PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TTIC.O. 882
9
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDONİ
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
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124
No. 100.
THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE
(Received 5.2 p.m.. 2 February, 1909.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 106.]
The following resolution proposed by Leclézio has been voted unanimously to day by the Council of Government :--
|
"Considering the necessity of re-equipping and re-organising the railways, of carrying out the recommendations made by Doctor Ross to combat malaria, and of continuing the drainage of Port Louis: "Considering further the inability of the Government to balance its Budget
and to make provision for the execution of those works: The Council of Government are of opinion that the moment has come for the appointment of a Royal Commission to enquire into and report upon (1) The administrative and financial condition of the Govern-
ment, and also the resources of the Colony,
(2) What economies in the administration are possible.
(3) What measures should be adopted by the Government in order to bring about an increase in the production of the Colony and render thereby the sources of revenue more productive'
"
I cordially support this resolution of the Council of Government as marking the end of a long and painful controversy, and as likely to promote the well-being of the people of Mauritius.-BOWER.
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No. 101
THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 10.2 a m., 3 February, 1909.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 106.]
Confidential. Referring to my telegram of yesterday.* Resolution was passed unanimously by Council of Government, but I do not conceal from your Lordship that in view of pecuniary distress prevalent, especially amongst the unemployed, it would create painful impression if cost of Royal Commission were thrown on depleted Incal Treasury. It would be considered evidence of sympathy with Mauritius if cost could be borne by Imperial funds, and would greatly add to the dignity and authority of Commissioners. I therefore urge latter course as calculated to strengthen Imperial prestige.-BOWER.
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No. 102.
THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Received 6 February, 1909.)
(No. 377.)
MY LORD,
Government House, Port Louis, 31st December, 1908.
I HAVE the honour to enclose, for your information, a copy of a report by the Protector of Immigrants respecting a disturbance that took place on the 28th December on "Labourdonnais" estate.
2. I have directed the Protector of Immigrants to enquire into the matter, and I do not propose to express an opinion on the details of this case until the evidence is more complete.
• No. 100.
125
3. But I may observe that whatever may be the merits of the original quarrel between Mr Morel and the Indian Moonesamy, the fact that a large party of Indians should take the law into their own hands and make what was undoubtedly a serious attack on a white man is symptomatic of a new feeling of which this is not the only indication.
4. There have been other instances of a similar attitude towards persons in authority, and whilst I do not consider it necessary to discuss the cause or causes of the new tendency, I may state that every effort will be made by me to prevent its extension.
Enclosure in No. 102.
I have, &c.,
GRAHAM BOWER.
PROTECTOR OF IMMIGRANTS to COLONIAL SECRETARY.
31st December, 1908.
I HAVE the honour to report as follows in regard to a riot that took place at about 5.30 p.m. on Monday, the 28th instant, on Labourdonnais Estate.
2. On Saturday last, the 26th instant, a gang of 40 men were employed in a field manuring canes-31 only finished their task on that day, and nine left it unfinished. This fact was duly reported to Mr. Morel, who is the chief employé of the estate, so on Monday, the 28th instant, he went to the field himself and spent most of the day there with the object of seeing that all the men completed their
task.
3. At about 1 o'clock p.m., on the 28th instant, one of the men in charge of the gang alluded to above went to Mr. Morel and told him that Moonesamy instead of working was sitting down doing nothing. Mr. Morel went to Moonesamy and shook him, telling him to go on with his work and gave him a couple of slaps. He then told the sirdar to watch and see that he did his work, and went to another part of the field. A few minutes after the sirdar informed Mr. Morel that Moones- amy had left his work and was going home. Mr. Morel thereupon told another sirdar to bring him back, and when he returned an altercation took place between him and Mr. Morel, whereupon Mr. Morel states that Moonesamy took up a stone to hit him, and he then struck him two blows with the cane that he had in his hand in self defence. One of these blows caused a wound in Moonesamy's head; he thereupon left his work again, and went to the Manager's office to complain of having been beaten by Mr. Morel. Mr. Wiehe, the Manager of the estate, told him to go home, saying that he must have been insolent to Mr. Morel for him to have struck him, and that he would enquire into the matter when Mr. Morel returned from the fields.
4. After seeing the Manager Moonesamy went home and told his countrymen that he had been beaten by Mr. Morel, whereupon about 50 of them turned out with sticks, &c., &c., and accompanied Moonesamy back to the field where he had been working. On arriving there they chased Mr. Morel for about four or five hundred yards, and finally ran him to earth. While pursuing him they struck him with sticks and stones, and he received two severe and deep cuts on the right shoulder with either a cutlass or a hoe. While they were striking him on the ground an employé, named Mr. Langlois, ran up and caused them to desist.
5. On Tuesday morning, the 29th instant, I received the enclosed telegram from the Manager of the estate, and went to Labourdonnais by the 10.20 a.m. train from town. On arriving at the estate I found that all the men had gone to Port Louis. I remained on the estate till 6.30 p.m., at the Manager's request, and then went over to Beau Séjour and spent the night there. On Wednesday, the 30th, I came to Port Louis at 9.35 and had a long palaver with the men from about 11 a.m. till 1 p.m., when they agreed to return to the estate and resume work this morning. They left for Labourdonnais yesterday at 1.15 p.m. I saw the Manager of the estate this morning, and he told me that all the men had resumed work.
6. Seven men have been arrested for attempt at murder, and two more will probably be arrested in the course of to-day.
7. At my interview with the men yesterday they complained that the tasks they perform now are similar to those to which they have always been accustomed,