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DEAR SIR,

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Enclosure 3 in No. 39.

Mr. W. W. MARTYN to the HONORARY SECRETARY, BADULLA PLANTERS' ASSOCIATION. Tonacombe, Passara, June 24, 1887. HAVING been appointed a member of sub-committee to report on railway extension to Badulla and Passara, and draw up resolutions up the subject, and having been unable to agree to the resolutions adopted by Mr. Rettie, Mr. Skeen, and myself, I should be obliged if you would kindly read this letter to the members of committee, for I intend shortly to give my reasons for my action.

I am as honestly desirous of seeing the railway in Badulla district as any member of the Association. Our divergence of opinion is simply as to the best means to adopt to attain that end. I maintain that our only chance of getting the railway is by showing an unanimous front, and that once let us be divided, all hope is at an end.

I maintain that if Mr. Rettie's resolutions are adopted at the general meeting to be held to-day, we shall be simply proclaiming officially to the home authorities that we are divided and on such an important point too, that all hopes of railway extension for years to come may be laid aside.

I consider, moreover, that by adopting Mr. Rettie's resolutions we are stultifying our- selves, as an Association, in a most marked manner. We have repeatedly pressed for rail- way extension to Haputale, and we have promised to use the railway when it comes there. We have adopted the Governor's opinion in considering the Secretary of State's reply not a final one, and I maintain we should, before proposing such trenchant resolutions as Mr. Rettie's, satisfy ourselves on this point. A few more mails should give us a decided answer. The parent body has loyally supported us in all our long continued agitation. I do not think we should cut the ground from under their feet, pending the definite reply they asked for.

Apart from this, however, I object to the tone of the resolutions proposed, especially to No. 2. I think a resolution somewhat as follows would, while plainly showing what our opinion at the present crisis is, avoid offence, and, while doing no harm, might strengthen the Governor's hands and those in authority in their wish to help us, should the Despatch from the Secretary of State prove unfavourable.

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That this Association, having been repeatedly called upon in the public press and elsewhere to declare its views on the present position of railway affairs, while in no way wishing to interfere with the possible result of previous agitation, nor in any way to hamper his Excellency the Governor, considers that there is grave, need for immediate extension of railway to Badulla and Passara; that the extension to Badulla or Passara should, possible, be constructed in one contract; but that, at any rate, Badulla or Passara should be officially recognised as the ultimate terminus; that if in Imperial interests a further extension of broad gauge is deemed necessary, this Association considers a very much cheaper style of work might be adopted by which large savings 'imight be effected; finally, that all this Association desires is a safe and expeditious incans of transporting its produce to the seaboard, and that it is prepared to support any gauge, however narrow, which may be considered by practical men capable of giving this result, and they would suggest that a committee be appointed to consider and report on the capabilities of Mr. Prestage's scheme."

I have no time to re-write this letter or to alter it. I believe, however, I have mentioned what my chief objections to Mr. Rettie's motions are, and the manner in which I have done so, you will, I am sure, under the circumstances, excuse.

Hon. Sec., Badulla Planters' Association.

I am, &c. (Signed)

W. W. MARTYN,

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2. I will take this memorial into consideration when I receive your reply to my Despatch No. 281, of 30th August last.*

3. I take this opportunity of enclosing copies of correspondence with Mr. A. L. Cross on the same subject, and also copy of a letter from Mr. J. Ferguson.

4. As Mr. Ferguson only gives the address "Vichy," and does not say when he will be going back to Ceylon, I request you to inform him on his return that I have recently addressed you on the general question of railway extension, and also on the particular question of the arrangements to be made in the event of a company being allowed to make up the extension, as to the carriage of the new traffic over the main line; and that when I hear from you on these points (in reply to my Despatches No. 281 and No. 283 of the 30th of August), I will give due weight to the arguments advanced by Mr. Ferguson.

SIR,

Sir A. Gordon.

No. 41.

I have, &c.

(Signed) H. T. HOLLAND.

COLONIAL OFFICE to A. L. CROSS, Esq.

Downing Street, October 11, 1887. In reply to your letter of the 30th ultimo,§ I am directed by Secretary Sir H. Holland to inform you that he has recently addressed the Governor of Ceylon respecting the proposed railway extension in Uva, and that when he hears again from Sir A. Gordon on the subject he will give due consideration to the arguments advanced by you.

I am, &c.

A. L. Cross, Esq.

..No. 82.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

↑ Nos. 38 and 41.

‡ No. 37.

No. 38.

No. 40.

SIR,

THE RIGHT HON. SIR H. T. HOLLAND, BART., G.C.M.G., M.P., to Governor THE HON, SIR A. H. GORDON, G.C.M.G.

No. 329.

Downing Street, October 11, 1887.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 374, of the 6th ultimo,* transmitting a memorial from the Badulla Planters' Association respecting the proposed railway extension in the province of Uva.

• No. 89.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :--

TILICO. 882

4 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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