io6 



Hand Cotton Gin — The Secretary reported that one of the Hand 

 Cotton Gins had been overhauled at the Railway Workshop, and, 

 after testing it, he had delivered it to Mr. Desporte who was now 

 ginning his cotton. He reported that Mr. Desporte was so pleased 

 with the results of his trial acre — which had been visited by Sir 

 Alfred Jones and Sir Daniel Morris — and the price of the samples 

 sent to England had been so satisfactory, viz. : 1/7 to 1/9 per lb. 

 that he was going to England to make arrangements for putting 

 in a large acreage in the month of August in the most careful and 

 cautious manner, taking advantage of all previous experience. 



Appointment of Mr. Conrad Watson to Board — The Chairman inti- 

 mated that the Governor had appointed Mr. Conrad Watson, 

 Attorney for the Earl of Dudley, as a member of the Board in the 

 room of the late Mr. Middleton. 



The Secretary read the following letters from the Colonial Sec- 

 retary's Office. 



Arrowroot — I. Re arrowroot, referring to previous correspon- 

 dence in September and October 1 906, and asking 

 whether he was now in a position to secure a regular 

 supply of arrowroot at not more than 2id. per lb. 

 The Secretary reported that he had written to all the districts 

 where arrowroot was grown and he bad found that Lamb's River 

 could supply 400 lbs. at 20/ per 1 00 lbs., barrels, cartage and rail- 

 way freight extra. He accordingly advised the Colonial Secretary 

 and asked to be informed as early as possible if this supply 

 could be taken so as to encourage local trade, but he had not yet 

 had a reply. 



Importation of Seeds and Plants — 2. Re importation of Seeds and 

 Plants, stating that it had been suggested by the Direc- 

 tor of Public Gardens that in view of the importance of 

 getting Rubber seeds from Ceylon, the Proclamation of 

 2nd December, 1887, prohibiting the importation into this 

 Island of seeds or plants from Natal, South India. Ceylon, 

 Mauritius, Java and Fiji should be withdrawn, and asking 

 for the views of the Board. The Coffee planters in the 

 Blue Mountains had been consulted, and agreed that 

 there was no risk now. It was decided to recommend that 

 the Proclamation be withdrawn as regards all seeds or 

 plants with the exception of coffee plants and coffee 

 seeds. 

 Cotton Machinery — 3. Re Cotton Machinery, referring letter from 

 Sir Daniel Morris enclosing copy of letter from the Sec- 

 retary of the British Cotton-growing Association stating 

 that the Association was agreeable, under certain condi- 

 tions, to transfer to Lord Dudley's Agent all the Cotton 

 Machinery loaned by the Association to the Government 

 of Jamaica in order to start the Cotton Factory to be 

 erected at New Yarmouth Estate. 

 The Secretary reported that in connection with the ginning of 

 Mr. Desporte's cotton he had already written Mr. Sharp for a report 

 on the Steam Gin which he had the loan of, and there were also 



