(No. 631.)
301
Enclosure 2 in No. 240.
EXPLANATORY REPORT on Ordinance, No. 31, of 1904.
December 29, 1904. This Ordinance authorises the raising of a loan consisting (i) of the sums of £40,000 and £40,500, which the Governor was authorised to borrow for certain rail- way extension, drainage, and water works, by Ordinances, Nos. 19, of 1903, and 48, of 1903-04 (loans not having been issued in respect of either of these sums); (ii) of an additional sum of £69,500. The loan is to be raised under the provisions of the general law, viz., the General Loan and Inscribed Stock Ordinance, 1887, and, as provided by that Ordinance, the contributions to sinking fund are to commence from the date of the issue of the debentures or stock, by which the loan may be raised. The loan is to be applied only to certain scheduled items of public expenditure. The Ordinance contains a suspensive clause.
3886
No. 241.
A. WOOD RENTON,
Acting Procureur-General.
6.
305
The Colony has been and is still in a condition of financial difficulty, a Con- stitutional crisis has lately been avoided or, at least, postponed, but I venture to express my belief that if either of these officers had been at his post when the recent financial measures were under discussion, the temper of the unofficial members of the Legislature would have been far different, and the chances of obtaining their acquiescerce in the proposals submitted to them under your direction would have been diminished, if not destroyed. In other words there is, I have reason to fear, a lack of confidence between the majority in the Council of Government and the officers mentioned. Moreover, the changes in contemplation, and, indeed, those which I have already introduced, must directly or indirectly affect the methods and work of the departments over which they preside, and it seems to me undesirable that they should resume their duties whilst such changes, in which they will have had no part, either are under consideration or are being carried into effect.
7. I, therefore, venture, Sir, in what I believe to be the interests of good administration, and in furtherance of reforms which are necessary, to express a hope that it may, not be found necessary for either Sir Graham Bower or Mr. Piggott to actively resume the appointments now held by them; that, with regard to the Secre- tariat subsisting arrangements may remain at least temporarily undisturbed; and that, with respect to the Procureur-Generalship, favourable consideration may be given to the recommendation which I have already submitted to you. In the latter con- nection I would, however, add that if other arrangements are impracticable the acting appointment of Mr. Herchenroder to relieve Mr. Wood Renton would seem to be the most feasible course to adopt.
I have, &c.,
(Secret (2).)
GOVERNOR SIR C. BOYLE to MR. LYTTELTON.
(Received February 6, 1905.)
CAVENDISH BOYLE.
SIR,
Government House, Le Réduit, January 2, 1905. THE instruction conveyed by your telegram of the 9th ultimo is receiving my constant attention, but I fear that in existing conditions some further time must elapse before I shall be in a position to submit any practical scheme for reducing the Civil Service establishments.
2. It would, of course, be possible to furnish a list of offices which might be abolished on the occurrence of vacancies, but I have read your communication under reference, in conjunction with the views expressed in previous correspondence, as indicating the necessity for larger measures, and I am of opinion that such necessity is absolute.
3. Since writing my despatch of the 20th of Septembert to which you replied on the 15th of November, I have had further opportunity of observing the depart- mental conduct of business, and I can find no cause to modify the conclusions pre- viously arrived at, whilst I am the more fully convinced that any effective scheme of reform must embrace changes of a wider nature than any which might be found possible in the creation of vacancies by promotion or otherwise.
4. In fact the position would seem to demand not only general reconstruction of, and reduction in, establishments, but perhaps the entire abolition of at least one department, and whilst I am unable now to enter into details, I propose, as soon as possible, to draw up a general scheme of reorganisation and having submitted it to you, to await your instructions on the question whether the changes may be carried into effect, or whether further enquiry by commission or otherwise is desirable.
5. The occasion, however, gives rise to certain questions of a personal nature, and I deem it to be my duty, however delicate the task, to submit unreservedly the conclusions at which I have been forced to arrive. I refer to the substantive holders of the offices of Colonial Secretary and Procureur-General, both of whom are absent on leave, and, in such reference, and in the ensuing remarks, I wish to disclaim all desire to reflect upon the character of either.
• No. 282.
† No. 220.
+ No. 225.
3878
SIR,
No. 242.
COLONIAL OFFICE to Sm G. BOWER.
Downing Street, February 23, 1905. I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton to transmit to you a copy of a despatch* which he has received from the Governor of Mauritius with regard to the Port Louis Tramway.
2. Mr. Lyttelton has read this despatch with much regret inasmuch as it seems clear that there was a want of forethought when authority was given to construct the line, and that, after its completion, there was negligence as regards its maintenance.
3. Mr. Lyttelton understands further that in April last you approved the issue of a special warrant for Rs. 18,200 in respect of additional expenditure over the estimate which was considered necessary for the completion of the tramway. Of this sum, Rs. 7,854.48 was expended in the financial year 1903-4, and on 12th July last you sanctioned a second warrant for the balance, Rs. 10,345.52. The latter sum was not placed upon the estimates for 1904-5, and the expenditure appears not to have been submitted for a vote of the Council of Government.
4. The Council would seem to have reasonable cause for complaint at not being consulted in the matter, and Mr. Lyttelton would be glad to receive your ex- planations as to the circumstances which led to this omission.
• No. 238.
19234
I am, &c.,
C. P. LUCAS.
2 Q
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TIC.O. 882
8
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO