RHODESIA

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 213, 23 August 1927, Page 6

RHODESIA

INSTRUCTIVE ADDRESS TO HASTINGS ROTARIANS. Mr. C. R. B. Draper, who has been a civil servant in Rhodesia for 26 years, was the guest of honour at the Hastings Rotary Club luncheon yesterday afternoon, when he delivered an instructive and interesting address on Rhodesia, a British possession in South Central Africa, lying between the Belgian Congo, the Tanganyika Territory (formerly known as German East Africa) on the north, the Northern Transvaal border (demarcated by the Limpopo River), and Bechuanaland on the south, Nzasaland and Portugese East Africa on the east, and Bechuanaland and Portugese West Africa on the west. Rhodesia, as is generally known, has been named after Cecil Rhodes, to whose foresight and energy is due the fact that this fine territory forms part of the British Empire to-day . Mr. Draper, in the course of his address, briefly explained that Rhodes, with a band of other Englishmen, obtained a Royal charter to occupy, administer and exploit this vast territory, and this company, under the name of the British South Africa Company, caried on a great Imperial work for over 25 years. The country was divided, and until 1909 there were three separate states — N.E., N.W. and South Rhodesia—each having its own district administration. N.E. Bhodesia and N.W. Rhodesia were amalgamated, and became known as North Rhodesia. North Rhodesia and South Rhodesia were renamed under Cape Colony rule until April, 1923. Having naturally made more progress than her northern neighbour, South Rhodesia, with a European population of 33,000, was fretting for a free hand in the management of her own affairs. Contraversory raged as to whether the country should throw in her lot with the Union of South Africa, or work out her own destiny. Finally, by a large majority, the responsible government party prevailed, and South Rhodesia obtained full self-govern-ment.

At the same time, North Rhodesia came directly under the Colonial Office, with crown colony government, and governor and a legislative council. The European population of North Rhodesia was now probably round about 6000, but Mr. Draper was not sure of the exact figures. Thus the territories stand to-day, with the Zambesi as the dividing line between them. Mr. Draper confined his remarks to North Rhodesia, where ho resided for 26 years. In 1909 Livingstone, with a population of about 12,000, became the headquarters of government. Then they had Fort Jameson, east of the Nzasaland border, and the original headquarters of N.E. Rhodesia, where there had been a considerable amount of settlenieut, and which was becoming increasingly important as a tobacco-growing centre. Besides Livingstone, the principal townships were Lusaka, Broken Hill (about 2000), and Ndola. CLIMATE. Both Southern and Northern Rhodesia enjoyed the finest climates in the world, excepting in the low-lying country, like the Zambesi and some valley districts. The average altitude throughout Northern Rhodesia was 3,700 leet, rising m places to nearly 5,000 feet. The mean maximum shade temperature was about 75 degrees. They had a defined dry season, the approach of rain being usually heralded in October by rather intense beat and violent thunderstorms. The wet season proper commenced about mid-December, continuing in one or two place well into May, but speaking generally, the rains terminated at the end of March, or early iu April. Thereafter, almost imrpetual sunshine prevailed. The nights were always cool. January and February were the wettest months, 2Jin. to 3in. tn 24 hours, being not uncommon. At the same time, it was seldom that it rained all day, and a couple of days without sunshine was most uncommon.

“There are no great mountain ranges and the land generally may be described as undulating, with large exposes of bush, forests and great ope» flats in the vicinity of the big rivers,” said the speaker.

HEALTH. Continuing, Mr. Draper said: ■European health is good, provided ordinary precautions are taken against malaria and by not indulging in too many alcoholic drinks. The children thrive and it is unnecessary to send them away for their health, as in India. The usual form of malaria is really mild and a daily phophylaetic quinine treatment was recommended. Trypanosinosis is endemic and there have been a fewEuropean cases. The particular species of tsetse fly which carries infection is confined to a very fewknown localities and the risk of infection is very small. Research work, and consequent treatment, have done -a very great deal to stay the disease amongst the native population. A really far greater scourge is one conveyed by another tsetse Treatment for this is now given byinoculation. which is proving highly successful. It does not give total immunity, however, and cattle, etc., may easily became re-infected if taken into a fly area. There are many good schools, though some people send their children to England for their education. ADMINISTRATION.

“1 have uo memoranda, so 1 am unable to give the figures of the native population which, in comparison with the size of the country, is small, but it is at least 500,U0U, probably more. The country is divided into districts and subdivided into subdistricts. The head of a district is a magistrate and District Commissioner—one officer with a dual title—and a full district embraces from 15 to 5,000 square miles, so the country is not overstaffed. In each sub-district is a native commissioner and on each station or ‘boma’ the native commissioner has under him a native clerk and interpreter, and 15 to 20 native ‘menagers,’ not police, but who act as constables when necessary. They are not armed. The main duties of a native commissioner are the maintenance of good order, the holding of native courts, compilation of census and collection of i ative tax (all able-bodied males over 16 paying an annual poll tax of 10/-),,

general revenue officer, and guide, philosopher and friend to all and sundry, be they native or European. JUDICIAL. “The Magistrates have jurisdiction in all criminal or civil cases, European or native, with one or two exceptions, and a limited power of sentence. When a penalty beyond his powers appears to be necessary, the record is referred, with the Magistrate's recommendations, to the Judge of the High Court for com tirmation or otherwise. Native commissioners have jurisdiction where the parties are natives, or in certain cases, where one is a European. Their powers of sentence are limited to six months. Usually the native commissioner tries all eases in the vernacular and where interpreters are employed, the results are sometimes startling The North Rhodesia native police form the real defence of the territory. It is absolutely exceptional for the district administration to call upon the military police for assistance, and during my long experience, I only know of two or three instances, then only as a demonstration. On the whole, the native population is quite amenable, and given a fair deal, are a comparatively law-abiding lot, easily dealt with by those duty it is to study and understand them. »

TRANSPORT * COMMUNICATION. "Lu the early days, the sole method of transport was by native porters, each carrying from 50 to tkjlbs. as a reasonable load. The traveller was carried m a hammock and hurried along to the sound of much singing. The usual day’s journey was from 15 to 20 miles and 100 miles a week was pretty fair going. In 1906 the Victoria Falls bridge spanned the Zambesi and the railway was completed to Broken Hill, 2,013 miles Irom Cape Town. Since then the line has been extended to the Congo border and many miles beyond, whilst further railway extensions through Northern Rhodesia are projected. Motor cars are coming into general use in all the more settled area. Bush roads are being extended, and as a matter of fact one can travel throughout tho dry season over the whole length of the country, from the Victoria Falls to Lake Tanganyika, nearly’ 1,000 miles, by car. Once, however, off the beaten track, one reverts to the invaluable tanga-tanga, or carrier transport—slow but very sure.

INDUSTRY. “The industry of the country for years to come will be its mineral wealth. Primary discoveries have been and are being made, mostly copper. The Broken Hill mine bids fair to prove one of the largest zinc propositions in the world. The mine carries also lead and vanadium ores. Since 19'23 large concessions for initial periods of five years have been granted to various companies to prospect and develop any discoveries made and the capital invested is of British or American origin. A new departure is the employment of aeroplane transit. Coal is found, but at present it remains undeveloped. A colliery south of the Zambesi has,

however, been producing many thousands of tons of coal and coke for several years. Gold has, so far, not appeared in any great quantity and the presence of diamonds is unknown. AGRICULTURE. "Outside Fort Jameson, all the main farming belt is along the lie of rail between Lusaka and Broken Hill and Ndola, mostly mixed farming. The average holding is about 3,000 acres, but a few syndicates hold blocks of from 10,000 to 40,000 acres. Stock-raising is making good progress, but farmers have an uphill struggle, as cattle diseases are rather numerous. Land is obtainable from the Government, on a five years' permit of occupation, during which period the land must be satisfactorily occupied and a certain amount of improvement is insisted upon. The purchase price varies from 3/6 to 15/or 20/- per acre, and at the end of five years the settler may pay ofl the balance of the purchase money and get his final title, or carry on for a number of years, paying byinstalments. Maize is really the staple crop of farmers along the line A large acreage has been put undei cotton during recent years, but seasons have been erratic and the crops not satisfactory. A considerable quantity of wheat is being grown under irrigation, and in Fort Jameson district, Virginia tobacco is extensively grown, with highly satisfactory results and commanding a really high price in the English and South Afri can markets. On the Tanganyika plateau, a small group of farmers are raising really fine cattle and are also engaged in mixed farming, whilst coffee of excellent quality is now being grown. Away from the setled areas large game of varied species still abound. Of the large carnivora, lions and leopards are plentiful, but do not lie in wait round every bush. One may go for years and see neither. MISSIONS. "There are missionary bodies of too many different denominations operating through the territory. 1 say this, not because 1 hold a brief lor any particular body, but the natives are very backward and are unable to comprehend the rather varying ideas ol the different sects. Too often the missionary effort is wrongly decried. The true mission work is a most tedious, difficult and, at times, almost a heart-breaking task. Many of the missionaries in central Africa are doing great and good work, more particularly those who minister to the body as well as the soul. COST OF LIVING. "The cost of living is not unduly high, considering the geographical position of the country. Naturally, since the war. it has increased and one gentleman, wrath on the subject of the Bulawayo climate stated that, at Gwalo, the cost of living had increased by 7/6 a hottie (laughter). POSITION TO-DAY. “Twenty-five years ago. beyond a very small headquarters staff and a [ handful of district officers, dotted at

intervals of from 100 to 200 miles apart over the country, with here and there a prospector, there existed, to al intents and purposes, no European settlement in Northern Rhodesia and the annual deficit in the occupation and administration of the country is anything between £50,000 and £60,000. At the close of last year, however, Rhodesia balanced expenditure with a margin on the right side, so one may feel that some progress has been made.”

At the close of the lecture Mr. Draper was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. f