PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
[། ། །「།
C.O.
885
78
chiefs possess vast herds of fine stock. All the land appears to be held as common- age, and the herds of cattle are moved about according to the condition of the grass. The whole population lives almost entirely on milk, and the chiefs, while retaining the ownership of the cattle, divide their herds among their people.
14. The exports of the country consist almost entirely of hides and of the skins. of goats. A small amount of "ghee" is produced, but the natives have a prejudice against the use of milk in that direction. Most parts of the country would be suitable for the cultivation of cotton, and efforts are being made to induce the chiefs and people to engage in that industry. Cattle raising, however, must always remain the chief business of Ankole, and the people will only reluctantly attend to anything else. Although the rinderpest, about 10 years ago, made great havoc with the herds, it is estimated that there are still at least 70,000 head of cattle in the country. Of these the Kabaka claims over 30,000, but it is doubtful whether he could enforce his ownership. Although the indigenous breed is a fine one, it could undoubtedly be improved and strengthened by the infusion of new blood. A disease known locally as "Makebbe" appears to be giving cause for anxiety, and I promised the chiefs that I would endeavour to obtain the aid of the Veterinary Officer at Nairobi in the matter. The introduction of the Mysore breed of cattle would, it is believed, immensely improve the Ankole strain, and I propose, in a separate despatch, to ask your Lordship to allow me to make provision for the importation of two or three bulls of good breed from India, for use in Ankole. The Kabaka and chiefs appeared to be extremely pleased at the prospect of getting an infusion of new blood into their
herds.
15.
Goats also seem to thrive to a remarkable degree in Ankole, as indeed they do all over the Uganda Protectorate. The value of the goats' skins exported from the whole Protectorate, during the last year, was no less than £30,825, and as the price of a skin varies according to its size and weight, it would appear advisable to take steps to improve the breed, and to increase the size of the local animal. I regret to state that a recent small effort on my part in this direction resulted in a failure. I applied to the authorities in the Orange River Colony for assistance in procuring a small number of Angora goats, but was informed that the Government of the South African dependencies had recently imposed an export tax of £100 per animal. This is to be regretted, as there is reason to believe that the cross between an Angora goat and the long-haired animal common to Usoga might prove a valuable product. Efforts will now be made to procure the desired breed of goat from other
Sources.
79
necessary for you to obtain in order to shoot such animals as you may think requisite in your scientific researches.
4. The Crown Agents for the Colonies have been requested to provide you with a first class passage to Lagos by the steamer leaving Liverpool on the 18th of May, and to issue to you the sum of £50 for your personal and scientific outfit. You should communicate with them at Whitehall Gardens, S.W., with regard to this allowance.
5. I am to transmit to you, for your information, the accompanying copy of a despatch, with its enclosures, from the Acting High Commissioner of Northern Nigeria on the subject of cattle disease in that Protectorate.
&c.,
12587
SIR,
(No. 325.)
No. 125.
SOUTHERN NIGERIA.
I am,
R. L. ANTROBUS.
THE EARL OF ELGIN to GOVERNOR SIR W. EGERTON.
Downing Street, April 30, 1907. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of corre- spondencet with Mr. G. Garden, from which you will see that I have selected him for appointment as a temporary veterinary officer in Southern Nigeria, for the pur- pose of making a veterinary survey of the Colony and Protectorate.
2. The Crown Agents for the Colonies have been instructed to provide Mr. Garden with a free first-class passage to the Colony by the steamer leaving Liverpool on the 18th of May.
3. I have to request that arrangements may be made for the provision of free transport for Mr. Garden, and for the free issue of any licences which he may require in order to enable him to shoot such animals as he may consider necessary in the course of his researches.
12587
I have, &c.,
ELGIN.
20 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
12587
H. HESKETH BELL,
His Majesty's Commissioner..
No. 124.
SOUTHERN NIGERIA.
COLONIAL OFFICE to MR. G. GARDEN.
Downing Street, April 30, 1907.
SIR,
I AM directed by the Earl of Elgin to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th of April,* in which you express your acceptance of the offer of appoint- ment as a temporary veterinary officer in Southern Nigeria, and to inform you that, subject to your being re-vaccinated, you have been passed as physically fit for service, and have accordingly been selected for that appointment on the terms. communicated to you in the letter from this Department of the 2nd of April.t
2. I am to state, with reference to your call at this Office on the 11th of April, that, subject to your submitting to Mr. S. Stockman, Chief Veterinary Officer of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, the complete list of your outfit, personal and scientific, you will be permitted to retain your scientific outfit. I am accord- ingly to request that you will furnish Mr. Stockman with this list.
3. The Governor of Southern Nigeria will be requested to arrange, in accord- ance with your request, for the free issue to you of any licences which it may be
† No. 114.
• No. 116.
No. 126. SOUTHERN NIGERIA.
COLONIAL OFFICE to THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.
Downing Street, April 30, 1907. SIR,
I AM directed by the Earl of Elgin to request you to inform the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, with reference to your letter of the 15th of March, that Mr. G. Garden has accepted the offer of appointment as a temporary veterinary officer in Southern Nigeria, and to express his Lordship's thanks to the Board for the trouble which they have taken in the matter.
15797
No. 127.
I am,
&c.,
R. L. ANTROBUS.
GOLD COAST.
GOVERNOR SIR J. P. RODGER to THE EARL OF ELGIN.
(Received May 3, 1907.)
[Answered by No. 149.]
Government House, Accra, April 12, 1907. WITH reference to your Lordship's circular despatch of the 26th February
‡ No. 102.
• No. 63.
(No. 133.)
MY LORD,
↑ Nog, 114, 116, and 124.