3-082-570 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Question of the Retention of Cyprus: sketches in the island, 1895. 'Larnaca. A Convict under Guard. Native Type. Wine-Cellar. The recent speech in the House of Commons by Sir William Harcourt has drawn fresh attention to the island. Lord Beaconsfield's hopes, [on] the acquisition of this island...have not been fulfilled, and Cyprus is somewhat of a "white elephant" to the British Empire...its commerce [however,] is not so insignificant as has been suggested. The revenue for 1893-94 was £177,054, as against an expenditure of £117,654. The imports during the same period amounted to £316,872, and the exports to an almost identical sum...the population, exclusive of the military stationed there, was at the last census over 200,000. The great proportion of the inhabitants profess the faith of the Greek Church. The Government of Cyprus is on this wise: there is a British High Commissioner, Sir Walter Joseph Sendall, who has the assistance of an Executive Council, comprising the senior military officer, the Chief Secretary, the Queen's Advocate, and the Receiver-General. The Legislature has eighteen members, six of whom are officials, and the other twelve are elected every five years, three by Mohammedan votes, and nine by non-Mohammedan votes'. From "Illustrated London News", 1895.