COLONIAL REPORTS.—ANNUAL.

ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1891.

I (For Report for 1890, see Colonial Report [Annual] No . 28.) I

$rc*entrti ta bait) fyawtcti at parliament 6j? Cnmmaulr of ®*r iHajedts. June 1892.

I , O N D O N :

P R I N T E D F O R 1 I K K M A J E S T Y ' S S T A T I O N E R Y O F F I C E . BY E Y R E A N D SPOTTISWOODK,

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1892.

COLONIAL REPORTS.

The following, among other, Reports relating to Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions have, been issued, and may be obtained for a few pence from the sources indicated on the title page :—

ANNUAL.

No.

5 6 i

8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 oo 23 21 2f> 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 31 35 36 37 3S 30 10

Colony.

Newfoundland British New Guinea St. Vincent Bermuda -Leeward Islands St. Lucia -Bahamas Turks and Caicos Islands* Gibraltar -Zululand Sierra Leone Barbados -Falkland Islands Labuan British Honduras -Basutoland Trinidad and Tobago Leeward Islands Grenada Straits Settlements -British Guiana St. Helena Mauritius -Gambia Hong Kong Ceylon Lagos Lagos ( V y l o n

Newfoundland Jamaica Victoria British New Guinea St. Vincent Bermuda -Seychelles and Kodrigucs

Tear.

1889 1889-90

1890

1889 1890

5? 19

»

5> U

yy

1890-91 1890

yy

yy

yy

yy

yy

1889

1890

1889-91 1890

1890-91 1891

1889 and 1890

MISCELLANEOUS.

No. Colony. Subject.

2 G o M Coast-Zululand

Economic Agriculture. Forests.

COLONIAL REPORTS.—ANN UAL.

No. 41.

GAMBIA.

[For Report for 1890, see Colonial Report, [Annual], No. 28.]

Administrator LLEWELLYN to L O R D KNUTSFORD.

Government House, Bathurst, M Y L O R D , March 3 1 , 1 8 9 2 .

I HAVE the honour to forward the Blue Book of the Colony for the year 1891, together with a short report on the several heads in the Book.

I have, & c (Signed) R . B. LLEWELLYN,

The Eight Hon. Administrator. The Secretary of State for ihc Colonies.

BLUE BOOK REPORT, 1 8 9 1 .

Taxes, §••

COLONIAL REPORTS.—ANNUAL.

GAMBIA . Commission and the purchase of a house for the office of the Governor amount to 2,835/.

Legislation.

Twelve Ordinances were passed during the year, comprising the following:—

To prevent the keeping of swine in the town of Bathurst. To amend the constitution of the Board of Health, and provide

for the appointment of an Inspector of nuisances. T o abolish the visiting Justices of the prison and appoint an

Inspector 0 1 prisons. The other nine Ordinances included the Census, Annual Appro

bation Ordinance, and amendments in other Ordinances of small importance.

An Ordinance was passed on the 2()ih July to regulate the importation and disposal of arms, ammunition, & c , but owing to some unexpected delay in the ratification of the Brussels Conference Act, 1889-90, the Ordinance has not been assented to and will be re-enacted and amended when this matter is finally settled

Civil Establishment.

Mr. Gilbert T. Carter, C.M.G,, Administrator, was promoted to be Governor of Lagos, and left the Gambia on the 2nd of March, Mr. R. B. Llewellyn. C.M.G., Wi?s appointed to succeed Mr, Carter, and assumed his duties on the 19th April.

Mr. Mitford, the Treasurer, was appointed Treasurer at Sierra Leone and left the Gambia on the 9vh February.

Mr, Mosely, formerly Civil Commandant at Sherbro, was appointed Treasurer and arrived in the Colony on the Kith of March.

Captain T. M. Hawtayne, of the North Staffordshire Regiment, was appointed Superintendent of Police and Sheriff and arrived in the Colony on the 4th of April.

Mr. Smith, Manager of McCarthy's Island, retired on account of ill-health in January and was succeeded in duly by Mr. R. II. Sycett, who for some years had been confidential clerk in the Administrator's Office.

Pensions*

The pensioners of ihe previous year still remained on the list with (he following additions: Serjeant-Major Paul, IW/. (\s.

COLONIAL REPORTS.—ANNUAL.

Military Expcnditure.

A detachment of the West India Regiment arrived in the Colony on the 14th of July, so there has been a slight expenditure under this heading for the allowance given to the officers and men as customary elsewhere in lieu of any exemption from customs duties.

Public Works,

N o important new work was undertaken. A house in the same block where Government House is was

purchased for 500/. and has been fitted up as an office for the Administrator, a council chamber, and the printing office and stationery store.

These offices were formerly in one of the vvings of Government House and since their removal the former office oi the Clerks has been fitted up as a billiard room with a bedroom above, and in the basement the orderly of the Governor has a room.

The public buildings, generally speaking, are not in good repair, and will require continual work on them for a few years to get them into thorough order.

Population and Vital Statistics.

A census was taken on the 5th April, and the following is briefly the result.

Europeans, British - - - - - 1 6 „ French 21 „ German - - - - 2 „ Portuguese - 8 „ Swiss - - - - 6 „ Italian 6

Of the British, 10 were females, including six or Severn sisters5

at the Convent. The d x Italians represented U J C travelling hawkers of strings

of coral, and the eight Portuguese were sailors on board a vessel in port on the clay the Census was taken. I do not believe that the actual permanent European residents number more than 4 5 , and as about half of these arc absent in Europe every year during the rainy season, the death-rate of 4 out of about 25, is practically equivalent to about 15 per cent, o f the white population, whilst about 4 i per cent, of the natives die.

The Census returns are not a correct index of the population which apparently only amounts to 14,266, and, it is needless to add, that except in Bathurst, and perhaps British Combo, the difficulties of obtaining any correct statistics are stupendous.

COLONIAL REPORTS.—ANNUAL.

GAMBIA. I attach herewith the report of the Registrar on the Births, "~ Deaths, and Marriages for the year,

Hirths.

The number of births registered during the period under review was 423, as against 348 in 1890. The rate of births to population, computing on the basis of the Census Statistics taken in April last, is 29*65 per i,O00. Sexually divided there were 226 males and 197 females. ( X these 285 were registered at Bathurst, 28 at British Combo, 60 at Albreda and the Ceded Mile Districts, and 41 at Macarthy's Island.

Legitimate births numbered 26, or C#15 per cent, of the registered births. It is fair to observe that many children, returned as irregularly bom, were the issues of the Mahommedan or native marriages not legally recognised.

Deaths.

The registered deaths numbered 657 including still births, showing a decrease on the deaths of 1890 of 62. The deaths were distributed as under :—

Bathurst - 345 British Combo - - 77 Ceded Mile - - - - - 197 Ma earthy's Island - 38

Total - - 057

The rate of deaths to population is 46*05 p^r . ,000.

Four Europeans died during the year, from the following causes -bilious haiinaturic lever, i ; urannia, 1 ; meningitis and remitUiu " 3r, 1 ; phthisis pulmonaris .1 ; 186 infants, inclusive of children up to live years of age, died during the same period, equivalent to 28*3 per cent, of the total deaths.

It would seem now to be an indisputable fact, in view of the recent Census returns, that the population of the Colonv, if not declining, has remained stationary since the past decade.

An epidemic of measles, of a rather severe type, prevailed in the latter half of the year, and several deaths were noted.

It is to be regretted that infant mortality formed so large an item in the death roll. Many of the ailments, under which a large number of children succumbed, were, if not preventiblc, readily amenable to medical treatment. I am of opinion that this abnormal rate of mortality, may be attributed to the criminal negligence of ignorant and superstitious parents, who would resort to quacks or to charms, and such like agencies, to pro-

C O L O N I A L R E P O R T S . — A N N U A L .

pitiate malevolent influences rather than obtain proper medical relief for their sick chi'

8 C O L O N I A L R E P O R T S . — A N N U A L .

to see that the guardians carry out their obligations I do not believe it would bo advisable to abolish it entirely.

.Education*

I am afraid that education in the Gambia is not advancing as rapidly as could be desired.

The Mahommedans up to the present time seems to fear that education means interference with their religion, and especially to object to their girls attending any school Efforts are still being made to induce them to be more considerate in this matter, but it is a very difHcult matter.

According to the report of the Inspector, the number of schools has been sadly reduced during the last decade.

I attach a comparative table showing the number of scholars on the books, and the amounts earned by each denomination curing the last five years, and end this not very hopeful subject by quoting the last paragraph of the Inspector's report, dated the 19th of August 1891.

" I have now the honour to bring this short report to a close. I must say that, according to my view of the situation, there has not been too much done for over 60 years Missionary School work in this Colony. I can only express a hope that any future improvement may be in the direction of the useful and not the theoretical/'

Year.

Nivubrr of Children on Hooks, Amounts oarnod.

Roman Catholics. Anglicans. Wesloynns,

1887 - | Boys, 200 Girls, 102 IS fc .C s.

108 12 73 S 0

vm - Boys, 200 Girls, 102 285 528 111 (1 4 15 0 50 17

1839- • - { Bovs, 200 Girls, J02

237 iO.'J H I

COLONIAL REPORTS.—ANNUAL.

Heads of Receipts. Amount, 1890. Amount,

1891. Increase. ; Decrease. Remarks.

Breach loading guns and rifles.

10 0 0 10 0 0 £ s, d. £ s. (L

0 0 0

Other fire-arms 065 *t 0 uOS 8 0 1 I

3 4 0

Malt liquor - 177 10 11 259 0 O 81 3 1 — Gunpowder 093 2 0 350 S 1 — 42 14 5 Claret - 745 7 A 852 8 0 107 0 9 — Other wines NN n l 07 2 8 11 11 7 — Spirit, unsweetened - 3,322 0 1 2,521 17 3 800 2 10

Spirit, sweetened 202 17 11 208 n 0 5 15 7 — Brandy • 40 13 3 79 14 8 33 1 5 — Sugar - G44 1" 10 841 10 i 190 12 3

Tobacco, unm anu-faetured.

•1,014 12 2 3,999 12 0 — 915 0 2

Tobacco, manufactured 101 9 5 138 11 0 37 1 7 — Kola nuts 2,905*17 8 j 3,G11 18 9 040 1 1 — Kcrosino 117 12 3 ' 92 7 3

I 25 5 0

Salt SU 13 S j 450 11 2 105 17 0 — Lard - 48 7 10 j 41 5 2 7 2 8 Rice 558 7 11 754 15 4 190 7 5 — Oils and turps 38S 2 10 452 11 2 114 8 4 — Ad valorem - 3,358 17 1 3,409 19 1 111 2 0 —

Total - 19,077 11 8 18,930 13 2 j 1,019 0 7 1,790 5 1

GAMBIA.

The quantitiCvS of the principal articles imported not consumed are given below in comparison with the importation of similar articles in 1890, and show a favourable increase in the value of cotton Goods.

Imports.

Articles. 1891. 1S90. Increase, Decrease.

Cotton goods 39,593/. 37 225/. 2,308/. — Tobacco 387,893 lbs. 215,039 MJS. 172,854 — Kola nuts - 090,729 lbs. 001,319 lbs*. 95,410 lbs. — Spirits of all kinds 13,771 wills. 43,323 galls. 418 galls. — Wines 1 2 , W galls. 10,317 galls. — 3,330 galls. Sugar - 239,010 lbs. 121,077 lbs. 117,933 lbs. — Salt 1,342 tons 930 tons 400 tons — Fire-arms •1..9S9 3.SV9 1,140

Gunpowder SIS h. Is. 858 brls. _ | 40 brls. Rice . . . . 1,443 tons S23 tons 020 tons

Specie 27,058/, 'M. 1 b / . 27.101/, — 1 42/. Ite. If/.

10 COLONIAL KKFORTS.—ANNUAL

The total value of the imports was 172,118/. and of the exports 180,051/., and the revenue of the Colony was 31,000/. The highest figures that I can find in any previous years are in 1882-83 when the value of the imports was 217,000/., of the exports 255,000/., but the revenue was only 29,000/. and, therefore, in 1891 the revenue has been higher than in any previous year.

The comparative table of the principal exports shows that there was a trifling increase in the quantity of ground nuts shipped, but the most striking advance was in the export of rubber which in the last 3 years, 1889-91, has increased from 55,548lbs. to 246,6901bs.

K\\ports.

A rtielcs. 1891. 1890. Increase. Decrease.

Ground ant.. - - £ 19,702 tons Value, 142,933/. 18.202 tons

Value, 129,817/. 1,440 tons

Value, 13,110/. i -Hides 1,012/. 1,093/. 5 Wl. —

Rubber - - - [ 240,090 lbs. Value, 15,451/. 154,737/. 10,114/.

91,953 lbs. M 0 7 / . i -

l'abii kernels 1,200 cwts. 3,131 tons — 1,925 cwts. Wax . . . . 1,808/. 1,744/. 04/.

SjJecie 8,885/. 9,880/. — LOOM.

Shipping.

The number of British steamers that entered and cleared was 72 against 36 French, although the greater part of the export trade is with France,

The total number of .steamers that arrived and departed was 119 against 107 in the previous year.

Agriculture.

The cultivation of the land is carried on in the most primitive fashion. No capitalists own property or hire labour, and there is a great prejudice against the introduction of ploughs, or any change in the other rude implements used in farming. Rice and corn are the principal articles of food of the natives. A considerable quantity of both is grown, but not enough to satisfy the local demands, and the importation of rice amounts annually to over 1,000 tons.

Prisons.

The following table gives a comparison between 1891 and tho two previous years in the statistical returns of the prison.

C O L O N I A L REVO R T S . — A N N I I A L .

Year.

Total Number

of Prisoners

committed.

For Debt.

For safe Custody or want of Bail.

Venal Vunisli-ment.

Daily Average

m Prison,

Number of Ad

missions, to

Hospital.

Daily Average on Sick

List.

Number of

Deaths.

1880 - 01 1 18 75 50 22 »> 3

1800 - - 50 13 U 31 20 2 0

1801 - 111 21 87 37 21 2 ...

GAMBIA.

The numbers show an increase on the ptevious year in each column except in the deaths, of which there were none during the past year, a very unusual occurrence.

Improvements in the description and management of the prison were commenced in June when a change was made in the gaolor and the other officers of the prison.

In December an officer (Mr. Western) belonging te the Imperial Cor vict Service, arrived in the Colony for the purpose of instructing native warders in their duties and he is now engaged on his work.

It is proposed to enlarge the prison and improve the internal arrangements, and when these works are finished, I hope the prison will be as good as can be expected on the West Coa3t of Africa.

Criminal Statistics.

An apparent increase in the returns might lead one to suppose that crime had increased in the Colony. Such, however, is not the case, but is accounted for by the vigilance of the police under the supervision of Captain Hawtayne who arrved in the Colony in April and took command of the force.

A man murdered his reputed wife at the etid of the year, and was executed in January of this year.

Hospitals.

The average number of patients were admitted and the usual number of deaths occurred, and there is nothing special to comment upon.

During the latter part of the year, a ward was given up to the military authorities lor the reception of any sick soldiers in the "West India Kegiment 2iow stationed here.

Alterations are now being carried on at the hospital which will improve the accommodation, and provide a few cells for the temporary rc option of lunatics detained here, pending an opportunity of sending them to l\u: Asylum at Sierra Leone.

COLONIAL REPORTS,—ANNUAL.

Meteorology,

In the following table is found a comparison of the rainfall for the last five years, together with statistics of the temperature, &c. during the last half of the year ;—.

COMPARATIVE BAIN-FALL IN THE COLONY OF THE GAMBIA.

1S87. 1888. 1889. 1890. 1891.

January | '8 19-81

October 7-10 r.-7 1*45 4*97 1-97

November • — — — —

December — —

r,3-9(j

i

39*09 32* or 00*31 53-41

Average - - - 4 7 . 7 0

METEOROLOGICAL STATISTICS, JBATHURST, GAMBIA.

1S91.

Average for months at 7 a.m.

Maximum in shade Maximum in shade at 3 p.m. | 7 a.m. Total '

Rainfall in

inches. Montli. Dry Dulb.

Wet Dulb,

Dow-point.

75

Lo

wes

t, J

& 1 § S 1 Th < 1 a

& be 2

Total ' Rainfall

in inches.

o o O o O 0 0 July 87"8 70*2 7 4 - 5 9 ° 82 81/7 78 08 73*4 7*42

August • 76 \S 75-4 7 P 2 SS 75 S3*7 75 70 72-7 18-84

Septombcr - 7 7" » 7.V1 7 3 - 0 90 so s m i 75 ;

09 72-3 19*81

October 7 7' 5 75-1 73-5 90 S3 K7'4 77 m 73*1 1-07

November - 73*4 07 'S 03 *S 90 so 8 P 4 J 74 i

01 OS'S —

December 00*8 03-3 ,R)S'4 92 80 8 4 ' 7 1 08

I

02 05*7

COLONIAL REPORTS.—ANNUAL. 13

The rainfall was a fair one and fell at convenient f1 des for G A M B I A . benefiting agriculture, so that the crops of rice, ground nuts, and corn were good.

It will be observed that, practically, there is never any rain from the 1st November until .Tune in the following year, a period of seven months' drought.

Savings Hank.

The amount at the credit of the depositors in the savings bank increased from 879/. 13s. Id. to 1,049/. 4s. 5tf., ^utthe depositors fell from 84 to 79.

There are several friendly societies which give relief and assistance to members in cases of sickness, and there is some good done by all.

Government House.

The old ofiice in the Government House has been converted into a billiard room, with a spare bedroom above it, and is a great improvement. The building is pretentious looking, but is not strongly built, and the ravages of inse^ Q with the trying climate tell upon the structure and the furniture, which latter will not last long, especially those articles that are upholstered.

The ground round Government House has been planted with trees, and they have grown fairly well, but as the place is a sheet of water which cannot be quickly drained off in the rainy season, and a bank of sand in the dry season, it is hardly to be expected that a garden in the general acceptation of the word can flourish.

The small house at Cape St. Mary contains three rooms. It is in fair order and furnished with chairs, tables, and bedsteads.

I do not think this place in the rainy season is any healthier than Bathurst, as the wind at that .season does not blow from the sea, but over the swamps between Bathurst and Cape St. Mary.

Formerly the principal merchants kept up houses out there, but as they have allowed them to fall almost to ruin, I think it may bo assumed that the advantages of the Cape as a residence in the rainy season, arc not now considered to be so very superior to Bathurst, but in the dry season the air is a trifle cooler and fresher direct from the sea.

General Remarks.

Between the months of •January and June, the ofliccrs (Captain A. II. Kcnney, K.E. and Captain Fineau and M. L c Comte) engaged in the Anglo-French Boundary Commission, were busy on their work, which was most satisfactorily completed in the latter month, though atone time two of the powerful Chiefs Fodey Selah and Fodey Cabba threatened to cause some opposition to the survey.

1 I C O L O N I A L R E P O R T S . - - A N N U A L .

G A M B I A . The latter Chief, however, made a treaty with the French Government, and promised to obey the orders of the French Government to suppress the slave trade, and to give up making raids on neighbouring territories.

Unfortunately, as was to be expected from his previous conduct, Fodey Cabba soon forgot these promises, and returned to the neighbourhood of the Vintang Creek in the month of August, and resumed his marauding slave-hunting habits in the British Protectorate.

Late in the year Her Majesty's Government decided to drive Fodey Cabba by force from the country now known to be within the British Protectorate, which he has so long devastated.

With the exception of the district infested by this troublesome Chief, the rest of the river was quiet, and consequently trade during the year has been very good, with a larger revenue than has ever before been collected in the Colony.

In the month of June His Excellency M . De Lamothe, Governor of Senegal, visited Bathurst in the gunboat " Brandon," which came to fetch from the Colony die French officers who had been engaged on the boundary survey.

In the month of May I visited Yarbutenda, about 245 miles up the river from Bathurst, and (luring the journey stayed at many places, including McCarthy's Island.

In December I visited several towns between Bathurst and Ballangar (100 miles), and went up the Saleraincand Suara Creeks on the north bank, where there are large towns.

The result of these visits convinces me that in the waterway of the Gambia there is a splendid opportunity for developing a much larger trade than has hitherto existed.

The settlement of the boundary line, which gives 10 kilometres on each bank of the river for 250 miles to the Colony, and in addition the whole of the navigable waters, about 40 mPes, of the Vintang Creek, is an immense advantage which with the expulsion of the marauding Chief Fodey Cabba, and the establishment of peace, should ensure the advancement of the Colony in a degree almost hitherto unlooked for.

The country about the Gambia is so arid that the development of new agricultural industries is problematical, but the river as a trade route to the interior of Africa, with the port of Bathurst at its mouth, is undoubtedly a valuable possession with prospects of a great future.

.list March IS!)L\ (Signed) K. B . LLEWELYN.

L O N D O N : Printed by E T K K and S T O T T I S W O O D E * Printers to the Queen's most Excellent Majesty.

For Her Majesty's Stationery Office.