Dealing in slaves

Extradition is also to be granted for participation in any of the aforesaid crimes, provided such participation be punishable by the laws of both the Contracting Parties.

Article III.

Either Government may , in its absolute discrétion , refuse to deliver up its own subjects to the other Government.

Article IV.

The extradition shall not take place if the person claimed has already been tried and discharged or punished, or is still under trial, within the territories of the two High Contracting Parties respectively, for the crime for which his extradition is demanded.

If the person claimed should be under examination , or is undergoing sentence under a conviction, for any other crime within the territories of the two High Contracting Parties respectively, his extradition shall be deferred until after he has been discharged , whether by acquittai or on expiration of his sentence, or otherwise.

Article V.

The extradition shall not take place if, subsequeutly to the commission of the crime, or the institution of the pénal prosecution, or the conviction thereon, exemption from prosecution or punishment has been acquired by lapse of time, according to the laws of the State applied to.

Article VI.

A fugitive criminal shall not be surrendered if the offence in respect of which his surrender is demanded is one of a political character, or if he prove that the réquisition for his surrender has in fact been made with a view to try or punish him for an offence of a political character.

Article VII.

A person surrendered can in no case be kept in prison, or be brought to trial in the State to which the surrender has been made, for any other crime or on account of any other matters than those for which the extradition shall have taken place, until he has been restored or had an opportunity of returning to the State by which he has been surrendered.

This stipulation does not apply to crimes committed after the extradition.

Extradition.

Article VIII.

The réquisition for extradition shall be made through the Diplomatie Agents the High Contracting Parties respectively.

The réquisition for the extradition of the accused person must be accompanied by a warrant of arrest issued by the compétent authority of the State requiring the extradition, and by such évidence as, according to the laws of the place where the accused is found, would justify his arrest if the crime had been commited there.

If the réquisition relates to a person already convicted , it must be accompanied by the sentence of condemnation passed against the convicted person by the compétent Court of the State that makes the réquisition for extradition.

A sentence passed in contumaciam is not to be deemed a conviction, but a person so sentenced may be dealt with as an accused person.

Article IX.

If the réquisition for extradition be in accordance with the foregoing stipulations, the compétent authorities of the State applied to shall proceed to the arrest of the fugitive.

Article X,

If the fugitive has been arrested in the British dominions, he shall forthwith be brought before a compétent Magistrate , who is to examine him and to conduct the preliminary investigation of the case , just as if the appréhension had taken place for a crime committed in the British dominions.

In the examinations which they have to make in accordance with the foregoing stipulations, the authorities of the British dominions shall admit as valid évidence the sworn dépositions or the affirmations of witnesses taken in Roumania, or copies thereof, and likewise the warrants and sentences issued therein, and certificates of. or judicial documents stating the fact of, a conviction, provided the same are authenticated as follows: —

1. A warrant must purport to be signed by a Judge, Magistrate, or Judicial Officier of Police of Roumania.

2. Dépositions or affirmations , or the copies thereof, must purport to be certified under the hand of a Judge, Magistrate, or Judicial Officer of Police of Roumania , to be the original dépositions or affirmations, or to be the true copies thereof, as the case may require.

3. A certificate of or judicial document stating the fact of a conviction must purport to be certified by a Judge, Magistrate, or Judicial Officer of Police of Roumania.

4. In every case such warrant, déposition, affirmation, copy, certificate, or judicial document must be authenticated either by the oath of some witness , or by being sealed with the officiai seal of the Minister of Justice, or of Foreign Affairs of Roumania ; but any other mode of authentication for the time being permitted by the law in that part of the British dominions where the examination is taken, may be substituted for the foregoing.

Grande - Bretagne, Roumanie.

Article XI.

On the part of the Roumanian Government, the extradition shall take place as follows in Roumania :

The Minister, or other Diplomatie Agent of Her Britannic Majesty in Roumania , shall send to the Minister for Foreign AfFairs , in support of each demaud for extradition, an authentic and duly legalized copy either of a certificate of condemnation , or of a warrant of arrest against an incriminated or accused person, showing clearly the nature of the crime or offence on account of which proceedings are being taken against the fugitive. The judicial document so produced shall be accompanied by a description and other particulars serving to establish the identity of the person whose extradition is claimed.

In case the documents produced by the British Government to establish the identity , and the particulars gathered by the Roumanian police authorities for the same purpose, should be deemed to be insufficient, notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the Minister or other Diplomatie Agent of Her Britannic Majesty in Roumania, and the individual whose extradition is desired , if he bas been arrested , shall remain in détention until the British Government has produced new éléments of proof to establish his identity, or to clear up any other dit'ficulties arising in the examination.

Article XII.

The extradition shall not take place unless the évidence be found sufficient, according to the laws of the State applied to, either to justify the commital of the prisoner for trial, in case the crime had been committed in the territory of the said State , or to prove that the prisonner is the identical person convicted by the Courts of the State which makes the réquisition, and that the crime of which he has been convicted is one in respect of which extradition could, at the time of such conviction, have been granted by the State applied to. In Her Britannic Majesty's dominions the fugitive criminal shall not be surrendered until the expiration of fîfteen days from the date of his being committed to prison to await his surrender.

Article XIII.

If the individual claimed by one of the two High Contracting Parties in pursuance of the présent Treaty should be also claimed by one or several other Powers, on account of other crimes or offences committed upon their respective territories, his extradition shall be granted to that State whose demand is earliest in date.

Article XIV.

If sufficient évidence for the extradition be not produced within two months from the date of the appréhension of the fugitive , or within such further time as the State applied to, or the proper Tribunal thereof shall direct, the fugitive shall be set at liberty.

Extradition.

Article XV.

Ail articles seized which were in the possession of the person to be surrendered, at the time of his appréhension, shall, if the compétent authority of the State applied to for the extradition has ordered the delivery thereof, be given up when the extradition takes place, and the said delivery shall extend not merely to the stolen articles, but to everything that may serve as a proof of the crime.

Article XVI.

AU expeuses connected with extradition shall be borne by the demanding State.

Article XVII.

The stipulations of the présent Treaty shall be applicable to the Colonies and foreign possessions of Her Britannic Majesty, so far as the laws for the time being in force in such Colonies and foreign possessions respectively will allow.

The réquisition for the surrender of a fugitive criminal who has taken refuge in any of such Colonies or foreign possessions may be made to the Governor or chief authority of such Colony or possession by any person authorized to act in such Colony or possession as a Consular officer of Roumania.

Such réquisitions may be disposed of, subject always, as nearly as may be, and so far as the law of such Colony or foreign possession will allow, to the provisions of this Treaty , by the said Governor or chief authority, who, however, shall be at liberty either to grant the surrender or to refer the matter to his Government.

Her Britannic Majesty shall, however, be at liberty to make spécial arrangements in the British Colonies and foreign possessions for the surrender of criminals from Roumania who may take refuge within such Colonies and foreign possessions, on the basis, as nearly as may be, and so far as the law of such Colony or foreign possession will allow, of the provisions of the présent Treaty.

Réquisitions for the surrender of a fugitive criminal emanating from any Colony or foreign possession of Her Britannic Majesty shall be governed by the rules laid down in the preceding Articles of the présent Treaty.

Article XVIII.

The présent Treaty shall corne into force ten days after its publication, in conformity with the forms prescribed by the laws of the High Contracting Parties. It may be terminated by either of the High Contracting Parties at any time on giving to the other six months' notice of intention to do so.

The Treaty shall be ratified , and the ratifications shall be exchanged at Bucharest as soon as possible.

In witness whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the same, and have affixed thereto the seal of their arms.

766 Grande-Bretagne, Roumanie, Extradition.

Done in duplicate at Bucharest, the twenty-first (ninth) day of March, in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-three.

(L. S.) Charles Hardinge.

(L. S.) Al. Làhovari.

Protocol.

At the moment of proceeding to the signature of the Treaty of Extradition concluded this day, the undersigned Plénipotentiaires of Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India, and of His Majesty the King of Roumania, have agreed upon the following déclaration: —

The Roumanian Government may in its absolute discrétion refuse to deliver up any person charged with a crime punishable with death.

This Protocol shall have the same force and the same duration as the Treaty of Extradition signed to-day.

In witness whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the same, and have affixed thereto the seal of their arms.

Done in duplicate at Bucharest, the 21st (9th) March, 1893.

(L. S.) Charles Hardinge.

(L. S.) Al. Làhovari.

Protocol explanatory of § 21 of Article II of the Treaty of Extradition between Great Britain and Roumania.

In order to avoid the possibility of any misunderstanding arising from the présent text of § 21 of Article II of the Treaty of Extradition concluded between Great Britain and Roumania on the 21st (9th) of March, 1893, the undersigned Plenipotentiaries, duly authorized thereto by their respective Governments, have agreed as follows: —

The fact of having kidnapped or falsely imprisoned one or more persons will not admit of a réquisition for extradition being made unless the act shall have been committed by private individuals. No such réquisition can be made as against public functionaries who may have been guilty of the act in question while in the performance of their duties.

The présent Protocol shall be considered as approved and sanctioned by the respective Governments without any spécial ratification by the sole fact of the exchange of the ratifications of the Treaty to which it refers.

Done in duplicate at Bucharest, the thirteenth (first) day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-four.

(L. S.) John Walsham.

(L. S.) Al. Làhovari.

Gra nde- Bretagn e , Afrique.

GRANDE-BRETAGNE. AFRIQUE

Correspondence relative aux Affaires de la Côte occidentale de l'Afrique; du 12 janvier au 10 juillet 1893.

Parliamentary Papers presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. Septembre 1893. [C. — 7i63.']

No. 1.

Sir C. Mac Donald to the Earl of Rosebery. — (Received January. 18.)

26, Charles Street, St. James' Square, London, (Extract.) January 12, 1893.

I have the honour to forward two Reports , one on the trade and gênerai condition of the Bonny district of the Oil Rivers Protectorate, by Lieutenant Kenneth Campbell , and one on that of Bénin , by Captain H. L. Gallway.

I would respectfully beg to bring to your Lordship's notice the good work done by thèse two officers.

Some remarks with regard to the trade and gênerai condition of the other district which go to make up the Protectorate may be of interest.

Old Calabar, including Quo Ibo. — This is undoubtedly the most important district in the Protectorate, and one most capable of development.

The trade for the first twelve months under the new Consular Administration was, as was shown in my Annual Trade Report*), already submitted to your Lordship, most satisfactory.

Since my departure from Old Calabar a piratical Chief of the name of Abiakari , who has been for many years a source of trouble to the traders, has again commenced his déprédations, seizing canoës with produce coming down the Cross River. In his déprédations he has been assisted by the Chiefs of Umon, who inhabit both banks of the Cross River some 70 miles above Old Calabar. A few days previous to my departure from Old Calabar I visited thèse Chiefs and informed them that trouble would surely follow if they interfered with persons engaged in legitimate and peaceful trade. Abiakari for some years after the visit of Her Majesty 's ship »Alecto« kept quiet, the practice made by this vessel's guns at a target having had a very bénéficiai effect upon him. As I have observed, since my departure this Chief has again broken out, seizing canoës and their occupants. This has had a most marked effect upon the trade of Old Calabar, the value of exports for the months of September, October, and November 1892 being 23,7481. 18s. 2d. below what it was in the three corresponding months of 1891.

And armed stern-wheeler of light draught has been built, and is now

*) See Poreign Office Reports, Annual Séries, Nos. 1063 and 1144.

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on her way out to Old Calabar. This vessel is specially constructed for police work on the Cross River.

The Gana Gana tribe , who inhabit both banks of the river above Abiakari's territory and that of the Umon Chiefs, are physically a very fine race. They differ from most of the other tribes of this région in being entirely free, slaves being quite unknown amongst them. They are cannibals, but I believe only from religious belief, and I think they could be easily weaned from this disgusting practice. They are very anxious to have a white Résident amongst them to represent them before the Consular authorities at Old Calabar. As soon as the necessary arrangements can be made I propose placing a detachment of troops with white officiers in this territory.

I am of opinion that the Old Calabar district will within a few years yield a revenue almost double the présent one. The future wealth of this country would appear to lie in the direction of plantations of cocoa, coffee, rubber, landolphia, &c.

Very much has been done under the able supervision of Dr. Allman, Principal Médical Officer of the Oil River Protectorate, to improve the sanitary condition of Old Calabar and of the Protectorate generally. Much remains still to be done, and events move slowly in Africa. I am not, however, without hope that by a strict carrying out of the Régulations laid down a very marked improvement in the health of the Europeans résident in the Protectorate will take place, though the climate, from its malarial character, can never be a healthy one.

The Public Works Department has been most efficiently carried on. The Consulate-General has been rendered habitable , its foundations, which were rapidly giving way under the attacks of white ants and heavy rains, have been strengthened. Two handsome and commodious houses have been built, one as a résidence and offices for the Treasurer and the Director of Customs, and the other as a mess-house and quarters for the officers of the »Oil Rivers Irregular Force. « Barracks for 300 men, including married quarters, are in course of construction, and will very shortly be ready for occupation. The whole of the above buildings have been constructed at home and sent out; they are ail erected on a hill some 200 feet above the river. This has entailed great labour , but the sanitary results obtained have amply compensated for the extra trouble. Latrines have been constructed in the native town, which have had a marked effect upon its cleanliness.

A marina is in course of construction in front of the native town of Old Calabar. This, by doing away with the foreshore of the river, always the dustbin and latrine of a native riverside town , will act beneficially from a sanitary point. The roads have been improved and put in order. The cemetery, which was in a disgraceful condition, has been thoroughly cleared of undergrowth and ail débris and dirt taken away. The ground has been handed over by the Missionary Society to the Sanitary Department, Oil Rivers Protectorate. A plan of the cemetery has been made and deposited in the Sanitary Office and ground is now apportioned out.

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It has been the practice of the native Chiefs to throw the dead of the common people either into the river or into the nearest bush. A native cemetery has been rnarked out and cleared, and any Chief failing to bury the body of his servant or slave in the place apportioned to him is severely punished. The Chiefs of Old Calabar are themselves buried in their own houses or compounds. As the graves are invariably dug some 6 to 10 feet deep , this proceeding is not so unsanitary as it would at first sight appear. It is a very ancient custom, and I have not considered it politic to interfère with it at présent.

In addition to the buildings enumerated , a large property known as Fort Stuart has been purchased, consisting of a commodious dwelling-house and exten sive stores. The dwelling - house will be used for the native Customs and Treasury clerks, and the stores for the carrying out of the provisions of the Brussels Act.

Opobo. — This district has so far enjoyed a great immunity from disturbances which inight be calcalated to interfère with trade. This , I think, is due to the amicable settlement of the troubles at Aquetah in the early part of the year , and in a great measure to the arrivai in Opobo, and identification by his subjects, of the body of Ja Ja. This produced an excellent effect, and created a very friendly feeling towards the Administration on the part of the Chiefs of Opobo. The latter have loyally kept their compact with me, to the effect that if I was able to get for them the body of their late King, which had been buried in Spanish territory, they would give no trouble, but engage in peaceful trade.

The value of Opobo exports for the months of August, September, and October, 1892, is 25,5491. 9s. lld. in excess of what it was for the three correeponding months of 1891.

A very commodious Consular résidence, with Court -house and outhouses for Customs and Treasury clerks, has been erected here. To carry out the provisions of the Brussels Act in their entirety, store - houses will have to be erected ; in the meantime , arrangements have been made for the renting of such houses.

The native town of Opobo is some considérable distance from the factories and dwelling-houses of the European community; it is therefore difficult to see that the prescribed Sanitary Régulations are enforced by the native Chiefs, but I shall be satisfied if they are carried out by the European community, to whom also they apply.

Bonny and New Calabar. — In Vice-Consul Campbell's Report matters are so fully and clearly dealt with that there is little more to be said.

This Report being for the six months ending June 1892, some later statistics may be of interest.

The value of exports from this district for the months of August, September, and October, 1892, is 19,1821. 14s. 9d. in excess of the corresponding months of 1891. I am afraid , however, that the recently reported disturbances amongst the Okrikans will have seriously affected the trade. Vice-Consul Campbell's remarks regarding the large quantities of éléphants which are to be found only a few miles from the coast are

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worthy of note; by last ad vices I have heard of the arrivai at Bonny of a party of Mahomraedan éléphant - hunters, who have corne from Lokojah, on the junction of the Niger and Benué, thus showing that there exists a road Connecting thèse places, and one which, though passing through numberless pagan tribes, can be safely traversed by Mahommedans, and therefore by white men. I have issued orders that thèse men are to be encouraged in every way , so as, if possible , to start an ivory market in the Protectorate within easy access of océan steamers , and that every information respecting the state of the road , time taken in journey, countries traversed, &c, is to be, if pdS3ible, procured from them.

Ail the improvements suggested by Vice -Consul Campbell have been carried out since his Report was written ; this is in a very great measure due to his own energy and persévérance.

Brass. — This district, which was at one time one of the most flourishing of the Niger delta , has now become the least important from a trade point of view. The latest Returns, however, show an excess over last year's exports of 5,9841. 6s 6d. But this, I am afraid, will not last.

At Warri a commodious house has been erected. It serves as a résidence for the Vice-Consul aud Consular Agent, and as a Treasury. The lower part of the house is used as a Consular Court and prison ; houses have also been put up for the Customs and Treasury clerks.

The value of exports for the months of August and September for this district is 13 8211. 2s. 6d. in excess of what it was for the corresponding months of last year.

Bénin. — Captain Gallwey's Report leaves little for me to add. I am of opinion that there are very great possibilités for this district. Time and much patience will be required, however, before the resources of the district can be, even in a measure, developed, the great stumbling - block to any immédiate advance being the fetish »reign of terror« which exists throughout the Kingdom of Bénin, and which will require severe measures in the not very distant future before it can be stopped.

Captain Gallwey is eminently fitted, by his energy, tact, and décision, for the task before him. There has been an increase of 501. Ils. 4d. in the value of exports for the months of August and September 1892 over the corresponding months of 1891.

A property, consisting of dwelling- house and very extensive stores, has been purchased, which serves as Custom-house and Treasury.

At Sapeli, some 70 miles up the Bénin River, I have established a hulk, to serve as Consulate and Court-house; also barracks for a force of constabulary.

Inclosure 1 in No. 1.

Report on the Bonny District, Oil Rivers Protectorate, for the six months

ending June 1892.

Trade.

During the half-year ending the 30th June last the trade of this

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district has shown a fair average, and, comparing one month with another, it does not appear to vary much. Taking into considération that the people of Aquetta have now signed a Treaty, and appear to be discontented with their relations towards their old customers, the Bonny men, and also the fact that the wbite traders of Opobo have gained a footing in the markets of the Opobo River , which are also the markets at which the Bonny men procure their oil, I am of opinion that the trade of this port will beeome very uncertain, and should relations with the interior markets be at ail strained , that it may stop altogether as regards the exports of oil from Bonny.

In bygone days the Okrika people did a fair trade with the Bonny men, bat now take ail their oil to New Calabar, and dispose of it there. I learn the reason for this is, the Okrika trader, not being able to speak English, on his arrivai in Bonny was in the habit of getting a Bonny man to act as interpréter between him and the white trader. The Bonny man would represent to the man of Okrika that the trader offered him a much lower price than in reality was tendered , and upon the bargain being closed would draw from the store the amount actually offered by the white man , and give to the Okrika man the small amount which he had represented as the amount offered by the trading firm. This went on for years, till at last the Okrika people found out the way in which they were being cheated, and removed their custom to New Calabar.

I think that in time the trade from the inland markets will go down the Opobo River, on the one side, and the Bakana River to New Calabar, on the other, and Bonny be left, between the two, without any resources. In my opinion, this will not raake any différence to the trade of the Protectorate; it will simply develop itself into the question as to who is to do the carrying trade between the markets and the factories.

There appears to be a future for the part of this district north of the creeks, and were one joins the mainland away from the mangrove swamps. The place is to ail appearance thickly inhabited by éléphants, and, if one can crédit the stories of the natives , thèse are to be had in plentiful numbers. The difficulty is, however, how to get the ivory, as the natives hold the éléphant in great dread. Should this be overcome by bringing in experienced elephant-hunters, a trade in ivory might be established. Before submitting my next Report I shall hope to have an opportunity of judging whether there is a prospect of the rubber trade being carried on from the interior to the waterways of the Bakana and the Sombrero Rivers into New Calabar.

Sanitary.

Bonny. — At the beginning of the présent year the town of Bonny was in a dirty and unsanitary condition. The Chiefs where told about this at several meetings, but seemed very much disinclined to assist in the cleaning of their town. Two Inspectors of Nuisances have been appointed; they are paid by Government , and wear a prescribed uniform , so as to increase their authority. Thèse men are under the orders of the Médical

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Officer in charge of this part of the district. Several people were summoned by the Sanitary officer, and came before me in the Consular Court, the Président of the Native Council amongst the number; small fines were imposed as a beginning. Through this means, and also a weekly inspection of the town by myself, accompanied by the Sanitary officer and one of the principal Chiefs, there has been a decided improvement in the cleanliness of the place, but there still remains a great deal to be done. There has also been a considérable amount of bush and undergrowth between the town and the river eut away; this enables the fresh breeze from the sea to blow directly into the town.

Okrika. — This town is in e very dirty condition, but owing to not yet having gained sufficient influenze over the people of the place nothing has been done towards improving it.

New Calabar. — The towns of Bakana, Buguma, and Abonnema are very clean for native towns. The Chiefs have made strict sanitary laws, and, I am pleased to say, look well after their people. The towns are ail laid out in a regular plan, and have wide streets and a good circulation of air.

Improvements. — For the présent the only improvement I would suggest as regards the New Calabar towns is that the bush opposite the town of Buguma be cleared away. The natives have already cleared a considérable part of this, and I hope to induce them to carry the clearing further up the creek so as to enable the breeze from the south to blow right across the town. As to the other New Calabar towns, I am not in a position to suggest any improvement as yet. There has been a Sanitary officer appointed and placed in charge of the New Calabar sub-district. As to the town of Bonny, as soon as the rains are over, it is my intention to condemn a great part of it. and direct the Chiefs who own the houses to pull them down. There are many houses overhanging the streets, which renders them dangerous to passers-by, owing to their rickety condition. Public latrines overhanging the river are highly necessary. It is my intention to erect thèse at an early date. The timber has been ordered. The difficulty in dealing with the town of Bonny is that the Chiefs have large plantations at which they réside, and in conséquence do not take that interest in their capital town which they should. Besides, the Chiefs of Bonny are sadly wanting in patriotism , and do not care for anything except they see a means of making money out of it'

I recommend that a birk embankment be erected on the town side of the pond out of which the townspeople draw their water, so that the drawers of water be enabled to stand on it and get their water instead of having, as at présent, to wade in. Much of the sickness is caused by the natives drinking bad water. I submit that wells be dug in différent places. There is good water near the Mission, and a suitable place to sink a well which would give good fresh water.

It is the habit of the people of Bonny to bury their dead on the side of the public road and also in the houses. I am now taking steps to induce the Chiefs to set apart a pièce of land in which to bury their dead.

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Cemetery. — The public cemetery was not properly looked after. I have in conséquence appointed a man, on the recomraendation of Archdeacon Crowther, to perforai the duties of sexton. I beg to suggest that an iron fence be sont oui from England to completely rail in the buryingground. It would require 400 yards of fencing to do this, and one large and one small gâte.

Queen's Beach. — A breakwater has been buiit and soine sinall iron sheds erected. The beach is in course of beiug filled up and put entirely to rights. In a separate despatch I ani submitting plans for a coal-shed and a pier, for the formation in this port of a coaling station.

Poli tic al.

The whole of the tribes in this district, viz., New Calabar , Bonny, and Okrika, eau be brought under one head as regards language. The language is that called Idso ; there are , thoug slight , dialectic différences spoken by each tribe. The influence of the Bonny people extends from the mout of the Bonny River up both banks as far as Okrika, but not including this latter place, and inland to the markets of the Opobo River. The Okrikans extend from the Islands of Okrika into Eboe, but the exact liraits of their influence is not known. The New Calabar tribes extend from the New Calabar River to the Sombrero, up the Egenny to Eboe as far as Idu. Thèse three tribes may roughly be said to occupy the mangrove swamp région bordering on the Eboe country. In each of the above-mentioned tribes the Ibo language is also spoken. This is the language of the interior tribes , and covers an immense area. It is the language spoken at the markets, and in which ail trade affairs are conducted. It is also used by the masters in addressing their slaves.

The laws and custoras of the tribes differ somewhat. Each tribe is ruled by a différent King or Chief. The Chiefs are the merchants of the country , in direct trade relations with the European factories. They are also the Councillors of the King or head Chief. The currency used in this district is a copper coin in the shape of a horse-shoe, called »manilla.« The value of the manilla varies in the différent tribes, but its value roughly is about that of a penny.

The Okrika people are great fishermen and good traders. The Bonny and New Calabar people appear only to trade. Some of them do a little farming, but this is only of late years. In religion they are ail pagans. The missionaries have establishments in Bonny, Okrika, and Abonnema, and are making some progress. The Government has lately given a grant for the establishment of industrial schools in connection with the Mission ; they are now in course of organization.

General.

The state of the country generally appears to be prosperous.

S ub si die s.

With référence to this question I regret to have to report that it

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does not appear to work well in Bonny. The Chiefs are in the habit of looking upon the subsidy as their perquisite, and not as money belonging to the country. Those principal Chiefs chosen to receive the subsidy keep it ail to themselves, and do not raake the money circulate amongst ail concerned. During the last half-year the subsidy granted to King Amackree of New Calabar was stopped on account of the opposition he showed to my going on a mission to the Eboe country. I have since learned that his reason for doing so was not altogether a désire to keep the white man from getting into the interior, and thus keep the people of Eboe from civilization, and under the power of the New Calabar Chiefs. On inquiry it appears he was really afraid of the responsibility of conducting a white man into the interior. He allèges that should any harm have corne to nie during the mission , he would have been held to blâme in the matter by the Government , and this was his real reason for not forwarding the interests of the Mission. I have reason to believe his story, taking into considération the superstitions of thèse people , and also the dread they are in if any harm cornes to the white man in any matter in which they are concerned. They see visions of the Queen's displeasure in the form of gun-boats and blue-jackets. I beg to recommend that should this Chief assist the Government in opening up the country, his subsidy be restored.

I have informed the Chiefs of Bonny that I shall withhold their subsidy until they make further progress in the cleaning of their town, that is until the Sanitary officer is in a position to report to me that the place can be reasonably called clean.

Mails.

A local mail service has now been running regularly between Bonny and New Balabar to the west , and Bonuy and Opobo to the east. This service was started in February last, and was run by natives between here and Opobo. This arrangement did not succeed , and had to be given up on account of the untrustworthiness of the natives. Krooboys and Kroo canoës were substituted, and have worked very well ever since. The number of letters sent weekly from here to New Calabar averages about thirty. A canoë from Brass meets the Bonny canoë at New Calabar, so the service through from Opobo to Brass is now complète. I have no doubt that as this canoë service becomes well known , the agents will give up running their own canoës, and adopt that of the regular mail service as soon as the stamps arrive and they are enabled to pay the postage.

Native Councils.

Thèse have been formed in Bonny, Buguma, and at New Calabar. In the latter piace there is no Clerk of the Council, owing to there being no sufficiently educated man to assume the position. Consequently there are no records kept.

Communications, Roads, &c.

The part of this districts which can be called known to the white

Afrique.

man consists almost entirely of mangrove swamp. The creeks and rivers in which factories are established are of sait water and tidal. About 10 miles up the Bakana Eiver above Buguma one gets into very good fresh water fit for drinking and wasbing purposes. In the other parts of the creeks and rivers it is not safe to bathe on account of the dirtiness of the water, which brings on a sort of itch called «cra cra.» Throughout the part of the district inhabited by the white trader there is communication by water only. This is very good. The creeks of New Calabar are navigable for ships drawing 20 feet of water. The water way of the Bakana River is navigable to steam-launches to a place called Tsopo , where the Eboe people bring people bring their oil to market and sell it to the New Calabar middleraen. Tsopo is about two easy days' marcb from the région of the palm oil tree and also the bush where the traces of éléphants are to be seen. The roads from Tsopo into the interior , though only bush paths, are good, and should they be widened by cutting away the bush on either side, would be well suited for the purpose of using pack animais. It remains, however, to be seen if four-footed animais suitable for transport purposes (the éléphant excepted) will live in this country.

Vhe région north of Okrika fram whence the waters of the Bonny River corne are as yet totally unknown. The natives have a dread of showing any one the way to those parts, being afraid that if the white man gets to the markets their carrying trade will be done avay with. I am told the principal markets of the Okrika people lie between the Bonny and Bakana Rivers , in creeks Connecting the two. I shall hope before submitting my next Report so know something about thèse places, as the arrivai of the steam-launch has removed the difficulty existing in this district in the matter of transport and a suitable means of visiting the other parts of it not in the regular route through New Calabar.

There is a creek above Aquetta which used to run across to some place in the Bonny River near Okrika : could this be again opened it would be a great convenience to the Bonny native traders , and shorten the distance from the Aquetta market to this port considerably. As the Okrikans will have some say in the matter, I fear it will take some »palavering« to get their consent.

In the matter of roads under construction, formerly it was necessary when wishing to go from the factories in the Bonny River to the country beyond the Mission, to pass through the twon of Bonny. This was a great disadvantage , and deterred to a great extent the white population from leaving the precincts of their factories, owing to the uwholesome smell of the town. A contract was given out by the late Vice -Consul Major-General Hammill, and the Chiefs of Bonny undertook to make a road which would cross the swamp on the river side of the town, so as to enable one to walk direct from the factories to the Mission-station, where there is a cathedral. The natives undertook the contract for a considération, and agreed to have it completed in three months. They put down the necessary stricks to keep in the sides of the road , and piled up a little mud, and then left off. It appears to be » Bonny fashion« not to finish

Grande-Bretagne , Afrique.

anything. After urging |the Chiefs to finish their contract, and pointing out to them the good it would do to their country, is was decided, after giving them ample time (about four months) to think of it, to take the work in hand by the Public Works Department of this district. The road is now open to traffic and in a fair way towards completion. It has been necessary to build a native bridge across a small creek which crosses the road ; this will be replaced by one of a more substantial character when the materials ordered from England arrive. It gives me pleasure to report that the natives use the new road largely, and enter the twon from the river side when passing from the Mission to the market, in préférence to the old road at the back. Later on I hope to extend the road to the Mission so as to reach Ju Ju town. This would mean a distance of about 2 Va miles, and woid require the érection of two bridges.

With regard to the roads in the interior , it is my opinion, judging by what I saw when on a mission to the Eboe country, that once we have established friendly relations with the interior tribes , there will be no difficulty in finding good latéral communications from the Niger to the Cross River, keeping, of course clear and to the north of the mangrove swamps. That good paths already exist I am convinced of, and that there is fréquent communication by the trading natives of those parts between Bende, Aron, and the Cross River.

(Signed) Kenneth Campbell,

Her Britannic Majesty's Deputy Commissioner and Vice -Consul, Bonny District.

Hulk, » George Shotton,« Bonny River, Juyl 5, 1892.

Inclosure 2 in No. 1.

Report on the Bénin District, Oil Rivers Protectorate, for the year ending

July 31, 1892.