Impressions of Life In Central Africa

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 181, 31 July 1934, Page 8

Impressions of Life In Central Africa

INTERESTING NAERATION BY ME. JUSTICE OSTLER.

A land "flowing with milk and honey" is bound to excite envy from the inhabitants of a tax-ridden country where existence is for ever burdensome. It was to sueli a land that the Hon. Mr. Justice Ostler took members of the Palmerston North Hotary Club yesterday, lor his address on "Modern British Africa," painted the fertile centre of the great continent at its best. In the heart of Rhodesia —where tho Judgo owns an extensive farm—living is cheap and good, and the region is building up a sure prosperity on tho liberal gifts with which Nature has endowed it.

Twice in the last 13 years, mentioned tho speaker, ho had been Tight through Central Africa, where he happened to be a landowner. Ho also studied the South African Tress constantly for the latest developments in the little-advertised continent. Visiting Central Africa in 1920 for gamehunting, the speaker said he was impressed with tho potentialities of the virgin land for farming purposes. Thousands upon thousands of acres were devoted to nothing but game, and he considered that there was a golden opportunity for the investor. Anyone buying land there, however, had to cither take up residence or appoint a white substitute and effect improvements. Eventually lie purchased a block of 10,000 acres at 2s Cd an acre, appointing a relative as manager. Operations were commenced with coffee and cattle farming. The cattle were prone to attacks of tse-tsc fly, and had to be -"dressed” in protective jackets while being driven up through the tse-tse belt. The cattle were more rugged than the New Zealand types, resembling the animals of the South African natives. The coffee production was also satisfactory until the world slump took the bottom out of the market.

The farm iu Northern Rhodesia was nine degrees south of the Equator, with an elevation of 6000 feet. It boasted a warm climate practically all (he year, but when colder periods were experienced there was an unlimited supply of firewood to be had for the gathcring.

A feature of the African landscape which was quite unappreciated by the casual observer of a map was its extent, every detail of configuration dwarfed New Zealand landmarks by comparison. The great river course that dominated tho territory was liable to flooding in the winter season, and at times it overran an area of as much as 16,000 square miles. Never, affirmed the speaker, had he seen such a marvellous sanctuary for aequatie bird-life; numerous species throve there in their thousands. Tho copper region in North-eastern Rhodesia had enormous wealth at its command, and, possessing the cheapest labour in tho world, promised to develop its mineral resources to a wonderful extent. The slump had for a time made production unprofitable, and a rising town of 10,000 had been partially evacuated. Moro recently, however, the district had experienced a comeback, and, favoured by its advantageous conditions, was producing copper at a profit where the American competitors were still unable to pay their way. Wealth-seekers were now pouring iu by thousands yearly, and it was prophesied for the district that it would soon boast a city as largo as Johannesburg. The potentialtities for investment were great. Prolific Country.

Reverting to a description of iris property, Mr. Justice Ostler said the i'aim was on a plateau a few miles distant from Lake Tanganyika—which, formed part of the great lake system in the two rift valleys that scared the whole fa<‘e of Africa. The immensity of these lakes at times gave a realistic impression of being not merely lakes, but the ocean itself —tho mountains across the water faded from sight, and the shore was littered with jellyfish and every sign of marine life. Winter, from April to November, was the dry season, when not a drop of rain fell. This was the glorious season for travelling. But by November, with the sun to the south, conditions got uncomfortably hot, and it was then that the rainy season—heralded by a spectacular thunderstorm—set in. A good two inches of rain fell daily. The plant growth was prodigious, and corn would attain as great a height as 30 inches a mere three weeks after planting. At times the weather became quite cold, and this affected the natives so that they would do no work while the snap lasted. Northern Rhodesia was the cheapest land in the world, in which to live. One's farm grew everything required save sugar and tea. Vegetables, eggs, butter, wore produced in tho utmost abundance, whole game could be shot at all times. It was like New Zealand before even the ravages of blight became manifest. Everything planted at once flourished with the utmost vigour. Within two years of his relative's establishment on the farm, lie had almost everything at his command. Labour was absurdly cheap, despite the long hours. Resident Government officials were not paid a great deal, yet they were able t > save sufficient in a threeyear period for a "grand slam" when their leave fell due.

Cattle had to be. securely corralled every night as protection against the lions and tigers. Even stake erections were not always sufficient to keep out the marauders, and a brick structure was used to ensure absolute security. The club’s appreciation of an entertaining recital was voiced by Mr. R. 11. Spencer.

The club welcomed as visitors Messrs. •T. L. Stout, W. L. Black, A. W. Yortt., R. Wood, G. G'rossley, M. A. Eliott, T. M. N. Rodgers, E. G. Opie, M. H. Oram, L. G. Sinclair, G. I. McGregor, 0. Sporting (all of Palmerston Nerth), Munro (Taihapc), and John Farrell (Auckland).