CO885-(21-23) — Page 443

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

mmimmi C.O. 885

22 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

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very definite, though limited, significance, which I have endeavoured to explain, and which I had hoped to achieve by the appointment of Major Guggisberg as Surveyor- General, and adviser to the Governor.

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5. I turn now, with this explanation, to the proposals in your despatch, and, first of all, to the position of Major Guggisberg. am not competent to express an opinion on this officer's survey qualifications, but, so far as my limited knowledge allows me to form an opinion, I should imagine that in survey work he has few rivals. He is also an officer of unusual organising ability, and he gets good work out of his staff. At the same time he informed me himself, when first I met him, that he was a very ambitious man.' He has set his heart on being Surveyor-General of Nigeria with complete control over the Northern Provinces as well as the Southern I discussed this Provinces. Colonel Close recommends him for this position. question with Sir G. Fiddes, of your Department, and 1 expressed the view that Major Guggisberg should remain in direct charge of the Southern Provinces survey, which he has done excellently, and should act as adviser, and, if required, as super- visor, of the Survey Department in the Northern Provinces, and should also be in direct charge of any party of Royal Engineers engaged for the survey of the mines- field. I understood these views to have been laid before you and to have received your approval in connection with my amalgamation report, and I have repeated them more than once to Major Guggisberg. To Major Guggisberg's professional abilities I have given unstinted praise. I am unwilling to modify it by any disparagement, but I am forced, in the circumstances, to admit that there are reasons why I should not desire to allow him an entirely free hand in the Northern Provinces. He submits voluminous memoranda, but, as you are aware, constantly changes his views and estimates, nor am I entirely satisfied that his ideas of expenditure are such as are necessary in the present financial condition of Nigeria. When the Northern Pro- vinces have (in survey matters) progressed somewhat, it may, and probably will (as I have told him), be highly advisable that he should assume a more direct control. His appointment at the present stage would be a reversal of the views I have expressed to him, and which I understood to have your concurrence.

6. There is also another point of view which I would desire to lay before you in this connection. In the scheme of amalgamation of the two Nigerias, the most essential principle was that, until communications are greatly improved, and until the initial organisation has had time to adjust itself (including the formation of a central capital), too great a centralisation of departments should be avoided, looking primarily to the difficulty of a Central Secretariat. The Post and Telegraphs have now become a Central Department to a greater extent than I had contemplated, and recently I have been directed to form the Treasury into a Central Department. If the Surveys follow, there seems no reason why precisely similar arguments should not prevail as regards the Forestry, Agriculture, or indeed the Medical and all other Departments.

7. Finally, I do not consider that there would be sufficient work for a Surveyor- General and three deputies. In such an organisation, under the present existing circumstances, I am inclined to think the Surveyor-General's appointment would be somewhat of a sinecure.

8. The Committee desires that a scheme should be drawn up and illustrated by diagrams for their consideration. I will, if you desire me to do so, direct Major Guggisberg to draw up such a report. It would not be possible for him to do so at present, however, as he is already overdue for leave. Moreover, in view of the explanations I have given, I think you will consider that many of the headings specified are suggested under a misapprehension of the circumstances of Nigeria.

The various surveys in execution, the areas to be dealt with, and the scales to be used, have reference to the Southern Provinces alone. The scales and rules applic- able to the Southern Provinces will be used in the Northern Provinces and on all such points Major Guggisberg is consulted. The personnel is already interchange- able. It is as yet premature to discuss the future of the Kano School. The finance is not a matter with which the Surveyor-General can deal, except in so far as the plans drawn for mining properties are charged for on a scale suggested by, Major Guggisberg. If by the inter-relation of revenue and survey is meant the dis- cussion of a system such as obtains in Egypt, where surveyors are assessors, 1 think that such a project would be subversive of the whole fabric of political administra- tion in the Northern Provinces-and it is at least premature. A special report on the minesfield survey will shortly be submitted to you.

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9. I am, as you are aware, in entire agreement with the Committee that a permanent civilian survey staff is required, and I have already agreed that Nigeria should accept the Survey Probationer scheme. I am glad to note that the non- commissioned officers will be engaged for two tours.

10. Special Minefields Survey.-The cost of this survey, up to the end of 1913, is estimated at £11,270. The cost of the same party in 1914 to complete their time and while on leave is estimated at £2,678. The cost of " No. 2 Party," which is to be engaged at once, is estimated at £8,643, making a total of £22,591. This large sum is as much as is justified, in my opinion, and I see no reason why No. 2 Party should not complete what is necessary and the minefields be thrown open before the end of the

year. I think that it is, therefore, premature to arrange for the re-en- gagement of the whole of Captain Giles's party at this date.

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SIR,

I have, &c.,

F. D LUGARD,

Governor-General.

No. 12.

NIGERIA.

COLONIAL OFFICE to MAJOR F. G. GUGGISBERG, R.E. [Answered by-No. 13.]

Downing Street, 20th April, 1914.

1 AM directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to inform you that he has had under his consideration the question of the future arrangements to be made for the exe- cution of survey work in the Northern Provinces of Nigeria, with a view to its being placed on a systematic basis, so as to secure, with due regard for economy, the permanent value of the work carried out and the co-ordination of the surveys which are to be undertaken at once or to be reserved for execution at a future date.

2. It is intended that the matter shall be discussed with the Governor-General on his arrival in this country, but, in the meantime, Mr. Harcourt will be glad if you will be so good as to furnish him with a scheme, illustrated as far as possible by diagrams, dealing with the following points:-

i. A summary of the various surveys, their objects and the order in which

they should be executed.

ii. Areas to be dealt with, and the scales of the surveys.

iii. Junction of the surveys with those of the Southern Provinces of Nigeria,

and the continuity of the main framework.

iv. Adoption of the same set of rules for the different surveys.

v. General co-ordination of the surveys.

vi. Interchangeability of personnel,

vii. Future of the survey school at Kano, and the use of native surveyors. viii. The inter-relation of revenue and survey work.

ix. A special report on the minefields survey.

x. Finance.

3. I am to add that the following recent additions have been made to the staff:-

Two officers and 10 non-commissioned officers of the Royal Engineers. Three senior civilian surveyors on £400-£20-£500, with £80 duty allowance.

In addition, nine junior civilian appointments have been approved, but of these only one officer has so far been selected. It is hoped that others may be sent out at an early date.

The question of re-engaging Captain Giles, R.E., and his party for further service in September next has been considered, but the Governor-General thinks it premature to make any arrangements for this purpose. Lance-Corporal Cleary has, however, already been re-engaged, and is due to sail on the 6th of May.

I am, &c.,

H. J. READ, for the Under-Secretary of State.

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