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Labuan and Brunei, and the Protected Malay States should then be undertaken. The limited staff 
has made research work on a large scale impossible, but with the assistance of the Imperial Institute 
a great deal has been done to help the mining community in the identification of mineral specimens 
and rocks, in estimating then’ value, and by furnishing advice as to the occurrence of ore in individual 
mines and as to prospecting. 
the Government Geologist advocates research on the following lines when time and personnel 
permit:— - 
(а) Search for minerals of economic value, such as tantalite, thorite, uranium minerals and 
monazite, in the heavy impurities separated from tin-ore, and the treatment of those 
already known. 
(б) Experimental work on electro-magnetic separation of minerals found in local concentrates. 
(c) Experimental work on the manufacture of carbide, Portland cement and lime-sand bricks 
from local products. 
(d) Experimental work on the utilisation of silt from tailings-dumps and rivers for the manufac¬ 
ture of bricks, tiles, pottery and cement. 
(e) Collection of potash from ashes of forest timber used for the production of power by miners. 
(/) Experimental work on raw materials for glass manufacture which occur in tailings- 
dumps, etc. 
I he question of deep boring has been mooted from time to time and there is a difference of 
opinion as to whether it is worth while to undertake such boring. It is proposed to carry out investi¬ 
gations into the methods of tin-ore saving on alluvial mines, lode mines, and dredges. There has been 
a steady decrease in the output of tin and it is desired to conserve this valuable metal and to prevent 
unnecessary waste. In the past much tin has been left in the land owing to careless working. 
So far as is known at present, wolfram, scheelite and kaolin are the only other minerals of 
economic value. 
Hitherto it has not been possible to obtain the services of a suitable man as Inspector of Fisheries 
and the fisheries have been under the superintendence of the Director of Museums. The Director 
does not anticipate that any great development can be made in the fishing industry of Malaya beyond 
increasing the supply for local purposes and improving the means of distribution. Most of the waters 
are unsuitable for trawling and on the East Coast fishing is impossible or hazardous for four months 
in the year. 
The Museums Department is engaged upon a fauna of the Malay Peninsula; one volume on the 
Reptilia and Batrachia has already been published, and the material for two others, namely, that on 
the Mammalia and that on the Birds, is practically complete. A work on the flora is already in hand; 
work on ethnography and ethnology has been in operation for some years. 
Sir Edward Brockman remarks that, in connection with research, the great difficulty the Govern¬ 
ment has had to face is the question of providing and maintaining an adequate staff of trained men. 
The experience of the Government in the past has been a most unfortunate one. Many posts could 
not be filled, and many officers left the Government service for commercial employment. 
The question of the co-ordination of research work is under consideration and it has been suggested 
that a central research institute should be established at Kuala Lumpur. 
HONG KONG. 
No reply to the despatch has been received from this Colony. 
MAURITIUS. 
The Governor reported that Mauritius was almost purely a sugar producing Colony, that every 
possible effort had for many years past been made by the local Department of Agriculture to foster 
fch 3 principal industry, aud that a great deal of valuable research work had been done in that direction. 
The Governor added that efforts were also made to encourage other enterprises, but that the profits 
derived from the cultivation of the sugar cane were so large that it was almost impossible to induce 
any landowner to take a practical interest in any other production. 
The Governor enclosed a report from the Director of Agriculture upon investigations in progress 
and proposals for further research. As regards the sugar industry, the investigations in progress are 
the breeding and trying out of new varieties of cane and experiments on manuring canes. Investiga¬ 
tions into the use of implements and tractors in cane cultivation and into the irrigation of cane 
plantations appeared desirable. There was also a decided need for the better organisation of proper 
research in relation to sugar manufacturing questions, both in relation to problems of an engineering 
character and also to the chemistry of sugar manufacture. The production of power alcohol from 
exhausted molasses offered a most important and promising field for research. 
In regard to other industries, previous experience with cotton in Mauritius had not been encourag¬ 
ing; there may, however, be possibilities in certain districts, as shown by recent experiments. 
Rodrigues also offers a considerable opportunity for experiments in cotton. 
The Director considered that there was a large and important field for research into marine 
resources. No facilities at present exist for such research work. 
As regards minerals, the Director considered that the field for investigation appeared limited, 
but that no definite opinion could be expressed as it was almost unexplored. He thought that some 
research was certainly desirable. 
Note .—The question of a geological survey is being pursued. _ . 
As regards sugar, experiments are being carried out to test the^ suitability of nitrate of ammonia 
as a manure for the canes. The Colonial Government are considering whether it would be useful to 
co-operate with or participate in the activities of the British Empire Bugar Research Association. 
Enquiries are being made as to suitable types of motor tractor for ploughing. . . 
Provision will be made in the 1921-22 estimates for the employment of a mycologist m the 
Agricultural Department. 
