78 other hand, good rains and the absence of locusts or other pests have resulted in an abundant harvest of cereals. The output of gum, the chief resource of the province, has been particularly remunerative, although much damage Avas done by forest fires. As I have mentioned elsewhere, th.e subject of protecting these valuable forests from fire is now being taken in hand.

Turning to finance, the situation gives ground for satisfaction. The budget estimate of revenue, £Ei. 60,250, Avill probably be exceeded by £E. 15,000. Economies have also been effected in the expenditure, and the surplus will amount to about £E. 37,000, or an increase of £E. 14,000 over that of last year.

The only epidemic disease occurring in 1909 was an outbreak of cerebro-spinal meningitis, which was fortunately reported at once by the natives and promptly dealt with. Malaria has decreased in the large towns where, during the rains, drainage is supervised, grass cleared, and wells covered..

During the past year the province has sustained a great loss by the departure of Captain Lloyd, the late Governor, who has returned to the British army after seven years of useful and energetic work in Kordofan. His successor is Major Savile, formerly Governor of the Bahr-el-Ghazal province.

37. Mongalla.

During the past year the administration of the Twi district in the north has been taken in hand, and a post established at Kongor. At first considerable difficulties Avere experienced OAving to the hostility of the two most poAverful chiefs. These men Avere, however, handled Avith admirable tact by Captain Owen, who is confident of their loyalty in the future.

There are signs of impiwement in the material condition of the Baris and Dinkas. They are extending their culthation, but the difficulties of transport limit the production to Avhat is required for local consumption. The rubber plantations at Bor and Mongalla are doing remarkably Avell, and in time a large revenue may be expected from this source. There is much fertile land suitable for the production of palm oil, rubber, maize, sugar cane, &c.

The Nuers and Dinkas have of late abstained from cutting each others’ throats or cattle raiding. A neAV prophet has arisen Avho preaches peace and foretells fire from heaven for man-slayers, and he may, perhaps, be able to take advantage of the appearance of Halley’s comet to increase his beneficent influence. Another important being, also gifted Avith supernatural poAvers, was less fortunate, and was recently murdered, in his capacity as princij)al rain-maker of the district, for holding up the rain.

38. Red Sea Province.

Port Soudan Avas formally opened by His Highness the Khedive on the 1st April, 1909. Since that date the constructions in course of erection have made good progress and the appearance of the toAvn is rapidly improving. It is hoped that the decision to allot sites in favourable positions to shipping agents and other business houses Avill encourage the erection of good buildings.

This province is amongst those which Avould most profit by the organization of a trade in cattle Avith Egypt. The population is chiefly nomad, and throughout the Beni Amer country, Avhere grazing is plentiful, there are large herds of fine cattle that should command a good price at Suez, if arrangements could be made for shipping them direct.

Owing to an indifferent flood the yield of cotton from Tokar only amounted to 53,000 kantars as against 90.000 in the preceding year. The quality compares quite favourably Avith that grown in Egypt. This falling oft* has had a considerable effect on the revenue of the province, the receipts for 1909 being £E. 6,000, as compared with £E. 9,000 in 1907 and £E. 12,000 in 1908. As regards the current yeax, the season promises well, as the flood has been exceptional and some 40,000 feddans have been inundated.

There Avas no scarcity of labour in 1909. Many natives from the Nile valley come across to work at Port Soudan, and some 200 men from the Arabian coast Avere engaged, Avith excellent results, as quay and customs porters. The Governor, Mi’.'Kerr, considers that a most satisfactory feature of the situation is tlie increase in the number of nomad Arabs Avho seek employment.

Only one case of slave trading came to the notice of the courts, and it is certain that House of Commons Parliamentary Papers Online. Copyright (c) 2006 ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved.