governor in order that he may state how he proposes to deal with the requirements of the Colony.
I have, &c.,
9581
No. 139.
E. E. BLAKE.
8971
No. 136.
ACTING GOVERNOR SIR G. BOWER to MR. LYTTELTON. (Received 10.46 a.m., March 12, 1904.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 137.]
Confidential. Referring to my telegram of 8th Marcht your confidential despatch of 8th February received this day. After perusal, I think it best to omit your despatch of 8th February‡ and all confidential references in papers to he presented to Council of Government. Do you agree? Reply by telegraph as I am being pressed. Please reply also to my telegram of 11th March.§
ACTING GOVERNOR SIR G. BOWER to MR. LYTTELTON. (Received March 17, 1904.) [Answered by Nos. 162 and 163.]
(Confidential.)
SIR,
Government House, Mauritius, February 3, 1904.
I HAVE the honour to acquaint you that the following motion was carried, on the 2nd instant, in the Council of Government by a majority of 12 to 9:
That a Commission be appointed to enquire into the condition of the 'small planters' and to devise means to ameliorate that condition as far as it may be possible to do so.'
2. The motion, though it received my personal support, was left an open question and the Government members were left free to speak and vote as they thought fit on the subject.
3. I will forward the report of the debate as soon as it has been printed.
4. I think, however, that it is desirable I should explain the circumstances which induced me to give my personal sympathy to this motion.
• No. 131.
† No. 133.
‡ No. 126.
§ 8841 not printed.
* Nus. 133, 131, and 136.
↑ No. 126.
‡ No. 91.
§ 4219 not printed
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