17
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 885
8
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
20
As the Company were unable to agree to Mr. Stewart's stipulation, we had no alternative but to fall back on the only other tender received.
With regard to the saving of £2,000 which it is supposed would have accrued to the Colonial Government if the offer of the British India Company had been accepted, I would also point out that it appears to have escaped the notice of the Government that there were incidental circumstances connected with the British India Company's tender which would have materially reduced this saving.
For instance, the large carrying capacity of two of the steamers would have rendered it advisable to send two surgeons in each vessel, involving approximately an additional cost of £1,035, including passages. The extra rate of passage money for the return-coolies by the British India steamers would also have been £667, making a total of £1,702. The apparent saving is, therefore, reduced to about £300.
It must further be remembered that the ships chartered complied with the requirements of the Emigration Agent both as regards numbers and dates, which had been advertised in the papers for the guidance of tenderers, and if the Emigration Agent had decided to try and fill the British India Company's ships he would have had to arrange for additional depôt accommodation, which would, doubtless, have involved a further expenditure, and thus have again reduced the difference between the two tenders.
I have, &c.,
E. E. BLAKE.
Letter from the ASSISTANT COLONIAL SECRETARY, Fiji, to the MANAGER, Colonial Sugar Refining Company, Limited, Nausori, Fiji.
SIR,
June 14, 1900. I AM directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, asking for copies of correspondence with the Crown Agents re charter of vessels for the conveyance of this year's coolies to the Colony..
In reply, I am to state that His Excellency is unable to accede to your request until such time as a reply is received from the Crown Agents to my letter to them on the subject in question.
I have, &c.,
W. L. ALLARDYCE, Assistant Colonial Secretary.
Letter from the MANAGER, Colonial Sugar Refining Company, Limited, Nausori, to the AGENT-GENERAL OF IMMIGRATION, Suva. SIR,
June 11, 1900.
WITH reference to the transport of Indian immigrants this year, I shall esteem it a favour if you will let me have copies of the correspondence with the Crown Agents about the chartering of the vessels engaged for the conveyance of the coolies to arrive in the course of the next few months, as my General Manager is anxious to find out what explanation is given about the sudden and large increase in the rate charged.
I have, &c.,
暑
R. GEMMELL SMITH,
Manager in Fiji.
Letter from the ASSISTANT COLONIAL SECRETARY to the MANAGER, Colonial Sugar Refining Company, Limited, Nausori.
SIR,
May 16, 1900.
I AM directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant, addressed to the Agent-General of Immigration, on the subject of the tenders for the conveyance of Indian immigrants to this Colony.
In reply, I am to inform you that I am in correspondence with the Crown Agents on the subject, and that the result will be communicated to you.
I have, &c.,
WM. SUTHERLAND, Assistant Colonial Secretary.
21
Letter from the MANAGER, Colonial Sugar Refining Company, Limited, Nausori, to the AGENT-GENERAL of Immigration, Suva. SIR,
May 9, 1900. I AM led to understand by the General Manager of my Company that the British India Steam Navigation Company put in a tender for the conveyance of the Indian immigrants to arrive in Fiji this year, and that such tender was at a con- siderably lower rate than that of the firm of Nourse.
I have the honour to ask that you will, if you can, be so good as to inform me why the British India Steam Navigation Company's tender was not accepted; for I believe it involves a difference of something approaching £2,000, so far as my Company is concerned.
I have, &c.,
R. GEMMELL SMITH,
Manager in Fiji.
Letter from the ASSISTANT COLONIAL SECRETARY to the MANAGER, Colonial Sugar Refining Company, Limited, Nausori. SIR,
August 13, 1900. REFERRING to your letter of the 11th June last, with reference to the transport of Indian immigrants to this Colony during the current year, I am directed to forward herewith copies of correspondence which has passed between this office and the Crown Agents for the Colonies on the matter in question.
I have, &c.,
Enclosure 3 in No. 17.
W. L. ALLARDYCE, Assistant Colonial Secretary.
2
Letter from the Assistant COLONIAL SECRETARY, Fiji, to the Crown AGENTS FOR THE
GENTLEMEN,
July 11, 1899.
COLONIES.
I HAVE the honour to request that you will be so good as to procure, for the use of the Harbour Department of this Colony, two ship's.anchor lights. I enclose a cutting from the catalogue of Messrs. Jos. Lucas and Company, lamp manufac- turers, Birmingham, of the description of lamp required, which must be of the best quality and the largest size procurable.
I have, &c.,
W. L. ALLARDYCE, Assistant Colonial Secretary.
COLONIES.
February 16, 1900.
Letter from the ASSISTANT COLONIAL SECRETARY, Fiji, to the CROWN AGENTS FOR THE
GENTLEMEN,
REFERRING to my letter, No. 3092, of the 11th July last, I am directed to state that the ship's anchor lights have been received, but that the glass of one was broken in transit, and that of the other cracked on being lit for the first time. The Harbour Master reports that the lamps are of cheap construction, and that the glass is dull and full of flaws.
I am, accordingly, to ask if you will be so good as to cause two new glasses to be forwarded for these lamps, as per particulars enclosed herewith.
I have, &c.,
WM. SUTHERLAND, Assistant Colonial Secretary.