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Government, held on the 5th April last, to the effect "that Article 15 of Ordin- ance 20 of 1894, be modified so as to give to the townships the water from the Mare- aux-Vacoas, for the municipal service, at a cheaper rate than eight cents.'

»

2. On the receipt of notice of this motion in December, 1903, I consulted the Board of Commissioners of the Mare-aux-Vacoas Water Supply, who did not see I enclose a their way to recommend, for the present, the reduction applied for. copy of the Chairman's Minute.

3. Dr. Edwards brought the question before the Council of Government on the 5th April last, and withdrew his motion on my promising to submit the matter for your consideration. I enclose an extract from the debates of the meeting.

4. In my despatch, No. 41, of the 1st February,* in answer to the question raised in the 2nd paragraph of your despatch, No. 253, of the 3rd November, 1903,† as to whether the water rates could not be raised, I transmitted a copy of a letter from the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners in which they expressed the opinion, concurred in by the Executive Council, that it was not advisable to raise the existing rates, and I added, "it seems to me that it should be the policy of the Government to encourage the poorer classes to use pure water, and that an increase in the water rates would tend to aggravate the present deplorable sanitary condition

of the Island.”

5. I maintain that opinion, and while being unable, for the present, to recom- mend any reduction in the Mare-aux-Vacoas water rates, owing to the annual charge for debt and working expenses, I hope that, as soon as it is possible to do so, pure water will be more extensively brought within reach of the poorer classes of the community.

I have, &c.,

GRAHAM BOWER, Administering the Government.

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dernier, demandant s'il n'est pas possible d'augmenter le prix de l'eau de la Mare- aux-Vacoas. Si le Gouvernement prend une telle mesure, attendez-vous à voir continuer la mortalité qui régne dans la Colonie, parce que nous ne pourrons pas donner de l'eau pure dans les quartiers pauvres, principalement à Curepipe où le tarif est très élevé.

Dr. ROHAN. You want the tax-payers of the Town to pay for the water of Curepipe. You want us to give you cheaper water; what do you do for us?

Dr. EDWARDS.-Permettez-moi de répondre à mon hon. ami qu'il ne connaît pas la question qui est devant le Conseil. Il y a un tarif, d'après la loi, pour l'eau de la Mare-aux-Vacoas. Les habitants de Curepipe paient 10 centièmes par mètre cube; les militaires, 8 centièmes, et le Board de Curepipe, 8 centièmes par mètre cube pour les fontaines publiques. Or, je considère que le Board paie très cher pour donner de l'eau aux pauvres. Il ne faut pas oublier qu'en érigeant des fontaines publiques le Board contribue à diminuer la mortalité. A côté de cela, vous avez Highlands qui paie 4 centièmes seulement pour les besoins de l'irrigation ou pour son moulin. Ce que je demande c'est que l'on fasse payer un prix moindre pour l'eau qui doit servir aux besoins municipaux de la ville de Curepipe.

Mr. L. E. ANTELME.—Je seconde.

THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT.-No practical effect can be given to this motion this session. During the recess I will take the matter into consideration.

Dr. EDWARDS.-I hope that when you will reply to the Secretary of State you will put the whole matter before him.

THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT.I will communicate the motion to the Secretary of State, and probably express an opinion on the general sanitation of the districts.

Motion by leave withdrawn.

Enclosure 1 in No. 182.

COLONIAL SECRETARY.

CHAIRMAN, Board of Commissioners Mare-aux-Vacoas Water Supply, to

(No. 16.)

January 26, 1904.

The Board, considering the opinion expressed by them in their letter, B.L. No. 15, dated this day, on the question raised by the Secretary of State in his despatch, No. 253/03, and the heavy expenditure incurred in connection with the Mare-aux-Vacoas Water Works, do not see their way to recommend, for the present, the reduction applied for.

G. A. RITTER,

Chairman.

23603

SIR,

No. 183.

MR. LYTTELTON to Acting Governor Sir G. BOWER.

(No. 169.)

Downing Street, July 8, 1904.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 205, of the 4th of June,* with regard to a proposal to reduce the Mare-aux-Vacoas water

rates.

2. In view of the opinion expressed by the Board of Commissioners, I agree with you that a reduction is not possible.

I have, &c.,

ALFRED LYTTELTON.

Enclosure 2 in No. 182.

24572

MAURITIUS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT Debates.

(Extract.)

:

[Meeting of the 5th April, 1904.] Mare-aux-Vacoas Water Supply.

Motion of the Honourable Dr. W. T. A. Edwards, C.M.G.-

The Council is of opinion that Article 15 of Ordinance No. 20 of 1894 (Mare- aux-Vacoas) be modified so as to give to the Townships the water from the Mare-aux-Vacoas, for the Municipal service, at a cheaper rate than eight cents.

Dr. EDWARDS. Quoique l'heure soit très avancée je demanderai à votre Honneur à présenter une motion excessivement importante, et qui intéresse la santé publique. Je suis en présence de la dépêche du Secrétaire d'Etat, en date du 3 novembre

• No. 132.

† No. 111.

No. 184.

ACTING GOVERNOR SIR G. BOWER to MR. LYTTELTON. (Received 10.20 a.m., July 12, 1904.)

TELEGRAM.

[Copy to Crown Agents, July 15, 1904. L.F.]

Referring to your telegram, 12th May,† planters have paid on account of capital

of Advances-in-Aid Loan £15,056, plus £293, adready remitted to Crown Agents, plus interest due on 30th June, Rs. 243,862.

able on 30th September and remitted. draw for capital repaid at once.

* No. 182.

A further sum of £9,809 will be recover- Please inform Crown Agents they should

† No. 162.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

8 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH——NOT TO