Resident Physician and Surgeon and Superintendent | Third Class:- Superintendent of Ospizio at Floriana S. Borg, M.D., Medical Officer and Assistant Superintendent of Ospizio, G. Busuttil, M.D., 70%. Acting Superintendent of Hospital of Incurables, A. Gulia, M.D., 1277. 10s. Visiting Physician and Surgeon, Lunatic Asylum, G. O. Galea, M.D., 45l. Superintendent of Lunatic Asylum (acting), F. Xuereb, M.D., 1007. Resident Chief Superintendent of Orphan Asylum, Rev. S. Tartaglia, 907. Resident Female Superintendent of Orphan Asylum, The Mother Superior of the Sisters of Charity, 751. Matron of Magdalen Asylum, A Sister of Charity, 304 Superintendent of Hospital and Ospizio of Gozo, B. Mercieca, M.Ď., 901. District Medical Officers. Valletta, P. Grillet, M.D. (1st class), 1407. Senglea and Western Cospicua, P. Bonello, M.D. (1st class), 901. Sliema and St. Julian's, P. Sammut, M. D. (1st class), 1307. S. Giuseppe, Samra, Msida, and Pieta, C. Ghio, M.D. (2nd class), 501. Tarxien, Paula, Luqa, Gudia, and Corrádino Prison, Zebbuj and Sijjiewi, A. Semini, M.D. (2nd class), 701. Probationary Clerk, C. Pace Bardon, 60%. First Class Land Surveyors :— F. Magri, G. Pace, E. Caruana, C. Mallia, N, Government Press. Clerks :-G. Izzo, 1807.; G. Fenech, 135l.; H. W. Judge, Commercial Court, J. L. Ganado, LL.D., Judges, Criminal Court, Sir A. Dingli. G.C.M.G.; Registrar of the Superior Courts, G. Xuereb, 3001. 1807. Third Class Clerks, T. Manara, L. De Piro, C. Ditto W. Carbonaro, 601. Supernumerary Clerk, E. Arrigo. Magistrates of Judicial Police for Malta, G. Falzon, to 250l. Acting Registrar, Civil Branch, R. Leonardini, 1307. to 1807. Third Class Clerk, R. Iliff, 90l. to 120. F. Micallef and M. Busuttil, 150l. to 3001. Marshal, A. Piccinino, 557. each. Second Class: E. Colleja, P. Busuttil, V. Mercieca, L. Gatt, C.E., 1207. to 150%. each. Magistrates of the Island of Gozo, P. Cremona, LL.D. and Luigi Caruana, from 190l. to 250. * Lieutenant R.M.M. Registrar, V. Tabone, 1207. area of about 708 square miles, having an extreme Third Class Clerks, A. Tabone and G. Bonello, 907. length of 36 miles from north to south, and an exto 1207. treme breadth of 28 miles from east to west. The Dependencies have an area of 172 square miles. The formation of the island is supposed to be volcanic, and it is surrounded by reefs of coral. The mountain chains average 2,000 feet in altitude. The highest peak, the Piton de la Rivière-Noire, is 2,711 English feet, and Pieter Both and the Pouce are only a few feet lower. The island is watered by numerous streams, commonly flowing in deep ravines, with several fine cascades; none of these rivers are navigable beyond a few hundred yards from the sea. History. The island was discovered by the Portuguese in 1507, but the first people that occupied it in any great numbers were the Dutch, in 1598, whose commander, Admiral J. C. Van Neck, named it Mauritius, in honour of the then Statholder, Prince Maurice of Nassau. The Dutch, however, though they built a fort at Grand Port, do not appear to have made any permanent settlement, and they Superintendent of Corradino Prison, S. Staines, 2301. finally abandoned the island in 1712. A party of Clerk, P. Vassallo, 801. Monte di Pieta. Commissary, Charles Rapinet, 2507. Fourth Class Clerk, R. Attard, 801. Frenchmen landed there in 1715, and in 1721 it was formally taken possession of by the French, at first on behalf of the French East India Company, and afterwards, in 1767, on behalf of the Crown of France. The name of the island was then Fourth Class Clerk, F. Mompalao Depiro, 60l. to changed by M. Du Fresne, captain in the naval service of France, into that of Isle of France, which it retained till the landing of the English in 1810, when its former name of Mauritius was again restored to it. The most celebrated of the French Governors was Mahé de Labourdonnais (1735-1746), a man of eminent talents and virtues" (in the words of Lord Macaulay), who introduced the cultivation of the sugar-cane, and of many other valuable plants, and was the real founder of the prosperity of the island. 66 Mauritius was during the earlier part of the long war a source of great mischief to our merchant vessels, from the facility with which sorties were made from it by French men-of-war and privateers. The British Government determined on an expedition for its capture, which was effected in 1810; the laws, religion, and customs of the inhabitants being guaranteed in the instrument of capitulation. The possession of the island was confirmed to England by the Treaty of Paris, 1814. General Description. The permanent settled population of European race is greater in Mauritius than in any other tropical colony. Many of the inhabitatns are descendants of the ancient French nobles. The higher and middle classes possess much intellectual culture. The natives are proud of their country, and of the designation of Creoles. Eight daily newspapers and other periodicals are published in the capital. The French language is spoken all over the island, English being used in courts of justice. Debates in the council of government may take place in either language. Mauritius is divided into nine districts, Port Louis, Pamplemousses, Rivière du Rempart, Flacq; Grand Port, Savanne, Moka, Plaines Wilhems, ard Black River. The City of Port Louis is the capital, and seat of Government, and contains, with its suburbs, a population of nearly 70,000 souls. The harbour is one of the best in the East, and is sufficiently spacious to receive more than a hundred vessels. It possesses three graving docks. It is defended by Fort Adelaide (the citadel) and by Fort George. There are large barracks and military stores. The trade of the island passes almost entirely through Port Louis. The city has an elected municipal corporation, and raised in 1888 a revenue of Rs. 377,211-36, against an expenditure of Rs. 387,629-42. Its debt amounts to 156,355 51. The principal public edifices of Port Louis are the Government House, the Institute, the Roman Catholic and Protestant cathedrals, the Royal College, the Town Hall, the theatre, &c. After Port Louis, the largest town is Curepipe (population 7,879), situated on the uplands in the Plaines Wilhems. Its climate is temperate, and many families reside in the numerous villas there during the summer season, while they spend the winter months in Port Louis. In the district of Grand Port is the small town of Mahebourg (population 4,483), so called in honour of M. Mahé de Labourdonnais. Constitution. of large portions of Mauritius. Railways.-There are two lines of railway, the North Line and the Midland, both constructed and worked by the Government. The former runs between Port Louis and Grand River, S.E., a distance of 38 miles; the second line runs between Port Louis and Mahebourg, a distance of 351 miles with branches to Savanne and Moka. The total number of miles of railway now open is 92, the total cost up to date being about 800,000l. At Curepipe the elevation of the railway is 1,822 feet above the sea. The receipts in 1888 were Rs. 1,563,243, and the expenditure Rs. 990,806. Telegraphic communication is established along the railway only, the total length of line being 92 miles. Religion.-The Christian Churches are assisted by State grants. According to the last census, the Roman Catholics numbered 108,000, and The Protestants 8,000. The Roman Catholics received, in 1888, Government aid amounting to Rs. 82,000, and the Protestants Rs. 47,250. The constitution of Mauritius was altered in 1884-85. It now consists of a Governor, with an Executive Council of five officials, and two elected members, and a Legislative Council of twenty-seven members, eight being ex officio, nine nominated by the Governor, and ten elected on a moderate franchise-two for the town of Port Louis, and one for each of the eight rural districts. At least one-third of the nominated members must be persons not hold-higher ing any public office. The number of electors is 4,242; the franchise qualification is ownership of immovables worth Rs. 300, or movables worth Rs. 3,000, or payment of rent of Rs. 25 monthly, or of license duty of 200 Rs. annually, or receipt of a salary of Rs. 50 monthly. The session usually lasts from April to December. The law is based on the Code Napoléon, and other French laws modified by Colonial Ordinances. Climate, &c.-From December to April is the hottest season in Mauritius, but it is comparatively cool during the remainder of the year. The temperature in the high lands in the interior of the island is always lower by several degrees than in the city of Port Louis and in the coast districts. The climate at Curepipe, 1,800 feet above the sea, resembles that of the South of France. The hurricane season extends from December to the middle of April, and the cyclones range from about 8° to 30° S. latitude. The mean temperature is 71°, the extreme range from 54 to 88°. The average annual rainfall is about 40 inches, the rainy season being from Dec. to June. Water Supply-A reservoir on the Grande Rivière for the supply of Port Louis Town was constructed some years ago by the municipality. The works begun by the Government in 1885 for supplying pure water from the upland springs to the chief centres of population are complete. The mains extend from the Mare aux Vacoas to a distance of 16 miles, with branches extending about 17 miles. The reservoirs and canals so constructed can supply three and a half millions of gallons per day. These waterworks cost Rs. 430,000. The fever has decreased in the localities now supplied with this upland water. Scenery. The famous tale of Paul and Virginia, by Bernardin de St. Pierre, an Engineer officer ia the service of France, who was stationed in the island towards the close of the last century, scarcely exaggerates the picturesque beauty Education. The department of public instruction comprises two branches, the Royal College for education, and the Schools Department for primary education. The College is under the control of a Rector, who is assisted by a staff of professors. The Schools Department is under the direction of a Superintendent, aided by two Inspectors. The Government schools are supported wholly by the State; the grant schools only partially so. There were in 1888: Government schools Total The total expenditure on education in 1888 amounted to Rs. 515,892, of which Rs. 208,382 were expended on primary education. There are 364 masters and mistresses employed. Of the pupils in the aided schools 79 per cent. are Roman Catholics, 18 per cent. belong to the Church of England, and 3 per cent. to the Church of Scotland. No assistance is given to Hindoo or Mohammedan Schools. Military Contribution.-Mauritius pays 401. per head per annum for each infantry soldier stationed in the colony, and 701. for engineers, artillerymen, staff, &c. The average strength of the garrison in 1888 was 452 men of all ranks. The total military expenditure for the year amounted to 33,088. The contribution of the colony was Rs.246,810. A sum of 55,000l. was voted in 1886 by the Council of Government for new works of defence in the island. the two forts and two batteries which are being constructed for the defence of the harbour of Port Louis, two are finished and armed. Of The total police force on 31st December, 1888, was 717. Communications-A four-weekly service is carried on by the mail steamers of the Messageries Maritimes between New Caledonia and Marseilles, ria Suez, touching at Mauritius, Réunion, and Seychelles. The same Company's steamers leave |