PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
། ། ། ། ། །། C.O. 885
20 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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The growth of interest in the subject is shown by the greater attention now devoted to entomological research by members of the general public. In a speech recently made by Lord Robson at the Anniversary Dinner of the Royal Society, he said: "It is the man of science who is to decide the fate of the tropics; not the soldier or the statesman with his programmes and perorations, but the quiet entomo- lógist. He is the man of science who of all others strikes popular imagination the least, and gets less of popular prestige; but he has begun a fascinating campaign for the sanitary conquest of those enormous tracts of the earth, and before long he will have added their intensely fertile soil almost as a free gift to the productive. resources of the human race.
"
As soon as the Committee finds it convenient to do so I trust that it will be prepared to devote some attention to the New World tropics. Although it is well known that a large number of the diseases attacking man and animals in the West Indies are caused by insects, until quite lately, with the single exception of the mosquitos, no systematic steps have been taken to collect biting insects or study their habits.
The first entomologist appointed in the West Indies was Mr. Maxwell Lefroy, attached to the Imperial Department of Agriculture in 1900. He has since been transferred to the Imperial Department in India, and succeeded by Mr. Ballou. An entomologist has lately been appointed at Trinidad, and there is a proposal to attach one to the Science and Agricultural Department in British Guiana. As showing the need of entomological investigation in the case of insects attacking crops, the owners of plantations at Trinidad and British Guiana have lately sent out at their own expense two entomologists to investigate insect attacks upon the sugar-cane. It would, I am sure, prove of great advantage, both from the medical and agricultural point of view, if the West Indian Colonies could be included within the scope of the operations of the Entomological Research Committee. If the objects of the Committee were clearly set forth I have little doubt that the Colonies would be prepared to co-operate heartily with it. Those provided with entomologists might begin at once to make collections of biting insects and ticks that attack man and domestic animals, and make observations on their life-history, habits, and dis- tribution. In the case of the Windward and Leeward Islands, probably the Imperial Department of Agriculture could take charge of the investigations.
It would not be difficult to show that if effective means could be devised for counteracting the attacks of injurious insects which are found in the extensive tracts of rich unoccupied lands in British Honduras and British Guiana (and to some extent also in certain districts of Jamaica and Trinidad) such lands would attract more largely than they do at present European capital and energy, and so prove of greater benefit to those Colonies.
As a first step it might be useful if copies of the correspondence relating to the work of the Research Committee could be communicated to the Governors of Jamaica, British Honduras, British Guiana, Trinidad, Barbados, the Windward Islands, and the Leeward Islands, and the views of the Chief Medical Officers and the Directors of Agriculture were invited as to the best means of organising local efforts to assist the Committee, so that, at all events, the principal injurious insects might be systematically studied and named, and remedial measures suggested for dealing with them.
I also suggest that the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture might receive a copy of the correspondence, and be invited to assist the Committee.
I am, &c.,
1718
No. 71.
HONG KONG.
D. MORRIS.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 18 January, 1911.)
(No. 426.) SIR,
Government House, Hong Kong, 17th December, 1910. In reply to Lord Crewe's despatch, No. 312, of the 4th ultimo,* I have the honour to state that as the only work now required is the identification of flies,
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fleas, ticks, &c., I propose to defer for the present the question of a contribution being made by this Colony to the Entomological Research Committee for Tropical Africa, the more so as the state of the Hong Kong finances does not admit of additional liabilities being incurred.
I have, &c.,
2643
No. 72.
F. D. LUGARD,
Governor, &c.
MINUTES OF THE SIXTH GENERAL MEETING OF THE TROPICAL AFRICAN ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH COMMITTEE, HELD AT THE COLONIAL OFFICE ON THURSDAY, 26TH JANUARY, 1911.
PRESENT:
The EARL OF CROMER (Chairman).
Colonel ALCOCK.
Mr. AUSTEN.
Dr. BAGSHAWE.
Dr. ROSE Bradford.
Sir DAVID BRUCE.
Dr. HARMER,
Sir JOHN MCFADYEAN. Sir DANIEL MORRIS.
Mr. NEWSTEAD. Professor Nuttall. Lieutenant-Colonel PRAIN.
Mr. READ.
Hon. N. C. ROTHSCHILD.
Mr. SCOTT.
Dr. SHIPLEY.
Mr. STOCKMAN.
Mr. THEOBALD.
Mr. TILLEY.
Mr. WARBURTON.
Mr. MARSHALL (Scientific Secretary). Mr. PARKINSON (Secretary).
1. The Minutes of the 5th General Meeting of the Committee were approved. Dr. Shipley proposed that the salary of the Scientific Secretary should be raised from £250 to £300 per annum, pointing out that the work which Mr. Marshall had to perform had increased very largely during the last year. Mr. Rothschild seconded the proposal, which was carried without dissent.
2. The Chairman of the Finance Sub-Committee submitted his report (annexed). The Committee approved the recommendations made in the report.
3. Mr. Marshall submitted his report and balance sheet (annexed). Lord Cromer remarked on the satisfaction felt by the Committee at learning that Mr. Marshall had, by the kindness of the British Museum authorities, been provided with more spacious accommodation at the Museum, and he requested Mr. Marshall to write a letter of thanks in his name.
Mr. Marshall called attention to the increasing amount of clerical work which devolved on him now that the circulation of the Bulletin was reaching the second hundred, and he asked whether it would not be possible for the Crown Agents for the Colonics to take over the routine work connected with subscriptions for the Bulletin. Mr. Read promised to do all he could in the matter.
Mr. Marshall invited the Committee to express an opinion on a letter received by him from the Crown Agents relative to the payment of the "
scholar- Carnegie ships. The Crown Agents wished to know whether they should require from the scholars, while in receipt of the scholarships, a monthly certificate signed by the proper authorities, to show that they are carrying on their studies and are entitled to
• No. 62.
• No. 64.
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