Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/261

 SWAZILAND

209

Zombode, the kraal of the Regent. The Government also subsidises other native schools and a school for coloured children.

Revenue Expenditure

1013-14 (pre-war

£ 64,248 63,967

1015-16 1010-17 1917-1* ' 1918-1» 19l9-tl>

£ 68,354

71,401

£ 7i.t,005

£ 70,342 82,006

£ 87,054

Chief items of revenue, 1919-20 : Native tax, 35,1162 ; sales and leases of Crown lands, &c, 13,45:*/. ; concession rents, 2,628/. ; licences, 2,524/. ; dog tax, 2,935/. Chief items of expenditure, 1919-20: Police, 17,121/. : establishments, 15,140/. ; public works, 5,113/. ; East Coast Fever Veteri- nary, 7,945/. : medical, 4,731/. ; education, 3,866/.; justice, 5,087/.

Since 1904 177,412/. has been sjvent on the expropriation of monopolies and in connection with the Swaziland Concessions Commis- sion and the Partitions of Concessions. The public debt of Swaziland amounts (1820) to 92,500/.

The agricultural products are tobacco, maize (the staple product), millet, pumpkins, ground nuts, beans, and sweet potatoes, grown in insufficient quantities for local supply. Attempts are being made to introduce cotton- growing. Stock numbers approximately (1920) : horses, 600 ; cattle, 230,000 ; native sheep and goats, 250,000; pig*, 9,000. Approximately 300,000 sheep axe brought into Swaziland from the Transvaal each year for winter grazing. 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 1919-20 the output of tin *as 449 tons, valued at 66,676/. There are several gold mines, but only one was worked in 1919-20, the output being 337 oz. valued at 1GS/. By agreement (dated June 30, 1910; 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 1919-20 this share amounted to 11,376/. Separate returns of Swaziland imports and exports are not available. The exports consist almost entirely of cassiterite tin.

There is tri- weekly communication by motor between Bremersdorp, Mbabane and Carolina. Elsewhere communication is by small carts or runners. Post offices working in 1919-20, 14. There arc telegraph offices at Mbabane, Pigg's Peak. Bremersdorp, and Ezulweni. Post Office Savings Banks deposits, 2,311/. on March 31, 1920, belonging to 204 depositors.

The currency is British coin and coins of the late South African Republic, which are of similar denomination to the British. The National Bank of Soutli Africa, Ltd., has branches at Mbabane and Hlatikulu, and sub- branches at Mahamba and Bremersdorp. The deposits on March 31, 1920, amounted to 64,052/. This bank also conducts savings bank business — 111 depositors, 1920, total deposits 1,981/.

Resident Commissioner. — D. Honey, C.M.G.

Deputy Resident Commissioner and Government Secretary. — B. Nicholson, D.S.O., MLC.