PUBLIC
RECORD OFFICE
Reference:
TLC.O. 885
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NUT [U]
20 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
120
of the work done by Captain Lyons in his investigation was expressed, and it was recommended that his proposals should be adopted in their entirety.
2. Federated Malay States.
On the question of the Colonial Survey Section for topographical work in the Federated Malay States, it was reported to the Committee that the High Commis- sioner had accepted the terms proposed by the War Office as to regimental pay and non-effective charges, and that a letter on the subject was being sent by the Colonial Office.
A map of the State of Selangor in four sheets (two miles to an inch) was laid before the Committee.
3. Fiji.
A letter from Mr. McCaw to Colonel Close reporting on the progress of the trigonometrical survey of Viti Levu and on the stereotopographic work was considered and approved. A discussion took place on the question of the cost of plotting from the photographic plates, which could not be defrayed from General Colonel Staff funds, especially as the work was not of military importance. Hedley agreed to enquire whether it could be carried out at the School of Military Engineering, Chatham, and to inform the Colonial Office of the result.
4. Nigeria.
The possible amalgamation of the Survey Departments of Northern and Southern Nigeria was mentioned. It was pointed out that Sir F. Lugard had been appointed to the Governorship of both countries with the intention that he would consider the general question of amalgamation, and the Committee agreed that no steps as regards the Survey Departments could be proposed at present.
It had been arranged that instructions should be prepared for Mr. Collard, the officer appointed to succeed Captain Kempthorne, for his guidance as head of the Survey Department of Northern Nigeria, but as Mr. Collard was shortly due for leave it was decided to hold the matter over for discussion with him.
5. Uganda.
Colonel Hedley mentioned that Major Jack had informed him that the topo- graphical survey in the Western Province of Uganda could not be completed for Mr. Read the sum of £3,000 provided, and that £5,000 would be required. explained that owing to the claims of other services no further amount could possibly be provided, and it was agreed after discussion that Major Jack should be informed by Colonel Hedley that he should make as much progress with the survey of the entire area as the funds available would permit, and then close down the work. Colonel Hedley also raised the question of the publication of the report on the measurement of the arc of the meridian 30° E. in the neighbourhood of the Uganda-Congo boundary. He pointed out that we were under an obligation to the Belgian Government to publish the work, and it was recommended that the Colonial Office should arrange with the Stationery Office for the report to be printed.
On the question of the adequacy of the Uganda triangulation for purposes of land registration, Colonel Close observed that all the points determined by Mr. Allen and Captain Macfie were clearly marked, and that the triangulation was sufficiently accurate for the Torrens system of registration.
6. West Indies.
The Secretary (Mr. Bottomley) explained the position with regard to the proposed reconnaissance surveys of British Guiana and British Honduras, both of which were under consideration by the local Governments, and mentioned that correspondence was in progress with the Governor of Jamaica as to the possibility of arranging a course of instruction locally for surveyors for public and private purposes.
7. Survey Probationers.
An application had been received for the diploma in civil and mechanical Engineering of the City and Guilds (Engineering) College to be accepted as a quali- fication exempting candidates from both examinations under paragraph 5 of the
121
regulations relating to Colonial Survey Probationerships. Correspondence with the Dean of the College was laid before the Committee, and, after consideration of the examination papers furnished, it was agreed to recommend that the diploma should be recognised as giving the full exemption desired.
17114
No. 62.
EAST AFRICA PROTECTORATE.
THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(No. 318.)
SIR,
(Received June 3, 1912.)
[Answered by No. 63.]
Government House, Nairobi, British East Africa,
May 1st, 1912.
WITH reference to those portions of the enclosures to your despatch, No. 175, of March 29th and telegram of April 22nd, which deal with the Coast Land Settlement, I have the honour to submit the following report on the reasons which render an increase of expenditure under this heading necessary.
2. Sir Percy Girouard pointed out the great necessity for continuing the arrangements in connection with the Coast Land Settlement scheme in his despatch, No. 176, of April 13th, 1911. Unfortunately the progress in the work which was foreshadowed in that despatch has not been effected owing to the shortage of sur- veyors, computers and draughtsmen. That the work of the survey had already fallen greatly in arrears was noticeable in July last, and Sir Percy Girouard reported in his telegram, No. 156, of the 21st of that month, that, owing to several vacancies not having been filled, no certificates of title could be issued, as the plans which had to be attached to the deeds could not be drawn. Had there been a sufficient number of surveyors at work last year over 50,000 acres of plantation land would, as predicted by Sir Percy Girouard, have been available in the Malindi District for concessions at the end of 1911. As it is, although all settlements have been satisfactorily arrived at with the Mazrui and other coast peoples, we are still anxiously awaiting the result of the survey, and until this work is finished no land can be alienated.
3. It is most important that there should be an adequate number of surveyors, computers, and draughtsmen to allow of continuity of work in all branches of the Coast Land Settlement. Frequent interruptions have hitherto occurred, owing to the incompetency, resignations, invaliding, and in one case the death, of members of the staff. These interruptions have delayed the Recorder of Titles and his assistant who have at times been kept idle for weeks together as deed plans were not forth- coming, and great dissatisfaction has been caused, owing to our being unable to grant certificates of title within a reasonable time after cases had been adjudicated upon.
4. It was Sir Percy Girouard's original intention to confine the application of the Land Titles Ordinance to the Malindi District, but as the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury were anxious that the scheme should be self-supporting as soon as possible, the Ordinance was applied to the Island of Mombasa in July last. It was, however, found impossible, owing to shortage of staff, to commence the survey on Mombasa Island until several months later, and Sir Percy Girouard reported in his telegram, No. 218, of October 9th§ that landholders were consequently becoming suspicious. It is hoped that if the staff asked for is sanctioned the work we have in hand in the Malindi District and on Mombasa Island will be completed in three years.
Unless this work is carried forward expeditiously there will be general discontent, whilst the Recorder of Titles will not be fully occupied.
5. The necessity of pushing forward the survey at the Coast has obliged the Director of Survevs to detail men from his normal staff. with the result that the arrears of work which, as reported by Sir Percy Girouard in his despatch, No. 608, of October 30th, 1911,|| had increased from 813,000 acres on March 31st, 1910, to
No. 8868 in African No. 983, and 8868; not printed.
† 14630 not printed. 24141: not printed.
No. 56.
26548
32767 not printed.
I