BLACK AMAZON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 1514, 9 November 1912, Page 2 (Supplement)

BLACK AMAZON.

CHIEFTAINESS LEADS TRIBESMEN. MAKING BOUNDARIES. The Anglo-German-Belgian Boundary Commission having completed its work in Africa, Major E. M. Jack, the British Commissioner, hae returned to England. The frontier which has now been delimited is that between the Uganda Protectorate and, on the west, the Belgian Colony of the Congo (lately Congo Free State), and, on the south. German East Africa. It lies in the neighbourhood of the oelebrated Mfurr.'oiro volcanoes, whoso peaks were first soen by Speke on hi« journey through Ruanda to Uganda. Three of the eight volcanoes, one of which a few years ago showed signs of activity, are partly in British territory.

The country traversed and mapped by the British Commission is for the greater part of the wildest and roughest description, consisting of massive mountains intersected by steep narrow valleys, at the bottoms of which are large swamps. Parts of the country are covered with impenetrable forests, others with bamboo. The whole region lies at a high altitude, varying from 6000 ft to 8000 ft above sea level, while the volcanoes vary from 11,000 ft to 14,000 ft. The climate is, in consequence, cool and healthy; but near the volcanoes subject to violent winds and thunderstorms. The slopes of most of tho volcanoes are thickly clothed with bamboo forest, and in thoso are found elephant, buffalo, and lion. While the commission was surveying the Anglo-German frontier, however, it was not safe for porters and eoldiors to travel alone, and several men were at, tacked and killed. On one occasion a chieftainess, a "witchdoctor" named Mumusa, collected a considerable following and announced her intention of driving the Europeans out of the country. A portion of the British escort was detached to co-operate with Captain Reid, of the King's Airican Rifl«, in an attack on her position, but before the two forces joined Captain Reid had successfully surprised Mumusa, capturing her and dispersing her followers. After that no further trouble was experienced.

By tho delimitation of this portion of tho frontier the International boundaries on the west and south of the Uganda Protectorate are now complete.