PUBLIC
RECORD OFFICE
Reference -
TALLI
C.O.882/12
| PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE | COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
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theoretical. It is no use studying the subject of dairies and deciding that the Dairy of the Government of Mauritius must be the perfect dairy in its most expensive form. This is no demonstration to the Indian owner of cows. What is needed is to show that better results can be given by the simplest methods, and in particular by rational feeding and by giving light and air to the animals. The nature of this. Dairy building must inevitably put up costs; in particular it necessitates an expensive supply of litter, but there can be simplifica- tion. We do not believe that there will be any such result, as long as the Dairy remains in charge of a special Dairy Officer who will almost certainly take an extravagantly technical view of its opera- tion. We recommend that this post should be abolished. The Dairy should be placed in charge of the present experienced overseer, under the responsible direction of the Veterinary Surgeon. The necessary grain should be supplied by the department, the Veterin- ary Officer should give such technical direction as may be necessary, and the milk should be regularly tested. For the rest the overseer should manage the Dairy on simple and familiar lines, knowing that if the animals and the milk deteriorate he will be dismissed.
We consider that it should be possible on these lines to give a satisfactory supply of good milk, and even to cover costs. If the department is unable to bring the Dairy into any reasonable rela- tion with normal conditions in the country, the Dairy should be closed.
11. The department calls for little further comment. We recom- mend that the Stock Inspector on being relieved of his work at the Dairy should revert to his appropriate work and pay and should be employed in a definite attempt, preferably under the guidance and as an Assistant of the Inspector, Co-operative Credit Societies, to improve Indian dairy work.
The Director presses for the appointment of a Field Officer on Rs.8,000 who should primarily be responsible for the experimental field work. We do not consider that the need for the post is so urgent as to justify its creation in present circumstances, the more so as the abolition of the. Farm School will enable the Assistant Agricultural Officer to give effective help to the Senior Officer. We also recommend that the Irrigation Officer should be styled Agricul- tural Officer in order to make it clear that he is available for other duties than irrigation work, the need for which is not at present important.
In our general scheme of pay we have made proposals which will considerably affect the department. In particular we have suggested that the Senior Geneticist should be regarded as the Deputy Director of the Department; he should relieve the Director of such of his too numerous duties as the Director may assign to his Deputy.
12. We recommend therefore few changes in this very important department. We propose that the Farm School should be closed as
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soon as possible, and the cadetships discontinued. We also recom- mend the abolition of the posts of Chief Phytalus Officer, and his subordinates, and the cessation of the allowances to the Lecturer, Farm School Cadets, and to the Stock Inspector. The saving will be Rs.13,515 which will cover the cost of appointing an entomologist and provide a small addition to the other charges of that branch.
In proposing the cessation of the Government campaign for the destruction of the phytalus we are not curtailing the normal work of the department but withdrawing from it work which it should never have undertaken after the first stage of experiment was passed. This step will reduce the liabilities of Government by at least Rs.75,000 a year. In the current year such expenditure as has been incurred should be charged against the export tax, and the balance of the tax, if any, should then be refunded. The allot- ment for this purpose in the Development Fund and the unexpended balance of the Stockbreeders Subsidizing Fund should be immediately resumed as general balances. It must, however, be kept in mind that the contribution from the Empire Marketing Board towards the cost of the Sugar Research Station will soon rease, and an additional charge of Rs.26,667 will then fall on the revenue of the Colony.
13. We do not recommend any reduction in the expenditure on the Government gardens. These have their place in the history of Mauritius and are an ornament and an example to its people.
CHAPTER VIII.-PUBLIC WORKS.
The Public Works Department deals with the following matters :-
Crown Lands, Government Buildings,
Roads and Bridges, Waterworks,
Irrigation,
Government Stores,
and the
Drainage system of Port Louis. The last-mentioned item relates to work which is being under- taken on behalf of the Port Louis Municipality and the cost of which, with the exception of the salaries of two permanent officers of the Department, is being defrayed from a special Loan Fund which has been raised for the purpose.
Much useful and important work has undoubtedly been done in the past by the Public Works Department for the administra- tive and industrial development of the Colony. The excellent roads and bridges, in particular, bear witness to its enterprise and technical efficiency. We regret, however, to state that, after a full and detailed examination of its internal organization, we have been forced to the conclusion that this technical skill and efficiency have not been accompanied by a proper understanding of the need
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