CO885(3-4) — Page 484

(No. 343.) Sir,

138

Inclosure 3 in No. 150,

Government House, Mauritius, October 81, 1879. I HAVE the honour to forward herewith a copy of a memorial addressed to me by a considerable number of residents in this Colony in favour of the permanent establish- ment of the steam service between Mauritius and Natal, which has been inaugurated by Messrs. Donald Currie and Co.

2. In my despatch No. 268 of the 15th ultimo, I reported the action already taken in this matter by the Government and Legislature of this Colony.

3. The general opinion of the best judges in this community seems to be that Mauritius cannot afford to subsidize a second monthly mail service via the Cape, in addition to that already established via Suez, and also to contribute to the extension hither of the electric telegraph, and that the telegraph with the existing line via Suez would be more advantageous for colonial interests than two monthly lines without the telegraph.

Moreover, there appears to be no question among naval and military officers of the urgent importance, on Imperial grounds, of extending the telegraph to this island, the Malta 'the Indian Ocean.

4. It will be remembered that the Legislature of this Colony has already expressed its willingness to vote an annual subsidy, for a term not exceeding twenty years, of 100,000 rupees, as its contribution to the cost of the extension of the telegraph, and that with my despatch No. 240 of the 8th September ultimo I transmitted a copy of the Report adopted on this subject, in which the Legislature "venture to express the hope that the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies 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.

و"

5. I shall return to this subject in another despatch§ by this mail concerning the general defence of Mauritius.

6. Hoping that you will instruct me as to your present views respecting the extension of the telegraph to this island,

139

Inclosure 4 in No. 150.

(No. 421.) Sir,

Government House, Mauritius, December 8, 1879. FROM the despatches noted, you will have learned that the Government and Legis. lature of Mauritius are very desirous that the telegraph, now in process of being laid down between Aden and Natal, should be extended to this island; and that the Legislature has pledged itself to vote an annual subsidy, for a term not exceeding twenty years, of 100,000 rupees, as its contribution to the cost of such extension.

2. You are also aware that there is no difference of opinion among naval and military officers as to the importance, on Imperial even more than on Colonial grounds, of the extension of the telegraph to this Malta of the Indian Ocean.

3. I am urged on all sides, both Civil, Naval, and Military, to represent that steps should be taken in this matter forthwith, while the ships laying down the cable between Aden and Natal are still in these seas. I venture to hope, therefore, that you will cause measures to be adopted without delay to ascertain the cost of bringing the submarine cable to Mauritius from either Natal or Zanzibar; and what contribution will be given by the Imperial Government in addition to the subsidy from this Colony. Perhaps the French Government will also be willing to contribute on behalf of the French Island of Réunion (Bourbon).

4. I inclose a copy of a letter addressed by this mail to the Colonial Secretary of Mauritius (Mr. Napier Broome, C.M.G.), who is now in England on leave of absence.

5. Hoping to be informed ere long that you have taken steps in the direction of securing

telegraphic communication with Mauritius, in pursuance of the desire of the Local Government and Legislature, and in view of the very important Imperial and Colonial interests involved,

て

The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., M.P.,

Sir,

&c.

&c.

&c.

I have, &c. (Signed)

G. F. BOWEN.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

G. F. BOWEN.

The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., M.P.,

I

&c.

&c.

&c.

To his Excellency Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G., Governor of Mauritius and its De-

pendencies, &c., &c.

Port Louis, Mauritius, October 10, 1879.

Sir,

We, the Undersigned, have seen with greal satisfaction the establishment of a line of steamers by Messrs. Donald Currie and Co., of London, between South Africa and Mauritius.

And, being satisfied of the great value of such a service, we beg leave to urge that steps may be taken by the Government of this Colony to secure, by means of this British line, via the Cape, a postal and commercial service between England, the Cape Colony, Natal, and Mauritius, to alternate with the steamers of the line, viâ Aden and the Suez Canal.

Mauritius has at present only postal communication once every twenty-eight days, while telegraphic communication cannot be had under fifteen days, við Aden.

In the absence of a direct cable, the community would secure the advantages of a telegraphic intercourse, reduced to six or seven days, with Europe, India, Australia, &c., as soon as the submarine cable is laid between Natal and Aden, if the South African route were adopted for an additional mail service.

We earnestly request that the Colonial Government will give every assistance in their power to enable Messrs. Donald Currie and Co, to maintain the line between Mauritius ⚫ and South Africa.

• Not printed.

We have, &c (flere follow the Signatures.)

↑ Governer Sir A. Phayre to Secretary of State, No. 370, of October 9, 1878. Inclosure 2 in No. 150.

Iuclosure 2 in No. 126.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Mauritius, December 8, 1879. I am directed by his Excellency the Governor to inform you that, by this day's mail, his Excellency, on behalf of the Government and Legislature of Mauritius, has addressed the Secretary of State for the Colonies respecting the urgent importance, on Imperial even more than on Colonial grounds, of the extension of the electric telegraph to this island.

2. You are aware that the Legislature of this Colony has pledged itself to give an annual subsidy of 100,000 rupees, for a term not exceeding twenty years, as its contribu- tion to the cost of such extension.

3. You are requested to place yourself forthwith in communication, on this subject, with the Colonial Office, and also, with the sanction of the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with any firms in England likely to undertake this work, and to report the result of your inquiries and proceedings for the information of the Governor in Council.

I have, &c.

The Hon. F. Napier Broome, C.M.G.,

London.

(Signed)

No. 151.

H. N. D. BEYTS,

Acting Colonial Secretary.

The Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Bart., to Governor Sir G. F. Bowen,-G.C.M.G. / (General.)

Sir,

Downing Street, March 3, 1880.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 18 of the 9th January+ with reference to the proposed extension of the telegraph to Mauritius, and to inform you that it has been laid before the Royal Commission on the Defence of British

• Inclosures 2 and 3 in No. 150; and Inclosure 2 in No. 126.

+ Inclosure in No. 150.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

ד

Reference :-

C.O. 885

4 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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