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PUBLIC RECORD

OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885

20 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO |

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Enclosure in No. 17.

A. D. EASTERBROOK, Resident, Karonga, to the HONOURABLE THE DEPUTY-GOVERNOR.

SIR,

2nd June, 1909. I HAVE the honour to submit the following my report on the working of the Sleeping Sickness Rules for April and May, the two months being together on account of my proceeding to Zomba on April 26th, consequently no report going in for April.

Songwe, South-East, and German Co-operation.

Soon after my return from Zomba I proceeded to Songwe to inspect the house built there as a station of entry, to take the place of the temporary huts. A sub- stantial three-roomed structure of wattle and daub, with outhouses and police huts, have been erected, the building of which is somewhat opportune since the old Boma house on the German side has fallen down and is not to be rebuilt. When at the Songwe I found the German askaris had been over officious and had seized our two canoes over a fishing rights dispute. I consequently called on the official in charge at Mwaya and satisfactorily arranged the matter.

He assured me it would not occur again and is removing the askaris concerned. The German officials are quite ready to co-operate, but in the absence of instruc- tions from Daressalaam, they are quite powerless to put in force any measures that would be effective or to our mutual benefit. I trust the agreement entered into by the Home Government with the Germans for mutual co-operation will be extended as far south as Nyasa, as until then nothing will or can be done between us locally that will have any distinct effect. The present Acting Administrator, Herr Hauser, goes on leave shortly and Herr Zencke, who acted at New Langenburg some time ago, is now on his way up. Knowing him well, I hope to arrange something definite, and as he has come direct from Daressalaam I expect he will have some instruc- tions that will help us to work much more effectively together than at present.

Co-operation with North-East Rhodesia.

As reported in March report, I sent an explanatory circular to the various British South Africa Company officials, and I am greatly indebted to them for the prompt way in which they have given effect to it and for the assistance they are and have promised to render to me. I am now receiving from them a list of all natives of Nyasaland who are resident in their respective divisions, with full particulars of occupation, address, &c. I am also now receiving from each district a copy of every pass issued to natives coming to the Protectorate, which will be a good check and enable me to see that no such native enters against the Ordinance. This copy is filed here and cancelled as the natives report. I would be glad if the thanks of the Governor could be conveyed to the Administrator at Fort Jamesor. for the prompt way in which his officers have complied with my requests and for the cordial way in which they are anxious to co-operate.

Patrol and Travelling in District.

The boundary patrol is frequently changed and is having quite the desired effect. Traffic in and out of the district is greatly reduced (to what it was) as a

consequence.

The exchanging of all carriers at Fort Hill continues also very satisfactorily and causes no inconvenience whatever either to European, traveller, or trader, besides affording a certain amount of employment to the local natives, who invariably carried loads across the plateau for their taxes in the former days of activity.

It will be noticed from my March report that I paid a flying visit to Fife, on which occasion I explained the working of the Rules to the Native Commissioner there and secured his hearty co-operation. I am now anxious to go as far as Abercorn and see the magistrate there and the methods employed by him in guarding the infected areas, &c., and to further confer regarding further co-operation for our mutual welfare.

I intend making the journey mostly by motor cycle in July and will be absent about 2 weeks, leaving here about July 4th. The trip will not be any longer than the usual time occupied by me on my district tours, and I will be obliged if the Governor's permission may be telegraphed me on receipt of this report.

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Such a trip I am sure will be useful and productive, and help to further cement the cordial relations that at present exist between us. trate, is anxious to see me, and has extended a hearty invitation. If necessary, Mr. Marshall, the magis- part of the trip might be considered my annual occasional leave for this year.

On June 9th I leave for Deep Bay, Kondowe, Henga, Jakwa, and Akamanga and Hewi. At Jakwa I am arranging to meet Mr. Macdonald to confer regarding our joint measures along our respective boundaries. recently I saw Mr. Moggridge and Dr. Stannus at Chintechi, and gave them a When going down the lake resumé of my patrol schieme, &c. Later, they went up to the boundary at Mlowe and compared notes with Dr. Davey.

For the last six weeks I have employed two junior Capitaos throughout the district, personally visiting every chief and head man, and thoroughly explaining all the provisions of the Rules and the enforcement thereof by them, also to advise them that on the visits of the doctor they had to turn out the people for palpation, as Dr. Davey has reported that a number of people absented themselves when they knew he was coming. Several prosecutions for this have resulted-three men being convicted for wilfully absenting themselves, one for harbouring a native from North- Eastern Rhodesia, and a headman for knowingly allowing natives to cross the Songwe.

The Mission are assisting by instructing all their school teachers in the district to report any violation or non-compliance with the Rules.

Dr. Davey has examined sonie 17,000 people to date, which represents two- thirds of the population.

I have, &c.,

30058

No. 18. RHODESIA.

A. D. EASTERBROOK.

MEMORANDUM BY DR. BAGSHIAWE.

Sleeping Sickness Bureau, The Royal Society,

Burlington House, London, W.

Is Dr. Spillane's Report (July 6th, 1909),* addressed to the Secretary of the British South Africa Company two subjects are discussed :—

(1) The measures taken in North-Eastern Rhodesia to control and stamp out

sleeping sickness.

(2) The danger of the spread of this disease by means of the railway to North- Western and Southern Rhodesia when the palpalis areas of Belgian Congo are reached.

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1. All the natives of North-Eastern Rhodesia have been removed from fly- infested to fly-free areas, and cases of sleeping sickness as soon as they are detected amongst them are taken to special camps for treatment. By careful medical exami- nation it should be possible to sift out all the infected natives. This accomplished, those in whom no sign of infection has been found after at least two examinationst separated by an interval of three or more months might be allowed to settle south of the "sleeping sickness area," i.e., in clean country.

When it will be possible to "throw open the (sleeping sickness) area to com- munication from within " is difficult to say. According to the most recent accounts, the natives on the Belgian shore of the Luapula remain in the infected area, and are, of course, keeping up the infection in the flies. The insects are probably able to fly across the river, and, in addition, the Belgian natives retain their canoes. It is to be hoped that efficient measures will soon be taken by the Belgian officials. In any case Dr. Spillane suggests an interval of at least two years. It seems that the duration of this period might be left undecided. In another year the subject can be considered again in the light of the fresh knowledge we shall control of certain parts of the "sleeping sickness area

possess. The is, of course, independent

• No. 15.

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† Such examinations must be as thorough as it is possible to make them, having regard to the number of natives to be dealt with. It will not in every case be sufficient to rely on gland paneturu alone.