136
to-say that they think that these are all the witnesses they will be able to dispose of in the course of the summer; but that later on in the investigation they will be glad to receive evidence from the other Colonies, and beg that Sir Michael Hicks Beach will intimate to them that they will come under consideration in due time.
I have, &c. (Signed)
Sir,
No. 149.
HERBERT JEKYLL.
Colonial Office to F. Napier Broome, Esq., C.M.G.
Downing Street, March 3, 1880.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, for your information, a copy of a despatch from the Governor of Mauritius with reference to the proposed extension of the telegraph to that Colony. A copy of the inclosed despatch has also been transmitted to the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.
I am, &c.
Sir,
(Signed)
No. 150.
R. H. MEADE.
Colonial Office to the Secretary to the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.
Downing Street, March 3, 1880. WITH reference to the letters from this Department of the 19th January and 14th February last,t I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, to be laid before the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, a copy of a despatch from the Governor of Mauritius with reference to the proposed extension of the telegraph to that Colony. I am also to inclose copies of the previous despatches having reference to the question of telegraphic communication with Mauritius.
(No. 18.) Šir,
I am, &c. (Signed)
Inclosure 1 in No. 150.
R. H. MEADE.
Government House, Mauritius, January 9, 1880.
I HAVE the honour to report that on the 4th instant I received, by the steamer Kangaroo," a telegram from Mr. John Pender, the chairman of the Eastern Telegraph Company, dated the 27th ultimo, to the following effect :-"The Cape Colony is now connected with the important commercial centres of the world. Mauritius is not included. I hope she will take steps to secure the enormous advantages I regret much that which this connection would give her."
2. In acknowledging this telegram, I have caused Mr. Pender to be informed by the Colonial Secretary that, in common with the Executive Council and Legislature of this Colony, I am fully alive to the great importance, alike on Imperial and on Colonial grounds, of the extension of the telegraph to Mauritius; that I have already carnestly pressed this matter on your attention, and that your approval and co-operation are anxiously awaited in this community.
3. If you consider that the annual subsidy of 100,000 rupees (equal at the present rate of exchange to about 8,0001.), already voted by the Council of Government, is not a fair and sufficient contribution, I make no doubt but that the Council, on your recom- mendation, would be willing to increase the subsidy to 10,000. sterling. It will be recollected that this latter sum (10,0001.) was all that Mr. Pender asked for from Mauritius.
4. It will be remembered that the Chambers of Commerce and Agriculture concurred in 1878 with the Council of Government as to the importance of the speedy extension of the telegraph to this island. In addition to the manifold arguments in favour of such extension on civil, naval, and military, on Imperial and on Colonial grounds, I have been
↑ No. 103 and 126.
• Inclosure 1 in No. 150.
137
requested to point out that, owing to the overwhelming Indian immigration and other causes, Mauritius is exposed to 'sudden epidemics of cholera, fever, and smallpox; and that, on the occurrence of such emergencies, the telegraph becomes of vital importance. For instance, when the epidemic of fever broke out in 1867, the stock of quinine in this island was soon exhausted, and many thousands of lives would, in all probability, have been saved if a fresh supply could have been ordered by telegraph.
5. Once more hoping that you will cause steps to be taken forthwith in the direction earnestly desired by the Government and the Legislature of this Colony, I have, &c.
The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., M.P.,
(No. 240.)
Sir,
&c.
&c.
&c.
(Signed)
Inclosure 2 in No. 150.
ви
G. F. BOWEN.
Government House, Mauritius, September 8, 1879.
I HAVE the honour to report that I lost no time in laying before the Council of Government your despatch No. 174 of the 26th June ultimo, with its inclosures, respecting telegraphic communication.
2. This question was referred for the consideration of the Finance Committee, and I now inclose a copy of its Report, which was adopted by the Council with only one dis- sentient voice, and with which I entirely concur.
✓
3. It will be seen that the Legislature "venture to express the hope that the Right Honourable the Secretary of State will seize the earliest opportunity of reconsidering this matter, so that Mauritius may not remain relegated amongst the few British Possessions which are now deprived of the benefits of direct telegraphic communication."
The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., M.P.,
&c.
&c.
&c.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
G. F. BOWEN,
Appendix to Minutes of Council No. 21 of 1879.
Report of the Finance Committee on his Excellency the Governor's Minute No. 14 of 1879. (No. 27. August 26, 1879.)
Present:
The Honourable the Acting Receiver-General, Chairman.
the Acting Auditor-General. the Protector of Immigrants. R. Stein.
E. Ducray.
Read-His Excellency's Minute No. 14 dated 5th instant, laying before the Council of Government a despatch from the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, No. 174, dated the 26th of June last, and a Treasury Minute dated 4th May, 1879, explaining the measures adopted by the Home Government for the establishment of telegraphic communication between England and South Africa.
2. The Committee regret that the home authorities have not been able to secure, for the present, the connection of Mauritius with the line between Aden and Natal; but they venture to express the hope that the Right Honourable the Secretary of State will seize the earliest opportunity of reconsidering this matter, so that Mauritius may not remain relegated amongst the few British Possessions which are now deprived of the benefits of“ direct telegraphic communication.
A. CHASTEAUNEUF, Chairman
Chambers, August 26, 1879.
[1093]
(Signed)
• Not printed.
20
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Reference :-
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