Possibility of finding new Finance Member from England who would be less vulnerable to jealousies of ICS colleagues; mentions three possible candidates; John Strachey able but very unpopular.
Pros and cons of changing to narrow gauge, particularly on Indus valley line; differing views on what narrow gauge should be, but whatever is chosen should become the uniform narrow gauge for all subsidiary lines; Argyll's despatch will support whatever Mayo's ultimate decision may be.
Encloses letter sent by James Wilson (editor, Indian Daily News) in Calcutta to Lord Salisbury, claiming that troops in Allahabad were on verge of mutiny [cf Mayo's letter to Argyll of 9 September (1)] and that there was widespread disaffection in India and dissatisfaction with Government among E...
Encloses paper by (Sir) G Chesney (Bengal Engineers) on establishment in England of Civil Engineering College for India, which is opposed by various sectional interests.
Encloses memorandum by Sir W Baker (Member, Council of India) on problems of narrow gauge for railways; Argyll's own 'hankering' is for standard gauge for Indus Valley and Frontier lines, and narrow gauge for all others; admittedly, if main danger is internal insurrection, then internal lines are...
Sends pamphlet entitled Is Irrigation necessary in Upper India? by Maj A F Corbett [see Mss Eur B380/5, ff354-60], advocating deeper ploughing in India.
Fowler's opinion that there will be virtually no saving by adopting narrow gauge on certain particular railway lines; leaving decision on this matter to Mayo unusual – 'questions of such magnitude being generally decided by Home Govt especially when referred to us' – but done in this case because...