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tried before recourse was had to the militia ballot, has proved a complete success. We have now a well-trained and fully equipped Volunteer Corps, consisting of one officer and 64 rank and file, embodied and called out for permanent duty under the Officer Commanding the Troops. Recruits for this corps have been drawn almost entirely from the unemployed labouring classes, and the supply is therefore limited. To supplement this corps and in order to lend every encouragement to the volun- teer movement I have authorized the formation of supernumerary sections, up to an aggregate of 150 rank and file, in the various districts of the island. These sections are composed of men in regular civil employment who, though anxious to offer their It has services, are unable to give up the whole of their time to military service. therefore been arranged that they should attend for musketry instruction and field training on certain days in the week, their employers readily agreeing to release them for this purpose without prejudice to their pay or tenure of employment. In time of emergency, such as a sudden raid on the island, these sections would be at once called out and embodied, and, being organized on a territorial basis, would be ready on the spot to dispute a landing at any threatened point until reinforced from the main garrison. The formation of this local corps of Volunteers, both embodied and supernumerary, has more than filled the gap left in the Colony's defence scheme I cannot by the non-arrival of the regular infantry portion of the war garrison, speak too highly of the loyal and patriotic spirit shown by both employers and employed, which has so largely contributed towards this satisfactory result.

The

4. As regards the general situation, the increased cost of living has been to a great extent counterbalanced by improved economic conditions generally. presence of the war garrison has of itself a beneficial effect in this direction. Local The labour market is industries have not been appreciably affected by the war. less depressed: wages are generally higher, whilst service in the Volunteer Corps has provided regular and well-paid employment for many who in ordinary times are dependent on casual work for a living.

5. The full significance of the war is thoroughly appreciated in this distant portion of the Empire, and its progress is followed with the keenest interest. Though debarred by distance and the limited resources of their small island from taking an active part in the struggle, the inhabitants of this Colony have given ample proof that they are imbued with the same spirit of loyalty and devotion to His Majesty and the Empire to which other Colonies have been able to give more practical and material expression.

I have, &c.,

35997

H. E. S. CORDEAUX, Governor and Commander-in-Chief.

SEYCHELLES.

No. 86.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received 21st September, 1914.)

[Acknowledged 28th September, 1914.]

(No. 115.) SIR,

I HAVE the honour to submit a short narrative report of the various steps that I have taken since the state of war has been proclaimed with Germany and Austria. I propose to send, as occasion offers, as briefly as possible, an account of events and action taken by me from time to time, in order that you may be fully informed as to the position in this Colony. I shall be careful to eliminate any reference to matters that would be of assistance to the King's enemies from a war point of view, in the event of this or succeeding despatches on the subject above-mentioned being intercepted.

Government House, Seychelles, 13th August, 1914.

2. The preliminary stage as regards precautions and observation posts and beacons was instituted on 30th July. An Executive Council was at once called

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A survey of and the position was explained in full to the honourable members. the existing supplies in the Colony was ordered. As a result of this survey it was discovered that the supply of rice was not large, and I at once cabled to the Governor of Bombay, soliciting his good offices to purchase and ship for this I am glad to say this assist- Government 200 tons of rice, to be held as a reserve. ance has been readily accorded, and I am expecting this supply by the incoming

I attach a copy of the notice* steamer from Bombay, due on the 17th instant. issued to inform the public that war had been declared. The various proclama- tions necessary in consequence of a state of war were issued.

3. I suggested by cable to the Admiral Commander-in-Chief of the Cape Squadron that our lights on Denis Island, Mamelles, and Capucin might be extinguished to guard against surprise. The Admiral, however, was not in favour, and so nothing has been done.

4. All Government expenditure has been cut down to a minimum, but in order not to add to the number of unemployed, I directed that, for the present, the All work except of an labour staff of the Government should not be decreased. urgent nature on the roads in the Colony has been stopped, and the Cantonniers and the Public Works Department labourers, reinforced by all available prison labour, have been employed in planting sweet potatoes, manioc, and maize, on all possible places in the grounds of Government House and other unleased Crown Proprietors have also lands in order to increase the food supply of the island. been recommended to take the same measures, and, I am glad to say, have responded heartily. It is true the time of the year is not the best for planting anything but cabled to the sweet potatoes, but it was agreed it was advisable not to lose time. Governor of Mauritius to facilitate the despatch of a small amount of foodstuffs ordered by a private firm here, in order to add to our supplies, and I am thankful to say he has granted my request. Kerosene is very short in the Colony, and this was an opportunity to obtain an addition.

5. All supplies were at first run up by the merchants to a very high figure, but this has now settled down somewhat. In order, however, to avoid hardship, I appointed a thoroughly representative committee, consisting of Honourable W. M. Vaudin, I.S.O., as Chairman, and as members, Honourable F. C. Savy (unofficial member of Legislative Council and formerly a merchant), two Government officials, Mr. Thomasset (Manager, Seychelles Rubber and Coco-nut Estates), Mr. Michel, a local merchant, and Mr. Olia, one of the leading Indian merchants, to recommend a fair schedule of prices for necessities. The recommendations of this committee will shortly be brought into force, and a separate report will be made to you in due

course.

6. I have cabled to you to solicit your good offices with the Directors of the British India Steam Navigation Company, to allow their boats calling here monthly on their trip back to Bombay from the East Coast of Africa. At present the boats I await your reply of this Company call only on their way to the east coast. with considerable anxiety, as if this arrangement can be made it will permit of a supply of kerosene being obtained from Zanzibar or South Africa, and, more important still, will allow for the reopening of export trade from this Colony. There must ever be a demand for coco-nut oil in India, and we can supply this even if prices fall far below those realized up to the present for copra and coco-nuts. It will enable, I trust, a fair amount of labour to be employed, and relieve much want, and be a great boon to the community as a whole. The Messageries Mari- times have suspended their service, and so I think it is well worth while for the Government to pay a subsidy of Rs. 1,500 for one call once a month if this will I have proposed to ensure the advantages to the Colony enumerated above. guarantee this subsidy for three months certain, with the option of renewing. Should the Messageries Maritimes reopen their service, and we agree to continue the subsidy to the British India, it may be necessary to institute a small export duty to recoup the Government for the extra expenditure.

7. I have decided in Executive Council to suspend for the time being all licences on fishing, in order that unemployed persons (all Seychellois are experi- enced fishermen) may be enabled to supply themselves with food.

* Not reprinted.