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to be entirely new surface springs have made their appearance, which have Bowed for many days and in some cases are still not exhausted. The courtyards of the Victoria Hospital at Candos were flooded a foot deep by such a spring which appeared to take its rise from under the Medical Superintendent's quarters. It is, of course, necessary to deal with these as soon as possible for health reasons and this will add to the expenditure involved. So far no outbreaks of typhoid or dysentery have been reported but I fear there is likely to be a considerable rise in the incidence of malaria.

6. The immediate problem on the cessation of the hurricane was the reopening of communications by road and telephone and relief of the large numbers rendered homeless. Accommodation was provided in various Government buildings throughout the damaged districts and the local Police and Medical authorities were instructed on Sunday the 8th to arrange for emergency distribution of food- stuffs at Police Stations and temporary shelters. The arrangements for relief at Vacoas were kindly undertaken by the Officer Commanding Troops who rendered most valuable assistance, and in Curepipe and Beau Bassin by the local District Boards. In Port Louis the Poor Law authorities and the Municipality in collaboration were able to deal with the situation. The emergency arrangements for distribution of foodstuffs were con tinued for a week by which time normal methods of supply had been re-established and the Poor Law authorities were in a posi- tion to deal with cases of actual destitution. There was fortunately a good supply of foodstuffs in the Colony at the time.

7. In order to assist in the reconstruction of the smaller thatched dwellings permits were issued by the Forest Department to deserving cases to take fallen timber from the forests of which there is a great quantity. Private owners of woods also in many instances helped in this way. By this means fairly good progress has been made in the rebuilding of labourers' dwellings. There is more difficulty in dealing with the slightly more substantial buildings of wood and galvanised iron which have, in many cases, been demolished. In the most necessitous cases owners of such buildings are being assisted, as far as possible, by a Relief Fund Committee under the Chairmanship of the Bishop of Port Louis (R.C.) assisted by the Bishop Designate of Mauritius (C. of E.) and various other gentlenen. This Committee has collected a certain sum (at present about Rs.20,000) by private subscription and the grant of 250,000 francs made by the Government of Madagascar has also been placed in its hands. The local Government is contributing Rs.20,000 in accordance with Your Lordship's approval and I think it will be best that the gift of £5,000 from His Majesty's Government should also be distributed through the same agency. Assistance is being given in kind by supplying materials and replacing stock or implements, such as fishing nets and boats, the

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examination of cases being made through local Sub-Committees presided over by the elected members for the various districts. The Government has nominated three representatives on the Central Committee. The total funds at the disposal of the Committee are expected to be about Rs.130,000 to Rs.140,000, and this should ulice I think to help in the majority of the more urgent cases of distress.

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8. The damage done to crops has been the subject of separate In accordance with the estimate telegraphic correspondence. prepared by the Chamber of Agriculture damage to sugar factories, outbuildings, labourers' dwellings, tramways, bridges, culverts, etc., is expected to require about Rs.1,500,000 to make good to such an extent, as to make working possible, and the damage to the sugar crop is estimated at about 30 per cent. throughout the island or 75,000 tons loss on a crop which was estimated before the hurricane at 250,000 tons. The damage to sugar factories has not been severe. Roofs have been partially dismantled in many cases, but little damage to machinery has occurred. Outbuildings, however, have often suffered severely, and owing to the heavy rains, damage to embankments, retaining walls, tramway lines, drains, culverts, etc., has in many cases been considerable and will in its total cost a lines and employees* large sum to make good. The labourers' houses on many estates have been badly damaged and out of the estimate of Rs.1,500,000 for essential repairs Rs.600,000 is allocated by the Chamber to renewal of dwellings. It is impossible to check the estimates furnished but I do not consider them by any means excessive. The damage to the crop is, of course, a matter of opinion and no accurate estimate can be formed. The opinion of the Agricultural Department, however, accords with the view taken by the Chamber of Agriculture that the loss may reach 30 per cent. over the whole island. Others take a more hopeful view. Obviously much depends on the weather experienced between now and the reaping season, but in the upland levels not much growth ordinarily takes place after May. Since the hurricane, cool dry weather has prevailed which has not been favourable to the recovery of the crop, though it has been an advantage to the population whose homes had been destroyed or damaged. If previous records are examined (see Mauritius Almanac, page E. 23, 1930-31 Edition) it may be noted that the lowest crop recorded since 1900 was 142,000 tons after the 1902 cyclone. At that time, however, the total normal output was less than at present. In 1911 after a hurricane which occurred on 29th March the crop reached only 169,600 tons, but in 1916 after a hurricane of apparently greater intensity and later In 1926 a hurricane of moderate date it reached 209,000 tons. intensity occurred on 18th-19th April and the crop reached 192,000 tons. The recent hurricane was by general admission the most severe since 1892, and as the crop was well advanced the damage was proportionately severe. It is impossible, however, to gauge

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