&c., by train, coaches, carts, bicycles, and runners. In Southern Rhodesia during the year ended March 31, 1904, 1,201,564 letters and post-cards were despatched to places in South Africa, and 436,371 to places over sea. The total number of newspapers, books, and parcels despatched was 370,149 and registered articles 47,736. The postal revenue for the year ended March 31, 1904, was 23,4307., and the expenditure 25,5017.

On March 31, 1904, the mileage of the Rhodesia telegraph system, including police telephone lines and the African Transcontinental Telegraph Company's line, was 3,914 miles, and consisted of 6,964 miles of wire. There were 83 telegraph offices open. The working of the African Transcontinental telegraph line, which is in the hands of the Rhodesian Telegraph Department, has now reached Ujiji via Blantyre and Karonga, the total There is direct communication between length being about 1,600 miles. Umtali and Beira. In 1903-04, 196,090 telegrams were received and 184,982 were despatched. The Southern Rhodesia revenue from telegraphs was 28,7531., and expenditure, 27,9297. There is, besides, an extensive telephone system in operation. The revenue received from the telephone exchanges was 4,6787. The rate for letters posted in Rhodesia to any part of South Africa is 1d. per oz., and to the United Kingdom and countries oversea 2d. per oz. The parcels rate for parcels posted in Rhodesia to any part of South Africa is 1s. 6d. per lb., and to the United Kingdom 1s. 9d. per lb.

The whole tract of country north of the Zambesi, bounded on the east and west by the Portuguese possessions, and on the north by German East Africa and the Congo Independent State with the exception of the British Central Africa Protectorate to the south and west of Lake Nyasa, is (under the name of North-Eastern and North-Western Rhodesia) included in the field of oper ations of the British South Africa Company. [For boundaries see STATESMAN'S YEAR-BOOK for 1898.] The area of North-Eastern Rhodesia is about 120,000 square miles. In March, 1903, the European population numbered 241, nearly all being British subjects. The native population, according to the latest estimate, is very approximately 346,000. The region lying between the Lakes Nyasa, Tanganyika, Mweru, and Bangweolo, is divided into 9 Fiscal and Magisterial districts: Tanganyika, Mweru, Awemba, Luapula, and East Loangwa, West Loangwa, North Loangwa, Kafue, and Zumbo. These districts are sub-divided into 21 native divisions. The administrative headquarters are at Fort Jameson on the Tanganyika plateau. The most important centres are Fife, the station of the African Lakes Corporation, and Abercorn, both on the Stevenson road; but each of the districts contains one or more stations for collectors and police. By an arrangement with the Imperial Government the territorial defence of North-Eastern Rhodesia is undertaken by the forces of the British Central Africa Protectorate.

The tract of country comprising the northern plateau and M'peseni's country to the south is stated to be healthy. It is open and wellwatered and suitable for cattle. Wheat and European fruits are grown and the fibre plants which abound in the region provide material for a new industry which promises satisfactory results. Land has been taken up for experiments in coffee and cotton growing, and the latter has already shown very promising results. Gold has been found in the south of this region, and coal on the shore of Lake Nyasa on land belonging to the Company, though beyond its sphere of administration.

The Stevenson road for a distance of 140 miles between Lakes Nyasa and Tanganyika has been re-made. External communication is mainly by steamers on Lake Nyasa, and the telegraph line which has been continued

The African Telegraph Company have telegraph stations at Bonny and Brass, and with these and other stations Old Calabar has been connected by a land wire and river cable, while Forcados has been connected with Lagos. Total length of line, 195 miles. The telegraph system is during 1905 to receive a great extension,

To the north of Southern Nigeria a neutral zone has been established into which spirits may be imported, but not stored in large quantities. Copper coins have been introduced with a view to the abolition of the barter system.

High Commissioner.-Walter Egerton, C. M.G.

Divisional Commissioners.-W. F. W. Fosbery; F. S. James, C. M.G.; A. B. Harcourt; and W. E. B. C. Crawford.

BOOKS OF REFERENCE ON NIGERIA.

Papers relating to the Massacre of British Officials near Benin. London, 1897.
Papers relating to the Royal Niger Company. London, 1899.

Boundary Convention with France, 1898. London, 1899.

Government Gazette, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903.

Annual Reports on Northern and Southern Nigeria.

Travels of Clapperton, R. Lander, Richardson, Barth, Rohlfs.

Bacon (R. H.), The City of Blood. [Benin]. London, 1897.

Bindloss (H.), In the Niger Country. London, 1899.

Boisragon (Captain), The Massacre in Benin. London, 1897.

Goldie (Hugh), Old Calabar and its Mission, 1890.

Harford-Battersby (C. F.), Niger and Yoruba Routes. 2 vols. London, 1895-96.

Hazzledine (G. D.), The White Man in Nigeria. London, 1904.

Hutchinson, Narrative of the Niger, Tshadda, and Binué Exploration.

Hodges (F. E.), Consular Jurisdiction in the Niger Coast. London, 1895.

Hourst (Lieut.), Sur le Niger et au Pays des Touaregs. Paris, 1898.-The Exploration

of the Niger, 1895-96. [Eng. Trans.] London, 1898.

Johnston (Sir Harry), The Colonisation of Africa. Cambridge, 1899.

Keltie (J. Scott), The Partition of Africa. 2nd ed. London, 1895,

Lucas (C. P.), Historical Geography of the British Colonies. Vol. III. Oxford, 1894.
MacDonald (Sir C. M.), Paper in Proceedings R. G. S., 1891.
Mockler-Ferryman (A. F.), ̃ ̄Up the Niger. London, 1892.

London, 1898.-British Nigeria. London, 1902.

Nigeria, Our Latest Protectorate. London, 1900.

Imperial Africa. Vol. I.

Ortroz (F. Van) Conventions Internationales concernant l'Afrique. Brussels, 1898. Robinson (C. H.), Hausaland: Fifteen Hundred Miles through the Central Soudan. London, 1896.

Thomson (J.), 'Mungo Park,' and Proc. R. Geographical Soc. (1886).

Trotter (Colonel J. K.), The Niger Sources. London, 1897.

Vandeleur (S.), Campaigning on the Upper Nile and Niger. (London, 1898.)

ORANGE RIVER COLONY.

Constitution and Government.

This Colony, after having existed for forty-six years as an independent republic, under the name of the Orange Free State, was, after military occupation, in consequence of its participation in the Boer attack on the adjacent British Colonies in 1899, annexed by proclamation to the British Crown, May 24, 1900, and is now known as the Orange River Colony. Resistance to the British arms continued till May 31, 1902, when an agreement was signed by the representatives of the burghers in arms acknowledging the sovereignty of

AREA AND POPULATION-RELIGION AND INSTRUCTION 233

King Edward (see under TRANSVAAL COLONY). There is a Governor over the Transvaal and Orange River Colonies, and, under him, a Lieutenant-Governor for the Orange River Colony. The administration is carried on with the assistance of an Executive Council, consisting of, at least, the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney-General, and the Colonial Treasurer. The Legislative Council, consists of the Lieutenant-Governor, the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney-General, the Colonial Treasurer, and 14 more nominated members, 6 official and 8 unofficial. The Council legislates by Ordinances and votes the money required for the various services of the Colony. In further arrangements it is proposed to consult local opinion, and as soon as circumstances permit, representative institutions leading up to self-government will be introduced. There are municipalities at Bloemfontein and other centres; local authorities have, as far as possible, the usual local administrative powers.

Governor.-Viscount Milner, G. C. B., G. C.M.G.

Lieut.-Governor. -Sir H. J. Goold Adams, K.C. M. G., C. B.
Colonial Secretary.-H. F. Wilson, C.M.G.
Attorney-General.-H. T. Blaine, K. C.

Colonial Treasurer.-A. Browne, I.S.O.

Area and Population.

The area of the Colony is estimated at 50,100 square miles; it is divided into 24 districts. At a census taken in 1890 the white population was found to be 77,716 (40,571 males and 37,145 females), and a native population of 129,787 (67,791 males and 61,996 females); total population, 207,503. The general results of the census taken in April, 1904, showed a total white population of 143,419 (81,761 males and 61,658 females), and a coloured population of 241,626 (127,133 males and 114,493 females); total population, 385,045. The capital, Bloemfontein, had 2,077 white inhabitants in 1890 and 1,302 natives. In 1904 it had 15,421 white inhabitants (10,833 males and 4,588 females), and 18,469 natives (11,335 males and 7,134 females); total, 33,890.

Religion and Instruction.

The State Government used to contribute 10,0507. for religious purposes. It was divided into 36 parochial districts for ecclesiastical purposes, and it con. tained about 80 churches. The principal body, according to the last census (1890), is the Dutch Reformed Church with 68,940 adherents; of Wesleyans there were 753; English Episcopalians, 1,353; Lutherans, 312; Roman Catholics, 466; Jews, 113.

The education of the Colony is administered directly by a Government Department established in Bloemfontein, with a director and office staff. Local education committees with certain defined powers have lately been appointed in the towns. Education is not compulsory. There are three types of schools-town, ward, and farm schools. In June, 1904, the attendance at all Government schools reached a total of 12,507-8,914 in town and 3,593 in country (ward and farm) schools. The highest number under the late Government was in 1898, when it reached 8,187.

The Grey College, Bloemfontein, is organised as a high school for boys and prepares pupils for the B.A. and other Cape University examinations.

There is a high school for girls also in Bloemfontein; and a high school has lately been established at Kroonstad.

Fees were abolished in all elementary schools in the Colony (other than high schools) in January, 1904,

A normal school has been established for the training of Colonial teachers, and bursaries are given on the results of an entrance examination. A more commodious building for this institution is now in contemplation.

Religious instruction of a purely historical character is given for two hours every week, and may be given in the Dutch language. Facilities are also afforded to the ministers of the various denominations to give instruction to the children of their own congregations during school hours, when the parents address a special request for such instruction in writing.

There is a good public library in Bloemfontein, and small libraries in several villages.

Justice and Finance.

The Roman Dutch law prevails. The superior courts of the country are the High Court of Justice and the circuit courts. The inferior courts are the courts of the Resident Magistrates and the court of the special Justices of the Peace. The circuit courts, at which the judges of the High Court preside in turn, are held twice a year in the chief town of certain districts. Criminal sessions of the High Court of the Colony are held at Bloemfontein three times a year. In these courts criminal cases are tried before a jury. The Resident Magistrate's court has both civil and criminal jurisdiction. There are also special justices of the peace who try minor offences and settle minor disputes.

The municipal police force within the Colony was, on March 1, 1903, amalgamated with the South African Constabulary.

The actual revenue of the Colony amounted in the year 1902-03 to 956, 5357. (including 300,000l. railway profits) and the expenditure to 839,9227. (including contribution of 250,000l. to the South African Constabulary. For the year 1903-04 the total revenue amounted to 1,139,5767., and the expenditure to 929,6811. The revenue includes railway profits and the expenditure includes police and other charges common to the Transvaal and Orange River Colony. Both these services are now included in the InterColonial budget (see under Transvaal). For the year 1904-05 the local revenue is estimated at 771,7007., and the expenditure at 760,1877. (including 120,000l. contribution to revenue for Inter-Colonial Council).

There is a colonial debt of 10,000l., the balance of the Orange Free State loan of 1884.

The Colony is divided into two military districts, Bloemfontein, with Kroonstad as a sub-district, and Harrismith.

Production and Industry.

The Colony consists of undulating plains, affording excellent grazing. The Department of Agriculture encourages practical and scientific farming of all kinds and is divided into branches dealing with experimental farm work, forestry, horticulture, dairying, stock diseases, &c. Experimental farms, forest stations, horticultural plots, &c., have been established, and lectures are given in the various districts by specialists of the Department with a view to enabling the farmers to benefit by the latest improvements in agricultural methods. The Land Board, created in 1901, is engaged in facilitating the

settlement of British farmers. Up to the end of June, 1904, it had acquired 1,025,456 acres at a cost of 791,9491. From the late government it inherited 501,800 acres valued at 320,000l., so that it has, or has had, at its disposal 1,527,256 acres valued at 1,091,9497. This land is being divided and let to farmers who will ultimately become the owners. The area already settled amounts to 1,132,554 acres, distributed among 656 settlers, or an average of 1,726 acres to each. The repatriation work in the colony has included the repatriation of the Boers; assistance to ex-burgher volunteers in the late war; to ex-burgher landowners in necessitous circumstances, and to 'bywoners' who could find landowners willing to take them back to the land. The repatriation expenditure to the end of 1903 amounted to 1,768,9277. of which 1,259,7687. had been recovered or was recoverable, the net cost being 509,1597. The local depôts began to close down on March 31, 1904, and ended June 30, 1904, the only depôt remaining open after that date being the head office and central store in Bloemfontein on which fell the work of closing the accounts and disposing of surplus stores. An extensive system of irrigation is in contemplation, and relief works which are in progress have this in view. At three camps dams are being constructed, and are now approaching completion, and at others railway works and a Government stud farm, creamery, and all necessary buildings have been carried out. The total expenditure on relief works during a period of two years after the declaration of peace amounted to nearly 300,000Z.

The live stock within the Colony on December 31, 1902, was approximately as follows: Cattle, 142,500; oxen, 13,880; horses, 49,980; mules, 7,700; sheep, 805,230; goats, 110,700.

The diamond production in 1890 was 99,255 carats, valued at 223,9607. ; in 1891, 108,311 carats, valued at 202,5517.; in 1893, 209,653 carats valued at 414,1797.; in 1894, 282,598 carats valued at 428,0397.; in 1898, 307,148 carats, value probably about 767,8701.; but as the late government did not record mining statistics these quantities and values are doubtful. In 1904 it was reported that rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and other jewels were found at place called Hope Valley. Elsewhere there are rich coalmines; gold has also been found.

A Government Department of Mines was formed in May, 1903.

Commerce.

The value of the imports into and exports from the Orange River Colony in four years ended June 30, were as follows:

The imports are chiefly haberdashery, apparel, cotton goods, blankets, articles of food and drink, wood and hardware. Of the exports in 1904 (chiefly wool and diamonds), the value of 1,169,8067. went to Cape Colony, 35,3371. to Natal, 99, 1377. to the Transvaal, 100,8377. to Basutoland, and 4131. to Rhodesia.

The Orange River Colony belongs to the South African Customs Union; but Ordinance No. 8 of 1903 regulates the importation and sale of spirits in the Colony.