"تقرير عن قبرص." [و‎‎٤] (٢٨/٧)

11
FOREWORD.
It is considered that those officers who contemplate
residing in Cyprus after retirement will find a great deal
to interest them in the following tour report.
Colonel G. Craster, C.B.E., D.S.O., Indian Army
(Retired), willingly consented to write this Report during
his stay on the Island and the Cyprus Government have
kindly defrayed all expenses incurred therewith. It is
thought that the publication of his tour report may result
in mutual benefit both to a British Colony and to those
officers who, as a result of the information contained in
the following pages, decide to give the Island a trial visit.
Although this report is published by Army Head
quarters, the reader is asked to bear in mind the fact that
any views, opinions, or criticisms expressed by the writer
are entirely his own. Before his departure Colonel
Craster was asked to write an unbiassed report on Cyprus
and to record his impressions exactly as they would appear
from the War Block officers’ point of view. In this
respect he has faithfully and ably carried out these
instructions.
Since this report was written, an article headed
“Orange Groves in Cyprus” has appeared in “Truth” of
10th June 1936. An extract from the article is given
below to underline Colonel Craster’s advice that those
interested in Citrus Growing “had best come and see for
themselves before committing themselves”.
“Orange Groves in Cyprus.
I have lately heard from Cyprus that efforts
are being made to interest Indian Army officers in the
scheme of a local company for the sale of plots of land as
“orange groves.” The price asked is £550—payable by
instalments—for a holding of 2^ acres, and the vendor
company undertakes planting and cultivation with
oranges or grape-fruit for a period of five years. At the
end of that period (or earlier, if he desires) the owner can
take over the management of his grove, or alternatively
the company will enter into a contract to carry on the work
and market the fruit. Attractive estimates of “possible
profits” are given, but as the investors in the South