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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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I am also to enclose a tracing of the map* which accompanied the letter referred to, and to ask whether my Directors can now be informed on the points mentioned in the last paragraph of my letter of the 13th January last.†

SIR,

I am, &c.,

A. P. MILLAR,

Assistant Secretary.

Enclosure in No. 31,

Department of Administrator, Salisbury, 22nd February, 1916.

Sleeping Sickness-Destruction of Game.

WITH reference to the Administrator's letter of the 23rd November last on the above subject, I am directed to transmit, for the information of the Board, a report of the proceedings at a meeting held on the 14th instant to discuss the present position regarding tsetse fly in Southern Rhodesia.

The Secretary,

British South Africa Company,

London, E.C.

I am, &c.,

J. ROBERTSON, Secretary, Department of Administrator.

REPORT OF Meeting held IN THE ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE on the 14th February, 1916, TO DISCUSS THE QUESTION OF THE PRESENT POSITION OF TSETSE FLY IN SOUTHERN Rhodesia.

Present: His Honour the Administrator, Treasurer (Mr. F. J. Newton), Chief Native Commissioner (Mr. H. J. Taylor), Acting Medical Director (Mr. Eaton), Chief Veterinary Surgeon (Mr. J. M. Sinclair), Secretary, Depart- ment of Agriculture (Mr. G. N. Fleming), Government Veterinary Bacteriologist (Mr. Ll. E. W. Bevan), Government Entomologist (Mr. R. W. Jack), and Dr. Mackenzie (District Surgeon of Hartley),

His Honour explained the objects of the meeting, viz., to discuss the position of tsetse fly in the country and the danger to be feared from its further spread, also the methods of prevention now in force or to be undertaken.

Mr. Jack laid on the table certain maps showing the localities in which tsetse fly were known to exist to-day, and explained from observations made how the 'fly" had spread in the past years, especially in the Sebungwe District.

Mr. Taylor stated that he had had no reports that the "fly" had penetrated into the Shangani native reserve.

The question of the advisability of maintaining the open shooting area in the Sebungwe was discussed at length. The general opinion of those present was that the open area was not proving beneficial for the purpose in view, viz., the eradica- tion of game, very few hunters shooting in the area, and the majority poaching on the Kana and Mzola Rivers where game abound.

In reply to question by His Honour, Mr. Jack stated that he did not consider the scattering and dispersal of game southwards necessarily meant the spread of the "fly" in the same direction, as there was some evidence to the effect that "fly" The interdependence when carried out of its area had a strong tendency to return.

of "fly" with game had not been proved. He considered that there was a danger of the "fly" spreading, but not into civilized or settled parts, with the exception, possibly, of the farms on the Gwaai River, one part of the Lomagundi District, viz., south of Tohetechenini Hill. No reports as to the presence of "fly" had been received from farmers on the Gwaai so far.

The question of undertaking an experiment, proposed by Mr. Jack, to deter- mine where "fly" propagates when food is taken away, was discussed. Mr. Jack proposed that Sipani Vlei, in the Sebungwe District, should be enclosed with a strong ring fence and denuded of game for about ten or twelve miles; game and fly abounded in that part at present, and it was the only portion of the country he The cost would be knew of which would be suitable for such an experiment. approximately £1,000.

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Mr. Sinclair suggested that an interesting experiment could be carried out by means of dipping tanks to ascertain whether "fly" was susceptible to dip. Mr. Bevan stated that he thought it might be so, but that Mr. Cooper had been making experiments in that direction lately in the Congo, and he was daily expecting his report on the matter.

The question of clearing a strip of half-a-mile to a mile wide to the north of the Shangani Reserve as a protective measure, suggested by Dr. Mackenzie, was discussed. Mr. Jack was of opinion that the strip suggested would not be suffi- ciently wide to effect its purpose, but he was in possession of no evidence to show what width would be sufficient, and such a measure would therefore be entirely experimental. In reply to Mr. Newton, Mr. Jack stated that from his observa- tions the burning of grass did not prevent "fly" from infesting the portions burnt. Dr. Mackenzie suggested that the testing of natives in a given area, say, 500 natives, in the tsetse fly region, and inoculation from them might be undertaken with a view to ascertaining if any trypanosome could be found in their blood. This suggestion was supported by Dr. Eaton. In view of the fact that the work would have to be undertaken by a medical man, and the present dearth of medical men in the country, it was not considered feasible to give effect to this suggestion at the present time, but that it would be noted for consideration when conditions changed.

His Honour stated that, according to the views expressed, it did not appear that the taking of active steps to stop the further spread of "fly" was a matter of extreme urgency at the present time, and, therefore, in view of the financial posi- tion, he could not recommend that action involving any considerable expenditure be undertaken.

It was decided :—

(1) To close at once the Sebungwe and Lomagundi open shooting area, but to maintain the Hartley area. Permits to be continued to be given to residents in the Lomagundi District should they so desire, with a view to driving the game from their farms.

(2) That Mr. Jack should proceed in July next to the Sebungwe District and Shangani native reserve with a view to locating the position of the "fly" at that time, and to note further spread, if any. He would at the same time take further note of the topographical features of the Sipani Vlei to ascertain its suitability or otherwise for carrying out the experiment proposed by him.

(3) The result of Mr. Cooper's experiment in the Congo regarding the sus- ceptibility of "fly" to be awaited before the question of the erection of a dipping tank in Southern Rhodesia, with the same object in view, he considered.

32577

No. 32.

EAST AFRICA PROTECTORATĖ.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATF. (Received 11th July, 1916.)

(No. 326.)

SIR,

Government House, Nairobi,

British East Africa, 1st June, 1916.

WITH reference to my despatch No. 478 of the 16th of June, 1915,* I have the honour to transmit herewith in duplicate the returns of game killed in the East Africa Protectorate during the year 1915-16.

I have, &c.,

H. CONWAY BELFIELD,

Governor.

*No. 16 in Miscellaneous No. 315.

E 2

* Not reproduced.

+ No. 28.