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and were subsequently changed to pneumatics (Dunlop) and Elastes respectively; number of punctures two, and one Elastes inner tube burst; distance run, touring Car, about 1,267 miles; luggage car, 1,667 miles. Average mileage to one galion of petrol 12; average load, touring car, 64 cwt., luggage car, 8 cwt.; maximum loads carried, touring car, 9 cwt., luggage car, 15 cwt; maximum speed attained (at rate of) 35 miles per hour for a short distance over good roads; average speed, both cars, 13 miles per hour. As has been already stated, both cars have been chiefly employed on Link Railway, over newly-made embankments and alongside formation ion grades up to one in six), and no road can be said to have existed. The treat- ment to which the cars were subjected has been, therefore, exceptionally severe. The only stoppages have been caused by overheating, broken fan belts, and failure of pressure feed, and thrice by tyre troubles, already referred to. The circulating water pipes were of too small diameter (these cannot be too large in a hot country). The petrol tank was carried in rear of car, and the joints in the long air pressure and petrol pipes were frequently giving way under the excessive bumping on the rough track. This difficulty was overcome by fitting a small petrol tank on to off- side lamp bracket and connecting same direct with carburettor.

I cannot speak too highly of the regular running and general efficiency of the cars. They have been in almost daily employ, and the saving in time to Government. enabling a journey of 40 miles to be made in three hours instead of two days, has been great.

24454

25

2. There is at present no system of mechanical transport in this Colony. Should such a system be hereafter established an endeavour will be made to supply the information required by the Mechanical Transport Committee.

28599

(No. 183.).

I have, &c.,

EVERARD IM TIIURN.

No. 28. MAURITIUS.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 15 September, 1910.)

MY LORD,

Government House, Port Louis, 3rd August, 1910. WITH reference to your Lordship's despatch

" Miscellaneous of the 29th April last, calling my attention to the circular despatch of the 28th May, 1909,* I have the honour to state that there is no Government mechanical transport service in this Colony.

2. I forward, however, two copies of the form† which accompanied the earlier despatch, in which, as far as it has been possible to obtain information, details are given of mechanical traction in use by private owners.

3. I enclose also a copy of a memorandum, prepared at my request by Mr. A. Walter, giving further particulars which may be useful.

(No. 94.) MY LORD,

No. 26. BARBADOS.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE,

(Received August 8, 1910.)

•

Government House, Barbados, 15th July, 1910. Ix continuation of my despatch, No. 170, of September 20th, 1909,* in reply to your Lordship's circular despatch of May 28th, 1909, † on the subject of mechani- cal transport, I have the honour to report that I am not yet able to furnish the information which I previously expected to be able to give in about six months.

2. The difficulties experienced in training the drivers render the work done so far somewhat experimental. It follows that the results of this experimental stage would be misleading. I will, therefore, postpone completing and forwarding the table sent with your Lordship's despatch until I can do so with a greater degree of accuracy than is possible at present.

I have, &c.,

Enclosure 2 in No. 28.

I have, &c.,

CAVENDISH BOYLE.

REPORT ON MECHANICAL TRANSPORT EMPLOYED IN THE MAURITIUS SUGAR INDUSTRY.

23rd July, 1910.

In the official returns of machinery in the Colony previous to 1903 no mention

is made of the existence of traction engines or lorries. In 1903, as a consequence of the outbreak of surra, 20 steam (or petrol) lorries and 52 traction engines were introduced, being distributed in the different districts as follows:-

District.

Lorries.

Traction Engines,

24547

No. 27.

FIJI.

G. T. CARTER,

Governor.

Port Louis...

PamplemousSAS

7

5

Rivière du Rempart

3

7

Flacq

3

15

Grand Port

12.

Savanne

9

Black River

Plaine Wilhems

Moka

2

20

52

(No. 125.) MY LORD,

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 9 August, 1910.)

Government House, Suva, Fiji, 14 June, 1910.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's despatch, Miscellaneous, of 29th April last, and to express my regret at the delay which has occurred in replying to your circular despatch of 28th May, 1909,† regarding mechanical transport.

• No. 8.

† No. 44 in [Cd. 4589),

Reminder: not printed.

The ' lorries

have proved altogether unsatisfactory for local requirements. Bad roads, heavy loads, and inexperienced drivers appear to have played havoc with their delicate mechanism. The boilers are difficult to repair and are easily damaged. The whole of the engine, which is beautifully made, is placed beneath the lorry, is always smothered with dust, and is, moreover, very inaccessible. They have been found deficient in carrying capacity, hardly sufficing for the transport of the day's work in sugar to a station a mile or so distant from the factory. The working expenses are very high and the item for repairs is considerable. In 1908 only sixt

• No. 44 in [Cd. 4389].

↑ Not reprinte:1.

From Mauritius Almanac.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

गय

| | | | | | |

Reference :-

C.O.885

21 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

26

were in use, one in the District of Rivière du Rempart, three in Grand Port, and two in Moka, but no reliable information concerning them can be obtained.

The traction engines on the other hand have rendered valuable services; in 1908 eighty-one were in regular use.

The answers to many of the questions concerning speed, loads, costs, &c., given in the accompanying schedule vary considerably, according to the condition of the road, the quality of the coal, and the capabilities of the driver. late Director of the " Forges et Fonderies" of Mauritius, has very kindly supplied Mr. J. Peddington, the following details concerning the working of what he considers an average traction engine employed on sugar estates in Mauritius:-

"The weight of the tractor without fuel and water is from 15 to 20 tons; fuel, coal, and crew would add three or four tons more. outlay is about £800 in Mauritius (Rs. 12,000). On fairly level roads the The capital useful load' is about 30 tons; but in many places in Mauritius even the tractor belonging to the Forges et Fonderies, which is above the average of those employed on sugar estates, is obliged to haul up the waggons simply [? singly]."

The two series of answers given in the accompanying schedule may be considered fairly representative for moderately level runs, when the roads are in good condition.

A. WALTER.

14631

SIR,

(No. 177.)

No. 29.

EAST AFRICA PROTECTORATE.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 5th May, 1911.)

Government House, Nairobi, British East Africa,

April 13th, 1911.

WITH reference to your predecessor's Circular of the 28th May, 1909,* 1 have the honour to inform you that, as there are no metalled roads outside the townships, and as ox-cart transport is so much cheaper than mechanical, it is doubtful whether the latter will be used for some time to come, except perhaps in areas where oxen

cannot live.

2. There are at present two steam lorries employed by the Public Works De- partment in Nairobi and neighbourhood, but as they only work intermittently and for short distances, the cost of their running could not be accepted as a guide to the running of a regular mechanical transport service, and this cannot be instituted until the roads outside the townships are metalled.

3. I much regret the delay in answering the Circular.

I have, &c.,

E. P. C. GIROUARD,

Governor.

• No. 44 in [Cd. 4589].