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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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3. The main purport of the circular despatch referred to above appears to be embodied in the last paragraph thereof (No. 38), viz., to ascertain whether the Crown Colonies and Protectorates are prepared to give donations or subscriptions which it is proposed should be paid in future into a common fund, out of which the investi- gation of tropical diseases and the training of Medical Officers therein might be sub- sidized.

4. As the Colonial Surgeon in this Colony points out, the enclosures to the circular despatch under discussion contain an admirable summary of the results of the Malarial Commission of the Royal Society, and these are clearly of incalculable im- portance to malaria-stricken Colonies in particular and to the world in general.

5. St. Helena enjoys immunity from endemic malaria, though this may not necessarily always continue; yet the disease, with other tropical diseases, is met with from time to time.

6. St. Helena is the only receiving station for the sick from certain vessels over an ocean highway many thousands of miles in extent, and coming from every climate. On these grounds the Colonial Surgeon is of opinion that a special training in tropical diseases is desirable in the case of medical appointments in this Colony.

7. In paragraph XIII. of the circular despatch* referred to, Colonial Govern- ments are invited to concur in the arrangements for the training of Colonial Medical Officers, who, before appointment and when on leave of absence and desiring to attend a course of instruction, should be paid by the Government to whose service they are attached.

8. It goes without saying that it is an advantage to a Colony that Medical Officers should, when on leave, attend courses of instruction and investigation in order to keep them in touch with a rapidly progressing science, and I concur with the Colonial Surgeon in considering that St. Helena is not an exception to this principle.

9. As far as this Colony is concerned the question is one of finance, as to whether a contribution for the purposes pointed out would be possible or not. Owing to the unsatisfactory financial position of the Colony, I regret to have to report that, in my opinion, in which my Executive Council concur, the Colony is not in a position at present to contribute towards the investigation of malaria and the training of Medical Officers in the treatment and prevention of tropical diseases.

I have, &c.,

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SIR,

(No. 32.)

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No. 39.

MALTA.

GOVERNOR SIR C. M. CLARKE to MR. LYTTELTON. (Received March 5, 1904.)

[See No. 80.]

The Palace, Valletta, February 29, 1904. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 14, of the 9th instant,* forwarding copy of a correspondence relating to the proposed appointment of a joint Commission, representing the Navy, the Army, and the Government of Malta to investigate Mediterranean Fever, with the assistance of the Royal Society.

2. The question of providing the additional funds required by the Royal Society was brought before the Executive Council on the 22nd instant, and it was decided that this Colony should bear its share of the cost of the enquiry, provided, as pointed out by you, that the expenditure involved be moderate.

I have, &c.,

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No. 40.

CHAS. M. CLARKE,

Governor.

COLONIAL OFFICE to THE VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER.

Downing Street, March 5, 1904.

SIR,

I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th ultimo, † and to express his regret that the resources of the Victoria University do not admit of the establishment of an examination and diploma in tropical medicine.

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I am, however, to state that Mr. Lyttelton highly appreciates the steps which have already been taken by the University to encourage the study of tropical diseases, and that he trusts that, at some future date, it will be found possible to render further assistance in this important matter.

H. L. GALLWEY,

Governor.

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I am, &c.,

H. BERTRAM COX.

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

9 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

(No. 31.) SIR,

No. 38. MALTA.

GOVERNOR SIR C. M. CLARKE to MR. LYTTELTON. (Received March 5, 1904.)

The Palace, Valletta, February 29, 1904.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your further despatch, No. 12, of the 5th instant,f on the subject of the investigation of malaria and the training

of medical officers in the treatment and prevention of tropical diseases.

2. You will now have learned from my despatch, No. 21, of the 12th instant, which crossed yours under reply, that the Government of Malta is about to contribute a sum of £50 to the fund mentioned in the last paragraph of your predecessor's circular of the 28th May last.§ A vote for that amount was brought before the Council of Government, and passed on the 17th instant, and the Crown Agents are being instructed to pay the above sum to the credit of the fund.

3. I desire to add, with regard to paragraph 5 of your despatch, that as Malta is not directly interested in the question of malaria, owing to the fact that it is not a tropical country, this Government does not see its way, at present, to making any contribution beyond the one mentioned above. The matter will, however, be recon- sidered in a year's time.

I have, &c.,

(No. 43.)

SIR,

No. 41.

HONG KONG,

ACTING GOVERNOR MAY to MR. LYTTELTON. (Received March 10, 1904.)

[See No. 146.]

Government House, Hongkong, February 2, 1904. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Chamberlain's circular despatch of the 28th May, 1903, regarding the investigation of malaria and the training of Medical Officers in the treatment and prevention of tropical diseases.

2. Copies of this despatch, with its enclosures, have been printed and laid before the Legislative Council, and distributed to the members of the medical profession in this Colony. The attention which it has received justifies my belief that the Legis- lative Council will be glad to vote a contribution from Colonial revenues towards the common fund mentioned in the 38th paragraph, in addition, if necessary, to the sum already provided by the Colony for the School of Tropical Medicine. Members of the Medical Staff who happen from time to time to be at home on leave of absence will be glad to give such assistance and information to the proposed Advisory Board as may be within their power.

I have, &c.,

F. H. MAY, Officer Administering the Government.

CHAS. M. CLARKE,

Governor.

• No. 19.

† No. 29.

• Not printed.

↑ No. 16.

‡ No. 23.

§ [Cd. 1598.]

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‡ [Ca. 1598].

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