COLONIAL REPORTS—ANNUAL.

No. 1064.

NIGERIA.

REPORT FOR 1919. (For Report for 1 9 1 8 see No. 1030.)

Presented to Parliament by Command of His Majesty, March, 1921.

LONDON: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY

HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE.

To be purchased through any Bookseller or directly from H . M . STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses :

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or from E. PONSONBY, LTD., 116 , GRAFTON STREET, DUBLIN.

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[Cmd. 1 1 0 3 - 7 ] Price 2d. Net

COLONIAL REPORTS—ANNUAL.

NO: 1064.

N I G E R I A .

REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1919.

FINANCIAL. The gross total of revenue, £4,959,428, exceeded that of 1918 by

{945,238, while the recurrent revenue exceeded that of the previous year by no less than £864,752. The revenue for 1919 was the highest on record.

For the purposes of a general comparison of revenue it is necessary to gd back to 1913 the last complete year of peace working. In that year the revenue exclusive of the small Grant-irj-Aid then payable to the Northern Provinces was £3,362,507 or £1,467,140 less than that actually received during the year under review*. It should be borne in mind that, although new sources of revenue were introduced in the intervening period, the revenue of 1913 included a sum of approximately £1,140,000 derived from import duties on trade spirits, a source of revenue which no longer exists, owing to the prohibition of the importation of these spirits.

Of the ten ordinary heads of revenue nine exceeded the estimate, the principal excesses being customs, £542,137; railway, £90,254; marine, £54,164 ; direct taxes, £44,374 ; and miscellaneous, £36,562. The increased revenue under customs Was largely due to increased trade, but the change in money values accounted lor a portion of the increase in ad, valorem duties (£103,443) while additional duties imposed upon exports accounted for a portion of the increase (£210,693) under export duties. The railway revenue rose mainly owing to incieased exports, while the rise under marine was due to the increased harbour dues imposed on shipping and to the actual increase in the volume of shipping in the port of Lagos. The increase (£44,374) in the direct taxation levied in the Northern Provinces was due to improved collec­tions, more accurate assessment! and to the general prosperity in that part of Nigeria.

The expenditure, which totalled £4,529,176 in 1919, exceeded that of the previous year by £1,069,402, and exceeded the estimate by £611,963. The principal excesses occurred under the heads railways £217,454; miscellaneous, £189,167; marine, £161,157; Eastern Railway construction. £58,778; Lagos Harbour Works, £28,716; and-military, £24.672.

NIGERIA, 1919. 3

The main causes of these excesses were (1) indents of 1918 not executed until 1919; (2) increased cost of materials ; (3) war bonus not provided for in the estimates, and (4) a loss of £21,654 incurred in the sale of investments which had depreciated below the value at which they were included in the assets. There were also amounts not provided for in the estimates for war costs and gratuities, £47,025, and in respect of the Abeokuta rising, £13,049.

The total unprovided expenditure on war costs, including gratuities, from 1914 to the 31st December, 1919, amounted to £542,450 which includes £98,456 contributed by the Native Administrations of the Northern Provinces.

The balance sheet at the 31st December, 1919, shows a surplus of £1,133,038, tb which might be added the further sum of £1,883,873 advanced from revenue for the construction o#the Eastern Railway and which will be refunded to revenue in 1920. At the end of 1918 the funded debt stood at £8,470,593. In November, 1919, a new loan of £6,200,000 was floated for the purpose of (1) redeeming £4,425,000 5 per cent, four year Debentures due for redemption in June, 1920, and (2) repaying to revenue advances made for the construc­tion of the Eastern Railway. Part of the debentures were redeerAed in December, 1919, and the remainder will be paid off in June, 1920. At the end of 1919 the funded debt stood, temporarily, at £11,997,118, but when the transactions in connection with raising the new loan and paying off the old are complete it would amount to £10,245,593 to which would be added the cost of raising the new loan.

The surplus funds belonging to the Native Administrations in the Northern Provinces amounted to £486,653 on the 31st December, 1919, as compared with £321,842 at the end of 1918; £57,390 of these balances is invested in England.

The total revenue and expenditure of these Native Administrations for the last two years have been as follows :—

Revenue. Expenditure. £ £

1918 492,663 353,296 1919 536,007 382,726

The revenue and expenditure of the Native Administrations in the Southern Provinces were approximately:

1918 1919

TRADE, AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES. Imports and Exports.

The total value of the imports during 1919 (exclusive of specie) was £10,798,671 as compared with £7,423,158 in 1918. As in the previous year this increase in the value of imports was largely due to the enhanced prices of commodities.

(2067) Wt. 29921/687 8/21 1260 A 90 Harrow.

Revenue. Expenditure. £ i

103,649 98,155 142,215 107,900

4 COLONIAL REPORTS—ANNUAL.

Article. 1918. 1919.

Article. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value.

Bread and Biscuits . . cwt. Pish . . . . . • ,» Grain and Flour . . ,, Kola Nuts centals. Salt . . « * ' . . ' • ' cWt. Spirits . . ! . gall, at 100° Tobacco, Cigars, etc. Kerosene, etc. . . imp. gall. Wood and Timber sup. feet Apparel Coopers' Stores Hardware, etc. ... . . , . Furniture . . Iron, Steel and Manufactures

thereof.. . . . . tons Machinery Soap . . . . . . cwt. Cotton Piece Goods Textile : Silk Manufactures . . Textile : Woollen Manufactures Bags and Sacks . . . . doz.

659 1,773

11,300 133,445 695,262 106,000

1,615,960 877,588

57,339

101,237 74,083

243,488

£ 2,933 3,683

24,748 197,958 311,752 163,616 297,368

93,697 22,687

109,159 1,024,622

169,313 31,091

139,535 68,734

129,337 2,804,379

38,079 '41,499

250,023

17,222 7,728

62,487 162,701

1,095,507 75,000

2,069,353 1,320,706

9,972

60,315

123,786 102,338 559,317

1 77,438 17,300

130,693 , 236,848

510,839 99,739

631,531 K59.917 41,190

135,354 917,896 295,670

51,040

405,791 166,680 151,115

3,262,933 92,010 40,321

580,338

The outstanding feature in the return is, again, the diminution in the importation of spirits. Only 75,000 gallons were imported in 1919. In 1910 the importation was 1,974,000 gallons. In 1913 the value of spirits imported, including duty, was over £1,500,000 : in 1919 it was £99,739, notwithstanding that the duty on spirits was higher than in the former year and the cost of the spirits had con­siderably increased. The value of imports from the British Empire increased from £7,354,327 in 1918 to £10,400,703 in 1919. Foreign goods were valued at £1,615,129 as against £964,071 in 1918. The United States of America shows an increase of £671,268.

The total value of the exports (exclusive of specie) amounted to £14,675,789 in 1919 as compared with £9,511,971 in 1918, and was higher than in any previous year in the history of Nigeria.

The following is a comparative table of the principal articles of export:—

Article.

• < —

1918. 1919. Article.

Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value.

Benneaeed ton 42 i

696 57,074 1

53,541 Cocoa cwt. 204,382 235,870 514,225 1,067,675 Cotton Lint . . cwt. 13,214 97,399 60,221 484,745 Cotton Seed ton 405 15,412 5 Corn and Maize . . cwt. 8,098 3,696 352 199 Rubber lb. 352,504 19,667 892,081 43,903 Hides and Skins . . . . — 293,019 — 1,262,140 Timber (Mahogany) No, of Logs 9,016 68,480 8,516 116,820 Shea Products . . ton 126 4,884 1,729 37,222 Tin Ore . . • . , , 8,294 1,770,003 7,685 1,324,074 Palm Oil . . • • i i 86,425 2,610,448' ' 100,967 4,245,893 Palm Kernels • * I I 205,167 3,226,306 216,913 4,947,995 Ground Nuts • • I I 57,554 920,137 39,334 698,702

NIGERIA, 1919. 5

The exports to France and French Possessions increased in value from £79,082 in 1918 to £433,032 in 1919. The exports to the United States of America rose from £571,201 in 1918, to £1,671,437 in 1919, and the value of exports to the United Kingdom and British Possessions increased from £8,844,880 in 1918 to £12,497,054 in 1919. The increase in the value of exports to foreign countries is accounted for by the removal of the restrictions in force duriftg the War.

Total imports and exports for the last three years, exclusive of specie, were:—

1917 . . 5,808,592 8,602,486 14,411,078 1918 . . . . 7,423,158 9,511,971 16,935,129 1919 . . . . 10,798,671 14,675,789 25,474,460

The imports and exports of specie for the same period were :— Imports. Exports.

£ £ 1917 1,724,143 125,384 1918 895,240 52,888 1919 . . . . . . 1,217,161 50,456

The value of the exports, excluding specie, has exceeded that of the imports by £3,877,118 in 1919.

From 1900 to 1918 the imports of specie have always exceeded the exports, except in 1915, when the imports were less than the exports by £681,345. This was due in a measure to the repatriation of worn Victorian coins. The absorption for the last five years has been £3,465,075 (including Currency Notes).

Northern Provinces.—88 Tin Mining Companies continued operations during the year, and held at the end of the year—

3 Lode Mining Leases 84*66 acres. 478 Alluvial Mining Leases.. . . 85,518*143 „

4 Stream Mining Leases . . . . 6,346 yards. 622 Mining Rights .... . . . . 841,099 „ 116 Exclusive Prospecting Licences 383*487 sq. miles.

8,168 tons of tia ore were won in 1919 as compared with 8,434 tons in 1918, 8,314 tons in 1917,8,186 tons in 1916, 6,910 tons in 1915, and 6,143 tons in 1914. The total output for the year gives an average of 1 • 37 cwt. an acre of land held under Alluvial Leases, Stream Leases and Mining Rights. The average price of metallic tin in London market was £243 7s. 6d. a ton.

The average number of persons employed by the Mining Companies during the year was 218 Europeans and 22,289 natives, and of the latter about 611 were employed on prospecting work. The number employed on actual mining shows an increase as compared with the preceding year of, approximately, 582.

Gold mining operations have been continued near Minna in the Nupe Province, and 319 ounces of gold have been won. This gold is all alluvial from river washings, nothing further having been done on known small gold-bearing stringers of quartz.

Southern Provinces.—The Nigerian Proprietary Company continued their mining operations in the Calabar Province during the year. Prospecting has been carried out in the Ogoja Province and several applications for exclusive prospecting licences have been made.

Exports. Total. i

Mines.

(208/) B

6 COLONIAL REPORTS—ANNUAL.

Colliery. »

The output from the commencement has been as follows, and future prospects are excellent :—

1916 24,500 tons. 1917 . . . . . . 83,405 „ 1918 . . 148,214 1919 . * • * •« * * 137.844 ,,

Total . . . . . 393,963 „ The greater part of this coal has been used for the railway and for

other Government services, the balance being sold for bunkering ships visiting Port Harcourt and a certain amount to the Sierra Leone Government. Owing to labour difficulties the output this year was not as high as anticipated. »

Agriculture. Northern Provinces.—The ginnery of the British Cotton Growing

Association at Zaria has been enlarged and is now capable of a maximum output of 1,000 bales a week. The average output in the past has been 300 bales a week. The season was above the average for crops in general, A late shower in October was highly beneficial to the cotton crop, which promises to be a record one. . The cultivation of American long-staple cotton, to the exclusion

of all other varieties, has spread over the entire Zaria Province and over a considerable area in the Province of Kano. The seed distribution amounted to 595 tons compared with 311 tons in 1918. The price offered for seed-cotton was 3fd. per lb. as against 2fd. in 1918.

The ground-nut crop both as regards quantity and price is likely to eclipse all previous records, though this trade is considerably hampered by the inability of the railway to deal with the produce offering, owing to shortage of locomotives and rolling stock.

Steady progress has been made with experimental tobacco cultiva­tion at Ilorin, but it is as yet too soon to say whether tobacco-growing for export will develop into an important local industry.

Cattle disease was prevalent over a wide area and resulted in a high mortality. Efforts were made to control the disease by segregation.

Southern Provinces.—Deficient rainfall and a severe harmattan caused all crops to suffer in varying degrees ; the precipitation at the Agricultural Headquarters, Ibadan, was 45*38 inches, which is 4*98 in. or about 10 per cent, below the average rainfall for the preceding nine years. Thus the upward tendency of food prices of the preceding few years has been maintained.

The unfavourable season caused the output of the cocoa gardens and cotton farms to be smaller than was expected. Owing, however, to the high prices ruling during the year the crops picked were larger than usual, very little discrimination being showja with regard to the quality of the beans offered lot sale. High prices have not caused greater care to be bestowed upon the cultivation of the cocoa-trees or upon the preparation of the crops for market. A premium of 7s. 6d. per cwt. was paid by European firms for properly fermented cocoa; but so long as cocoa-beans of almost any quality continued to find a ready market, this additional payment was not regarded by the average farmer as sufficient to recoup him for the additional care and labour which were necessary in order to earn it. The importance of the cocoa

NIGERIA, 1919. 7

industry in Nigeria is steadily increasing. The exports of this crop during 1919 amounted to 25,711 tons, a quantity five times as great as that exported in 1914, while their value exceeded a million sterling. Indeed, the shipments of this product in 1919 were larger than the whole quantity exported in the two preceding years, although both these years showed large increases. Demonstrations of the correct methods of fermenting cocoa were given to farmers in the Oyo and Abeokuta Provinces by a native instructor during the year.

Cotton is quickly regaining the importance it possessed as an export before the War, notwithstanding the set-back it received in the previous year through unfavourable weather. The purchases amounted to 12,520,231 lb. as compared with 16,323,858 lb. in 1914; and the number of bales of 400 lb. exported was 8,598. Little crushing of seed was done, owing to the deterioration of the crushing machinery for want of repairs and renewals during recent years.

The operations of the Agricultural Department for encouraging the growing of Georgia cotton were extended from Meko and Iseyin to Aiyetoro and the district between Moor Plantation and Adio, and that Department distributed 27 tons of the seed of this kind in those districts. About 40 acres of Georgia cotton were grown at Moor Plantation Agricultural Station in the season 1918-1919, and 26,963 lb. of seed-cotton giving 8,747 lb. of lint, or 22 bales were obtained. Information so far available shows that 15 of these bales were sold in Liverpool, giving a net return (after deducting expenses of the whole shipment) of £416 8s.; the price obtained for the cotton was 19*43d. per lb. Samples of this cotton sent to the Imperial Institute weie classed by brokers in Liverpool with " fair " American and valued at about the price at which it was sold. Figures are available for the yield from a similar area sown at Moor Plantation in the next season, 1919-1920 ; the outturn of seed-cotton was 27,421, and of lint 8,304 lb. the yield of seed-cotton per acre (662 lb.) being higher than the previous highest, namely, that of the preceding season when it was 650 lb. per acre ; but the yield of lint was lower; 200-204 lb. ai against 211 lb. per acre in 1918-1919, the lint percentage having fallen from 32*4 to 30*3.

The distribution of native cotton seed by the British Cotton Growing Association on behalf of the Agricultural Department amounted to 1,010 tons ; but difficulties of transport prevented this quantity from being made completely available to farmers. At the beginning of the year the prices offered for native seed-cotton were those ruling at tjie end of 1918, namely, 2£d. per lb. at the Ginneries and Merchants* stores on the railway, 2d. at Meko and 2 ^ d . at Merchants' stores at Oyo; whilst those for Georgia were 2£d. at the Ginneries, 2|d. at Meko and Oyo, and 2^ ?d. at Iseyin. These prices were increased by one half­penny for native and one penny for Georgia, in 1919. Since the beginning of 1915 the price given by the British Cotton Growing Association at the Ginneries for native cotton has steadily increased; at the end of 1919 it was 214 per cent, more than in 1915. The price for Georgia cotton since the end of 1916 has increased by 75 per cent.

The restriction of the activities of the Agricultural Department for want of staff still continued ; the work in the Eastern and Central Divisions suffered most, for it was possible to station an agricultural officer at Calabar or Onitsha for a few weeks only in the whole year. The encouragement of the growing of foodstuffs was, however, continued

(2087) ' B 2

8 COLONIAL REPORTS—ANNUAL.

as far as possible. In the latter connection it is of interest to note the facility with which maize can be absorbed under present conditions for local consumption. Chiefly for want of tonnage, the export of maize fell quickly from 11,841 tons in 1913 to 405 tons in 1918, and then to 17J tons in 1919—a lessening that is by no means explained by any suggestion of decreased planting.

The efforts of the Department to encourage the production for export of maize and ground-nuts in the Southern Provinces met with small success. A few Chiefs kept seed for planting, but otherwise the produce was used for food; and the present shortage of fann provisions is such as to retard greatly any possible results of such efforts.

Rubber tapping was carried out, and demonstrations of this were given at three outstations in the Calabar Province. The rubber harvested at Agege Model Farm amounted to ; biscuits, 404 lb., scrap, 124 lb. Rubber sold from this farm realised Is. 5d. per lb. for biscuits (in Lagos) and Is. 8d. for scrap (in England),

Encouragement of kola-growing was continued chiefly by the distribution of seeds and plants ; the number of seeds sent out from the different stations was 63,075, and of plants 11,172. Kola imports during the year were worth £236,548, and exports £4,735. Importation of kola has more than doubled since 1913, being 7,206 tons in 1919, as compared with 3,592 tons in the former year.

The experimental stations, sub-stations, and model plots,of the Agricultural Department were all maintained, and were supervised with the assistance of officers of the Political Department. This was especially the case in the Eastern and Central Divisions.

#

Forestry. As far as the limited staff rendered it possible the usual inspection

of licensed timber areas was carried on during the year. The Idah and Ankpa Divisions of the Munshi Province and Lokoja and the Kabba Division of the Ilorin Province were visited.

In the Northern Provinces one Forest Reserve was constituted. This represented an addition of 925 square miles to the total reserved area. Proposals for the reservation of ,5,400 square miles have also been put forward. In the Southern Provinces no new forest reserves have been constituted, but several proposals are awaiting investigation by the Reserve Settlement Officer. The total area of reserved forest in the Northern and Southern Provinces amounts to, approximately, 2,933 square miles not including 598 square miles of game reserves.

The area of the plantations in the Southern Provinces was increased by 108 acres to a total of 936 acres. The species most largely planted during the year was Sarcocephalus Esculentus (Opepe) which has proved most satisfactory, transplanting readily and growing so vigorously that even in the young stages it is not often choked by grass and weeds. Teak and Lophira Procera were also planted. The Teak made a good start but the Lophira, possibly owing to the exceptionally dry season, was disappointing. Sasswood planted in 1918 at first made very slow and irregular growth, but improved very much and is likely to prove much more satisfactory thati anticipated. The total cost of the plantations, including cost of maintenance, filling up of blanks and 108 acres newly planted, amounted to £1,761, as against £1,477 in* 1918.

NIGERIA, 1919. 9

In the Northern Provinces planting operations have as usual been attended with considerable difficulties which were mainly due to insect and animal pests and, in places, to .a deficient rainfall. Fifty-four acres of new plantations were made, some of which were planted and others sown with seed at stake. The best results at Bornu were obtained from mahogany, Ricinodendron africana and Dalbergia Sisso. The Naraguta plantation was increased by 7 acres, planted with mahogany, teak, Albizza Lebbek, Dalbergia Sisso and Cassia Siamea. Twenty-two acres were planted vMh mahogany and 36 acres sown with seeds of various species at Zaria.

Out of 112 timber areas granted under licence only 37 were worked during the year. Permits were issued for 2,474 trees to be felled on these areas, a decrease of 1,770 on the previous year. This decrease is due partly to the closing of the Admiralty contracts and the scarcity of shipping accommodation. For local use 16,680 trees were felled under permit as against 16,971 in the previous year, in addition to this 3,006 mangrove trees were cut and 528 teak poles taken from plantations.

For the Government exploitation at Oni, 3,325 trees were felled, an increase of 294 on the previous year. The output amounted to 176,667 cubic feet delivered at the sawmill, 148,476 cubic feet extracted and lying in safe water, 270,505 cubic feet hauled to the waterside, and 18,394 cubic feet of mahogany and " sida " dressed but not hauled. The work of extracting, especially in the case of floating timbers, was very seriously hampered by an almost unprecedented shortage in the rainfall, the rivers never rising sufficiently to float out anything but the smallest logs; labour was also scarce, and the lack of silver and nickel tended to make it scarcer.

Fifty-six botanical specimens were sent to Kew for identification, and timber specimens of 29 of the most useful and plentiful trees were prepared for the Timber Exhibition to be held in London in 1920.

The Forest Revenue for the Southern Provinces amounted to £20,153 as compared with £20,139 in 1918. The former figure was made up of £18,910 from timber fees, £327 from fuel permits^ £480 from minor forest produce permits and £434 from miscellaneous permits and sales. Royalties to the value of £4,233 were collected and paid to the owners of the trees felled as against £3,585 2s. 9d. in 1918. The revenue in the Northern Provinces amounted to £1,980 and £376 royalties as against £2,055 in the previous year. This was made up of £1,796 for major forest produce, £57 for minor produce and £126 miscellaneous sales.

Lands. Southern Provinces.—Fifty-four leases for trading and residential

sites were sold at auction in 1919. The praemia paid amounted to £12,135 10s. and the annual rent payable thereunder to £1,381 3s. 1,084 deeds were registered in 1919, Of these 522 were conveyances, 188 mortgages, and 53 Crowa leases. The total fees amounted to £753 18s.

Northern Provinces,—Ninety-seven Certificates of Occupancy were issued during the year to trading companies. The praemia paid thereon were £1,341. These titles represent a gross annual rent of £ 1 , 1 1 1 .

10 COLONIAL REPORTS—ANNUAL.

During the year 703 instruments were registered; of these 85 were Certificates of Occupancy, 368 consisted of various mining titles and 250 were miscellaneous deeds.

Shipping. There was an appreciable increase in the shipping in 1919 as

compared with the previous years. This was, of course, the result of the removal of the war restriction on shipping.

The total shipping inwards and outwards for the last three years was as follows :—

Inwards. Outwards.

Vessels. Tons. Vessels.. Tons.

1917 327 474,150 328 465,009 1918 . • . . . . . . 286 409,146 285 396,835 1919 . • *. .* 395 535,542 395 536,606

EDUCATION. Northern Provinces.—During 1919 five new Government schools

were opened at Kungass, Madaiki, Argungu, Kaduna and Sokoto, that at Sokoto being an industrial school. The school at Idah was taken over from the Southern Provinces. New school buildings were under construction at the end.of the year in Bauchi, Ilorin, Munshi and Nassarawa Provinces, while two, in Nupe and Yola Provinces respectively, were ready for opening at the end of the year.

. Year. 1918 1919

No. of Schools.

15 18

No. of Pupils.

969 1,189

Average Attendance.

897 998

The number of native teachers of ordinary secular subjects was 81, with an additional 46 teachers of religion and Arabic. There were 25 native instructors in the Industrial Schools and 157 pupils as compared with 13 instructors and 118 pupils in 1918. The number of Unassisted Mission Schools of which figures are at present available was 98, with 2,747 pupils. The Native Mohammedan Schools numbered 31,313 with 205,172 pupils.

Southern Provinces.—The number of schools and of pupils at the end of 1919 as compared with 1918 are given below :—

1918. 1919.

No. of Schools.

Pupils on Rolls.

Average Attendance

No. of Schools.

Pupils on Rolls.

Average Attendance

Government Assisted Unassisted . .

44 189

1,422

4,791 26,295 51,751

3,716 18,896 40,781

43 *169 1,099

4,957 25,187 68,909

3,686 18,091 40,220

Total . . 1,655 82,837 63,393 1,301 99,053 61,997

NIGERIA, 1919. 11

The number of pupils receiving a secondary education was 83 in Government schools and 292 in assisted schools (70 and 330 in 1918). No returns are available with regard to pupils in secondary unassisted schools.

Seventy-five boys attended King's College, Lagos, as compared with . 70 in 1918. Evening continuation classes were held during the year at King's College, the course comprising English subjects and mathematics. There were also classes for the instruction of teachers in school method and the principles of teaching. The enrolment at these classes was 41 at each of the two sessions held during the year.

125 Teachers Certificates were awarded during the year, 11 first class, 41 second class and 73 third class.

Instruction in manual training and elementary agriculture is given in most Government and assisted schools. Carpentry, printing, and tailoring are taught at the Hope Waddell Institute, Calabar, and carpentry at the uM.S. Industrial Mission, Onitsha. In Government technical departments, there were at the end of the year 22 apprentices on the railway, 324 in the marine department, 133 in the public works department and 37 in the printing department.

The total expenditure on education in Nigeria during the year was £49,216, being 1-2 per cent, of realised revenue as against £45,747 ( M per cent.) in 1918.

GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS.

Hospitals and Dispensaries.

Northern Provinces. —The principal hospitals and dispensaries are at Kaduna, Lokoja, Kano, Zungeru and Zaria. At each place arrangements exist for dealing with suspicious cases of fever.

Kaduna.—The same residential quarter as was used last year is still in use as the European hospital. There is no mosquito proofing, nets only being in use. The permanent native hospital was opened in May, 1919, at Kaduna North. It consists of two large wards.

Lokoja.—There is accommodation here in six wards for 12 European patients. Each ward is provided with a mosquito-proof room. At the native hospital there are two large buildings, a portion of one being reserved for the treatment of women.

Kano.—The European hospital has two wards one of which is mosquito-proof. It will accommodate six patients. The native hospital consists of three wards, with accommodation for 30 patients.

Zungeru.—The building previously used as a European hospital is now used as a medical rest house. The hospital for native patients if still in use and comprises two large and three small wards,-with accommodation for about 40 persons.

Zarui —The native hospital consists of a brick building with floor space for 16 beds.

At Maiduguri, Sokoto, Bauchi and Ibi there are small native hospitals, each of which affords accommodation for about 10 pa tier ts.

12 COLONIAL REPORTS—ANNUAL.

The following is a general summary of patients treated at the various hospitals and dispensaries in the Northern Provinces during the year :—

EUROPEANS

NATIVES

j Out-patients. i

In-patients. Invalided. Died.

1918 2,192 308 139 36 1919 . . ] 1,494 215 69 28

1918 38,760 9,439 ! 1 i 487 1919 22,391 5,632 J 4 247

Southern Provinces.—The principal European and native hospitals are at Lagos, Calabar, Warri, Ibadan, Onitsha, Forcados, Sapele, and Port Harcourt. A new European hospital has been built at Port Harcourt, The native hospital h in course of construction. The European hospitals are all mosquito-proofed, the native hospitals being only partially protected. There are native hospitals in addition to the above at most outertations. In some cases the buildings are constructed of brick or wood and iron, in others they are merely " bush " houses.

The following table shows the total number of cases treated and deaths:—

In-patients. Out-patients. Deaths.

EUROPEANS -f1918 \ 1919 . . . . . .

487 430

3,040 2,794

25 17

NATIVES j 1918 •• • * • • \̂ 1919 •. . • . .

21,366 15,284

106,016 116,418

1,635 1,090 .

Savings Bank.

The decrease in the number of savings bank transactions recorded in 1915-1918 continued in 1919, but owing to the depreciation in the value of money the value of transactions show a slight increase in the figure for 1918. The value of withdrawals was slightly less than the value of deposits. The number of accounts decreased from 5,618 to 5,536, but the amount to depositors' credit increased from £39,483 to £40,597 at the end of 1919.

JUDICIAL.

Criminal Statistics.

The total number of persons brought before the Magistrates increased from 13,591 in 1918 to 14,934 in 1919, and the number of persons summarily convicted from 11,688 to 12,267,

In the Provincial Courts of the Northern Provinces 2,380 persons were brought before the Court in 1919, as compared with 1,621 in 1918, and 2,153 were convicted as against 1,384 in the previous year.

NIGERIA, 1919. 13

In the Provincial Courts of the Southern Provinces 5,858 persons were brought before the Court in 1919 as compared with 5,573 persons in 1918, and 3.755 were convicted as against 3,270 in the previous year.

The number of persons convicted in the Supreme Court decreased from 170 in 1918 to 102 in 1919,

Of the 15 persons sentenced to death in 1919, seven were cases connected with the 1918 Abeokuta disturbances.

Police.

Southern Provinces and Colony.—-The authorised strength of the Force was 24 Europeans and 1,639 native ranks (inclusive of 23 supernumeraries).

Mr. C. W. Duncan was appointed to the vacant post of Inspector-General on 19th June, and during the year three assistant Com­missioners and one European Superintendent were appointed, bringing the staff of European officers up to its full strength.

During the year two police escorts were supplied to Political Officers. One escort consisting of 28 men, under an Assistant Commissioner of Police, accompanied the Resident, Ondo, to Igbo-Tako and Obi in connection with twin murder Jujus. No opposition was encountered. The second escort, consisting of a Commissioner of Police and 30 rank and file, accompanied the Resident to the town of Igbo on the southern border of Awka, the inhabitants of which had refused to acknowledge the authority of the Government. The people submitted to the Resident and no opposition was encountered.

Northern Provinces,—The* Government Police in the Northern Provinces consisted of 19 Europeans and 954 natives at the end of the year. They have been reported on favourably by Residents and are efficient regards the constabulary work which they are called upon to perform.

A patrol was sanctioned and carried out in the Nassarawa Province. No opposition was met with and the object of the patrol was achieved.

The Special Railway Police continue to do useful work in suppressing the theft of merchandise from railway wagons, e tc

VITAL STATISTICS.

Northern Provinces.—In the Northern Provinces it was estimated that there were about 847 Europeans at the end of 1919 of whom about 354 were officials.

In the Colony and Southern Provinces there were about 2,000 Europeans with about 1,250 officials. The European population of Nigeria may therefore be estimated at about 2,847 of whom about 1,004 are in the employment of the Government.

The native population of the Northern Provinces is estimated at 8,668,138 and of the Southern Province ami Colony at 8,918,695—

14 COLONIAL REPORTS—ANNUAL.

8,922,519

PUBLIC HEALTH.

Northern Provinces.—The influenza epidemic which caused such a high death and sick rate ceased practically as an epidemic about February though a few sporadic cases were reported from the various stations for some months after, the severer forms of this disease being amongst the native population.

The health of the Europeans and natives at Kaduna may be con­sidered satisfactory ; very few cases of tropical disease have originated there. The European death-rate exceeds that of the past seven years, 1918 alone excepted. Deaths from blackwater fever exceed by one those of previous years, dysentery and enteric account each for two deaths,

European.

1912. 1913. 1914. 1915, 1916. 1917. 1918. 1919.

Average European 779 989 Population 703 804 969 897 762 779 989 847

Number of Deaths . 22 13 27 14 14 19 36 28 Death Rate per

1,000 . . 31 «29 16*16 27*86 15-6 18-3 24-3 36-4 33-0 Number Invalided 50 70 82 34 34 54 53 25* Invaliding Rate per

1,000 71-12 87 «06 84-62 37-9 44-6 69-3 53-5 29-5

* Under 12 months. The total number of invalidings was 69.

Southern Provinces.—The total number of cases of illness from all causes, European and native, treated was 134,926, an increase of 4,017 cases over the year 1918. The case mortality can only be estimated from the number of in-patients treated, deaths of native out-patients not being recorded owing to the difficulty of tracing or obtaining any degree of accuracy of information concerning them.

There were 3,224 (430 in-patients and 2,794 out-patients) Europeans treated with a case mortality of 0*5 per cent, against 3,510 with a case mortality of 0*7 per cent, in 1918, a dedbase which can only partly be ascribed to the influenza epidemic of 1918. There were 100 European Government Officials invalided as against 94 in 1918 and 9 deaths as against 16 in 1918.

a total of about 17 | millions. The average density in the Northern Provinces would therefore be about 33-68 to the square mile and in the Southern Provinces and Colony about 110 to the square mile.

The estimated population of the Southern Provinces and Colony is as follows:—

Natives 8,918,695 Non-natives . . . . 3,824

NIGERIA, UiJ9. 15

Taking into consideration the influenza epidemic of 1918 which accounted for 12 deaths and 9 invalidings among European Government Officials the year under review cannot be regarded but as an unhealthily one as compared with former years.

The anaemias due principally in Europeans to malaria, and in natives to ankylostomiasis, as usual head the list of" General Diseases " recorded. A large number of cases are recorded under this heading classified as " Other Diseases and includes various indefinite but nevertheless very real ailments such as "General Debility," " Senile Debility/ 1 " Tropical Debility/' etc. Eight cases of gout and 1 of diabetes occurred in Europeans. In natives there were 6 cases of pernicious anaemia, 4 of diabetes, 4 of rickets and 1 Of gout.

The total number of cases of malaria treated was 11,702 with 21 deaths as compared with 9,506 and 30 deaths in 1918. The figure for the year under review approximates very closely to that for 1917. The disease is almost invariably of the sestivo-autumnal type. There were 15 cases of blackwatef fever with 5 deaths in Europeans and 2 cases with no deaths in natives.

Yellow Fever.—On 16th March two cases of " Suspicious Yellow Fever " were reported as having occurred in Europeans on board the S.S. " Ravinstone " at Warri. Both were removed to Warri Hospital and were screened and the usual precautions were taken. One of these cases died on 22nd March and a definite diagnosis of yellow fever was made post mortem. The other case recovered and no further cases were reported. The infection in these cases probably took place at Burutu.

Influenza persisted but in sporadic form only ; there were 216 cases with 14 deaths recorded—a rate of mortality, viz., 6 per cent., slightly higher than that estimated in the 1918 epidemic. It was estimated that the mortality of last year's epidemic was about 5 per cent. Only 5 cases were recorded among Europeans. There were no deaths among Europeans though influenza was the cause of invaliding of one official.

Dysentery.—In Europeans there were 52 cases with no deaths. In natives there were 998 cases with a mortality considerably below that of last year and the year before, viz., 7 per cent, as compared with 16*3 per cent, and 11-2 per cent., respectively. About 15 per cent.

• of the cases are bacillary; 15 per cent, type undetermined and 70 per cent, amoebic. The dysentery and diarrhoea of this country are, clinically and pathologically, intimately associated with ankylosto­miasis and intestinal parasites, and the anaemias resulting from all of them might with advantage be grouped and studied together. These diseases combined amount to about 8 per cent, of all others treated among natives.

Smallpox.—One European suffered from this disease and recovered. 246 cases are recorded as having occurred amongst natives. The cases were for the most part sporadic, no serious outbreak having occurred. This figure hardly represents the prevalence of this disease which is endemic and tends to become epidemic during the dry season. But comparatively few cases came under observation as the native is very fond of concealing the disease. The death-rate was very low, viz.. 10 per cent. Chicken-pox is endemic and always prevalent more

16 COLONIAL REPORTS—ANNUAL.

or less. The death-rate is almost nil. The Medical Officer, Ogoja, however, reports a severe epidemic of this disease from that district.

Syphilis.—Approximately the same number came under treatment as last year. The figures do not in the least represent the prevalence of this disease.

Yaws.—Appears to be very prevalent at Victoria in the British Cameroons; of 575 cases treated 254 are reported from that district.

Pneumonia.—Of 742 cases of pneumonia treated 410 are reported from Buea inthe British Cameroons, a fact due, doubtless, to the altitude and cold atmosphere of that place.

Tuberculosis.—175 cases with 35 deaths are recorded. A little less than half of these cases are recorded in Lagos and Ebute Metta which suggests very strongly that the mode of life and overcrowding which exist in Lagos may be responsible. Tuberculosis is believed by some to be on the increase among the natives, but the recorded cases this year are only 49 in excess of last year and less than those in 1916 and 1917. The increased incidence in 1919 may possibly be the aftermath of the influenza epidemic.

Sanitation.

Northern Provinces.—The absence of any sensational, or unusual visitation of epidemic disease rendered the year a comparatively uneventful one ; there were still at the beginning of the year numerous cases of influenza; but most of them were in the peripheral districts beyond the reach of medical observation; those which came under treatment, were but the aftermath of the pandemic of the previous year; and yellow fever, although it was reported from the West Coast, failed to make itself manifest within the Northern Provinces. As is the rule, the commoner endemic diseases, especially smallpox and

• dysentery, assumed the epidemic form at various places; while imported diseases, enteric fever and tuberculosis, maintained their footing—the latter, slowly but surely, extending.

Preventive measures were employed generally in the usual routine manner: the continued depletion of medical and sanitary personnel, together with the steadily increasing cost of labour, having been incompatible with new departures in this direction.

An extensive outbreak of cattle plague, which caused considerable anxiety arid called for vigilance, had happily subsided by the end of the year.

Southern Provinces.—During 1919, the first year after the War, difficulties due to shortage of staff and materials persisted. During the year two of the four officers of the Sanitary Staff were transferred on. promotion to other Colonies, and a third carried out the duties of Medical Officer of Health, Lagos.

Smallpox outbreaks occurred in several parts of the Southern Provinces and in the port of Lagos. It was necessary to declare Lagos an infected area, owing to smallpox, on four occasions, namely, in March, May, October and Novetajbisr.

NIGERIA, 1919. 17

Classes for Sanitary Inspectors-in-Training were conducted at King's College by the Staff of the Education Department. The Classes of Hygiene and Public Health and practical out-door training were conducted by the Medical Officer of Health. The teaching of hygiene figures in the time-table of every Government and assisted school. All teachers have to take this subject when sitting for their certificate examinations.

The principal Registrar of Births and Deaths and Burials for both Northern and Southern Provinces is the Senior Sanitary Officer. The registration of births and deaths of non-natives is compulsory all over the Protectorate and in the Colony. The registration of births and deaths of natives is only compulsory in Lagos. In Lagos 39 per cent, of the total deaths registered were certified by medical practi­tioners. In Lagos Township the birth rate was 30 «2 per 1,000 and the death-rate 27 per 1,000 of population. The infantile mortality in Lagos ^as 296-3 per 1,000 births.

METEOROLOGICAL.

Northern Provinces.—Naraguta on the plateau recorded the highest rainfall, 58*03 in., during the year, although Zungeru had the largest amount, 4*90 in., in one day. The smallest rainfall, 16'91 in., was recorded at Maiduguri which place also had the highest maximum shade temperature, 116 deg., in April, the mean maximum during that month being 111-6 deg. At Zaria a minimum of 41 deg. was observed in December and in the same place the average humidity at 9 a.m. during February was only 23-9 per cent.

Southern Provinces—The rainfall recorded in Lagos during 1919 was 23*9 in. below the average for the last 26 years, those of 1912 being the only lower figures during that period. This shortage of rainfall was general throughout the Southern Provinces, Calabar registering only 89*96 in. against an average of 113*94 in. for the past ten years. The maximum temperature recorded was 102 deg. at Ibadan in March and the minimum temperature 40 deg. at Enugu Ngwo in September, 1919.

PRISONS. Northern Provinces.—The number of prisoners admitted to Govern­

ment Gaols during 1919 was 2,276 as compared with 1,761 during 1918, and the daily average was 975 as against 903 in 1918. Of those committed 2,215 were males, 54 females and 7 juveniles; of these 1 was incarcerated for debt, 519 were placed in safe custody for want of security, and 1,756 were sentenced to penal imprisonment. There were previous convictions against 54 of the number committed as follows:—38 once, 15 twice, and 1 thrice or more. Of the total number of offenders serving sentences of penal imprisonment there were 1,056 for terms of six months and under, 292 for terms of over six months but under two years, and 408 for terms of two years and over.

18 COLONIAL REPORTS—ANNUAL.

The average daily cost of food per prisoner was 2d. The maximum cost being 2-5d. a day at Kano and the minimum 0*6d. at Sokoto. The discipline of the prisoners has been good ; there were 25 cases of corporal punishments. There were 31 escapes. The total value of prisoners' labour during the year was £5,472. The actual cash earnings from prison industries was £424 of which sum £187 was realised from the sale of farm produce and vegetables*.

The health of the prisoners was good. There were 132 deaths of which 45 were judicial executions. The Native Administrations main­tain 69 gaols at the principal centres in which prisoners convicted by the Native Courts are confined. The daily average of prisoners was 2,488 as against 2,528 in 1918.

Southern Provinces.—Five convict establishments and 40 local prisons were maintained. There were 6,037 prisoners in confinement on 1st January, 1919, and 28,424 were admitted during the year as against 35,531 in 1918. The daily average prison population was 6,414 as compared with 6,953 in 1918. Of those committed, 25,792 were males, 2,624 females and 8 juveniles. Of these, 129 were incarcerated for debt, 8,902 were placed in safe custody for want of security, and 19,393 were sentenced to penal imprisonment. Of the total number of offenders serving sentences of penal imprisonment, there were 14,488 for terms of six months and under, 3,723 for terms of over six months but under two years, and 1,311 for terms of two years and over. The total cost of the prison establishments and lock­ups was £92,778, while the total earnings of the prisons amounted to £52,389 of which £3,495 was in cash. The number of prison days numbered 2,341,110, as against 2,537,845 in 1918 and 2,576,900 in 1917.

The average daily cost per Government prisoner was approximately 8-83d. as against 7*63d. in the previous year, the rise being due to increased cost of food and stores. There were 766 deaths amongst the inmates of the various prisons, of which 119 were judicial executions and 3 suicides.

POSTS AND TELEGRAPHS. The total revenue of the Department, not including free services,

was £67,827, including reimbursements from the railway, which was an increase of £20,376 as compared with 1918. The amount trans­mitted through the post by means of Money Orders and Postal Orders was £227,287, an increase of £17,038. There was a decline in the number of postal orders paid but a large increase in the number of postal orders sold which is reflected in the large increase in the parcel post traffic with the United Kingdom. The revenue derived from telegraphs and telephones shows an increase of £6,468 or 33*3 per cent. The increase from telephones was £294 which will be greatly exceeded in 1920.

SURVEY. Northern Provinces.—Most work was done in the Minesfield section,

prospecting licences involving over 211 square rmles and mining leases of 5 263 acre0 being surveyed. Maps of the Minesfield were compiled in sheets on a scale of 1:62,500 and kept up to date for the inspection of the public. A complete set of Province maps was made available for general use.

NIGERIA, 1919. 19

Southern Provinces,—Field work was done almost entirely by native surveyors who proved themselves remarkably efficient in all classes of work. The year disclosed a striking development of commerce with a consequent heavy demand for the survey of trading sites. Extensions to the layouts have been found necessary at Port Harcourt and stations along the Eastern Railway.

MILITARY OPERATIONS, 1919. Eleven patrols and eight escorts were furnished by the Nigeria

Regiment during the year. These involved the employment of some 35 British and 1,150 native ranks, exclusive of carriers. Of the patrols, seven operated in the Northern Provinces and four in the Southern Provinces. On four occasions no active military measures were found to be necessary. There was no patrol of outstanding importance.. The casualties suffered during these operations amounted to two native rank and file killed and two wounded. There were no European casualties. From the military standpoint the year may be regarded as a quiet one.

RAILWAY. The lable below shows the general working results and financial

position on 31st December :•—

Total Capital Expenditure Gross Receipts Working Expenses . . . . . . . . . . Net Receipts Percentage of Working Expenditure to Gross Receipts Percentage of Net Receipts to Capital Expenditure Mean Mileage operated Capital cost per mile Passengers carried—No. Goods and Minerals transported—Tons . ,

1918.

£ 9,049,834 1,252,647

740,684 511,963

59-12 5-65

1,120 8,080

1,166,298 568,115

1919.

£ 9,277,041 1,466,872

843,767 623,105

57-52 6-71 1,126 8,236

1,709,095 612,008

The capital expenditure at the end of 1919 stood at £9,277,041, with interest charges estimated at £398,262 per annum and sinking fund charges estimated at £66,303, a total of £464,565. The net receipts (£623,105) covered these charges and left a surplus of £158,540.

The gross receipts (£1,466,872) are the largest in the history of the railway and exceeded those of the previous year by £214,225, while the working expenditure at £843,767 exceeded that for 1918 by£103,083, the increase being due very largely to the increased war bonus paid to the staff. Revenue earnings have been generally good and show a substantial advance. The freights on coal from the colliery to Port Harcourt show a decrease from £132,181 to £111,036, which is due to the smaller quantity carried. The percentage of net receipts to gross earnings in 1919 was 42*48.

20 COLONIAL REPORTS—ANNUAL.

The earnings of the Motor Transport Service for the year were £17,789 or an increase of £2,680 on the previous year. Expenditure was £19,648 as against £11,721 in 1918, showing an increase of 11»62d. a mile, due principally to war conditions, increasing prices, and wages. The total tonnage handled amounted to 14,976 as compared with 13,748 tons last year. The van mileage shows an increase of 6,000, the figures being 154,431 and 148,193 miles respectively. The number of passengers'carried has increased by 7,427.

LAGOS HARBOUR WORKS. The West Mole was extended to 4,580 ft. of which 490 ft. were

constructed during 1919. The total weight of stone deposited to the end of the year was 740,028 tons. The Training Bank was extended to 2,562 ft. of which 46 ft. were constructed during 1919. The total weight of stone in the Training Bank is 265,461. tons. Maintenance and repair work only was carried out on the East Mole. The total weight of stone used in this Mole up to the end of December, 1919, was 528,214 tons. Meridian Point Revetment for the protection of the foreshore between West Mole Wharf and Meridian Point was com­menced on the 17th February, 1919. 20,053 tons of stone were used in this work and a length of 3,510 ft. completed during the year.

A total of 190,063 tons of stone was used in the construction of the various works during 1919, as against 172,669 tons in 1918, The total cost of these works was originally estimated at £897,000 (provided ,Jby loan), the total expenditure to the end of 1919, being £981,426,

MARINE SERVICES, 1919,

The Lagos-Sapele Mail launch service was maintained throughout the year. The majority of retrenched craft on the Niger were placed in service again and a regular transport service run for the greater portion of the year. An appreciable increase in the transport of both passengers and cargo resulted.

. The services on the Cross River were also augmented by the recommissioning of retrenched craft, and it was possible to maintain a weekly run between Calabar and Itu throughout the year and a weekly service to Ikom during the high-water season and fortnightly during the low-water season.

Dredging operations were carried out at the entrance of Lagos Harbour during the year. The bar draught was 21 ft. up to April when it was reduced to 20 ft.

PUBLIC WORKS. 0

Although hostilities ceased towards the end of last year, very little work could be undertaken during the year under review owing to the difficulty of obtaining material and to the lack of European supervision.

Buildings.—The European hospital at Port Harcourt was com­pleted ; the European hospital at Kaduna was well advanced; the

NIGERIA, 1919

delay in completing the latter was due to the difficulty in obtaining material and tiles from Lagos. Quarters were built for the Resident Medical Officer at Port Harcourt, and a large medical store was also completed chere. At Lagos, I vo quarters type Va and one type VI were erected at Five Cowrie Creek and a tile kiln war- erected at Ebute Metta, two bungalows type V# and one type VI and one type VIII were put up at Ibadan and quarters for 1st and 2nd class clerks and artisans were erected at Port Harcourt. At Enugu two quarters type Va, one type VI and one type VIII were also erected. Additional quarters were built for clerks at Zaria and quarters for a telegraph inspector were also completed there. Quarters were also built at Minna for clerks, and quarters were erected for British Non­commissioned Officers at Kaduna; quarters for the Resident Medical Officer at the hospital and quarters for clerks were completed there.

Communications—The main trunk road between Ilesha and Hon was finished; this means that it is now possible to motor from Ibadan to Port Harcourt or to the Cross River via Benin and Onitsha, cars being ferried across the Niger. The Udi Abakaliki road was advanced but not to any great extent, owing to labour difficulty; the same remark applies to the Zaria-Sokoto road and the Jos Bauchi road.

Customs Shed, Lagos.—The ferro-concrete foundations for " I ' shed at the back of the ferro-concrete wharf recently built was completed and foundations for the widening of " 1$ " shed were well advanced.

Sawmill, Apapa.—This contiimes to supply timber for the require­ments of Public Works and other Departments in Nigeria, but it is not able to cope with the demands. The lack of rains this year materially affected the floating down of logs from the forests and caused a reduction in the mill output.

Local Industry.—The manufacture of tiles continues with great success and since the completion of the down-draught kiln, tiles of very excellent quality are being produced. Lime is being burnt at Enugu, in the Ossi River Valley near Benin, at Elebu on the railway line between Ilorin and Jebba and on the Niger south of Lokoja.

GENERAL. The commencement of the reconstruction period in Nigeria after

the War has very fortunately not been marked with any civil dis­turbances. As in every other country the fall in money values caused demands to be made for increased wages, but no serious stoppage of work was caused by labour unrest.

As the Governor stated in his address to the Nigerian Council on the 29th of December, 1919 :—

" When the universal character of this upheaval is remembered, Nigeria, I think, is to be congratulated upon the fact that the year 1919 has passed for her with little incident of a disturbing nature and has witnessed the perceptible rising of that tide of renewed activity and commercial prosperity and development which, it may confidently be anticipated, will presently be upon her in unprecedented force and volume."

22 COLONIAL REPORTS—ANNUAL.

APPENDIX I.

STATEMENT SHOWING THE IMPORTATION OF SPIRITS INTO NIGERIA

DURING THE SLX YEARS ENDED 3 1 ST DECEMBER, 1919.

Year. Quantity

in gallons.*

Declared value.

Revenue derived

from duties.

Duty chargeable.

i i

i Remarks.

1914 3,509,344 (1,427,000)

i 353,637

£ 923,065 From 25th March, duty

on spirits was 6s. 3d. the imperial gallon and 2Jd. additional for every degree above 50 degrees. l jd. reduction for every degree below 50 degrees, with a minimum of 5s. the imperial gallon.

Sweetened or obscured spirit have been contin­uously taxed at 10s. the imperial gallon.

Brandy, Whisky and Gin, not treated as trade spirits, 5s. per imperial gallon.

Value of spirit imports a-mounted to 5« 12 per cent, of whole in­ward trade, including specie.

* Imports of spirits at 100° Tralles shown in brackets.

There was a big boom in trade throughout the year due to the increasing demands for oleaginous produce. Unfortunately, the railway which had been starved of rolling stock and engines during the preceding five years was unable to cope with all the produce offering.

Much progress was made in the preliminary survey of the line ioi the extension of the Eastern Railway north of Enugu. It is recognised that for the development of the interior trade there is urgent need of a second outlet on the coast. During the year, Mr. Coode of the well-known firm of Messrs. Coode, Matthews, Fitzmaurice and Wilson paid a visit to Nigeria to report on a scheme for wharves to Port Harcourt and for the development on ambitious lines of the Port of Lagos.

During the year Committees were appointed to consider schemes for the revision of the salaries of the European and African Staffs. They had not finished their labours at the close of the year under review.

W. SCOTT EVANS,

Acting Central Secretary. 7th October, 1920.

NIGERIA, 1919.

A P P E N D I X I~(continu3d).

STATEMENT SHOWING IMPORTATION OF SPIRITS—(continued).

23

Year. Quantity

in gallons.*

Declared value.

Revenue derived

from duties.

Duty chargeable. Remarks.

1915 1,972,940 (768,000)

1916 990,034 (394,000)

276 il4

219,194

1917

1918

234,161 (94,000)

260,448 (106,000)

1919 159,681 (75,039)

648.276

372,982

92,905 88,719

163,617

99,739

100,585

74,700

From 12th January, 1915, 7s. 6d. the imperial gallon and 21 d. addi­tional for every degree above 50 degrees, l jd . reduction for every de­gree below 50 degrees, with a minimum of 6s. 6d.

Brandy, Whisky and Gin, not treated as trade spirits, 7s. 6d. per im­perial gallon,

From 1st July, 1916, 8s. 9d. the imperial gallon and 2Jd. addi­tional for every degree abcjve 50 degrees, l jd, reduction for every degree below 50 degrees, with a minimum of 7s. 6d. .

Brandy, Whisky, Rum and Gin, not treated as trade spirits, 7s. 6d. per imperial gallon.

From the 20th Novem­ber, 1918, 10s. the im­perial gallon and 3d. additional for every de­gree above 50 degrees. 1 Jd. reduction for every degree below 50 degrees, with a minimum of 8s. 9d.

Brandy, Whisky, etc., as above.

From 22nd December, 1919, importation of Trade Spirits is pro­hibited ; duty on Spirits, other than Trade Spirits, is increased to 15s. the imperial gallon, with additirial duty of 5d. per every degree in excess of 50 degrees Tralles.

5-51 per cent, as above.

3 «79 per cent, as above.

1-03 per cent, as above.

1-96.

• 8 3 per cent, as above.

* Imports of spirits at 100* Tralles shown in brackets.

24 COLONIAL REPORTS—ANNUAL.

COLONIAL REPORTS, &c.

The following recent reports, etc., relating to His Majesty's Colonial Possessions have%een issued, and may be obtained from the sources indicated on the title page:—

ANNUAL. No. Colony, etc. 1031 Leeward Islands . . 1032 Sierra Leone 1033 Bahamas 1034 Gambia 1035 Barbados . . 1036 Mauritius ,; 1037 S t Vincent 1038 Gilbert and Ellice Islands 1039 St. Helena 1040 Weihaiwei 1041 Nyasaland 1042 Turks and Caicos Islands 1043 Grenada 1044 Bermuda 1045 Basutoland 1046 Cyprus 1047 Fiji 1048 Straits Settlements 1049 Ceylon 1050 Gibraltar 1051 Somaliland 1052 Zanzibar 1053 Gambia 1054 Uganda 1055 Malta 1056 Swaziland . . 1057 Bechuanaiand Protectorate 1058 Ashanti 1059 Bahamas 1060 British Solomon Islands 1061 Seychelles . 1062 Mauritius 1063 St. Vincent April-December

Year. 1918-1919

1918 191S-1919

1918 19SH-1919

1918 1918-1919

1919

1918^1919 1919

1919-1920

1919 I I

1919-1920

1919

1918-1919

1919-1920 » »

1919 1919-1920

1919 »i

MISCELLANEOUS. No. Colony, etc. 82 Imperial Institute

^63 Southern Nigeria ... 84 West Indies . . •

85 Southern Nigeria 86 Southern Nigeria 87 Ceylon 88 Jmperial Institute.. 89 Southern Nigeria , . 90 St. Vincent 91 East Africa Protectorate .

Subject.

92 Colonies—General

Rubber and Gutta-percha. Mineral Survey, 1910. Preservation of Ancient

Monuments, etc. Mineral Sirvey, 1911. Mineral Survey, 1912. Mineral Survey. Oilseeds, Oils, etc. Mineral Survey, 1913. Roads and Land Settlement. Geology and Geography of

the northern part of the Protectorate.

Fjthes of the Colonic*.

Printed by H.M. STA?«ONIRY O m c i PRE**, Harrow.