§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER GRAY (St. Andrews Burghs)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can give any official news of the recent disastrous cyclone in Mauritius; whether any petition for help has beep, received from that Colony; and, if so, can he hold out any hope of a favourable reply.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe Governor of Mauritius has reported that the Island was visited by a cyclone on the 1st of March which caused six deaths, and interrupted railway and telegraphic communications. A certain amount of damage has been done to houses, mostly to those of the poorer classes, and the crops have also suffered to an extent which will depend partly on the weather during the next month or so. The first estimates gave a 15 per cent, reduction on a crop which previously promised to be a very good one. The Answer to the latter part of the Question is in the negative.