9 : k 
20 
MEDITERRANEAN. 
GIBRALTAR. 
Neither of the despatches was sent to this Colony. 
MALTA. 
The Governor appointed a Committee to consider the Secretary of State’s despatch, and the 
following proposals were made by the Committee: — 
As regards agriculture, the Committee pointed out that the development of the Colony depended 
m a.great- measure on that of the water supply, and recommended that steps should be taken to 
complete the geological survey of the Maltese islands, to carry out works in search of water for 
irrigation purposes, and to utilise as far as practicable the surface water that now flows to the sea 
and is wasted. 
T lie Committee suggested that greater use should be made of seaweed for manuring purposes. 
The Committee considered that the cultivation of cotton should be extended and the product 
improved as regards the length of fibre; that the cultivation of sisal as a fibre producer should be 
encouraged; and that figs and prickly pears should be planted more extensively and their fruit be 
utilised for the production of alcohol. 
The Committee stated that Maltese goats are remarkably good milkers, but are, unfortunately, 
subject to a specific fever. They recommended that this disease should lie further studied, with a 
view to its complete eradication. 
The Committee remarked that Maltese donkeys were well-known for their fine size and hardiness, 
but were threatened with extermination. The Committee strongly recommended that steps should 
be taken for reviving the industry of donkey breeding. 
The Committee also advised that a local Bureau of Entomology, Ornithology and Mycology 
should be instituted. 
With regard to marine products, the Committee thought that the fisheries, sponge, and coral 
industries were capable of development. They pointed out that there were abundant local supplies 
of salt which could be employed in fish preserving. 
It is proposed to establish a Department of Agriculture and a Department of Fisheries, and 
the Committee considered that many of the matters mentioned in their Report might be. investigated 
under the.direction of these Departments. 
As regards geology and minerals, reference has already been made to the recommendation of 
the Committee that the geological survey of the islands should be completed. The Committee 
thought it not improbable that deep boring would show that natural gas and mineral oils were lying 
at a. workable depth. There were also deposits of clay containing aluminium, of limestone which 
might prove suitable for the manufacture of lime and cement, and of phosphates. 
Note.—A plant pathologist has since been appointed; and investigations of improved methods 
of wine manufacture are being made with the help of a grant of £300 from the Colonial Research 
Committee. 
CYPRUS. 
The Chief Secretary furnished a full report- of which an abstract is appended. 
Mr. Stevenson remarks that Cyprus is primarily an agricultural country and that the majority of 
the people are employed on the land, about half the total area of the island being under cultivation. 
Of the remainder about one-third consists of “ forest ” and about one-fourth is susceptible of 
cultivation. 
As regards natural sources of mechanical power, these are scanty in Cyprus. Streams are 
small and seldom perennial and are subject to irrigation rights. Wind power is used for driving air- 
motors to raise sub-soil water for irrigation purposes. 
Some prospecting has been undertaken for mineral oil, but up to the present without commercial 
result. 
The activities of Government in fostering the staple industry of agriculture have, in the main, been 
of a practical character. Modern agricultural machinery and tools are being introduced, with which 
useful demonstrations are given and which, when their value and utility are realised bv the villagers, 
will, it is hoped, in time supplant the primitive types now in vogue. Much practical instruction is 
given by the officers of the Agricultural Department throughout the country iu agriculture in all its 
branches. An entomological laboratory has been established with the object of combating the 
numerous insect and fungoid pests which every year cause heavy loss, especially to carobs. Some 
original research work has been done and several insects new to science have been discovered and 
reported on. A chemical laboratory, with a qualified analyst, has also been established, at which useful 
work iu connection with the analysis of soils, water and chemical manures has been carried out. 
Tests with regard to the germination of seeds arc conducted at this laboratory. 
The principal agricultural products of Cyprus are cereals (wheat, barley, oats, vetches), carobs, 
dives, wine, silk, cotton, fruit and vegetables. Of these the most important to the island are the 
cereals, upon which it is dependent for its food supply. A large number of wells have been sunk 
from which the water is raised by air-motors, or wheels turned by animals, for use in the irrigation 
of potatoes and other vegetable crops. 
The cai'ob is ubiquitous in Cyprus. The fruit is exported mostly to England and also to 
France and Egypt. It is an important ingredient in cattle cakes, and is also a substitute for chocolate : 
it affords spirits, and sweetmeats are made from it. Pests and diseases incidental to carobs have 
been combated with some effect by the Agricultural Department. Mr. Stevenson thinks that a great 
extension could be given to this tree. 
