Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/312

 190 THE BRITISH EMPIRE : — SEYCHELLES

Councils and having an original and casting vote in the Legislative CounciL In 1897 tiie Administrator was given full powers as Governor, and in November, 1903, he was raised to the rank of Governor,

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. — Lt.-Col. C. R. M. O'Brien, C. M.G.

Population, census of May 31, 1901, '19,237 (9,805 males, and 9,432 females) ; census of April 2, 1911, 26,000 (13,146 males and 12,854 females). The death-rate for 1911 was 15-79 per 1,000; the birth-rate 31-94; marriages, 140. The capital is Victoria, which has a good harbour and a coaling station. There are 24 schools, with 2,274 pupils; grants in aid 667Z. In addition, 1,500Z. is expended in the upkeep of a secondary school for boys with a preparatory branch and a free branch with an annual scholarship of lOOZ. a year tenable for 5 years. There is a Catholic secondary school for boys (176) and one for girls (175). In 1911, 244 persons were convicted in the Supreme Court. The police force numbers 72 of all ranks.

Revenue 1911, 36,357^. ; expenditure 1911, M,lbll. Debt (1911), 14,465Z; surplus funds invested, December 31, 1911, 12,311L

Chief products, coconuts and vanilla ; about 150,000 plants of Para rubber are growing ; on some islands mangrove-bark is collected and phosphate deposits are worked. Fishing is actively pursued, chiefly for local supply, but will probably be extended.

Imports, excluding specie, 1911, 80,121Z. ; specie, 1,000/. Exports, excluding sj)ecie, 126,251^. ; specie, nil. The chief exports are coprah, vanilla, coconut oil, soap, guano, salt fish, tortoise-shell, coffee, drugs, and cacao. Coconuts and coconut products exported 19J1, 52,073Z. ; vanilla, 8,213/. Total imports fiom United Kingdom, 1911, 31,160Z. ; exports to United Kingdom, 20,433^.

Shipping entered and cleared, 1911, 413,240 tons, of which 138,856 tons was British, 140,316 German, and 112,192 French. The tonnage includes that of 4 men-of-war (1 British). The Messageries Maritimes Steamers between Marseilles and Mauritius call monthly ; subsidy 2,800Z. a year, paid by the Colony. The steamers of the German East Africa Company (D.O.A.L. ) call regularly on the voyages from Bombay to and from Zanzibar and South African ports. There is regular communica- tion between the islands.

There is a good road system in Mahe, and further road-making is in progress in Mahe and in Praslin and La Digue. In 1911 the post office despatched and received 212,500 letters and postcards, 108,800 news- papers, &c., and 2,709 parcels. There is telegraphic communication with Mauritius and Europe, but no iuternal telegraph service.

On December 31, 1911, the Savings Bank deposits amounted to 5,121Z. to the credit of 357 depositors.

A branch of the Bank of Mauritius was opened in 1911.

Current money in the islands consists of rupees.

References.

Annual Reports on the Seychelles. London.

Belcher (Sir Edward), Account of the Seychelles.

Fauoel (A. A.), Bibliographies des Seychelles. Published by the Seychelles Govern- ment. 1908.

Gardiner {3. Stanley) The Seychelles. Geographical Journal, Vol. XXVIII., and also proceedings of the Linusean Society.

Lucas (Sir C. P.), Historical Geography of the British Colonies.

Murat{M..), Gordon's Eden, or the Seychelles Archipelago.

North (Miss), Leaves from a Happy Life.

Sierra Leone. See West African Colonies. Sokotra. See Aden.