Bicentenary of the Mauritius Turf Club (1812 - 2012)

The Mauritius Post issued on June 25, 2012 a set of four postage stamps and a souvenir sheet to commemorate the Bicentenary of the Mauritius Turf Club.

The Mauritius Turf Club (MTC) was founded in 1812.  It is the third oldest horse racing organisation in the world after the prestigious English Jockey Club (1750) and the Irish Turf Club (1790).  It is also the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Sir Robert Farquhar, Governor of the island since its conquest by the British in 1810, and his wife, of French origin, Lady Maria Lautour, convened an organising committee on June 12, 1812 to set the regulations for horse racing on the Champ de Mars.  The other members were army and administrative officials:  Robert Sale, J. Picton, Henry Streatfield and Chris Teesdale.  Lady Maria offered the first gold cup of the Turf Club for the main event on June 25, 1812.

The aim of the founders was to reconcile around the horse the inhabitants of the island to their English administrators.

Three persons above all, namely Sir Robert Farquhar, Charles Telfair, naturalist scientist and Colonel Edward Draper, contributed to a peaceful transition from French to British rule after 1810.  Colonel Draper turned up only around 1813/14.  He was a competent administrator and keen gentleman rider.  The horses of these tree personalities competed regularly on the Champs de Mars.

The race course itself is the crater of a volcano.  Jean-François Charpentier de Cossigny (1690-1780), a French military engineer, was the first to suggest that the crater area would lend itself to development as a town.  Mahé de Labourdonnais (1699-1753), French Governor of Mauritius, then known as Isle de France, between 1735 and 1746, took up Cossigny's concept.  Port Louis was created and the Champ de Mars used fro military manoeuvres before becoming a race course in 1812 under the British.

Mint Souvenir Sheet

Cancelled-to-order Souvenir Sheet

The population of the island was immediately won over horse racing: an enduring passion that still prevails today.  Records show that over the past centuries, huge crowds have attended the race, even during the World Wars of the last century.

Cover featuring Waterfront PO date stamp on First Day of Issue

The MTC is the only internationally recognised horse racing organisation of the island.  Horse races take place on Saturdays, and on Sunday for special occasions.  Four classical races are held during each horse racing season, which extends from March until December, namely: the 'Duchess of York Cup', the 'Barbé Cup', the 'Maiden' and the 'Duke of York Cup' or 'Gold Cup'.

Horse racing at the Champ de Mars has inspired painters, poets and novel writers.  A vibrant press keeps alive the interest of its readers with detailed information on entries, betting trends, horse rating and time factor.  Radio and television cover a wide audience both locally and overseas.

Mail registered at Réduit PO on June 29, 2012

The MTC provides jobs to hundreds of people both on and off course and contributes, through taxes on bets and services, in a significant way to the socio-economic development of the country.

Technical Details:

Release date: 25 June 2012
Stamps Denomination & Illustration: Rs7 - Horse Racing
                                                       Rs10 - View of the Race Track, the Champ de Mars
                                                       Rs14 - Grandstand (1917)
                                                       Rs21 - The Mauritius Turf Club Insignia
                                                       Rs50 (Souvenir Sheet) - The Paddock

Designer: Nitish Peechen

Size:  44.45 mm × 29.94 mm

Printer: BDT International Security Printing Ltd.

Process: Lithography

Number per sheet: 50 stamps set in two panes of 25

Perforation gauge: 14 × 2 cm

Gum: PVA

Cover illustration: View of horse racing and crowd

Courtesy: The Mauritius Turf Club for photographs, illustrations and text materials - www.mauritiusturfclub.com/

Inauguration of the New Triolet Post Office

To mark the opening of the new Triolet Post Office on May 24, 2012, The Mauritius Post put on sale a Special Commemorative Cover.

With a view to providing a better environment to both its local and foreign customers, the Mauritius Post is sparing no efforts to invest on the modernisation and renovation of its infrastructure.  After the opening of new Post Offices in Glen Park, Pailles, Ebène, Trou aux Biches and La Flora, the MPL inaugurated a modern building in the northern village of Triolet.

Prior to the construction of a composite building accommodating both a Post Office and the Telephone Exchange in 1967, Postal Services in Triolet were delivered through a Postal Agency.

The old building was inaugurated on 7 September 1967.  A large range of postal services with a banking service through the Post Office Savings Bank were provided.

45 years later, a new, modern and spacious Post Office has been erected, providing over 65 postal and non-postal services, such as Public Internet Access Point, e-telegram, e-money transfer, e-commerce and so on,  to the inhabitants of Triolet and its vicinity and to tourists as well.

The inauguration of this new Post Office matches well with the motto of the celebrations of the 240 years of postal services in Mauritius: "from history to modernity".

Technical Details:

Event:  Inauguration of New Triolet Post Office

Release date: May 24, 2012

Cover illustration:  View of the new Tiolet post office building

Stamp: Rs100 of the '110th Birth Anniversary of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam' issue (2010)

10th Anniversary of Standard Chartered Bank in Mauritius

The Mauritius Post Ltd. released on May 15, 2012 a Special Commemorative Cover to mark the 10th anniversary of the Standard Chartered Bank in Mauritius.

Standard Chartered Bank (Mauritius) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC, was established in 2002 in Mauritius.  It is one of the leading and dynamic international banks in Mauritius.  With a strong banking franchise and cross-border capabilities across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, it is well-positioned to support the development and growth of the country.

The Bank employs more than 70 staff locally and is committed to employee diversity.  Sustainability efforts is integral to the Bank.  It provides three days employee volunteering paid leave that supports various community efforts in Mauritius including supporting environment conservation; underprivileged children; creating awareness on HIV/ AIDS; and a nation-wide vision screening campaign with primary school children.

With over 150 years banking legacy, Standard Chartered Bank today employs more than 87,000 staff worldwide and has an extensive network of branches and outlets in 70 countries.  The Bank is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges, as well as the Bombay and National Stock Exchanges in India.  

Standard Chartered Bank also sponsors the Liverpool Football Club since 2010.

Technical Details:

Event: 10th Anniversary of Standard Chartered Bank in Mauritius

Release date: May 15, 2012

Cover illustration:  View of the Caudan Waterfront, in Port Louis

Stamp: Rs8 (fish repopulation; artificial reefs 1980) of the Ecology issue (2006)

Celebrating 40 Years of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Mauritius & the People's Republic of China

The Mauritius Post issued on May 17, 2012 a set of ten Special Commemorative Covers to mark the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Mauritius and the People's Republic of China.

Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Mauritius and the PRC were formally established on 15 April 1712.  During his historic visit to China in 1972, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR), the then-Prime Minister of Mauritius, signed a Joint communiqué with Chinese Premier, Zhou Enlai, that opened a new and decisive chapter in the relations between the two countries.

Since the formalisation of the relations, China has been steadfastly supporting Mauritius as its very close and trusted friend and development partner.  China has indeed extended to Mauritius substantial development cooperation package in the form of preferential loans, in addition to technical assistance, capacity-building and training opportunities and a wide range of ad hoc sponsorships and support in various socio-economic initiatives.

This excellent and special relationship has been constantly nurtured by regular exchanges of high-level visits.  Dr. Navin Ramgoolam, the present Prime Minister of Mauritius undertook official visits to China in 1997 and 2007.  Mauritius was greatly honoured by the landmark state visit of His Excellency, Mr. Hu Jintao, President of the PRC, in Mauritius in February 2009.

Mauritius is very proud that an economically dynamic and culturally vibrant section of its population is of Chinese descent and contributes significantly o the human and cultural diversity that make up the Mauritian population which annually celebrates the Chinese Spring Festival.

China Post also released two Commemorative covers on April 15, 2012 (exactly 40 years after the establishment of the diplomatic ties).

Forty years of relations, built on the principles of sovereign equality of states, peace, cooperation and mutual respect and mutual benefit, are an irreversible sign of the healthiness and maturity of such relations.  More importantly, they are a solid foundation for elevating them to higher planes.

Information card in Chinese.

Special date stamp showing the Mauritian Tortoise. 

Special date stamp (Beijing) showing the Chinese Red-crowned Cane.

In this Year of the Dragon, it could not be more auspicious and fitting fro Mauritius and China to celebrate the joyous and historical event of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them.

Long Live the Abiding Mauritius-China Friendship!

Techincal Details:

Event: 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between Mauritius and China

Release date:  15 April 2012 (China Post)

                      17 May 2012 (Mauritius Post)

Cover illustration:  Coats of Arms of Mauritius and China + 1972 40 2012

Stamps:  Rs5 (Crinum mauritianum) of the Indigenous Flowers series (2009)

              1.20元 flower stamps with butterflies vignettes

Law Day

The Mauritius Post issued on April 4, 2012 a set of four stamps to mark the Law Day which is meant to reflect on the role of law in the foundation of a country and to recognise its importance in our society as a whole.

The establishment and celebration of the Law Day is one of the accomplishments of the World Jurists Association.  Mauritius celebrates Law Day on March 4 each year.  On that date in 1968, the Mauritius Independance Order was passed, thereby giving birth to the Constitution of Mauritius.

The Lady Justice

Mauritius is a democratic state constitutionally based on a rock-bedded rule of law.  Our constitutuion also entrenches the principle of the separation of powers between the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary.

Thus, our Judiciary is an independent body, headed by the Supreme Court which is held in high esteem nationally and internationally.  The Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the country and is vested with all the powers and jurisdiction necessary to administer the laws of Mauritius.

Cover cancelled at the Philatelic Bureau, in Port Louis, on the first day of issue.

The Supreme Court also exercises supervisory jurisdiction over the subordinate Courts in order to ensure that justice is duly administered by any such Court.  The Supreme Court has jurisdiction to determine whether any provision of the Constitution has been contravened, including the power to determine whether any law made by Parliament is void on the ground that it contravenes any of the provisions of the Constitution.

Cover cancelled at Waterfront PO on April 9, 2012.

The Law Day gives us an opportunity to pay tribute to the people of the Legal Profession in appreciation of their dedication of the ideals of equality, justice and the rule of law.  The purpose of this day is also to reflect on the legal heritage and to inculcate respect for the rule of law in our democracy.

Mint set with serial number.

Rs7 - Grand Port District Court

It is a Court of first instance and is located in Mahébourg (South East).  The Court House was renovated in 2000 whilst retaining its historical outlook.

Rs8 - Interior of a Court of Justice

This is where court proceedings are held.

Mint set with Lady Justice illustrated on gutter.

Rs15 - Sir Michel Rivalland (1910-1967)

Sir Rivalland was the first post-independence Mauritian Chief Justice.  He attended the Royal College Curepipe and was a laureate.  He joined the judiciary in 1942 and was appointed Chief Justice on February 7, 1967.

Rs20 - The Gavel

It is used in Courts of law as a symbol of authority and to represent the judicial system.

Technical Details:

Release date: 04 April 2012

Designer: Nitish Peechen

Size:  44.45 mm × 29.94 mm

Printer: Cartor Security Printing

Process: Lithography

Number per sheet: 50 stamps set in two panes of 25

Perforation gauge: 14 × 2 cm

Gum: PVA

Cover illustration: The Lady Justice

Courtesy: Marc Daruty de Grandpré (owner of painting of the Grand Port District Court).

               Rivalland Family for the photograph of late Sir Michel Rivalland.

International Customs Day 2012

For the second consecutive year, the Mauritius Post released a Special Commemorative Cover to mark the International Customs Day, commemorated every 26th January.

The theme chosen this year by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) is "Borders divide, Customs connect".

Connectivity is high on the agenda of the WCO as the concept is critical for facilitating the movement of legitimate goods and persons across borders.

The ultimate aim is to move towards a Globally Networked Customs (GNC) where the export declaration in a country becomes the import declaration in the receiving country.  This is the vision of a future Customs community - free exchange of information, not only for traded goods but also on intelligence and risk management.

The WCO has developed conventions, declarations and recommendations to facilitate connectivity, including Dta Model, Global Customs Network, n-CEN, CENCOMM, Mutual Administrative Cooperation and model Customs legislation.

The Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) has been chosen by the WCO to pilot the n-CEN and by the IATA to pilot the e-freight.  These projects are in the implementation process.  Based on the Mauritian experience, these projects would be rolled out to other administrations.

Technical Details:

Event: International Customs Day

Release date: January 26, 2012

Cover illustration:  "Borders divide, Customs connect"

Stamp: Rs8 (Sampan) of the Ship Models Issue (2005)