I attach a copy of a plan* of a provisional scheme of alienation. 4. On the other hand the area which would be granted to Lord Delamere and which comprises 20 farms is reported to be suitable only for a sheep ranch on a large scale. These farms were either not taken up or were abandoned by the original allottees for the reason that they do not present an economic proposition unless amalgamated and developed as a single unit. I attach a report by the Acting Director of Agriculture in this connection.

5. The alternative methods of disposing of these 20 farms would be to include them as they stand or in groups in the next auction list, or to offer them subject to grazing leases. I am advised, however, that the proceeds of the sale of groups of these farms would not be commensurate with the amount which would accrue to Government from the sale of the Ndaragua property.

6. It has been represented by the Laikipia Farmers' Association that the present farms in Laikipia are so small and sub-divided that they are not sound propositions, and that those who have committed themselves find it essential to obtain extensions in the vicinity of their present holdings. It would appear, however, that the grant of these 20 farms to Lord Delamere will not prevent the present Laikipia farmers from obtaining further land as there is a very considerable acreage of similar land available for alienation in the usual way, or on a system of grazing leases. Hitherto only seven definite applications have been received in respect of the area proposed for exchange to Lord Delamere and these would by no means provide for the full utilisation of that area. It is my considered opinon in view of possible extensions elsewhere that it is not desirable in the circumstances to preclude the alienation of this land as a single ranch and so ensure its most advantageous development. In the circumstances I am not satisfied that the land in question can be put to good use in smaller blocks as contemplated in the proviso made. by Lord Delamere's Manager.

7. The position of those ex-soldiers who failed to secure farms under the Ex-Soldier Settlement Scheme in 1919 is entirely different and has been dealt with fully in Kenya despatch of the 21st May.1 In any case as private purchasers the interests of unsuccessful participants in the original scheme are better served by the offer at auction of good agricultural farms than by the allotment of grazing farms, none of which can be worked successfully alone.

8.

Under these circumstances, I trust that you will now approve the proposed exchange with Lord Delamere.

ENCLOSURE 1 IN NO. 4.

Department of Native Affairs,
Office of the Chief Native Commissioner, Nairobi,

16th August, 1924.

The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, Nairobi.

I have just received from the Acting Director of Surveys a map illustrating the lands affected by the proposals for an exchange with Lord Delamere.

2. None of the land in question is in or near any Native Reserve or proposed Native Reserve and no natives have any rights over any of it. Any natives who may have been found recently on the farms in the northern block were trespassers.

G. V. MAXWELL,

Chief Native Commissioner.

SIR,

ENCLOSURE 2 IN NO. 4.

Mombasa, 20th August, 1924.

Your telegram S.22957/5 dated 14th instant,

In reference to your above-quoted telegram, I would say at the outset that I have not made that very thorough examination of the land in question that I should like to have done remembering the circumstances and the need for more than ordinary care in the

matter.

However, from what I have been able to see on my recent visit and from what I know of the area from previous visits I am able to report with confidence.

1. The exchange is undoubtedly suitable to Lord Delamere in that he owns the livestock which enables him to utilise the area to be given in exchange for Ndaragua.

66

2. The Ndaragua land is most certainly not suitable for subdivision into small farms of from 400 to 600 acres. The Rumuruti District Committee in reporting adversely regarding the subdivision of Ndaragua into small farms took 400 acres as the average size of a small fårm. Ndaragua lends itself to subdivision into areas of from 1,300 to 1,700 acres in extent depending on the proportions of cultivable arable and waste land. This I understand is what was intended by the Land Department and I agree.

3. The arrangements as revealed to me by the Honourable Commissioner of Lands struck me as fair and reasonable, and I would unhesitatingly value Ndaragua land at at least twice the value of the Sugeroi Valley land which is the best of the land offered

in exchange. The rental adjustment from 6 cents per acre to 20 cents per acre, and the development conditions make the proposed. exchange sound from a business and development point of view. It is presumed that any rental adjustment in that area will not affect the new lands in this exchange, if they do then the proposal to surrender Ndaragua for 43,000 acres at the old rental of 6 cents per acre should preferably be chosen.

4. I would recommend Government to conclude the business if it is merely the question of value which causes hesitancy.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor of Kenya.

Extract.

[Telegram.]

[Answered by No. 6.]

24TH SEPTEMBER. Your despatch, of 29th August.* Fear I must ask for fuller consideration of points raised in my despatch of 17th July, also as to length of occupation by natives concerned and use they make of the land.

Matter of natives on unalienated Crown land requires your most careful attention as I should not be able to defend removal simply on the ground of absence of legal right. THOMAS.

No. 6.

The Governor of Kenya to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. [Telegram.]

Extract.

[Answered by Nos. 7 and 8.]

6TH DECEMBER. Your telegram 24th September. Delamere exchange. Chief Native Commissioner after enquiry now reports no natives on farms in North Nyeri District proposed to be handed to Delamere in exchange except a few Masai herdsmen in charge of sheep owned by Europeans at present grazing on the land.. Also reports no natives on any of the farms concerned in Rumuruti District except a few Somali in quarantine on farm 1911 B.-CORYNDON.

No. 7.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor of Kenya. [Telegram.]

9TH JANUARY. Your telegram 6th December, § Delamere exchange of land approved.-AMERY.

No. 8.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor of Kenya. Downing Street, 26th January, 1925.

SIR,

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 6th December,* and to confirm the telegram† which I sent to you in reply on the 9th January informing you that I approved of the proposed exchange of land with Lord Delamere.

Apart from the position of any natives who might have been in occupation of the land which it is proposed to transfer to Lord Delamere, the main question which required consideration was whether the exchange was justifiable in the interests of the Colonial Government and of any other European settlers who might have wished to take up the land in question.

On this point I am fully satisfied by the information contained in your despatch of the 18th February, 1924, as it seems to me that the transaction will involve no loss to the Protectorate Government, and that the land which Lord Delamere will relinquish is far more suitable for small holders than the farms which he will receive, and which it is clear from your despatch are only suitable for sheep farming on a large scale.

PAPERS RELATING TO THE

Application to 'Iraq of the
Principles of Article 22

of the Covenant of the
League of Nations.

Presented by the Secretary of State for the Colonies
to Parliament by Command of His Majesty,
January, 1925.

LONDON:

PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE.

To be purchased directly from H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses; Adastral House, Kingsway, London, W.C.2; 28, Abingdon Street, London, S.W.1; York Street, Manchester; 1, St. Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff;