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APPENDIX TO EEPOKT FROM SELECT COMMITTEE
Appendix, No. 5. arrangements made for their culture and amelioration will be most beneficial. I cannot
foresee any ditficulty with respect, to such arrangements, beyond time and money, the usual
essentials. With funds, there will be no difficulty in purchasing a property in this island
which will perfectly answer the desired purpose. This property, if properly looked after
will pay itself, so that no loss can accrue to the society. " ^
6. Land in Seychelles is almost daily increasing in value, more especially land situated
within a reasonable distance of the harbour and town. Plots that six years ago would not
have brought a dollar per acre are now selling, owing to the road being carried throuo-fi
them, at 30 L per acre, and every year the value is increasing. A cocoauut plantatimi
though slow, is very sure, the oil being absolutely necessary for soap manufactories, and
the price unaffected by the introduction of mineral oils. An estate in full bearing, if well
managed, gives 3 s. per tree profit per annum.
7. A considerable tract of land (for Seychelles, where the only flat land is on the small
plateau at the base of the mountains) is now at the disposition of the Government, a flat
portion bordered by the sea, and watered by two streams, in all about 25 or 30 acres, at a
distance of about a mile and a-half from the town. This is almost the only spot where
the establishment of a missionary town for Africans could be carried out without a heavy
outlay ; but this land will be in the market very shortly, many applications havino- been
received already for portions of it. °
8. A great many people have come here during the past two years from Mauritius and
Reunion, driven from the former island by the fever, and from the latter by ihe collapse of
commerce. They are all anxious to buy properties and settle here, and their advent necessarily
raises the price of land. When the Suez Canal is opened, there is no doubt that the
Seychelles will assume a much more important geographical aspect than they have ever
hitherto arrived at. I have already heard of a proposed French East African Company
anxious to establish its head quarters here, and there is no doubt that for brevity of transit
the direct line from Australia, overland, should pass by Seychelles.
9. I have pnnted out these matters for the consideration of the society in order to show
that not only may we expect large numbers of liberated Africans at almost any moment,
but that, if any arrangements are going to be made it would be advisable to make them
with as little delay as possible, on economical grounds, so far as the requisition of land is
concerned. The suppression of the slave trade on the East Coast is further off than ever.
The power of the Sultan of Zanzibar is becoming annually less, and he has now no control
at all over the northern Arabs, who periodically resort to Zanzibar for the avowed’purpose
of dealing in slaves. By the last advices there were over 3,000 of them in that island.
Reverend S. Hobbs to E. Hutchinson, Esq.
(Extract.)
Mauritius, 29 June 1869.
8. Since my return I have seen the Governor, who enters very cordially into the subject
of your plans for the re-captured Africans. I was under the impression that I had explained
to his Excellency before I went away the object of my journey, but I find I omitted
to do so, and he sent a despatch to the authorities at home by last mail, representing that
there appeared to be no more demand for labourers at Seychelles, and that some other”place
must be found to set down future captures. He expressed regret that he had been in
ignorance of our society’s intentions, but said he would write again by this mail to inform
the Home Government about them. So everything really appears ready for us to begin
operations. After I had finished my report, I accompanied Mr. Vandin on a visit to “the
Praslin,” about 20 miles from Mahe, and there saw a deserted property which appeared to
me pre-eminently suitable for our purpose.
Reverend S. Hobbs to E. Hutchinson, Esq.
(Extract.)
Mauritius, 28 July 1869.
I AM not yet able to give you any further information about the property “Pasquier,”
mentioned in my last letter. We may however perhaps obtain from the Government a
grant of the whole of “ lie Carieuse,” which is two or three miles distant from Praslin, and
forms the other side of a beautiful and well-sheltered bay, where the cruizers could anchor
and land their cargoes in perfect security. I have just seen a gentleman who was lately for
a short time acting magistrate at Seychelles, and he tells me lie believes the Government
will soon discontinue to make use of that island. It has been used for many years as an
asylum for lepers. There are only two or three now remaining there, and it is at present
used for paupers in general, for whom the Government will probably appoint a more convenient
locality. 1 sent your letter for the perusal of the Governor, and a few days
afterwards received it back with a kind note, which I have the pleasure of enclosing, in
which Ins Excellency replies to your inquiries. 1 believe that almost any number of
Alricans would find employment here, provided they were previously trained to habits of
industry as field labourers, or were expert workmen in any other branches of skill.
