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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :~~~

C.O. 882

8 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—–—NOT TO

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V. Huteau, Esquire, President of the Board of Directors of the Mauritius

Commercial Bank.

R. Koenig, Esquire, Notary Public.

P. Adam, Esquire.

ABSENT:

The Honourable G. de Coriolis, Surveyor-General.

11

W. Newton, K.C.

G. Gébert.

L. E. Antelme.

E. Sauzier, K.C.

E. C. Fraser.

C. Dumat, Esquire.

The minutes of the last meeting, held on the 24th December last, were taken as read, and were confirmed.

2. The Chairman stated that two applications had been received for delay for the payment of the instalments falling due on 30th June, 1904 and 1905 respec- tively, on loans to Mr. Régnard as Bailleur de fonds to Beau Vallon, Queen Victoria and Bonne Mère, Mon Désert and Belle Rose, and to Mr. Montocchio, as Bailleur de fonds to Belle Vue (Allendy) and Valetta, but that, before proceeding with the business of the day he would read to the Board the following minute, which had been addressed to him by His Honour the Officer Administering the Government:- With reference to Ordinance No. 2 of 1904, I desire to call your attention to the fact that under the instructions of the Secretary of State full discretion is left to the Officer Administering the Government to accept or reject applications for postponement; I understand this to mean:

*

1. That the Officer Administering the Government is to satisfy himself that there is an absolute necessity for such postponement, that is to say, that the estate cannot carry on unless postponement is granted.

"2.

That the position of the estate is such that the Government is secure, and that their position will be in no way prejudiced by granting the application.

"3. That so much of the loan as the estate can afford to pay will be paid and that if, for instance, the estate can afford to pay half the instalment an application to postpone the whole will not be recommended.

"I will be glad if you will explain this to the Loan Board before considering the applications. I need hardly add that I hold that the Board has a full right to call for any documents or other information they may require to satisfy themselves on these points.

"

May 20, 1904."

"

'GRAHAM BOWER.”

3. Read an application from Mr. Maurice Montocchio, as bailleur de fonds to Belle Vue (Allendy) and Valetta praying that, as provided in Ordinance No. 2 of 1904, the instalments that will fall due on the 30th June, 1904, and 30th June, 1905, on two loans of £9,809 1s. 4d. and £6,539 8s. 4d., may be postponed to the 30th June, 1905, and 30th June, 1906 respectively.

The Board fully discussed the question in the light of the instructions contained in the above minute from the Officer Administering the Government, and the Honour- able G. A. Ritter, C.M.G., made a motion, seconded by Mr. V. Huteau, to the effect that: "Applicants will be called upon to submit the balance sheet of the estates on which the contract charges have been given, showing their inability to meet the instalments for which they apply for postponement."

The Honourable H. Leclézio, C.M.G., proposed the following amendment to the motion, viz. "That applicants do submit a statement of their expenses and receipts during the last season of the estates for which a delay is applied for."

The amendment was seconded by Mr. R. Koenig, put to the vote, and rejected by a majority of 7 to 6.

The motion of the Honourable G. A. Ritter, C.M.G., was then put to the vote and carried by a majority of 7 to 6.

The Board were of opinion that the applications for delay should be received, in accordance with the law, up to the 1st of June, but that the balance sheets to accompany such applications, if not then ready, might be forwarded after that date.

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The Board were of opinion that the application of Mr. Montocchio does not give. the required information, and decided that the balance sheets of the estates in question be first produced in accordance with the resolution of the Board on the motion of the Honourable G. A. Ritter, C.M.G.

4. Read an application from Mr. G. Régnard for heirs A. Régnard, as bailleurs de fonds to the estates Beau Vallon, Queen Victoria et Bonne Mère, Mon Désert

et Belle Rose, for delay to settle instalments due on loans to these estates.

The Board were of opinion that the same decision applied as in the case of Mr. Montocchio.

5. The Board then examined an application from the Secretary of the Mauritius Sugar Estates and Assets, for a few days' delay to settle half annuities due since the 4th instant by Riche Bois and Rosalie Estates under the Mechanical Transport Ordi- nance No. 34, of 1902.

The Board recommended that under the special circumstances of the case, a delay be granted to the applicant up the 30th June, 1904.

6. The Board then adjourned to Thursday next, the 26th instant, at 12 o'clock,

E. PELTE,

noon.

Enclosure 3 in No. 181.

Secretary,

OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT to ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY.

I learn that there has been some misapprehension as to the motives and inten- tions that inspired my Minute of the 20th instant relative to the information required to permit me to grant postponements of instalments due under the Advances-in-Aid.

The Secretary of State has placed on me the duty of accepting or rejecting appli- cations. This duty is equivalent to a trust with equivalent responsibilities.

Under these circumstances and whilst anxious to exercise my discretion in a liberal spirit, I cannot sanction any advance with my eyes shut. I must know the facts.

I consider that the Loan Board share my responsibilities in this matter.

I now learn that applicants fear that, they disclose their financial position to

the Loan Board, their private affairs may become public.

and

I do not share this apprehension. The members of the Loan Board are gentlemen may be trusted with confidences.

They are, in their private capacity, accustomed to receive confidences which they conscientiously observe. I have no fear, therefore, that any business confidence made to them will ever be disclosed to any person except the Acting Colonial Secretary or myself.

But, as there seems to be some apprehension in the matter, I desire to make it clear to the members of the Board and to applicants that the proceedings of the Loan Board are secret and confidential, except in regard to the printed Minutes, which should only contain the actual recommendations on the applications submitted.

I need hardly add that any confidence made to me will be rigorously observed and that no information communicated to me will be disclosed to any one except to the Secretary of State.

May 25, 1904.

23603

No. 182.

GRAHAM BOWER.

ACTING GOVERNOR SIR G. BOWER to MR. LYTTELTON.

(No. 205.)

SIR

(Received July 4, 1904.)

[Ansirered by No. 188.]

Government House, Mauritius, June 4, 1904.

I HAVE the honour to inform you that the Honourable Dr. W. T. A. Edwards, C.M.G., Member for Savanne and Chairman of the Board of Commis- sioners for the town of Curepipe, made a motion at a meeting of the Council of

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