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Annexure A.

Annexure

B.

20

5. I have also approved recommendations, submitted by the Railway Board, that the goods sheds of the principal railway stations should be enlarged, to meet the increased traffic in sugar.

6. The Council of Government also passed a resolution at a meeting held on the 17th June that Government should remit customs duties or direct taxes leviable on automobiles, steam road engines and trucks, &c., imported for agricultural purposes during the year beginning 1st July, 1902, and ending 30th June, 1903.

7. It was also resolved that surplus funds should be appropriated for the con- struction of railway sidings, and the purchase of automobiles on certain conditions to be laid down by the Governor in Executive Council.

July 23, 1904.

ANNEXURE A.

CHAS. BRUCE.

EXTRACT from the Minutes of Proceedings of the Council of Government at a meeting held on the 17th June, 1902.

2. The following motion was agreed to by the Council of Government on the 17th June:-

to:-

Considering the enormous losses which the surrah has caused and is still causing to the interests of the sugar cane planters throughout the Colony, amounting in certain districts to the loss of nearly all the beasts of burthen; considering also the very serious difficulties, consequent on such disease, with which such planters will have to contend when realising their crop, it is expedient that Government should adopt every means tending to facilitate the conveyance of canes to sugar factories, the most important of which consisting. in the remission of all customs duties or direct taxes leviable on automobiles, steam road engines and trucks, rails and accessories, locomotives, waggons or wire ropes imported for agricultural purposes during the year beginning 1st July, 1902, and ending 30th June, 1903.

'Provided also that any of the above articles imported previous to 1st July shall be exempt from the payment of direct taxes payable during the year

1908."

ANNEXURE B.

3. In connexion with the above motion the following Resolutions were agreed

"Whereas an outbreak of disease among beasts of burden threatens to interfere seriously with the means of transport in the Colony, and specially with the transport of sugar canes and sugar:

"(A) The Council of Government approve of the appropriation of surplus funds for the construction of railway sidings in cases where the Governor in Executive Council is satisfied that the construction of such siding will ensure an increase of revenue sufficient to justify the outlay; the conditions to be laid down by the Governor in Executive Council."

"(B) And the Council of Government further approve the purchase out of surplus balances of automobiles to facilitate the conveyance

of canes of small planters to the factories or railways on such terms and conditions as may be approved by the Governor in Executive Council."

35972

21

No. 8.

GOVERNOR SIR C. BRUCE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

(Received 6.0 p.m., August 28, 1902.)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by Nos. 9 and 11.]

Referring to your telegram of 25th August,* security for payment on crops alone would not be sufficient without a provision for transfer of, or abandonment of, estate. Procureur-General suggests repayment to be made by annuities on security of contract running with land analogous to rentcharge created by Improvement of Land Act, 1884. Punctual payment of annuities to be secured, firstly, by making annuity rank first among privileged maintenance charges; secondly, by privilege charge on crops and proceeds as in Article No. 3 and 4, Ordinance No. 4 of 1998; thirdly, by right of seizure of, and sale of, estate. Do you agree?

35972

No. 9.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN to GOVERNOR SIR C. BRUCE. (Sent 2.30 p.m., September 1, 1902.)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 12.]

Referring to your telegram of August 28th, † proposal approved; Loan Law is being prepared.

35972

GENTLEMEN,

No. 10.

COLONIAL OFFICE to CROWN AGENTS.

[Answered by No. 14.]

Downing Street, September 3, 1902. I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to transmit for your consideration copy of telegraphic correspondence with the Government of Mauritius, from which you will understand that in consequence of a serious outbreak of “

>> surra in the Colony it is proposed to raise a loan for a considerable sum to assist the introduction of mechanical transport on sugar estates.

2. I am to request you to advise as to the form of loan which is likely to prove most advantageous, and to be good enough to supply this Office with a draft Ordinance at as early a date as may be possible.

3. Mr. Chamberlain will be glad if you will meanwhile procure and send out to the Government of Mauritius the fullest information possible with regard to Decauville and other types of light railways in use on sugar estates.

35972

No. 11.

I am, &c.,

C. P. LUCAS.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN to GOVERNOR SIR C. BRUCE.

(No. 213.)

ŞIR,

Downing Street, September 3, 1902.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 273,

• No. 6.

† No. 8.

Nos. 4, 6, 8 and 9.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :--

गय

C.O. 882

8

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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