MAURITIUS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 396, 23 August 1856, Page 3

MAURITIUS.

The "Overland Commercial Gazette" of the 27th of Ma}1, contains the following expression of the disaffected feelings of the population, and their causes:— "The misconduct of the Government in allowing the cholera to come amongst us rankles deeply in the hearts of the inhabitants, and nothing that has taken place since Mauritius has been a British possession has tended more to spread disaffection where dissatisfaction existed, and to create it where a contrary disposition prevailed. The consequences of the negligence, hidifierenee, and incapacity of the local Government ara more serious than the Imperial Government will suppose from the dequeues of the Governor. There are many colonists of French origin, large proprietors surrounded by their families, who are not indifferent to the renown which their former country has lately acquired in peace and in war. Tiiev have until now admitted the benefits they have enjoyed under British rukyand, have considered that these benefits have outweighed the disadvantages of the vacillating policy widen .has so repeatedly injured their fortunes and blighted their prospects. Freedom of speech—freedom of the Tress—freedu v to commerce, have all Ik-en put in the bal.nee, and, where there was no stronger attachment, they h;.vt> admitted that it was to the:r interest to remain S'-.Ujeets of the Britii-h li:noi;v. But now that the universal conviction prevails among all classes that the cholera has been r.vn-e introduced here through the ine'lieuney ;;iia incapacity of our administration, they do not r.i^usse their real thoughts, a:ul they s;.y, • if by nen arrangements between the two great powers, .Mauritius was ceded to France, wo should have perhaps less liberty, even less material prospjrity, but we snoald have a Government with sufficient iinnness io take proper measures to prevent tlu i-.itioduoi.ioii or tho cholera ; and the traditions which we have every

reason to be attached to would not be wrested from us, as they are now, without regard for our feelings or our welfare.' The injustice done by imposing ori the people a language little known or spoken has been severely felt%nd instead of increasing an attachment to the English language, after nine years, the whole population have petitioned against the measure, and amongst, the petitioners are ;many who petitioned in favour of the introduction in 1847. The strong desire shown to replace "bit by bit" the French by the English laws has proved a complete failure, and has disgusted the whole community with our supreme court of justice. It is essential that these facts should be known, and that their consequences should be well considered by-the Imperia* Government/ It is in the interest of the colony and the Government that we make them public, with no other object in view beyond the hope of attracting attention to Mauritius, for the inhabitants are surely dissatisfied with the present state of our administration. The town is not yet free from cholera; great uneasiness was felt generally about the loth and 16th instant, as it was feared that the disease was returning. To the 22nd the mortality was steady at about three a day, but on the night of the 23rd there were seven or eight deaths, and in the following days a large number, some of them very sudden."

The Crimean board of inquiry sat on the 21st of April, when Admiral Lyons, Major Connelly, and Colonel Lowe were examined by Lord Lucan. The evidence wsut to show Unit the fleet could not have rendered more assistance to the cavalry for the protection of the horses than had been given ; that Lord Lucan offered erery encouragement to hisofficers to provide shelter, and that inure promptitude and ingenuity.co.iild not have been displayed under the circumstances. Colonel Tulloch's statement was made before the Court on the 25th. of April, vindicating the truth of his report as to the apathy of those in command in providing shelter for the horses. 'This address was loudly cheered. • Lord Lucan, in his reply on the 2Sth of April, complained of the ridicule and abuse which had been showered upon him. He then entered into details as to the management of the cavalry horses, comparing them with the artillery, and finished by laying the blame upon the negligence--' and mismanagement of the officials at home. He trusted that the real culprit would be discovered, and -that the ridicule -md contempt which had been cast upon the . British Army would be removed. The address which lasted four hours, was leceired with some interruption of laughter and hisses, but towards the conclusion the noble 'Earl was much cheered. Lord Cardigan's case .was heard on April 29th and May Ist. The evidence which he called, to to repel the charge of neglecting the forage of. the cavalry horses under his command, cast the blame upon. Lord Lucan,.which produced an angry reply and some.recrimination between his lordship and the witness D.A.C.G. Crookshank. 1 he case of Gen. Airey, quartermaster-general, was then called upon. His statement was very clear, and tended to exculpate his department from the charge made against him, pointing out the hardships which aross from the necessities of the case. His statement was corroborated by Colonel Wethcrall, deputy quar-termaster-general. The Court stood adjourned on the 2nd of May.