§ Dr. CHAPPLEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet 904W been able to discuss with the Governor of the Gold Coast Colony the death and sickness rate in the mines of that colony; and, is so, whether he is in a position to make any statement as to the results of this discussion?
Mr. THOMASI have decided to forbid further recruiting for the mines in the northern territories of the Gold Coast until conditions are improved. As a first step I arranged a few days ago that Sir William Simpson, a sanitary expert of high authority, should proceed to the Colony to investigate and furnish me with a report on the sanitary conditions of the mines and mining villages and the reasons for the high death rate among the labourers and to suggest measures for their improvement. Sir William is already on his way to the Gold Coast.