A tax of 10s. per annum is levied on every native hut, and 108. on each wife of a native. The seat of administration is at Vryburg in Stellaland, a settlement originally formed by the Boers on the border of the Transvaal. There are good roads. There is a weekly post to Cape Colony and Matabeleland. The chief of the protectorate is Khama, with whom is an assistant commissioner. There are resident magistrates at Vryburg, Mafeking, Taungs, Kuruman, and Gordonia.

Administrator and Chief Magistrate.—Sir Sidney G. A. Shippard, K.C.M.G. (1,8007.)

Bechuanaland. Commission and Instructions to Major-General Sir Charles Warren, K.C.M.G., as Special Commissioner to Bechuanaland. London, 1884.

Berbera. See SOMALILAND, under ADEN.

BRITISH EAST AFRICA.

The strip of the Zanzibar coast extending from the northern limit of German influence on the right bank of the Umbe to the Ozi River, including Kau and Kipini, was in 1888 ceded by the Sultan for fifty years to the British East Africa Company. By a second concession, granted in 1889, the Sultan ceded to the company all his towns and possessions north of Kipini, all the islands on the coast and in Manda Bay, and the ports of Kismayu, Brava, Merka, Magadisho, Warsheik, and Marote. The total length of coast is about 700 miles.

By treaties with the native chiefs the company occupies all the country inland north of the German sphere of influence, the boundary of which was settled by the Anglo-German agreement of November 1, 1886. To the west its territory at present extends as far as Victoria Nyanza. The total area is estimated at 150,000 square miles.

The company holds a royal charter, dated September 3, 1888, and it has now organised the administration of its territory on the lines of the East India Company. The company's capital is 2,000,0007. sterling, of which 1,000,0007. was offered to the public.

The chief ports are Wanga, Mombasa, Malindi, Mabrui, Lamu, and Kismayu.

The customs revenue realised in 1888 $36,000; in 1889 it was $56,000, a gain of over 50 per cent. for the first year of the British Company's administration. Trade is rapidly developing. The fine harbour of Mombasa is being much improved by the construction of beacons and lights, piers and jetties.

The principal exports are cloves, semsem seed, ivory, gum, copra, coir, orchella weed, hides, &c. The imports are Manchester goods, iron and copper wire, beads, &c. Trade is at present principally in the hands of East Indian merchants (Banians).

A new town is being built at Mombasa, and the appearance of the place has been greatly improved. A large body of Indian sappers and miners assist in carrying out these improvements.

The Eastern Telegraph Company has recently connected Mombasa by submarine cable with Zanzibar, and the East Africa Company is constructing a telegraph line connecting the Company's coast ports and some of the

inland stations with Mombasa. A survey is being made for the construction of a line of railway 450 miles long from the coast at Mombasa to Lake Victoria Nyanza, by means of which the vast resources of the densely populated interior will be opened up to trade.

A military police force is being formed, and a line of forts is being constructed along the route to be followed by the railway, at which supplies will be stored. The railway has already been commenced by the construction of a narrow-gauge line from Jumfu, at the head of the Mombasa creek, to Gulu Gulu, a point 45 miles inland. Roads are also being cleared along the principal trade routes.

Slavery is being gradually abolished, and the native chiefs and people are settling down to husbandry and other peaceful pursuits under the Company's firm and just rule. They now recognise the Company as their lawful ruler, and recently, when 1,000 armed men were called out to resist an unlawful occupation of part of the Company's territory, they at once responded to the call. The exhibition of force proved sufficient.

The country is being peaceably opened up by exploring caravans carrying trade goods. An expedition has penetrated recently to the Victoria Nyanza, where it has met with a very friendly reception from the natives. The most advanced permanent post is situated at Machakos, 250 miles inland, on a healthy salubrious plateau, at an elevation of 7,000 feet. The sources of the river Tana have been explored, and the waters of this fine stream, navigable inland for a distance of over 200 miles, will shortly float some stern wheel steamers, which are being sent out from the Clyde.

The seat of government is at Mombasa. The chief administrator of the Government is Mr. George S. Mackenzie.

Under an arrangement made by the Company with the Italian Government, the latter will, subject to the confirmation of the Sultan of Zanzibar, take over the ports of Brava, Merka, Magadisho, and Warsheik, which were ceded to the Company by the second concession.

President of the Company.-Sir William Mackinnon, Bart.

BRITISH ZAMBESIA.

Under this unofficial title is included the whole of the region between the northern boundary of the South African Republic and Bechuanaland in the south, and generally the region north of 22° S. lat., including Matabeleland, Mashonaland, and Northern Bechuanaland, east of the 20th deg. E. long., and west of the Portuguese province of Sofala. In 1888 this region was declared to be within the British sphere of influence, and for which in 1889 a charter was granted to the British South Africa Company. The Company is authorised to organise an administration for the territory, when convenient, to appoint all necessary officials, with the approval of the Imperial Government. The most important part of this territory is Matabeleland, ruled by King Lobengula, and including the country around inhabited by the Mashonas, Makalakas, and other tribes, who pay tribute to him. Matabeleland and Mashonaland are stated to be rich in gold, and the Mashona plate us are well adapted for culture and European settlement. The population of Matabeleland proper is estimated at 200,000; there is an army of 15,000, divided into regiments or kraals, and presided over by Indunas.

The charter empowers the Company to take over the administration of

other districts in Africa, subject to the approval of the Government. The country, though desert in parts, is well adapted both for cultivation and agriculture, being situated principally on the high healthy plateau of Central South Africa. Patrols of the Bechuanaland Border Police visit the various districts outside Matabeleland. Area of Matabeleland and dependencies about 100,000 square miles; of Bechuanaland and the sphere of influence to the Zambesi about 150,000 square miles.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

(CAPE COLONY.)

Constitution and Government.

The form of government of the colony of the Cape of Good Hope was originally established by Order in Council of the 11th of March, 1853. By Act 28 Vict. c. 5, and Colonial Act III. of 1865, which provided for the incorporation of British Kaffraria with the colony, various changes were made, and further changes of an important nature by the Constitution Ordinance Amendment Act,' passed by the colonial legislature in 1872, providing for 'the introduction of the system of executive administration commonly called Responsible Government.' The Constitution formed under these various Acts vests the executive in the Governor and an Executive Council, composed of certain officeholders appointed by the Crown. The legislative power rests with a Legislative Council of 22 members elected for seven years, presided over ex officio by the Chief Justice; and a House of Assembly of 76 members, elected for five years, representing the country districts and towns of the colony. The colony is divided into seven electorate provinces each electing 3 members to the Legislative Council, there being an additional one for Griqualand West. By a law passed in 1882, speeches may be made both in English and in Dutch in the Cape Parliament. The qualification for members of the Council is possession of immovable property of 2,000l., or movable property worth 4,000l. Members of both Houses are elected by the same voters, who are qualified by occupation of house property of the value of 251., or receipt of a salary of 50%., or wages of 251. with board and lodging. The number of registered electors in 1889 was 70,300, under the new registration of the provisions of Act No. 14 of 1887, which provides better provision for proper and complete registration and for the exclusion of unqualified persons. All members of Parliament are entitled to one guinea a day for their services, and those residing more than 15 miles from the Cape to an additional 158. a day for a period not exceeding 90 days.

Governor.-Sir Henry Brougham Loch, K.C.B., G.C.M.G.; Governor of Victoria, 1884-89.Appointed to the Cape, 1889.

The Governor is by virtue of his office commander-in-chief of the forces within the colony. He has a salary of 5,000l. as Governor, besides 1,000l. as 'Her Majesty's High Commissioner,' and 1,000l. personal allowance from the Imperial funds.

The administration is carried on, under the Governor, by a Ministry of five members, namely, the Treasurer of the Colony, who is the Prime Minister, the Colonial Secretary, the AttorneyGeneral, the Commissioner of Crown Lands and Public Works, and the Secretary for Native Affairs. The Prime Minister receives 1,750l. a year, and each of the other Ministers 1,500l.

In each division there is a Civil Commissioner, who is also generally Resident Magistrate. There is for each division a Council of 8 members (10 in the Cape Division) elected triennially by the registered Parliamentary voters. These Councils look after roads, windows, and beacons; they establish divisional police forces, borrow money, and perform other local duties. There are 75 magisterial districts and 70 fiscal divisions. There are 77 Municipalities, each governed by a Mayor and Councillors, a certain number of whom are elected annually by the ratepayers. There are also 46 Village Management Boards.

Area and Population.

The Cape Colony was originally founded by the Dutch, under Van Riebeek, about the year 1652. When it was taken by the English, in 1796, the colony had extended east to the Great Fish River. In 1803, at the peace of Amiens, it was given up to the Netherlands, but was again occupied by British troops in 1806. Since that time the boundary has been gradually enlarged by the annexation of surrounding districts.

The area of the Cape Colony is 217,895 square miles; this includes an area of 15,283 square miles estimated in the Transkeian Territories' and of Walfish Bay on the west coast, in Damaraland.

The estimated population in 1888 of Cape Colony proper, including Griqualand West, was 1,029,456; and of its dependencies, Transkei, East Griqualand, and Tembuland, 399,273; total, 1,428,729. In 1880 it was 1,136,986. The total white population is estimated at about 400,000. The colony is divided into 66 divisions, and its dependencies into 16 districts.

The various Transkeian territories are grouped under their Chief Magis. trates as follows, with population in January 1888 -Griqualand East, comprising Port St. John's, Noman's Land, and the Gatberg, with nine subordinate magistrates (area 7,511 square miles, population 109,327, of whom 3,416 Europeans); Tembuland, comprising Tembuland proper, Bomvanaland, and Emigrant Tembuland, with seven magistrates, including resident

magistrate (area 4,055 square miles, population 139,418, of whom 5,504 Europeans); Transkei, comprising Fingoland, the Idutywa Reserve, and Gcalekaland, with six magistrates (area 2,535 square miles, population 127,013, of whom 893 Europeans). These districts are subject to the Native Territories Penal Code.' Pondoland, population 200,000, with a Resident Commissioner appointed by the Cape Government. Walfish Bay has an area of 430 square miles.

The capital of the colony, Cape Town, had a population in 1879 of 41,704, excluding military and shipping. The probable population of Cape Town and suburbs is 70,000. Port Elizabeth had a population of 13,049 in 1875, 15,926 in 1889; Kimberley, 13,590 in 1875, 28,663 in 1889; Beaconsfield, 21,619 in 1889; Graham's Town, 6,903 in 1875, 8,261 in 1889; King William's Town, 5,195 in 1875, 5,386 in 1889; Woodstock, 5,720; East London, 5,993; Graaf Reinet, 5,622; O'okiep, 7,700; Stellenbosch, 5,055.

A large proportion of the white inhabitants are of Dutch, German, and French origin, mostly descendants of the original settlers.

There is no general system of registration of births and deaths in the colony. In the Colonial Office 5,276 marriages were registered in 1888. The amount of immigration into Cape Colony is small; from 1873 to 1884 the total number of immigrants sent by the emigration agent in England was 23,337; the greatest number being in the year 1882-4,645. In 1884 it was only 292. Government immigration was stopped in 1886. The number of adult arrivals by sea in 1888 was 6,029, and departures 4,881.

Religion.

The bulk of the population of the colony, white and coloured, at the last census, belonged to the Dutch Reformed Church, the Wesleyans coming next in number, though most other bodies are represented. According to an incomplete return for 1888, the numbers belonging to the leading churches were :-Dutch Reformed, 195,652; Wesleyans, 110,234; Church of England, 65,358; Independents, 379,963; Presbyterians (Vanderboores), 24,996; Moravians, 11,168; Rhenish Mission, 13,844; Roman Catholics, 10,034. There were in all 639 main stations and 1,603 out-stations, the total number of persons attached to churches being 502,146. There is no State Church, but a certain sum is appropriated annually for religious worship' (8,4137. in 1889-90) to the Dutch Reformed, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic churches; in 1875 an Act was passed for the gradual withdrawal of this grant.

Instruction.

Cape Colony has a University, incorporated 1873, and granted a royal charter in 1877. It is an examining body, empowered to grant degrees, but with no attached teaching institutions. There are four colleges aided by Government grants under the Higher Education Act, each with full staff of professors and lecturers in the departments of classics, mathematics, and physical sciences. Number of students in 1887-88, 150 matriculation; 88 B.A., and intermediate; 1 M.A. ; 8 for survey and other professional work; total 247. In the 1,399 aided schools in 1888,' the enrolment was 87,750, with a daily attendance averaging 46,619.

The whole year.