Annual report on the social and economic progress of the people of Sierra Leone.

Date:
[1936]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report on the social and economic progress of the people of Sierra Leone. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    48/54 (page 46)
    Imperial Institute—Public Exhibition Galleries. Following the redecoration of the Exhibition Galleries in the latter part of 1935, the re-installation of the exhibits in the Sierra Leone Court was completed in the early part of this year. New exhibits include specimens of piassava fibre (Sherbro and Sulima grades) together with dressed and dyed fibre and an example of a piassava broom. Photographs of cotton cloth weaving in Sierra Leone have been prepared and are on show. Dioramas of the iron-mining and diamond-mining industries are under construction, and are nearing completion. The cases for these have been constructed of cedar and West African mahogany. The charts and graphs, showing the volume of trade, have been revised in accordance with the latest available figures. Lectures to school parties have been continued, and films of West Africa have been shown in the cinema to schools and the general public. The distribution of samples of products to applicants under the school specimen scheme has been continued. During the year, the Institute examined a sample of tobacco representing a type of leaf grown in considerable quantities in the northern chiefdoms of Sierra Leone, submitted by the Department of Agriculture in order to ascertain its value as a source of nicotine for insecticidal purposes. On examination it was found to contain 3-12 per cent of nicotine (expressed on the moisture-free material), a figure comparing favourably with that (0-5 to 3-0 per cent.) normally contained in waste tobacco commonly employed by insecticide manufacturers in the United Kingdom. In view however of the large quantities of such waste which are available, it did not appear likely that it would be remunerative to produce the tobacco for ship¬ ment. The Imperial Institute also carried out investigations and re¬ ported on samples of piassava, cashew nuts, chillies, and gorlie seed, and has furnished enquirers with information in respect of the various minerals. A special exhibition of Empire commercial fibres was held in the Pavilion of the Institute during March and April. Exhibits included samples of grades of Sierra Leone piassava fibre and products manufactured therefrom, also an exhibit of Sierra Leone raffia fibre. The piassava diorama was transferred from the Court to the Pavilion for the period of the exhibition. An exhibition was held at Charing Cross Underground Station, London, from 9th to 29th October, under the title “ Peeps at the Colonial Empire.”