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3. I am not in agreement with 4 (b); a mere academic knowledge of the use of instruments is not of much use; if he has nothing more than that when he goes to Southampton for two months, a lot of time that he should spend in working I have not much up practical subjects will be spent in elementary_training. opinion of the examination as carried out by the Institute of Surveyors: so far as concerns actual survey work, it is not held of such importance as land convey- ancing, valuation, and such like subjects; but if the Institute is prepared to take up surveying as a science apart from land agency, the F.S.I. would be a little more honoured in the profession than it is now, or is likely to be under present conditions. I discussed this subject with Mr. Goddard, the Secretary of the Institute, and he quite agreed with me as to the value of the diploma so far as the survey profession is concerned. If the Southampton course is only to be two months the candidates must have a practical knowledge of the use of instruments and their construction before they go there. Instruments should include aneroid and mercury barometers.

4. A candidate who holds the surveying diploma of the Royal Geographical Society is a much more promising subject than one who has passed the A.M.S.I. examination; the former has gone through a course of good practical training followed by a searching examination, and should require little more to make a good topographer. There must be other institutions, such as the City and Guilds Technical College at South Kensington, that give a good initial training which might be included later on.

In my 5. I would strongly support Colonel Jackson's paragraph 6. experience a month's training only gives the candidates a very superficial idea of their practical work, and two months would get very little further, although I have very much pleasure in testifying to the excellence of training received during the short time those gentlemen who have come to Ceylon were at Southampton, I am certain that an extension of the time to six months will amply repay the cost by making them competent to take up their field duties in a much shorter time than they are now, and thus decrease the cost in the Colony. A complete practical knowledge of instruments, as referred to in paragraph 3 above, might then be modified, as the English climate would afford many days during the six months that could be devoted to that study under the auspices of instructors of greater practical knowledge of such matters than could probably be found in any other institution in England. As it is, all this sort of thing has to be taught in the Colonies, at any rate I can speak of Ceylon, where all the officers who have the requisite experience for imparting such knowledge have already enough and to spare on their hands.

6. Colonel Jackson's paragraph 7 may be read as the requirements of the Ceylon Survey Department.

The Honourable the

Colonial Secretary.

33810

I have, &c.,

P. D. WARREN,

Surveyor-General.

1

Director of Surveys on Mr. Cleminson.

71

this subject, and to express my agreement with

I have, &c.,

WALTER EGERTON,

Governor.

Enclosure in No. 37.

HONOURABLE COLONIAL SECRETARY,

Ir is suggested that the Secretary of State does not realise what is required

of surveyors in the Colonies.

In my opinion the standard is too low and there is a tendency to discount the necessity for practical experience.

The proposals put forward by the Surveyor-General of the Federated Malay States show that he wishes to obtain men of the right calibre, and he is also able to afford them a training in his Department of one to two years.

This latter is impracticable in Southern Nigeria.

Quite a number of native surveyors are being highly trained in this Depart- ment, and it is suggested that the European surveyors appointed to this Colony should be fully qualified men capable of employing these trained natives as assistants.

A. CLEMINSON.

15 September, 1909.

33987

No. 38.

FEDERATED MALAY STATES.

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 16 October, 1909.)

(No. 301.) MY LORD,

Government House, Singapore, 22nd September, 1909. WITH reference to your Lordship's despatch, No. 172, of the 12th July,* I have the honour to transmit a copy of a letter from the Surveyor-General, to whom the revised scheme for the selection of candidates for Colonial survey appointments was referred.

2. As regards the last paragraph of Colonel Jackson's letter, he had an opportunity of discussing his suggestions with the Resident-General, who agreed with them. I am of opinion that during his probationary period the surveyor should have free quarters, and the same amount of furniture as is supplied to cadets. Otherwise I concur with Colonel Jackson's proposals.

3. In paragraph 4 of the despatch under reference you enquire whether I desire that steps should be taken, pending the introduction of any new system, to select any more candidates for temporary service at a salary of £420 a year. I have reported in my despatch, No. 263, of the 26th August, 1909,† the engagement of seven such candidates from South Africa, and I do not think it is likely that more will be required. If, however, it should appear desirable to engage any more I will make application direct to the Governors of the Transvaal and Cape Colony as before.

I have, &c..

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

THI.

E A

C.O. 885

(No. 495.)

MY LORD,

No. 37.

SOUTHERN NIGERIA.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received 14 October, 1909.)

Government House, Lagos, Southern Nigeria,

22 September, 1909. REFERRING to your Lordship's despatch, No. 555, of the 13th of July last,* on the subject of the steps which should be taken for improving and systematizing the supply of candidates for junior survey appointments in the Crown Colonies and Protectorates, I have the honour to enclose a copy of a minute from the Acting

• No. 30.

SIR,

(No. 80/1908.)

JOHN ANDERSON.

Enclosure in No. 38.

6th September, 1909.

Scheme for Survey Cadets.

WITH reference to your 5724, of 3rd instant, forwarding the High Commis- sioner's S. of S. 1100/1909, of 24th ultimo, I have the honour to state that I agree

• No. 29.

† 31209: not printed.

26548

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