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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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Reference :--

C.O. 8

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and I shall be glad if you will inform your Ministers that I readily accept this procedure.

9117

No. 23.

NEW SOUTH WALES.

I have, &c.,

L. HARCOURT.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.

(No. 56.) MY LORD,

Downing Street, 26 April, 1912 I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 13, of the 19th February,* and to state that I am glad to learn that your Government will co-operate in the scheme for a more extended investigation of noxious insects in the Empire. I readily accept the decision come to at a meeting of the Premiers of the Australian States in conference that the contribution by the Governments of those States towards the cost of the investigation should be made on a population basis.

I have, &c.,

9117

SIR,

No. 24.

L. HARCOURT.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNORS.

(Queensland. No. 48.)

[Answered by Nos, 50 and 54.]

(South Australia. No. 44.)

(Western Australia. No. 45.)

Downing Street, 26 April, 1912. WITH reference to my despatch [No. 126 of the 29th December last] [No. 28 of the 1st March] [No. 15 of the 24th January], relative to the proposed scheme for a more extended investigation of noxious insects in the Empire, I have the honour to state that I understand that at a recent meeting of the Premiers of the Australian States in conference it was decided that the contribution by the above Governments of the States towards the cost of the investigation should be made on a population basis. I shall be glad if you will inform your Ministers that I readily agree to this procedure being adopted.

I have, &c.,

L. HARCOURT.

"

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should be made to strengthen the entomological side of our work; such a course will be extremely welcome to me and to Mr. Ballou, the Entomologist, if means can be found to carry it into effect.

3. In view of the limitations placed upon the appropriations for the mainten- ance of the central establishment, I have hesitated to urge much in the direction of increasing the staff; it was with some effort that provision was made for the addition of a Veterinary Officer, and I fear that any further addition in the direction of an Assistant Entomologist will necessitate the finding of additional funds, though I hope this may not be regarded as an insuperable barrier.

4. The time of the Entomologist is busily occupied in what have now become routine duties, including the regular preparation of entomological notes for the Agricultural News and other publications, the preparation of pamphlets and handbooks, the examination of entomological material sent in from the various Colonies, the investigation of plant pests and the correspondence arising therefrom, together with the paying of periodical visits to those islands more intimately associ ated with the work of this Department. I may here refer to West Indian Bulletin, Vol. XI., part 4, pp. 282-317, copies of which have already been furnished for the use of the Colonial Office.

5. The proposal was made by a representative committee at the recent West Indian Agricultural Conference that this Department should be the medium for the exchange of information regarding the nomenclature of plant pests and diseases; this involves an exchange of views and of specimens, the transmission of which must occupy much attention on the part of the Department's technical officers.

may

6. I add that I am desirous of drawing attention to the facilities that the entomological and mycological divisions of this Department offer for the training of advanced students in tropical entomology and mycology: I believe that much advantage might follow from sending here for training such men as are likely to take up appointments involving work of this nature in other tropical Colonies. Already Messrs. Gowdey and Jemmot have received such training here, while at present a student in entomology is working in preparation for a course of study at Amherst, and Mr. Bodkin, of British Guiana, has spent some short time here for the sake of gaining information, while it is contemplated that Mr. Dunlop, of St. Kitts, may later undertake a course of mycological training. For the full development of this side of the work assistants are necessary to prevent undue pressure on the existing staff, and I should welcome any provision that made for greater efficiency in this and other directions.

7. It may perhaps be that proper representations may result in the provision of additional funds, and that possibly suggestions may be put forward on your side, and I shall be glad to be informed of the results of any further discussions.

I have, &c.,

FRANCIS WATTS,

Commissioner of Agriculture for the West Indies.

No. 25.

21 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

WEST INDIES.

THE IMPERIAL COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES to COLONIAL OFFICE.

(No. S.S. 1056.)

(Received 30th April, 1912.)

[Answered by No. 36.]

Imperial Department of Agriculture for the West Indies,

Barbados, April 11, 1912.

SIR,

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 6806, of March 25, informing me that the Entomological Research Committee has put for ward the recommendation that an assistant should be appointed to help the Entomologist who is attached to this Department.

2. It is gratifying to find that, as the result of the personal acquaintance with the conditions acquired by Mr. Marshall during his recent visit, the proposal

• No. 14.

Nos. 3. 11, and 6.

↑ No. 14A.

14263

No. 26.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received 9.55 a.m., 10th May, 1912.)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 70.]

Your despatch, 26th March, No. 35.* Ministers would not be prepared to

send special representative to Conference in view of the fact that they have made a joint contribution towards the investigation. Ministers are prepared to authorise Agent-General for Western Australia to represent them.-STRICKLAND.

• No. 17.

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No. 27.