PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
'T ། ། ། ། །
198
Enclosure 2 in No. 151.
SURVEYOR-GENERAL to ACTing Colonial Secretary.
(No. A./272.)
199
I am to inform you that the financial position of the sugar industry and of the Colony is under Mr. Lyttelton's consideration, and that he is awaiting further details from the Officer Administering the Government.
In
12480
March 16, 1904. What you ask me to do is a big work, which will take some time. The three lines must be pegged out, a complete section of each line must be made, together with a detailed plan showing the bridges and culverts, sidings, stations, &c. a word the consulting engineers must have before them all the required data to be in a position to advise. These data, which will not be found in the plans and sections, must be supplied by the specifications. I began the pegging out of the Black River line in July of last year. It is not finished yet. As the interested owners give their lands for nothing for the passage of the line, they all ask that the pegging out be so made as to cause them as little inconvenience as possible. That takes much time. Even in hurrying matters, I cannot take less than eight months for the Poudre d'Or The Vale line, six months for the Mapou-Australia, and four months for the Mare d'Albert-Cent Gaulettes, with one surveyor on each line. Now, in making the three surveyors work on the same line at the same time, finish one line and then take up another one, which I intend doing, I will take six months for the three lines. I submit the following staff to be appointed to do the work:
1st. Superintendent of the surveying work.-Mr. G. de Coriolis, with an extra remuneration of 300 rupees per mensem, for six months
-
No. 153.
I am, &c.,
H. BERTRAM COX.
MR. LYTTELTON to ACTING GOVERNOR SIR G. BOWER. (No. 90.)
Downing Street, April 22, 1904.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 90, of the 11th ultimo,* forwarding a copy of a Minute by the Surveyor-General with regard to rolling-stock for the Black River Railway.
You will, of course, see that the railway is furnished with sufficient rolling- stock for absolutely necessary requirements and for enabling the Government to carry out its contractual obligations.
I have, &c.,
ALFRED LYTTELTON.
Reference :-
C.O. 882
8
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
2nd. Railway surveyor.-Mr. Frank Parsons, with a salary of
Rs. 300 per mensem, for the six months 3rd. Two assistant railway surveyors at Rs. 200 per mensem for
the six months (I will submit their names later on)
Rs. 1,800
1,800
14482
--
2,400
Rs. 6,000
2. Now, provision must be made for the payment of surveyors' allowances, conveyance and men and pegging and drawing expenses,
6,000
Total
Rs. 12,000
say
If that sum is put at my disposal, all the necessary data and plans will be forwarded to you on or about the 1st October next. The works would be started on the 1st of April next.
3. As regards my remuneration, I must point out that it is much less than what I was allowed for the study of the Pamplemousses-St. Julien and Poudre d'Or The Vale Pamplemousses line by Rs. 2,000 per annum for each line or Rs. 333.33 per mensem for both lines. At that rate I would be entitled to Rs. 500 per mensem for the three lines in question. I am willing to undertake the present work at a reduced rate for the sake of assisting the Government. A railway engineer from England would cost the Government Rs. 1,500 per menscm with the refund of his passage money.
13347
SIR,
No. 152.
G. DE CORIOLIS,
Surveyor-General.
COLONIAL OFFICE to THE CREDIT FONCIER OF MAURITIUS.
Downing Street, April 21, 1904.
I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th instant,* with regard to the repayment of the instalment of the loan to Mauritius sugar planters and others, which falls due on the 30th of June next.
No. 150.
No. 154.
ACTING GOVERNOR SIR G. BOWER to MR. LYTTEĻTON. (Received 11.42 a.m., April 23, 1904.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by Nos. 156 and 163.]
Confidential. As you will shortly decide on the proposals contained in my confidential despatch of 26th March,† I deem it right to inform you that crisis has developed since that despatch was written. Owing to suspension of credit several estates have had great difficulty in paying and feeding Indians.
This month I do not believe that all will succeed in doing so. Next month, if they fail to do so, heavy responsibility will be placed on the Government which they have neither machinery nor the capacity to discharge. I am aware that the respon- sibility I incur in recommending appointment of Committee which involves imme- diate recognition of principle of at least partial postponement, but, in view of the difficulties and responsibilities that would be created by a general financial crisis, I feel my duty requires me to press my proposal to favourable consideration. also ask for an early decision.
14966
SIR,
No. 155.
ACTING GOVERNOR SIR G. BOWER to MR. LYTTELTON. (Received April 27, 1904.)
(Confidential.)
[Answered by Nos. 156 and 163.]
I
Government House, Mauritius, March 26, 1904. I HAVE the honour to enclose, for your information, a copy of a private letter addressed to me by Mr. Piggott, Procureur-General, covering a memorandum on the financial position of the Colony.
2. Mr. Piggott had expressed his views to me verbally and I requested him to put them in writing. He seemed to have some doubt as to the propriety of doing so as his office is a legal one, but I explained that I would be grateful for any assis tance or advice from whatever quarter it might come, and I beg to acknowledge, with thanks, the candid manner in which he has expressed his views.
• No. 148.
† No. 155.