190
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
C.O.8
Reference :-
885
18 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
198
It was agreed that until the map had been analysed and reported on, it would be unnecessary to take any action on the Governor's suggestion* as to sending to Southern Nigeria an officer from the Geographical Section of the General Staff to examine and report upon the survey work now being carried out in Southern Nigeria. With regard to the selection of a Senior Surveyor at a salary of £400-£20-£500 a year, it was mentioned that the appointment was held over when it was first pro- posed on account of the uncertainty as to the future of the Survey Department. The Committee agreed that the appointment should now be filled, and after considering a number of candidates, decided to recommend that Mr. D. R. Meldrum should be appointed to the Department, and that it should be left to the Governor to decide whether he or one of the other Surveyors should be given the new appointment of Senior Surveyor.
2. East Africa Protectorate.
Major Close showed maps illustrating the work done in connection with the rapid allotments survey in the East Africa Protectorate. He mentioned that the areas of the plots were subject to a possible error of one per cent. considered that the work and rate of progress were satisfactory.
3. Uganda Topographical Survey.
The Committee
The arrangements made were explained, and it was agreed that the party should sail by the German steamer leaving Southampton on the 30th of December.
4. Measurement of the Uganda portion of the Arc of the Meridian 30o E. In connection with the provision of funds to meet the extra cost of the work, it was mentioned that the Treasury had agreed to contribute £1,200 of the extra £1,600 required, provided that the learned Societies concerned made up the balance, and that the Royal Geographical Society had agreed to make an additional contri- bution. No replies had been received from the other Societies. The Committee expressed the opinion that the Societies with whom the scheme originated should show their confidence in it by bearing the small portion of the expense which was not covered by the additional Treasury grant.
5. Case of Mr. J. T. Wood.
Major Close mentioned the case of Mr. Wood, who had been selected for a survey appointment in the Federated Malay States, but who was still applying to the War Office for recognition of his services during the South African War in connection with the compilation of the Imperial Map. He said that a proposal was being made for the payment of a lump sum to Mr. Wood, and the Committee con- sidered that this would be the best way of meeting his claim.
6. Candidates for Ceylon.
The Secretary mentioned that the Surveyor-General of Ceylon had examined the papers of, and had interviewed a number of, candidates, and had made a selection of those whom he considered suitable for appointment as Assistant Superintendents in the event of his proposals for the increase of the staff being approved. Those proposals had not yet reached the Colonial Office.
43742
No. 140.
EAST AFRICA PROTECTORATE.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 30 November, 1908.)
[Copy to Admiralty, 3rd December, 1908. L.F. See No. 144.]
(No. 532.)
MY LORD,
Governor's Office, Nairobi, 3 November, 1908. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's despatch,
• No. 136.
No. 498, of the 7th ultimo,* together with the original drawings 1 connection with the survey of the southern portion of Lake Victoria.
2.
The General Manager of the Railway informs me that should the Admiralty require these drawings they can be returned temporarily, but that, in his opinion, it is advisable to retain them in the Protectorate until the whole lake has been systematically surveyed, and this cannot be done for some considerable time yet.
I have, &c.,
43088
No. 141.
FEDERATED MALAY STATES.
J. HAYES SADLER.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE HIGH COMMISSIONER. [Answered by 6168 in Miscellaneous No. 235.]
(No. 342.)
SIR,
Downing Street, 30 November, 1908. I HAVE observed with regret the number of cases in which candidates selected for engagement as First Grade Revenue Surveyors in the Federated Malay States have proved unsatisfactory. The selections have been made after careful con- sideration, and I conclude that their unfortunate result is due to the fact that I have not sufficient information as to the nature and standard of the qualifications required in the case of these appointments.
2. I shall, therefore, be glad if you will obtain for me a detailed report on the following points:-
(1) The systems employed by the Revenue Survey Department;
(2) The duties ordinarily falling to the lot of the First Grade Revenue Sur-
veyors; and
(3) The minimum of professional qualifications to be possessed by candidates
for the appointment.
It would be convenient if the information supplied on this subject could be classified under the several heads of the enclosed formt of qualifications of survey candidates.
45004
SIR,
No. 142.
CEYLON.
MR. P. D. WARREN to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received 8 December, 1908.)
I have, &c.,
CREWE.
Ravenscroft, Maberley Road, Upper Norwood, 7th December, 1908.
Training Surveyors for Colonial Work.
I HAVE the honour to inform you that I have lately been considering the possibility of utilising the experience of a retired officer of the Survey Department for the training of aspirants to appointments in Ceylon and other Colonial Posses- sions. I have communicated with Mr. J. L. Hampton with this object in view and find that he will be willing to take up such work at a moderate fee. I am quite convinced that a month with Mr. Hampton for applicants who have already a certain smattering of the science of surveying, such as is usually acquired in England, and, say, a couple of months for gentlemen with a university training, whose appoint- ments are referred to in paragraph 11 of Major Hills's report of June 6th, 1907.‡ would not only be welcomed by them as a most valuable grounding in their future life's work and in giving them a chance of a good start, but it will be a great saving
↑ See Enclosure in 6168 in Miscellaneous No. 235. ‡ No. 57.
• No. 136A.