CO885-(23-24) — Page 42

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

19.

Reference :-

mimmimC.O. 885

23 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

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a great deal of hill climbing and extra trouble, but the results have, I think, justified many times over the expenditure on the instrument; and in the course of future expeditions to the district additional observations are likely to enhance the value of those made during this trip. The improvements to the map have been placed in the hands of the Surveyor-General's Department.

Game and tsetse.--Observations on the occurrence of game in country infested is game 'with tsetse may be briefly summed up to the effect that on the Sengwa side everywhere abundant in the "fly belts," and that towards the southern end of the There is, however, Umniati "belt" both "fly" and game are much scarcer. abundant evidence that game is much more plentiful near the Umniati in the wet season, the veld being exceedingly dry at this part when we passed through. Game is, of course, abundant in many parts not infested with tsetse.

Distribution of “Fly."-Notes as to the distribution of the "fly" through the veld simply bore out previous experience at this time of year, the insect being confined to the shady banks of watercourses and vleis, and apparently only crossing a water- shed if carried. Walking behind a native on one occasion I was able to watch five tsetse fles carried for six miles across a watershed, and hardly stirring all the way. There is no doubt that natives travelling constantly along paths must tend to aid the spread of the "fly," though I am of opinion that the majority of specimens carried in this way make their way back to their old haunts when no serious barrier intervenes; otherwise the spread of the pest would be more rapid than is actually

the case.

Destruction of Game.-Following the opening of a part of the district to shooting, a large number of hunters were found to be at work. Their object in every case was elephant, but incidentally a considerable number of buck were being destroyed. All those questioned stated most emphatically that it would not pay them to come so great a distance merely for the sake of reims and biltong. (This was, of course, in ignorance of the fact that I had anything to do with the suspension of the game laws in that part.) As a matter of fact I am very doubtful of the game being destroyed and driven away to any great extent in the open area under present conditions, the distance to the market being so great and the "fly" itself a great drawback to transport. It seems likely that when the supply of elephant gives out but few will make a business of shooting in the district, though it will doubtless be a favourite one with those who shoot only for sport. Such shooting, I fear, is hardly likely to effect our purpose.

To sum up, the advantages obtained from the trip include :-

(1) A considerably more accurate map of the "fly" areas, and especially the establishment of the fact that a hitherto unknown" belt " exists on the lower Sengwa River.

(2) An improved topographical map of the country passed through.

(3) A personal acquaintance with the general features of the district, the abundance and distribution of the game, and the response to the suspension of the game laws.

" and (4) A survey in regard to "fly" of eighty to ninety miles of the Zambesi, whither the natives were being moved out of the "fly area,' where it was possible the pest might occur. (5) Incidental notes of value.

The Director of Agriculture,

Salisbury.

(Annexure 4.)

I have, &c.,

JACK, Government Entomologist.

British South Africa Company,

2, London Wall Buildings,

London, E.C., 28th February. 1914.

SIR,

I AM directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th January, forwarding a copy of Mr. Jack's expedition to determine the fly areas in the Sebungwe district, and of the Medical Director's minute on the subject.

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A copy of the map, showing the fly belts observed by Mr. Jack, was not included with the papers sent, and I shall be glad if one may be furnished for the information of the Board.

The report has been read with much interest by the Directors, who desire to be kept informed of any steps which may be decided on with regard to the expulsion or destruction of the game in the areas infested with tsetse fly.

The Acting Secretary,

9407

Department of the Administrator,

British South Africa Company,

Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia.

No. 75.

I am, &c.,

D. E. BRODIE,

Secretary.

MINUTES OF THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE SELECTION SUB-COM- MITTEE OF THE IMPERIAL BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY, HELD AT THE COLONIAL OFFICE, AT 3.30 P.M., ON THE 12TH MARCH, 1914.

PRESENT:

Dr. A. E. SHIPLEY, Chairman;

Lt. Col. A. ALCOCK;

Dr. S. F. HARMER;

Prof. H. MAXwell Lefroy;

Dr. R. S. MACDOUGALL;

Prof. G. H. F. NUTTALL;

Prof. E. B. POULTON;

Mr. H. J. READ;

Mr. Guy A. K. MARSHALL.

1. In response to a circular from the Secretary, the names of the following gentlemen had been sent in by various members of the Sub-Committee for considera- tion in the selection of a successor to Mr. S. A. Neave as Entomologist to the Bureau in East Africa:-

Mr. A. Bacot, Entomologist to the Lister Institute;

Dr. L. H. Gough, Entomologist to the Egyptian Department of Agri- culture;

Mr. L. N. G. Ramsay, of Aberdeen University;

Dr. H. G. F. Spurrell;

Mr. C. B. Williams, Entomologist to the John Innes Institution. After the qualifications of the various candidates had been put forward, the Sub- Committee proceeded to consider what special duties should be undertaken by the Entomologist when appointed, as this would influence their selection. In the course of the discussion Mr. Read urged that the Glossina problem was of such outstanding importance that he thought the work should be confined to an investigation of practical means for eradicating these flies in British East Africa or Uganda, and this was approved.

As a result of this it was decided that it would be inadvisable to select for the post any young man who had had no experience of the tropics, and it was finally agreed that the post should be offered in the first place to Dr. Spurrell, at a salary of £500 a year, and, in the event of his non-acceptance, to Dr. Gough, both of them having previously held appointments in Africa and other tropical countries.

Colonel Alcock, who spoke very highly of Dr. Spurrell's qualifications, stated that he was shortly returning from South America and would be in England during April or May.

2. The appointment of an Entomologist Assistant for the Director, in the place of Mr. R. Veitch, was then considered. Mr. Marshall explained that it was of the greatest importance that he should be able to secure the services of a man who would be competent to undertake the identification of the minute hymenopterous parasites