CO882-(6-8) — Page 194

MAURITIUS.

CORRESPONDENCE

RESPECTING THE

FINANCES

OF MAURITIUS.

26589

SIR,

(No. 192.)

No. 1.

GOVERNOR SIR C. BRUCE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

(Received July 1, 1902.)

[Copy to Board of Agriculture, July 17, 1902. L.F.]

Government House, Mauritius, May 27, 1902.

I REGRET to have to report that a fatal disease has recently broken out among cattle, mules, horses and other animals in this Colony.

2. Immediately on the disease being reported to me I appointed a committee, consisting of officers of the Medical and Health Department and the Government Veterinary Surgeon, to enquire into the nature of the disease and advise remedial measures. The disease originated in the northern part of the Island and the districts of Pamplemousses, Rivière du Rempart and Flacq were No. 34, April 14, 1902.

proclaimed infected areas and dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the law. I annex a copy of the notice* published in the Government Gazette. I regret to say that this measure did not prevent the disease from being carried into other districts.

3. As the symptoms of the disease baffled the experience of local veterinary practitioners, I placed myself in communication with the Government of Bombay; with the Governor of the Cape, who was good enough to communicate with the Governor of Natal; and with our Consul at Tamatave, Madagascar.

4. I hope that the fullest information may shortly be at the disposal of this Government, and that we may be able to combat this new danger that threatens the planting industry. For it cannot be doubted that a fatal epidemic among beasts of burden would disastrously affect the transport of canes and sugar, and place in the way of the prosperity of the Colony a difficulty as serious as any with which we have had to contend.

5. I am informed by the Director of the Medical and Health Department that the treatment adopted has had fairly good results, and that the mortality is not at present very high.

I have, &c.,

CHAS. BRUCE,

• Not reprinted.

19234

Governor.

A

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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