CYPRUS 641 



fruit trees were planted during the year and a number of vines were also planted to provide 

 cuttings later on. The cotton experiments with the varieties previously tried again gave 

 good results. The distillation of essential oils is an important item in the work of the 

 Agricultural department, though the market appears to be somewhat limited. The art 

 of basket-making is now taught and a number have been made for fruit transport. The 

 export of potatoes to Egypt has shown considerable expansion, 36,271 cwt. (value 8472) 

 being sent away in 1911 as against 14,983 cwt. (value 3839) in 1910. 



The agricultural^ depression of 1910-11 affected the sale of building timber, the receipts 

 from which amounted to 3592 as against 3762 during the previous year. Two new forest 

 stations have been started in the Famagusta and Nicosia districts. The expenditure on the 

 forestry department amounts to about 13,000 per annum, exclusive of the vote for special 

 tree planting, and the revenue represents at. present only about 35 per cent, of the cost, 

 though the foundations are being gradually laid of a large revenue in the future. Now that 

 the destruction of trees has been stopped and systematic planting undertaken the island 

 may again become one of the best timber-producing areas in the Levant. 



Mining.- The asbestos mining industry is progressing steadily under considerable 

 difficulties as regards labour and transport. During the year 417 tons of dressed asbestos 

 were exported. It is hoped to increase production with the aid of improved machinery. 

 Asbestos is present in practically unlimited quantities but the fibre is for the most part very 

 short, and the output does not in consequence possess a high market value. 



Trade. The value of imports during the year 1910, exclusive of specie, was 493,475 

 and the value of the exports 511,841 ; an excess of exports over imports of 18,366 whereas 

 in 1909 there was an excess of imports over exports amounting to 130,643 due to importa- 

 tions of flour and the partial failure of the cereal and carob crop. The imports from the 

 United Kingdom represent 26 per cent, of the whole; the exports to the United Kingdom 

 27 per cent of the total. The total number and tonnage of steam and sailing vessels entered 

 and cleared in the foreign trade was 2,268 with a tonnage of 742,584, being a decrease 

 of 90 steamers, with 48,967 tons and an increase of 180 sailing vessels and 6517 tons. 



Finance. The revenue collected in 1910-11 was 286,848 grant in aid 40,000, total 

 326,848. Expenditure 251,521, tribute 92,799, total 344,320. The excess of expen- 

 diture over revenue was due to the fact that surplus balances of 17,670 were drawn on to 

 meet a special Forest Estimate of 5000, and a special Public Works Estimate of 12,670. 



Political. Major Sir Henry Hamilton John Goold-Adams, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., 

 was appointed High Commissioner in succession to Sir Charles A. King-Harman, 

 K.C.M.G., and arrived in October 191 1 to take over the administration! ::> - 



On September 5, 1911, the Legislative Council was dissolved and elections for a new 

 council subsequently took place. 



On May 27, 1912, the troops had to be called out to quell a riot between Greeks and 

 Turks. Four persons were killed, 80 wounded. No Englishmen were hurt. 



In August 1912 a deputation from the Greeks of Cyprus conferred with the British 

 Cplonial Secretary and asked for administrative reforms, including an increased propor- 

 tion of Greeks to Turks on the Legislative Council, and also for the abolition of the 

 tribute to Turkey of 42,000 a year. 



Several measures of local utility were passed during the session of 1910. Of the 

 most important was the law providing for the registration of trade marks. 



Education. In 1910-11 there were 583 primary schools, with 707 teachers and 30,779 

 scholars; an increase of 12 schools, 25 teachers and 1,203 scholars over 1909-10. The aver- 

 age daily attendance, excluding harvesting time, is estimated at 26,910. The schools were 

 supported at an expense of 16,859 raised locally by assessment, contributions from religious 

 funds or individuals. The schools are apportioned amongst the following religious com- 

 munities: Moslem (187); Greek Christians (387); Armenian (5); Maronite (4). The aver- 

 age attendance in Moslem schools was 4659, and in Greek Christian schools 22,159. 



Public Health. At the end of 1910 an outbreak of smallpox occurred but this'was checked 

 by vigorous measures of isolation and vaccination. Malarial fever was less prevalent than 

 in former years, 6074 cases being returned as compared with 7450 in 1909, and 10,476 in 

 1908. The hospitals of the islands show an all-round increase -in attendance and admis- 

 sions, and important improvements have been made. At the close of the year the inmates 

 of the Leper Farm numbered 99 and their lot has been considerably relieved by a substantial 

 increase to the grant allowed them by the government. 



Climate. The weather in Cyprus during 1911 was extremely varied as regards heat and 

 cold. Snow fell on the central plains and remained on the ground some days, an event 

 which had not occurred for 13 years. The average rainfall over the whole island was 23.49 

 inches. (A. BRUCE JACKSON.) 



