RETURN to an Address of the Honourable The House of Commons, "COPY of any REPORTS made to the Government on the EXTENSION of TEA PLANTATIONS in India." India Office, } FRANCIS W. PRIDEAUX, (Mr. William Ewart.) Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed, COPY of any REPORTS made to the Government on the EXTENSION of TEA EXTRACT from a Narrative of the Proceedings of the Government of Bengal in the Revenue Department (No. 7 of 1857), dated 25 September. EXTRACT from the Proceedings of the Government of Bengal in the Revenue Department, under date 11 September 1856. (No. 330.) From the Officiating Secretary to the Board of Revenue, Lower Provinces, to the Secretary to the Government of Bengal; dated Fort William, 3 September 1856. Sir, I AM directed by the Board of Revenue to submit for the favourable consideration and orders of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, the accompanying copy of a letter from the Commissioner of Assam, No. 70, dated the 15th ultimo, applying on behalf of an Assam tea planter for two or three maunds of the green tea seed which Mr. Fortune has introduced into the Kumaon Government plantation. 2. The Board recommend that a small quantity of each kind of seed, if available, be supplied for distribution, three-fourths in Assam and one-fourth in Cachar, with a view to furthering Colonel Jenkins' project in the former province, and developing the resources of the latter district. No. 16. Land Revenue. W. Dampier and H. I have, &c. (signed) E. T. Trevor, Officiating Secretary. (No. 70.) Enclosure 2, in No. 1. From Colonel F. Jenkins, Commissioner of Revenue, Assam, to the Board of Revenue, Gentlemen, A GENTLEMAN tea planter of Assam, wishing to procure some of the seed of the green tea and of the true Bohea variety, which he understands Mr. Fortune has introduced into the Kumaon Government plantations, has applied to me to endeavour to get him two or three maunds of seed, for which he will be glad to pay all expenses, and I would beg to request the Board's good offices in his favour. 2. It must always be desirable to try in this province any variety of good tea, of which we can obtain information, and I would beg to request that on Mr. Fortune's importing any 95. further supplies, that small quantities of each despatch should be placed at my disposal for distribution in the province, to such persons as would be willing to pay the charges attendant on the importation; and if I could be informed of the probable costs previously, I would be glad to make the same known to all the planters. Revenue. * No. 70, dated 15 August 1856, (No. 247.) Enclosure 3, in No. 1. From the Secretary to the Government of Bengal to R. Fortune, Esq.; dated Fort William, Sir, 8 September 1856. I AM directed by the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal to forward to you the accompanying copy of a letter from Colonel Jenkins, the agent to the Governor General in Assam, and to request that you will be good enough to comply with the request of that officer for a supply of green tea seed so far as you may be able to do so. 2. The Board of Revenue, through whom this letter was forwarded to Government, have suggested that whatever quantity of seed may be sent, should be distributed between Assam and the province of Cachar, in the proportion of three-fourths to the former and one-fourth to the latter. If, therefore, you will be good enough to send the seed to Calcutta, packed in the proportions suggested, the packages will be forwarded from here to their respective destinations. (signed) I have, &c. Secretary to the Government of Bengal. (No. 634.) COPY forwarded to the Officiating Secretary to the Board of Revenue for information with reference to this letter, No. 330, dated 3d instant. No. 31. Enclosure 4, in No. 1. EXTRACT from the Proceedings of the Government of Bengal in the Revenue Department, under date 30 October 1856. From R. Fortune, Esq, to W. Grey, Esq., Secretary to the Government of Bengal. H. C. Steamer" Megna," off Benerus, 14 October 1856. Sir, I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from you, dated the 8th of September, with its enclosure. In reply, I beg to inform you that having left China for some time (nine months), I have no means of complying with Colonel Jenkins' request to forward seeds of the finest kinds of tea for the new plantations in Assam. The same remark applies to the suggestions of the Board of Revenue, that a proportion of such seeds should be sent to the province of Cachar where tea plantations are now being formed. I regret this very much, for had such an application been made to me while in China, I would have had great pleasure in complying with the wishes of the Honourable the Lieutenant Governor expressed in your letter. As I expect to reach Calcutta in a few days, en route for England, I shall have the honour of calling upon you, and shall then explain this matter more fully. I am, &c. (signed) R. Fortune. Enclosure |