The Sun.
London, England, 1860-07-14 00:00:00

THE MADRAS IRRIGATION COMPANY.

The Cotton Supply Association have addressed
the following memorial to the Right Hon. Sir
Charles Wood, Bart., M.P., &c., her Majesty's
Secretary of State for India; in Council
" Sheweth—That the corresponJence between the Secre-
tary of State for India in Council, and the Madras Irriga-
tion and Canal Company, subsequent w the presentation of
' their former memorial to the Secretary of State for India in.
Council, on the 16th day of April last, regarding the pro-
I posal made by that company to raise, in Englan.:l, sufficient
capital to construct throughout the Province of Orissa and
the adjacent territories, works of irrigation and nleans of
water transport, has been brought to the notice of your
memorialists, who have given to the same the most caTeful
consideration.
" That, looking to the extensive natural capabilities of
the territories in question, for producing a large and corr..
tinuous supply of cotton to this country, if provided with.
the proposed works ; and considering, also, the important:
and additional fact that such works will, when executed,
form the most convenient and advantageous outlet to the
coast for the produce of other districts notoriously adapted
to the growth of that article, your memorialists view with
considerable interest the proceedings of a company seeking,
without material aid from Government to open up to the
consumers of cotton in England a field of future supply of
so large and so promising a character ; and they respect-
fully, but firmly, submit that it is of vital importance
that the most prompt and liberal encouragement and sup-
port should be freely given by Government to such an
enterprise, not only on account of its own peculiar merits,
but because its success will inevitably be the means of
attracting to the rapid and complete development of the
resources of India, and the consequent benefit of England,
the surplus capital of the latter country ; and by thus
securing the social and material welfare of the former, create
firm and lasting feelings of loyalty on the part of the native
population, based upon their prosperity and contentment.
" That their perusal of the correspondence before ad-
verted to, has produced in the minds of yOur memorialists
feelings of deep regret and disappointment, inasmuch
as they cannot view the reference of the Govern-
ment of India at Calcutta, therein proposed, for the pur-
pose of transferring to that distant authority negotiations
which have already taken up much time in this country,
and should be concluded here, otherwise than unnecessary
—productive, at best, of indefinite delay, and calculated to
check if not wholly prevent the future ,flow of British capi-
tal into India; for it is manifest that English promoters
and directors of undertakings for the improvement of that
country, will not, at their own expense and risk, enter into
fisotar imitth-peobrtaisoille
an uncertain negotiation to be carried on and he unsi!tisfac-
tory medium of written correspondence,
thtoatrecosuimtpanonyly,
in an arrangement with a subordinate andtod
of the Government, upon which it would be unsafe to at-
tempt to raise capital in this country. _ terms which
"That your memorialists submit that as those L
the Secretary of State for India in Council h. as, [after ful
rnoaocsru srnuee co
et hs
sea yr
yn e
tehe
consideration, suggested as fit and proper
of an arrangement with the Madras Irrigation and Canal.
Company, have been accepted
asstarsyucih'unards-
and as they are willing
rmedllieschussed between
thereon, it is neither desir d
less than the
ned and
wan, respect of which it can be consi-
dered company in England and the Government of Calcutta
d the more e •
in the mode proposed' . specially as the only
wrahnogleemmeantttesrhsobuoldulbdebfourrtet)epr9 e_lay_ed,
dered essential that local enowledge should be brought
item of such
to bear for its proper_ settlement, will even then be left for
the decision of the Legislative Council at Calcutta. And
atoblep
memorialists are informed that the fullest
your minformation,
Inthe
th ga vews of th
rerding
up e whole of local orities in
on 9i general question ofthe authorities
entrusting to private $
companies works of irrigation, is now in possession of her
majestys Government.
That your memorialists are firmly persuaded that it is
not only for the good of India, but also to the direct pecu-
niary interest of Government that the works now under
consideration should be forthwith carried out by private
enterprise, and that it is wholly impossible for the former
to
undertake their construction without prejudice to those
other works
for the speedy execution of which they now
stand pledged, and irrespective of numerous projects of
great magnitude urgently required for the general govern-
ment and advancement of the country.
"Your memorialists therefore most respectfully pray,
" That the Right Honourable Her Majesty's Secretary of
State for India in Council will forthwith conclude with
the Madras Irrigation and Canal Company an arrange-
ment for the construction by the latter of works of irriga-
tion and water transit in the province of Orissa, and adja-
cent districts, based upon the terms which have been
mutually considered proper for that purpose without
referring the same to the Government of India at
Calcutta, and,
" That he will also afford to such company every encou-
ragement and support necessary to enable them to carry out
those important works with success.
" And your memorialists will ever pray, &c.
" Signed at a meeting of the Executive Committee held
at the offices of the Cotton Supply Association, Manches-
ter, on Tuesday, July 10, 1860.
" JOHN CHEETHAM, President,
" EDMUND ASHWORTH, Vice-President, "
"G. R. HAYWOOD, Secretary."