Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/321

 SWAZILAND

199

The agricultural and grazing rights of natives have been safeguarded, and delimited ; a general survey of the territory in connection with concession claims has also been carried out. A Special Court having the full juris- diction of a Superior Court, and Assistant Commissioners' Courts have been established. A local Swaziland police force was created in 1907. Authorised strength (1911-2), 24 Europeans and 171 natives. During the year ended March 31st, 1912, 1,789 persons were summarily convicted, while 6 persons were convicted Ijefore the Superior Court.

Native chiefs are allowed to continue to exercise jurisdiction according to native law and customs in all civil matters between natives, subject to a final appeal to the Resident Commissioner. The present seat of the administration is at Mbabane ; altitude 4,300 feet.

Area, 6, .536 square miles ; population (1911), 99,959, of whom 98,733 are natives (of Zulu type), 143 other coloured persons, and 1,083 whites. The Government maintains 6 European Schools at different centres, and 1 native school at Zombode, the kraal of the Regent, at which the young paramount chief attends. Average European attendance, 1911-12, 120 ; at Zombode, 42. The Government also subsidises other native schools to the extent of 300Z. per annum. Total expenditure on education, 1911-12, 1,704^.

— 1908- 9

1909-10

1910-11

1911-12

£ Revenue. . 46,484 Expenditure. . 91,127

£ 44,689 54,217

£ 58,723 62,258

£ 57,307 62,191

Since 1904 a sum of 175,725^. has been spent on the expropriation of monopolies and in connection with the Swaziland Concessions Commis- sion and the Partitions of Concessions. 6,]97Z. was spent during 1911-12 on eradication of cattle disease. The excess of expenditure over revenue is accounted for by the costs of the Swaziland Concessions Commission, the Partition Concessions, and of the expropriation of monopolies. The public debt of Swaziland amounts (1912) to 100,000Z., on which interest at 3^ per cent, per annum is payable.

The agricultural products are tobacco, maize (the staple product), millet, pumpkins, ground nuts, beans, and sweet potatoes, grown only in sufl&cient quantities for local supply. Attempts are being made to introduce cotton- growing. Stock in 1912 numbered approximately: horses, 550; cattle, 59,000; native sheep and goats, 170,000 ; pigs, 9,000. The territory is reported to be rich in minerals, but it has not yet been systematically prospected. Alluvial tin is being mined and shipped. In 1911-12 the output of tin was 313 tons, valued at 3*^,397^. Several gold mines are worked on a small scale, and during the year 1911-12 tl.e output was 14,781 ozs. of fine gold, valued at 62,7 SSL By arrangement with the Union of South Africa, Swaziland is treated for customs purposes as part of the Union and receives a, pro rata share of the Customs dues collected. During the year 1911-12 Swaziland's share of tlie Union Customs dues amounted to 7,175Z. Separate returns of Swaziland imports and exports are not shown.

There is bi-weekly communication by coach between Mbabane and Breyten on the Springs Ermelo Extension. Elsewhere communication is by tunners. There are telegraph offices at Mbabane, Pigg's Peak, Bremersdorp, and Ezulwfcni. Post Office Savings Banljs deposits, 2,323/. on March 31, 1912, belonging to 113 depositors.

Resident Commissioner. — R. T. Coryndon, C.M.G.

Government Secretary. — D. Honey.