Ando-Egyptian] SUDD REGION ; STEAMERS 77 until a fairway is cleared, which can be kept open by patrols.

Between 1863 and 1880, the sudd region was completely blocked to navigation on many occasions, especially on the Upper Nile, from Lake Noto Shambe. After the battle of Omdurman , steamers were sent up -stream to investigate ; and in 1899 a party was despatched with five gunboats, which succeeded in opening many miles of channel. The remaining 22 miles were cleared by another expedition in 1903. Owing to the exertions and enterprise of the Sudan Government, the Nile is now one of the best natural waterways in the world . Navigation is possible throughout the year froin Rejaf to Khartum ,up the Bahr el-Ghazal to Meshra el-Rek, from Kereima to Kerma on the Dongola reach, and from Halfa to Shellal. From Khartum to Rejaf the chief obstacles to navigation have been overcorne. A navigable channel passing through Abu Zeid ford has been marked by buoys; rocks near Jebelein have been removed ; the sandbanks have been buoyed ; and through the sudd region a way has been cut which it is not difficult to keep open , and is fairly easily navigated. In addition, wood stations for the steamers have been established by the Government at convenient points.

Steamer Transport Services . The administration of the Sudan Government Railways controls the steamer traffic on the river. The chief services are follows: (a) From Khartum to Rejaf there is a fortnightly service of postal steamers . The time taken is usually fourteen days up -stream and eleven days down. At Rejaf connection is made with the overland routes to theCongo, and to Uganda and East Africa . The traders in the Upper Nile region of the Belgian Congo are largely dependent upon this route.

( 1) From Khartum to Meshra el-Rek , on the Bahr el -Ghazal, there is a monthly postal service . The total distance is 765 miles, and the time taken is eleven days up-stream and nine days down. During the wet [3919 ] G 2 as