133 / The proportion of boys coming from native tribes is on the increase, which is a favourable sign. - L s • ■ i There has been since the war a cohsiaerable Increase in the demand for technically and industrially-trained boys, which, owing to the reduction which had' necessarily to be made during the war, it havS been difficult to meet. Over 300 boys trained in the Gordon College workshops are now in Government service, and another 100 -are satisfactorily employed in various posts elsewhere. The question of a further expansion now calls for careful consideration.

42. G Geological work was interrupted by war duties, but the Government geologist was able to devote attention to various matters arising from the irrigation projects. Detailed reports were made on dam sites under consideration, and the proposal to manufacture cement involved surveys of the local supplies of raw materials. In this connection a most important discovery was made near Jebel Segadi, where deposits of excellent limestone were found within a few miles of the existing railway, and far more conveniently situated than any deposit previously known.

43. Wellcome Tropical Re The Wellcome Research laboratories suffered very severely in the first year of the war from shortage cf staff owing to the services of members of the staff being lent for various special duties connected with the war, and at the same time they were seriously handicapped by the difficulty of obtaining apparatus and chemicals. Consequently their efforts were at first confined principally to research work connected with the immediate needs of the country. Later the situation as regards staff became a little easier and more progress was made.

A good deal has been done on the entomological side in the collection of information and experiments for the purpose of dealing with agricultural pests. In 1917 a number of staff were lent from other services and appointed temporarily to infested districts for the destruction of locusts with very satisfactory results.

It is proposed to develop the work of this side of the laboratories by the establishment of field branches in the principal agricultural districts.

The director records with deep regret the death in 1919 of Dr. William Beam, a chemist of American nationality, who had been in charge of the chemical section of the laboratories' since 1904, and whose exceptional attainments and skill had been of the greatest value not only in research but in its practical application to the various medical and agricultural problems with which he had to deal.

While this report has been in the course of compilation, during the first few months of 1920 Dr. A. J. Chalmers, the director of the laboratories, retired from the post which he had held for seveu years, and was succeeded by Major R. G. Archibald, D.S.O., R.A.M.C.

Dr. Chalmers, on leaving the Soudan, proceeded for a tour of foreign travel. Shortly after his departure news came that he had died in Calcutta after a short illness.' Although this sad event occurred after the period covered by this report, I feel I must take the opportunity to express on my own behalf and that of the Soudan Government the deep regret which is generally felt for the loss of one who has rendered such distinguished service both to this country and to the cause of science, particularly in the difficult circumstances of the last few years.

44. A The only archaeological explorer who has visited the country during the war is Dr. G. Reisner, of Harvard University, who has made exceedingly interesting and valuable discoveries at Kurru and Nuri in the Dongola province. Having practically completed the excavation of the Nuri Pyramid group in the last two seasons. Dr. Reisner turned, in the season 1918-19, to the royal cemetery at Kurru which lies a few miles down stream of Jebel Barkal on the right bank of the river. Here he discovered the family burial place of the founders of the Ethiopian dynasty and of their ancestors. From The rem,ains discovered important deductions can be made as regards the twentieth Egyptian dynasty.

The graves, tunnels, etc., were found to- have been seriously plundered in the past, and only fragments of their former treasures were discovered.

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