CO129-349 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [10-12] — Page 407

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Mr. Wilder, called upon me in March last to discuss this

question, and I attach a précis of the conversation which

I drew up immediately afterwards and which was sent to Mr.

Wilder at his request in the form of a letter from the

Colonial Secretary. In May last I received a further

letter on the subject from the Consul General with a non-

official enclosure of which I attach a copy.

į

4.

From these enclosures Your Lord-

ship will see that the subject is one which has for some

months past had my careful attention.

Such steps have

been taken as are possible to put an end to the existence

of houses of 111-fame where men may congregate and lose

money by gaming and in consequence of the illicit sale of

champagne at monstrous prices.

These steps appear to

have been fairly effective, and the evils I have described

have not of late been prominent.

More drastic measures

would no doubt defeat their own object by driving the women

into public hotels, etc.

5.

As regards the question of the

nationality of these women,- no doubt the majority are

American, the cause being as Sir P. Warren points out

primarily