PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O.885
21 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
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it may possibly induce these authorities to adopt the recommendation of Dr. King. horn, and refuse to employ Rhodesian labour, and so aid in enforcing these rules and regulations.
Dr. Pearson states that fly has not been found on any of the routes to the Star of the Congo Mine from North-Eastern or North-Western Rhodesia, nor is it known within 50 miles of this mine.
The information which Dr. Pearson gives is valuable, but has no bearing on the question of recruiting from the sleeping sickness areas to leave which natives for the Star of the Congo must cross the Luapula through Glossina palpalis. The Kapwepwe Ferry has been abolished for some time, nor would it serve this purpose if it were in use.
Natives recruited as I have described above cross the river some 100 to 200 miles north of Kapwepwe's at whatever point is most convenient, or at that selected by the agents who recruit them, and they travel through a part of the Congo on which Dr. Pearson's letter does not provide any information as to the distribution of Glossina palpalis or the presence of sleeping sickness.
Nearly two years ago Dr. Kinghorn advised that these mining companies should, in order to protect North-Eastern Rhodesian natives, refuse to employ them. This recommendation has not been adopted not only as regards North-Eastern Rhodesia natives in general, but not even in dealing with natives from the sleeping sickness
areas.
It does not seem possible under the present circumstances to prevent these natives from going to these mines. Three hundred miles of river and lake shore cannot be patrolled with any hope of having this effect, and unless some alternative be offered it is certain that these people will continue to go, and by so doing render more or less abortive all efforts in the direction of preventing infection.
I have, therefore, recommended, for your Honour's approval, that a legitimate alternative should be provided, and have suggested that Southern Rhodesia should be asked if they are willing to accept these labourers for mining and other work; they have now agreed to do so under the conditions laid down, which include repeated and stringent medical examinations before leaving the closed area, and the rejection of all natives about whom there is the slightest suspicion of infection. No case showing any glandular enlargement will be passed as fit. Seven to ten thousand natives will probably be found available. It is hoped that as a result of the very much better terms offered by Southern Rhodesia that this employment will be selected by them. It will ensure proper supervision of all natives leaving the area, and while travelling by an authorised route to railhead, in North-Western Rhodesia, from where transport by rail will be provided; this is little, if any, further from the source of labour supply than the Katanga mines. Free transport under adequate supervision and by an authorised route will be provided on their return at the completion of their contracts, and the additional inducement to return direct to their homes will be provided by making their deferred pay payable there on their arrival.
A legitimate alternative such as this is should have the effect of removing any desire amongst these natives to seek work which can only be obtained by breaking regulations.
Amongst those who will be rejected as medically unfit to leave these areas, which will, no doubt, including those rejected for physical causes, such as skin diseases, glandular enlargement, &c., amount to a considerable number, there will still be the desire to obtain employment, and I would strongly advocate that some form of local industry might be started in these areas such as, should the country prove suitable, rubber and cotton.
The very low rate of wages, and the fact that taxes could be enforced, would, no doubt, make any proposition of this sort a financial success, and would again remove the tendency to obtain other work at the risk of breaking regulations.
The details of the conditions laid down for the exportation of this labour, which were agreed to by Dr. Fleming, for the Administration of Southern Rhodesia, and by the representatives of the Rhodesian Native Labour Bureau, have been sub- mitted for your Honour's approval.
It would seem that nothing short of the depopulation of the river banks will adequately deal with the prophylaxis of the disease in the Luapula area. connection I may mention that the Native Labour Bureau Authorities seem to be In this willing, should natives from here engage to work for 20 months and upwards, to
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make provision for the transport of their wives and families to Southern Rhodesia; this would, of course, mean some loss of population to North-Eastern Rhodesia, but probably not more than will be represented by the removal of these natives into Congo territory in order to evade the movement of their villages away from the river, and by their probable infection with trypanosomiasis.
I have no doubt that were the wishes of the Administration fully pointed out to these natives with regard to the work which they should select and that which they should refuse, it would aid greatly in sleeping sickness administration.
Occurrence of CASES OF SLEEPING SICKNESS OUTSIDE KNOWN PALPALIS AREAS.
During the past year twelve cases of the disease have been found outside the present known Glossina palpalis arcas. Three of them were Europeans, nine natives. In a few of these cases no definite history is as yet available as to their having previously been in any known endemic area; in the remaining cases the record of previous movements gives a satisfactory indication as to where infection probably took place.
European Cases.
Mr. Phillips. Case No. 8. Bulletin of Sleeping Sickness Bureau, page 12, 941. No record of ever having visited a known palpalis area; had spent considerable time in Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, including six months on the Zambesi to Broken Hill, viâ Fort Jameson and Hargreaves; near Hargreaves developed black- water fever on May 3rd, remained there seven weeks, then proceeded to Broken Hill where sleeping sickness was diagnosia July 16th.
2. Mr. Armstrong. Diagnosed at Hartley, Southern Rhodesia, at the begin- ning of November, where he had just arrived, having spent about a year shooting and prospecting in North-Eastern Rhodesia, round Kasama, Chinsali, Serenji, returning to Feira from Serenji through Mzaza and Hargreaves.
3. Mr. Grimes. Diagnosed at Kasama end of September. Previous where- abouts, as given by himself, unsatisfactory. He states: "That as often as not be did not know where he was.' }
Mr. Gibson Hall is in possession of some evidence to show that he has been on the Luapula, particulars of which will be obtained from Mr. Hall on his arrival here.
Natives.
Cases 1 and 2. These natives belong to the Mombera District, Gunda's village (or Momteni's village ?) Nyasaland. Previous to the diagnosis being made they had travelled from their homes through Fort Jameson and Serenji to Broken Hill cross- ing the Luangwa River at Chewanda's. (These are cases 6 and 7, Sleeping Sickness Bulletin, No. 12.) There is no evidence obtainable as to their having been at any time in an endemic area.
3. Nandwe, of Chitona's village, Serenji District, North-Eastern Rhodesia, diagnosed at Broken Hill, denies that he had ever previously left his district. The Assistant Resident Magistrate, Serenji, however, reports (August 12) that this native was born on the Luapula, and lived there for twelve years.
4. Rupiya, of Nyamula's village, Serenji District, arrived at Broken Hill about June 1st, denies ever having been in closed area. States that he came direct from his village on the Lulumala River last year, worked at the Sasare mine and Chinfumbusi, and at Mr Thompson's cotton plantation at Hargreaves, on the Luangwa.
5. Karunga, Kasuku's village, Serenji District, North-Eastern Rhodesia, has at various times given most contradictory reports as to his previous movements; he will not admit having been to the Luapula or other closed area; he at first stated that he had never before been out of the Serenji District, but afterwards admitted having been to Kasama and Fort Jameson, in travelling to the latter he would most probably cross the Luangwa at Chewanda's.
6. Siriya, Siriya Mekuika's village, Serenji District, has been to Salisbury viâ Feira, has worked at Chingombi, has been to the Star of the Congo mine as a carrier, from there to Kambove, Rombo, and Lake Mweru, returned south by follow- ing the Luapula, in Belgian territory.
7. Chamba, Mambo's village, Magoye District, North-Western Rhodesia. Denies that he has ever left his village except to work on railway construction north
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