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WEST AFRICA. 
GAMBIA. 
The Governor forwarded, without remark, an extract from the minutes of the Executive Council, 
which merely stated that, while the Secretary of State’s despatch of the 11th June, 1919, had been 
read with interest, the Government were unable to suggest any special direction in which money 
could be usefully expended in that small colony at the present time, and that the Governor agreed to 
this view. 
GOLD COAST 
In this case the report is furnished by the Acting Governor. 
The Gold Coast have an interesting scheme, which appears to be unique among the colonies, for 
the establishment of a local research bureau which could collect and collate information gleaned from 
the geological, agricultural, veterinary, forestry, chemical, botanic, my colog ical and entomological 
branches of the Government Departments, and study it in relation to its economic and commercial 
uses. This suggestion is due to Captain H. J. Gwyther, M.C., Assistant Secretary for Works* and he 
has furnished a detailed scheme for the work of the proposed bureau. The matter is still under 
consideration. 
Until very recently scientific research in this colony was practically confined to the efforts of 
two officers of the Geological Survey, and to such limited investigations as could be made by one 
Mycologist and one Entomologist in the Agricultural Department, by one Veterinary officer, and by 
the Inspecting Chemist attached to the Medical and Public Works Departments in connection with 
the purification of the Accra and Seccondee water supplies. During the last year (1920) steps have 
been taken, or proposals made, to strengthen the Departments not only for their normal duties, but 
expressly for such research and economic exploration as the Secretary of State has enjoined. Thus 
the Geological Survey Department has been doubled and a further increase has been sanctioned, a 
large increase in the Scientific Branch of the Agricultural Department has been proposed and now 
only awaits the approval 'of the Secretary of State and the securing of the necessary officers, the 
enlargement of the Veterinary Department has been approved, a Hydraulic Engineer’s branch of 
the Public Works Department has been created for the investigation of water supplies and sources 
of hydro-electric power, two engineering chemists have been added to the staff of the Public Works 
Department, and the Forestry Department is in process of being re-established with a view to the 
preservation and development of the Colony's forests. The foundations are thus being laid for much 
more extensive research than has been attempted in the past. 
As regards the development of the Colony’s agricultural resources, the Governor has already 
established a large experimental sisal plantation on the plains outside Accra, which are otherwise 
practically uncultivated; and when he last visited the plantation considerable progress had been 
made and the Superintendent was very optimistic about the success of the experiment. 
Systematic attempts are being made to grow rice and coconuts in new areas and on scientific lines, 
a cassava plantation is about to be established with a view to experiments being made in the local 
production of motor fuel, and negotiations are in progress which may result in the establishment of 
a sugar industry in the Elmina district of the Central Province. The Governor is much interested 
in the development of the researches of the Northern Territories in the matter of ground nuts, shea 
butter, cattle, etc. 
As regards mineral resources, the recent strengthening of the Geological Survey Department 
will enable the exploration of the Colony for minerals to be more vigorously pushed; but there is 
general agreement that the available labour is insufficient for the proper working of the minerals 
already known, and that for this reason the practical value of additional discoveries will be much 
d G C 1*0 fts 0 cl 
In this connection the Acting Governor adds that possibly the research which is most- urgently 
needed at the present time is medical and sanitary research designed to conserve and increase the 
population. 
It has also been suggested that the. local fishing industry requires scientific study, but with a 
view to the preservation of the industry in the hands of natives, and not for the introduction of 
fishing enterprise from outside the Colony. 
The Director of Public Works suggests the appointment of an engineering chemist to make 
experiments in the destructive distillation of wood, from which charcoal, tar, acetic acid and methy 
alcohol can be obtained; ajso the making of experiments with limestone for the production of lime 
locally, and with local clay for brick-making. He further suggests experiments with a view to 
producing wood pulp and to ascertaining whether there is any local plant from which alcohol can 
he obtained in sufficient quantities. 
The suggestions which have been set out seem to be the most important of those received, it has 
been necessary to omit a number of suggestions apparently of minor importance. 
Note .—The large increase in the Agricultural staff has been sanctioned and a number of officers 
have already been selected; and a number of appointments have also been made by the f orestry 
Department. Difficulty has been found in obtaining veterinary officers and chemists. A very large 
Survey Department has been created, as it is considered that adequate maps are a condition 
precedent to economic development in many directions. 
NIGERIA. 
No reply to the despatch has been received from Nigeria. 
