307 



years from the date of his arrival, as Assistant Chemist, 

 in this Island, with salary at the rate of £200 a year 

 rising by annual increments of £lO to £220 a year. 



Arroivroot — 3. Stating for the information of the Board that 

 about 4,650 pounds of arrowroot were annually consumed 

 at the General Penitentiary, District Prison and Reforma- 

 tory, and about 12,000 pounds at the Lunatic Asylum, 

 Lepers Home and the several Public Hospitals. 

 The Secretary stated that he had the matter in hand trying to 

 get a native supply. 



Instructors — 4. Referring letter from the Upper Trelawny 

 Agricultural Society to the Chairman, expressing its 

 appreciation for Mr. Arnett's appointment as Agricultural 

 Instructor for the parish, but suggesting that instead of one 

 local Instructor to serve the parishes of St. Ann, Tre- 

 lawny, Eastern St. James and North Clarendon, it would 

 prove more workable, ensure more visits, secure greater 

 interest and more effective teaching to have, say three 

 Instructors at £l00 per annum, or four at £80 per annum. 

 The Secretary was instructed to reply that the Board did not 

 consider it expedient to make any alteration. 



Toftacco— Forwarding copy of the Director of Public Gardens 

 on Tobacco, stating that he had seen Mr. Chalmers 

 several times in London and had gone to see Mr. Murray, 

 the Director of Victualling at the Admiralty, and also Mr. 

 Olivier at the Colonial Office with reference to using 

 Colonial Tobacco in the Navy, that it was probable that 

 the Admiralty would undertake to import and prepare 

 its own tobacco for the use of the sailors ; that the to- 

 bacco from Havana seed required blending with leaf of 

 the character of Virginian tobacco and that it was Mr. 

 Chalmers' opinion that the latter could be grown in the 

 West Indies, and that it was his intention to try it at 

 Hope Gardens this season. 



6. Submitting correspondence with Mr. Ashby regarding his 

 appointment as Fermentation Chemist. 



It was directed to be circulated, but was first to be returned to 

 the Colonial Secretary's Office to be sent to the Chemist for his 

 information. 



The Chemist submitted the following reports : — 



1. Report visit to the United Kingdom and Germany to 



investigate the commercial aspect of Jamaica Rum. 



2. Estimates for Government Laboratory, 1907-8. 



3. Estimates for Sugar Experiment Station for 1907-8. 



4. Proposed experiments for forcing early Oranges. 



5. Report on Distillers' course. 



As regards the estimates for the Government Laboratory for 

 1907-8 these asked the approval of the Board for alterations in 



