90 ECONOMIC CONDITIONS (No.06 the road system , supplemented by the existing service of coasting vessels.

The Post Office, with its seven branches in the two islands,deals not only with foreign, transit , and inland letters, but also with parcels, money and postalorders, and savings bank deposits. In each island the Govern ment telephone system , with headquarters in the capital, is connected with the district and agricultural stations . Between Zanzibar and Pemba communica tions can be carried on by wirelesstelegraphy . The coasts of Zanzibar and Pemba are indented with numerous creeks, and fringed, especially on the western side, with groups of islets, which provide nearlya score of natural harbours, suitable for dhows and small craft . Of this description are the Pemba harbours of Msuka Bay , Port Cockburn, Port George, and Chaki Chaki ; and, in Zanzibar Island , Menai Bay and Mkokotoni Harbour. None of these, however, is comparable, in the combination of natural shelter, geographical situa tion, and commercial prestige, with the harbour of the capital. For three centuries Zanzibar held a com manding position as the entrepot for the trade of the East African mainland and of Europe with Arabia and India ; and, although its relative importance has de clined in consequence of the development of the mainland harbours, it remains a port of call for all East African liners . The harbour is approximately five miles long , with good anchorage everywhere in 7 to 12 fathoms. It is provided with several piers, but all larger vessels load and discharge cargo from lighters.

The need for deep -water wharves and proper landing facilities is now appreciated. In 1913 the gross ton nage of ocean -going ships was 1,355,628, of coasting vessels 84,426 , and of dhows 62,866 . The same ship ping lines serve Zanzibar and East Africa.

The two wireless installations on Zanzibar and Pemba are in communication with the continental stations . Cables connect Zanzibar with Mombasa , with Aden, Egypt , and Europe, with India and Australia, and with the coast ports of East and South Africa .