CO885-(21-23) — Page 420

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

mwimmi mC.O. 885

22 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

about five months' leave if the voyages are included) or whether it would be of advan- tage to close down the work during the wet season, leave of absence being given for a fixed portion of each calendar year. The Committee decided to recommend that the latter course should be adopted, provided that the geologists were required to devote some portion of the recess to working up their results at home. Dr. Evans laid stress on the importance of their keeping in touch with the progress of geological work in this country.

On the general question of the supply of candidates for geological appointments, Dr. Teall said that it would be of great advantage if vacancies could be notified in advance, as it was always difficult to get men at short notice, and he asked whether there was any prospect of other appointments of the kind being approved. Mr. Read replied that it was impossible to foresce the creation of other appointments at present, and that it must primarily depend on money being available. Dr. Evans thought that as soon as it became known that there were openings for geologists in the Colonies the number of undergraduates at the universities who studied geology would increase. Dr. Teall considered it advisable that selected candidates should receive instruction from the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom in the special work which they would have to undertake, and offered to assist in making the necessary arrangements.

3. Geological Bibliography of British Tropical Africa.

The Committee then considered the question of compiling a bibliography embody- ing the work already done in British Tropical Africa, possibly on the lines of that compiled by the late Mr. A. Knox of the War Office. Mr. Green pointed out that a considerable quantity of material contained in Colonial reports and publications was not generally known, and was only available in the Library of the Colonial Office. Dr. Evans thought that such a bibliography, if based on the lists already on record at the Geological Society, should not mean more than a week's work, and the if the Committee recommended that an expert should be engaged for the purpose Colonies concerned would be prepared to contribute to the cost.

4. Collection and Examination of Specimens.

The Committee agreed that it would be necessary to prepare a pamphlet of directions to officials for their guidance in collecting and sending home geological specimens. Dr. Evans pointed out that he already included advice on this subject in his Tropical African Service course of lectures for administrative officers, and it was considered that as information was also contained in such publications as the Royal Geographical Society's "Hints for Travellers," and the British Museum Handbook, there should be no difficulty in preparing a suitable pamphlet. Dr. Evans agreed to take the matter up as pressure of work admitted.

Colonel Hedley pointed out that it would be necessary for some institution to be the centre in this country for Colonial geological work, as the Geographical Section at the War Office is now the centre for topographical work. Mr. Read instanced the work now done by the British Museum in receiving entomological specimens, the surplus being distributed to the schools of tropical medicine and other institutions, and he considered that it should be possible to make a similar arrange- ment for geological specimens. It was pointed out that the questions of staff and storage accommodation would present difficulties. The natural place for the main collection to be kept in would be the Colony concerned, but it would be necessary for the specimens to be sent for examination, and for a representative collection to be kept, in this country. After the possibility of the work being undertaken by the Geological Museum (which, however, was intended to be reserved for specimens from the United Kingdom alone), the British Museum, and the Imperial Institute, had been discussed, it was agreed to leave the matter open as between the two last-named institutions; the Committee considered that it would be very useful if an expert could he appointed, who should receive and examine the specimens received and prepare monographs from time to time on the progress of the investigation..

5. Geological Maps.

Colonel Close proposed and the Committee agreed-

(a) That the numbering and incidence of geological maps be the same as for

G.S. G.S. maps.

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(b) That a standard system of colouring be adopted. The system adopted at home was recommended, with such special colours as special circum- stances might require.

(c) That the outline edition of the International oooo Map be used as the basis of general geological maps. On this point Dr. Teall mentioned that a Committee was considering a proposal to prepare a general 5.000 geological map in connection with the International Geologi- cal Congress. This scale would, it was considered, be too small for Colonial purposes, while, on the other hand, a 1.000.000 map would be unsuitable for the Congress.

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The question of the scale of local maps and of the detail of survey must, it was agreed, depend on local circumstances. There might be a public demand in places such as the Gold Coast for large scale detailed maps, while elsewhere the amount of vegetation would be a controlling factor in determining the degree of detail which could readily be secured.

6. Cost of map production by General Staff.

Colonel Hedley raised the question whether a contribution towards the cost of maps might be made by the Colonies concerned, and especially by the East Africa Protectorate. He pointed out that it was at present impossible to cope in the Geographical Section with the amount of work received, and that it would be neces- sary either to hold it over or put it out to be done elsewhere. After discussion of other possible arrangements it was decided that it would be best, if possible, to have the work done through the Stationery Office by the Ordnance Survey, and Colonel Hedley agreed to raise the matter officially on this basis.

7. Examination for Survey Probationerships.

The arrangements for the examination were discussed. It was agreed that the practical questions should be drafted so as to test the candidates in the sort of problems they would be required to deal with after appointment: that Chambers's seven figure tables should be used, the introductory pages being removed from the copies supplied in the examination room: and that in the practical examination the questions on topographical instruments should be put by the Secretary of State's representative, those on cadastral instruments being put by the Surveyors' Insti- tution's examiner.

Having regard to the fact that an examination had been arranged for an early date it was decided not to make any immediate alteration as regards the mathe- matical papers, but to prepare a set of type papers which would serve as a guide both to examiners and candidates.

8. Elementary Topography Courses at Southampton.

It was agreed after discussion that the arrangement by which classes have been formed for the instruction of Colonial officers, other than survey officials, should be discontinued. It was pointed out that, as there is no fixed date for the courses, the Governors' recommendations of officers desiring to attend them come in singly, and that, in the absence of a reasonable number of available officers, and in view of the demands made on the Ordnance Survey in connection with the courses for proba- tioners, it is necessary to make use of other opportunities, such as the "Royal Geographical Society or the survey class in connection with the Tropical African Service courses.

9. Instruction of Survey Officials.

Colonel Close agreed to receive at Southampton members of the East Africa Protectorate cadastral branch who were recommended for special instruction. He asked that when possible more than one man should be sent at a time.

10. Ceylon Topographical Map.

The question of the scale of the Ceylon topographical map was discussed. It was explained that the Colonial Office were awaiting a despatch from the Governor on the subject. Colonel Close mentioned that the one-inch work carried out in India

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No. 3

UGANDA.

SIR,

CAPTAIN E. M. JACK, R.E., to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received 12 February, 1913.)

War Office, 11th February, 1913.

I HAVE the honour to forward herewith, for the information of the Secretary of State, my report on the work of the Topographical Survey of the Westera Province, Uganda Protectorate.

4

had been found to be a large undertaking, and would not be completed for fifty years. He emphasized the desirability of all parts of a survey being as far as possible of the same date. As regards the indication of cultivation, he considered the inclusion of boundaries of paddy fields out of place in a topographical map.

5018

3849

No. 2.

SIERRA LEONE,

PUBLIC

RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

CO. 885

22 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

SIR,

(No. 26.)

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received 3 February, 1913.)

[Answered by No. 5.]

Government House, Sierra Leone, 21st January, 1913.

I HAVE the honour to bring to your notice that, owing to the fact that a proper survey of this Colony has never been made, there are no correct maps, and it is impossible to ascertain how much land belongs to the Crown and how much to private individuals.

2. The longer this state of things is allowed to continue the more difficult it will be to deal with the question of land settlement when it is taken up. I there- fore recommend that a survey of the Peninsula of Sierra Leone be commenced next year, and that the necessary provision be made in the Estimates.

3. The survey should be on the lines of the Straits Settlements Revenue Survey, and should show the boundaries of all private lands where they abut on Crown land, and the owners should be required to demarcate their boundaries with permanent marks. The boundaries "inter se of Crown grants, which are mostly freehold, are of less importance to the Government.

,,

4. This survey should, in my opinion, be followed by a survey of the Protec- torate. I have heard it suggested that such a survey is not necessary because, up to the present date, no concessions have been granted to Europeans, but this seems to be hardly a valid objection. Moreover, a concession of exclusive rights within a certain area is about to be granted to one European company, and applications from other persons for similar concessions will probably follow.

is to 5. On the other hand, a strong argument in favour of making a survey be found in the fact that the Protectorate is divided up into a large number of Chiefdoms, the boundaries of which are continually in dispute. When a boundary question is settled by a District Commissioner, one of the parties is generally dis- satisfied with his decision, and as soon as the District Commissioner takes his next leave the aggrieved party brings the matter up again before the acting officer, who may know nothing of the former decision. This gives a good deal of unnecessary work to Government officers, and may give rise to ill-feeling between two Chiefs. If a survey is made and the boundaries of each Chiefdom are settled by mutual agreement or in accordance with the decision of the District Commissioner, and permanently demarcated, there can be no further grounds for disputes.

6. Should you approve of a survey of the Colony proper being undertaken— whether it is followed by a survey of the Protectorate or not-I venture to suggest that the necessary staff might be obtained from the Southern Nigeria Survey. When I was in England on leave, I had some conversation with Major F. G. Guggisberg, R.E., Director of Surveys, Southern Nigeria, and he informed me that, subject to your approval, he was prepared to undertake a survey of the Colony and Protec- torate, and to train natives of Sierra Leone in the Southern Nigeria Survey School.

7. If this suggestion does not commend itself to you, the Director of the Ordnance Survey might be asked if he can assist in obtaining the necessary staff, but I imagine that the cost of the survey would be greater if the staff were all Europeans.

I have, &c.,

E. M. MEREWETHER,

Governor.

I have, &c.,

E. M. JACK,

Captain, R.E.

Enclosure in No. 3.

REPORT ON WORK OF TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY, WESTERN PROVINCE, UGANDA PROTECTORATE, by CAPTAIN E. M. JACK, R.E.

CONTENTS:

Report I. Narrative,

II. Technical.

III. Personnel.

Miscellaneous.

List of Co-ordinates and heights. II. List of Azimuths and log-sides.

IV.

Appendices

1.

Diagrams

III. Progress of topographers,

I. Triangulation Chart.

II. Diagram of area mapped.

I. NARRATIVE.

On the 15th October, 1911, I received a cablegram from the Secretary of State to the effect that the Boundary Commission party* would, if willing, be employed on the completion of the survey of the Western Province of the Uganda Protectorate. Shortly before this I had decided, for reasons of economy, to send C. S. M. Higman and Lance-Corporal Powell home, and these two non-commissioned officers were then well on their way to Entebbe. An urgent message was immediately sent to notify them, and to stop the sale of stores which they had been charged to arrange. C. S. M. Higman did not volunteer for the new work, and proceeded to England. Lance- Corporal Powell was unfortunately detained at Entebbe for some time by illness.

The Boundary Commission returned to Mbarara early in November, and by the middle of the month the Commission porters had been paid off and its affairs in the main settled up. The work of the Topographical Survey was then begun.

We were, however, very short-handed. Had earlier notification been given of the intention to carry out the Survey, arrangements could probably have been made to detach one or two members of the Commission to begin beaconing the country; as it was this preliminary work could not be commenced until the 16th November. Of the three non-commissioned officers who had been with the Commission only one was available at this time; and to further decrease the staff, Lieutenant Silver, who was in command of the Commission escort, which was to remain with the Survey for a time, was ordered by the military authorities to proceed to Kigezi to hand over his company; and the Survey was thus unavoidably deprived of his services for over a month at the time when they were most needed,

A cablegram was sent asking for a non-commissioned officer to replace C. S. M. Higman, and Captain Prittie and Sergeant Archer set out for the neighbourhood of Itembi and Izumu (A.C.B.C. points) to start beaconing the country; while the same work was carried on further east, as soon as we could get away, by Dr. Marshall and myself.

• British Section of the Anglo-German-Belgian Boundary Commission.