75 427 been one of great activity, the busiest, and, in some respects, the most- useful, that the laboratories have experienced.

The Seligmann Anthropological Mission left Khartoum at the end of last year, and will begin work among the Nubas of Kordofan.

In spite of the financial stringency which prevailed at the time when the budget for 1910 was fmmed, it has, I am glad to say, been found possible to meet Dr. Balfour’s demand for an increase of the staff of the laboratories.

28. A Dr. Maciver’s excavations at Behen have produced a variety of material of scientific and historic interest.

Professor Sayce has published an interesting report of his last year’s expedition to Merowe, and Mr. Garstang has recently commenced experimental diggings on the site of the ancient city of that name.

XII. PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATIONS.

29. B The Bahr-el-Ghazal was blocked by sudd between October 1908 and January 1909. Sreamers were dela\-ed for over a month, and at one time great anxiety was felt as to the food supply. The opening up of the Bahr-el-Arab would be most beneficial to the province : an important trade route would be opened to the west, and communication with the more troublesome tribes would be facilitated.

With regard to public health, malaria is prevalent in the western district, but during the past year great care has been taken to combat the disease in Wau and in the province generally, with results that are distinctly gratifying. In October sleeping sickness was reported from Eaga, and there were two cases at Wau. All the cases were imported from the French Congo.

Major Gordon, the Governor, states that the people are now beginning to avail themselves of the simple forms of justice provided by the administration, with the result that the Sultans and Sheikhs, being afraid of complaints, are taking more trouble to apprehend ofiTenders. About 500 civil cases, which are invariably disputes about downies or inheritances, were brought before the courts, and settled as far as possible according to tribal custom.

It is proposed to impose a small tax upon the tribes in consideration of the benefits winch they receive from the existence of an orderly government. A tenth of the grain requisitioned by Government will be taken without papnent, and a tribute of bulls and sheep will be levied on cattle-owning Dinkas. At present the sale of timber is the only financial resource of any importance in this province.

30. B The high Nile of last year produced abundant crops, and the taxes have never before been paid so readily. The methods of agriculture are still primitive and uneconomical, and, in years of plentiful rains, river cultivation, by means of sakias, is abandoned by the indolent cultivator for the more easily produced rain-crop. There has been no dearth of labour during the year, as the numerous bands of Haussas and Bellatas coming from and going to Mecca provide a constant and valuable supply. As elsewhere in the Soudan the cultivation of Egyptian cotton is not popular among the natives.

Colonel Wilkinson reports that the population is increasing rapidly, and that public health is, in general, good, though the record of the }’ear has been somewhat marred by the prevalence of malarial fever.

The mining operations of the Soudan Goldfield Co. at Oin Nabardi are making progress, and between September 1908 and August 1909, 7,700 tons of ore have been crushed, yielding 4,500 ounces of gold. No difiiculty has been experienced in obtaining labour, and the health of the camp is now good.

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