The Seychelles.

Manawatu Herald, 27 February 1902, Page 3

The Seychelles.

It has been arranged to place the Boers who have been, and may be, sentenced to penal servitude outside of Africa, at the Seychelles. These are a group ot British islands in the Indian Ocean, 934 miles north of Mauritius, of which colony they are a dependency. The most important, of the thirty islands, is Mah6, which contains about 56 square miles. ( The capital of tha group is Victoria, which is on the north-east side of Mahe, and has an excellent harbour, much frequented by warships and two of the Indian lines of merchant steamers. This town has lately been made a coaling station by the Admiralty.’ The islands are mountainous, and they rise to the height of 3,000 feet on Mahfe. Coral reefs grow round most of the islands. The climate, though tropical is very healthy, and the soil is fertile and the vegetation luxuriant. A special gaol is aow feeing constructed. On Antigua, one of tha British West India islands accommodation for 1,200 prisoners of war is being provided. 1 his is one of the most important of the Leeward Islands and is approximately 97 square miles in extent. The mountains run to 1,328 feet in height, and the coast line is defended naturally by islets, rocks and shoals, which makes access to it difficult and dangerous. The island has suffered severely from earthquakes and hurricanes.