321
PUBLIC
RECORD
OFFICE
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Reference -
ilmin C.O.882/12
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BF REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE. LONDON
A
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Observatory.
3. Nearly every witness who gave it as his opinion that the Civil Service was overstaffed, when pressed to give us a definite illustration, immediately mentioned the Mauritius Observatory. Our witnesses did not select a case for economy which would have any great effect on the financial position, for the total cost of the department is only Rs.39,570, and hardly anyone was prepared to go to the length of closing down the Observatory. But the Royal Commission in 1909 had abolished the post of Assistant Director on Rs.4,000, without, as we are informed, having visited the Observatory; the post has been restored on Rs.6,000-7,500, and the post of Director carries a pay of Rs.12,000-15,000 as com- pared with Rs.6.000 before 1919. It is natural therefore for a layman to criticise the present cost.
We have seen the interesting work which is in progress at the Observatory, but we cannot pretend to assess its value. This, however, was definitely done in the correspondence attached to the Secretary of State's despatch No. 150 of 29th April, 1924,* which resulted in the revival of the post of Assistant Director: Dr. Simpson's letter in particular leaves no doubt not only that the work of the Observatory is of value, but that it will be of increasing importance. We can appreciate the impatience of critics in Mauritius, in the present crisis, in regard to scientific work which cannot be measured in money terms, and which serves other countries as much as, if not more than, it serves the local interest. But a Colony so highly developed as Mauritius must expect to take its share of general scientific service, and we do not regard the cost of the Observatory as being an excessive share. We do not propose any change, but we consider that on a vacancy the scale of Rs.9,500-12,000 which we have adopted in the case of other scientific posts, should be adequate for the post of the Director.
Institute.
4. This department maintains an excellent museum and library at the small cost of Rs.13,380; the salaries of the Librarian and his staff are low and have not been increased since 1920. It has been suggested to us that the Institute might be combined with the municipal library and managed by the municipality of Port Louis: but if this combination would secure any economy the saving should more appropriately be made by the municipality, as the Institute should represent the whole island and not only the town of Port Louis. We do not propose any change.
Ecclesiastical.
5. In the present financial and social conditions of Mauritius the establishment of three churches at a cost to public revenues *18019/24: not printed.
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of Rs.196,107 must have its critics as well as its ardent supporters. But the criticism and the support can only be local and cannot be We follow the Royal Com- expressed by visiting Commissioners. nission in making no recommendation in regard to this historical institution. But in considering the question of taxation we can- not but feel that the ecclesiastical establishment operates as some relief from demands which might be made upon the wealthier communities.
Military.
6. Our attitude on the question of the military contribution must be similar. In a financial crisis which we trust will not be per- manent, the historical obligations of the Colony, like its historical institutions, should be the last resources to be brought within the scope of economy. We are satisfied that the crisis can and ought to be met by other more immediate remedies.
But where we propose an increase in the burden of taxation we would respectfully urge that no percentage on account of military contribution should be levied on this additional revenue.
We have discussed the question of the local defence forces with the Officer Commanding the troops. The position is not matis- factory, but he admits that it is practically impossible at present to consider any scheme of reorganization which would involve new expenditure.
Poor Relief and Immigration.
7. There is so much public criticism of the Poor Law Department that it is incumbent on us to state at greater length our impression of the work of this department. When as much as half a million rupees are expended on small items of relief the occasion for some cases of error or hardship makes criticism inevitable. But it is not in general our opinion that the poor law administration is unsuccessful, or that any better alternative can be devised.
The Departments of the Protector of Immigrants and of the Poor Law Commissioner were amalgamated in accordance with The the recommendations of the Royal Commission of 1909. combined department now forms a single administration and costs Rs.22,565 for personal emoluments under Head 18, but to this must be added Rs.44,000 for 12 clerks of the general clerical service. One of these clerks is actually the deputy head of the department, whose duties are executive rather than clerical, and who as Inspector of Immigrants really acts as poor law officer for part of Plaines Wilhems district. The poor law officers for other country districts are the Government Medical Officers, the whole of whose pay is charged to the Medical Head. Small allowances are paid to dispensers for clerical work in connexion with poor relief. Protector of Immigrants himself acts as Poor Law Officer for Port Louis.
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