260 
The introduction of the Oil Palm from the Gold Coast into Labuan 
is such a story. The work was done, the trees grew and even fruited, 
= ten years later were grubbed u 
In € m of last month an applieation has been received from 
the Queensland Government for a supply of seeds of the Oil Palm for 
sse cultivation in that Colony. 
COLONIAL OFFICE to ROYAL GARDENS, Kew. 
Sir, wning son December 7, 1876. 
I am directed by the Earl “of Carnarvon to transmit to you a 
copy of a despatch received by the last mail dun the Governor of 
abuan, suggesting that it would be well to promote in Labuan the 
cultivation of the African Oil Palm. 
Before taking any steps to carry into effect the wishes of the 
Governor his Lordship would be glad to receive your opinion as to the 
despatch of seed nuts or any other observations your experience may 
suggest on the matter 
I am, &c. 
Dr. Hooker, (Signed) R. H. MEADE. 
Royal Gardens, Kew. 
Governor USSHER to the EARL OF CARNARVON. 
Government House, Labuan, 
My Lorp, October 14, 1876. 
conversation I have had with Mr. Treacher, the Acting 
Colonial Secretary, I endeavoured to expla in to him the nature, uses, 
and eee of the Eleis guineensis or African Oil Palm 
2. It struck both him and myself that it might prove : an industry 
well vo for Labuan and the neighbouring islands, and that the 
rough unskilled labour required in boiling down the nuts for oil would 
be well adapted to a people, one of whose principal industries is the 
manufacture of cocoa-nut oil. 
3. I venture therefore to suggest that your Lordship should cause to 
be shipped to the Colony, at its own expense, a few cwts. of the nuts 
for distribution and planting. Mr. Treacher himself would take the 
major part, as the island of Daat, belonging to ve cousin, Dr. Treacher 
is well adapted to palms, 20,000 fine cocca-nut palms being already on 
the island, where a few years ago nothing but Jungle was to be seen. 
4. Any information as to the process used by the African natives for 
its conversion into oil, its cultivation, and the probability of its finding a 
market in Australia, ‘would be highly desirable, and a portion of this 
information might, I think, easily be furnished by the Governor of the 
Gold Coast or the Administrator of Logon where the products of the 
oil palm are principal articles of expo 
e, &c. 
The Right Hon. (Signed) H. J. UssukR 
The Earl of Carnarvon, Goie 
&c. &c. &e. 
