DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL STATIONS. 41 



Kaitee is distant about 3 miles from Ootacamund : a 

 Government farm was established in the valley in which it 

 stands, about the year 1831, in the expectation that all 

 European products would succeed well from its sheltered 

 position. The project, however, was eventually abandoned, 

 the return having proved far less than was anticipated. The 

 Bungalow at the farm was afterwards occupied, for some 

 time, by the Grovernor of Pondicherry. 



At a subsequent period, Lord Elphinstone, then Governor 

 of Madras, fancied the spot for the erection of a dwelling- 

 house, and his Lordship obtained the land on the usual lease 

 of 99 years. No sooner was the transfer concluded, than his 

 Lordship began to enlarge the old building ; and, in course of 

 time, converted the property into one well worthy of a noble- 

 man's residence. The house was magnificently furnished, 

 the exquisite taste of the late Count D'Orsay having been 

 called into requisition for this purpose ; the grounds were 

 tastefully laid out ; and the whole assumed the appearance 

 of a beautiful English Manor house. 



In 1845, or about that time, the property was purchased 

 by the late Mr. Casmajor, of the Madras Civil Service, for 

 15,000 Rupees, and about 10,000 rupees more were expended 

 by him in alterations. At his death, he left the greater part 

 of his property to the Basil Mission, of which he had been 

 a liberal supporter while living, but the house itself was 

 advertised for sale ; it was purchased by the Basil Society 

 for 10,000 Eupees. The Neilgherry branch of the Basil 

 Mission is supported by the interest of the money realized 

 from the sale of the property ; that sum having, in accord- 

 ance with the late Mr. Casmajor' s will, been invested in the 

 funds for that purpose. 



No sooner had Kaitee become the property of the Basil 

 a 



