Letter from Schaeffer to Megaw on the funding and organisation of the MissionClaude Frédéric-Armand Schaeffer

December 4th, 1946. __

Dear Mr. Megaw,

I returned home just a month ago and soon after talked with the president and important members of our archaeological board (Commission des Fouilles). They all favour the scheme of a combined expedition to Enkomi and approve my initiative.

But owing to the expected changes after the elections of the two chambers, no definite decisions involving expenditure can be taken until early 1947. Therefore, it will not be possible to submit for approval the scheme to the board earlier than, say, february. In the circumstances, the combined expedition can start only in 1948.

Now the funds for my 1947 expedition to Cyprus on the basis of this year's campaign are already approved. And it seems to me, that time and expenditure would be spared if we could already next year acquire the area of Enkomi we have delimited together. You told me in your letter of October 1st that in view of the Curium precedent your Department could secure half of the expenditureif the French Expedition was able to contribute the other half. The cost was provisionally estimated by you at 600 Pounds including fencing. As the enclosure could be postponed until new buildings have been excavated, the cost for the French Expedition would therefore probably not exceed 300 Pounds [handwritten: for the 1947 budget]

I therefore, propose that the land be acquired in 1947. I would provide on behalf of the French Expedition one half share not exceeding 300 Pounds, if your Department can contribute the balance.

If this proposal does suit you and your authorities, please let me know. I will then arrange my plans for 1947 to set free the funds for buying the land.

I hope Mrs Megaw and yourself are well. Please offer Mrs. Megaw my respectful regards. I would be glad also if you would give Dikaios and his family my best wishes.

A.H.S. Megaw, Esq., Director of the Department of Antiquities, CYPRUS.