| Reference number | NLB/14/441 |
| Alternative reference number | NLB/14 p247-249 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Copy letter from Michael Foster, to the Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office, S.W. |
| Date | 12 March 1897 |
| Description | In reply to the Under Secretary's letter of 18th February (3283/97), Foster is directed to state that the present position of the Tsetse Fly inquiry is in general terms as follows.
The Committee of the Royal Society received last summer a specimen of the N'gana [Naga land] disease and by this have been enabled to carry on the enquiry in England along lines of experiment and observation which would be exceedingly difficult or indeed impossible for Dr [David] Bruce in Zululand. Enquiry has been unremitting ever since with the object in view being to obtain, if possible, such indications as would give a clear lead for the investigations still to be carried on in the Tsetse Fly country itself, and so narrow the scope and lessen the expense of the latter. Careful watch has been kept for any results which might suggest a mode of prevention or cure.
Though much valuable information has already been obtained, a definite programme for further investigations in Zululand has not yet been reached, nor a special line of entomological observation laid down such as would justify the expense of sending out a trained entomologist.
Foster is directed to assure Mr Chamberlain that the Committee are most desirous to bring the enquiry to a close in as short a time as possible and as soon as 'the occasion is ripe' will send out a trained entomologist or other additional enquirer in case Bruce is not able by himself to carry out the particular investigation which may be suggested.
Meanwhile the enquiry at home being conducted entirely at the cost of the Society, the only expenses at present being incurred are those of Bruce's salary and allowances. It seems to the Committee most important that Bruce should continue to devote his time to the enquiry, and that his remuneration should be the first claimed on the sum allotted.
Foster is in repeated communication with Bruce on the details of the enquiry carried on in England, so that the two lines of investigation may be mutually helpful. |
| Extent | 3p |
| Access status | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | Name | Dates |
| NA8220 | Foster; Sir; Michael (1836 - 1907); physiologist | 1836 - 1907 |
| NA8153 | Bruce; Sir; David (1855 - 1931) | 1855 - 1931 |