CO885-(19-20) — Page 161

animals go on in any way so long as they get over the daily journey of 14 miles, consequently the loads shift a lot in transit, either getting too far forward, thus putting all the weight on the necks of the bullocks, or, vice versa, getting all the weight behind the axle, half throttling the wretched animals.

In my opinion the best class of bullock transport for Africa generally, is the old-fashioned South African buck wagon, with a team of 16 bullocks. (See photo No. 3.)

You can put 7,000 to 8,000 lbs. on them, and do 16 miles a day over very rough country. Good wagons can be bought in Natal complete for about £150, and shipped at a very small cost as deck cargo to ports on the East Coast; and first-class South African native drivers could easily be engaged, say on a three years' engagement, at £5 a month, and could easily train the local native in that time.

One great feature in favour of the South African wagon, as against the Indian pattern two-wheeled cart, is that it is not so easy to knock animals up in a four- wheeled conveyance, and shows an enormous saving in wages, labour, and animals. It carries as much as ten carts and requires only one driver and a small lad to lead the bullocks, whereas the ten carts each require a driver.

1 wagon-1 driver and leader 10 carts-10 drivers

8,000 lbs. do.

When asked by Sir Frederick Lugard, four years ago, to report on the transport I thought best for Northern Nigeria, I inspected the country very carefully, and strongly recommended the South African wagon, but Indian carts were eventually got, and after two years' experience as a Senior Transport Officer in that country,

can more strongly recommend the South African system than ever.

When one travels from the Cape to the Zambesi, as I have done, by bullock wagon, every class of country to be found on the African continent is crossed, and I find, after 22 years' experience of transport, that nothing can beat the bullock wagon.

There is also a two-wheeled bullock cart used in South Africa, known as a Scotch cart, which is extremely handy (with good drivers), and is drawn generally by six bullocks.

A tent or tilt is fitted over it. Body of the cart is 7 feet by 4 feet by

2 feet 6 inches.

On the top of this is a stretcher, called a cartel, made of raw hide plaited on to the frame, and bolted on to the sides. On this two single camp mattresses are placed, and form an excellent bed for two persons.

A cart of this class will carry 1,500 lbs. of stores, kit, &c., and would be a very handy conveyance for Travelling Commissioners, as no ground tent is necessary.

When the tilt or tent is taken off it can be loaded up to 2,000 lbs.

Price, complete at the Cape, with yokes, tent, &c. (second hand), about £50; and can be used either for bullocks, mules or horses.

Cape cart, photo No. 4, is another pattern of cart for four mules or horses.

It carries four persons, including a driver, and about 150 lbs. of baggage. For ordinary African roads it is a splendid vehicle for fast travelling.

Price, about £100 complete, with harness for four.

Camels.

The pack camel in Northern Nigeria is supposed to carry five loads of 50 lbs., and travel about 16 miles a day. I have used them for some years on hard roads as well as sandy country. For waterless tracts it is, of course, unnecessary for me to say that they are the best animals.

One driver to every three camels travelling in convoys, but should only three animals be sent away then two drivers should be told off, as loading camels single handed is a very hard job for one man. (Photo No. 5.)

It is very advisable when purchasing camels to get them, if possible, free from sore backs and galls, a rather difficult thing as a rule; then with good saddlery to start with little or no trouble should be experienced.

Draught Camels.

As the first man to break in the Northern Nigerian camel to harness I refer you to photos 2 and 6. I made the saddlery and converted a bullock cart myself,

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