39317
137
SIR,
No. 86.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNORS.
[Answered by Nos. 101, 125, and 173.]
(Trinidad. No. 405.)
(Jamaica. No. 336.)
(British Guiana, No. 288.) (Fiji. No. 313.)
Downing Street, 3rd December, 1912. WITH reference to my despatch, No. [363][305][267][292], of the 31st of Octo- ber last,* I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a further letter dated 23rd November† which has been received from the India Office, regarding the visit of the two representatives of the Indian Government who are to enquire into the conditions of life of the Indian immigrants in the West Indian Colonies and Fiji.
2. I have ascertained that these gentlemen are arranging to leave this country on the 1st of January, and you will note that they propose to proceed first to Trinidad, and thence to British Guiana; from there to Jamaica (probably viâ Surinam), and lastly to Fiji.
3. The matters which will form the subject of their enquiry are explained in the memorandum of instructions which is enclosed in the India Office letter, and I feel convinced that both you and the officers of the Colonial Government and the employers of indentured labour generally will recognise the importance of affording them every possible facility for carrying out the objects of their mission. You will no doubt call the attention of the Protector of Immigrants to the memorandum of instructions enclosed, in order that any information which his Department has on the subjects mentioned may be available for the delegates on their arrival.
4. It is to be anticipated that the delegates will prefer to complete their tour of inspection and consider their report before making definite recommendations on any important matter in regard to which they may think existing arrangements susceptible of improvement. On the other hand, it may well be that on certain points they may have suggestions to make during their visit. If this should prove to be the case, you will, of course, consider carefully any recommendations made to you for improving present arrangements. Should it happen that your knowledge of local conditions discloses to you objections which would not be apparent to anyone visiting the Colony for the first time, I request that you will explain to me as soon as may conveniently be the points at issue and your reasons for your action. In any case, I shall be interested to have from you an account of the visit, and any information which the delegates may communicate to you as to their impressions.
5. I take this opportunity of forwarding to you the enclosed copy of a letter from the India Office, dated 13th November,‡ dealing with emigrants' contracts.
I have, &c..
L. HARCOURT.
37156
No. 87.
COLONIAL OFFICE to INDIA OFFICE.
No. 88. TRINIDAD.
COMMANDER W. H. COOMBS (PROTECTOR OF IMMIGRANTS) to MR. GRINDLE
(COLONIAL OFFICE).
(Received 11 December, 1912.)
[Acknowledged 17 December, 1912.]
Glenside, Tunapuna, Trinidad,
DEAR MR. GRINDLE,
As promised, I send you the amount of Crown lands purchased by East
25 November, 1912. Indians from 1902-3 to 1911-12, ten years, also the prices paid for the same.
I am sending you a letter received from Mr. Fitzpatrick, whom I had asked to prepare me a list of descendants of indentured immigrants who had risen to positions in the Colony; I hope it may be of some use to you. Anything more you may require I shall be only too pleased to supply.
Yours very truly,
W. H. COOMBS,
Commander, R.N.
Enclosure 1 in No. 88.
a.
CROWN LANDS SOLD TO EAST INDIANS FROM 1902-3 TO 1911-12.
r. p. 2,796 2 1 4,165 3 27
Lots.
1902-3
2
1903-4
1904-5
4,898 1 28
25
1905-6
4,102 3 11
1906-7
3,306 0 0
1907-8
3,186 1 6
1908-9
4,802 0 20
33
1909-10
2,976 3 01
22
1910-11 1911-12
1,283 1 37 252 3 36
45
53
31,771 1
7
180
£
1902-3
1903-4
1904-5
1905-6
s. d. 4,194 0 8,330 0 9,796 0 10,255 0
0
0
0
0
1906-7
8,265 0
0
1907-8
1908-9
1909-10
7,965 0 12,003 0 7,440 0
0
0
0
1910-11
3,207 10
0
1911-12
630 0 0
Total
£72,087 10 0
Downing Street, 5 December, 1912.
SIR,
I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to acknowledge the receipt of letter of the 23rd of November,† and to transmit to you, to be laid before the your Marquess of Crewe, the accompanying copy of a despatch§ which he has addressed to the Governors of Trinidad, British Guiana, Jamaica, and Fiji, on the subject of the approaching visit of Mr. J. McNeill, I.C.S., and Mr. Chimmanlal to those Colonies to study the condition of Indian labourers.
&c.,
I am,
H. J. READ, for the Under-Secretary of State.
L.F.F. transmitting copies of No. 77.
* No. 84.
* No. 81.
§ No. 86.
(Incomplete) list of wealthy and influential East Indians in Cunuto District.* +Hosnally.--Dwelling-house worth $5,000, and owner of five cocoa properties, said
to be worth $40,000.
Matura.-Proprietor and cart owner, said to be worth $7,000 to $8.000.
Doorarkha Maradge.-Ex-indentured immigrant; now the most influential man in
the neighbourhood. Large proprietor. Seanath Tanoo.-Wealthy proprietor.
Macdoom. }
Jhaukkeer. Two wealthy brothers.
• Most of these were at one time indentured immigrants. The most influential are înarked †.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
ITT
Reference :-
C.O.885
21 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
138
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