Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/391

 1899.] Africa. — Sierra Leone. — Congo. [383

V. WEST AFRICA.

Gold Coast.— Lieut.-Colonel H. P. Northcott, C.B., was appointed administrator of the northern territories of the Gold Coast in August. A detachment of Hausas with British officers left Cape Coast Castle for the Hinterland early in the year to quiet the natives who were complaining of scarcity of food, and of being obliged to assist in laying telegraph lines.

At Accra the nut-tax was quietly collected. Colonel North - cott's Gambaga expedition was completely successful. The natives readily submitted, and Colonel Northcott, with the special service officers attached to the expedition, left for England at the end of March.

Gambia. — The colony had a revenue during the past year of 43,717/. with an expenditure of 29,035/., and no debt. Amongst the imports Manchester cottons were of the value of 60,787/., while nee and sugar were prominent. Of the exports ground nuts, valued at 200,000/., were shipped to France. Exports of rubber had the value of 30,600/.

Lagos. — The arrangement with France recognising certain territory between Lagos and the Niger as within the British sphere, and admitting British rights over Sokoto, brought peace and security to a large region. The railway was opened for passenger traffic as far as Abbeokuta, and would be finished to Ibadan in a few months. Exports of mahogany were in- creasing. The rubber industry, it was feared, would decline in a few years on account of the reckless way in which the trees were tapped, although the rubber trade of late years has superseded the trade in palm oil.

Sierra Leone. — Major Nathan, C.M.G., administered the government during the temporary absence of the Governor, Sir F. Cardew, who came to England on leave. Bai Bureh and several other ringleaders in recent hostilities were brought from Karene in February by Major Stansfield, and the most important chiefs were deported to Accra in July.

The Sierra Leone railway was completed to Songo town, and trains ran on April 3. Of 600 passengers about ten were white people. A carriage was reserved for the whites, and the mayor of Freetown, Sir Samuel Lewis, who is a native African, not knowing of the reservation, attempted to ride in the reserved car. He was forcibly ejected by a white non- commissioned officer, who, for the assault, was fined 30s. and costs. The matter caused much feeling in Sierra Leone.

Congo State. — Baron Dhanis recovered Kabambarre on De- cember 31, 1898. On July 20 he defeated the mutineers near Sungula, killing 100 of them, and losing himself 25 black troops, but no white officers or men. Two more battles with the rebel Batetelas were fought in October. The rebels lost 90 men killed, including three chiefs.

The Government was doing its best to better the condition