PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS SECTION C. 25 



the good work of progress. During the last eight years the 

 European population has been increased by only 633, and that 

 of tlie Xatives by 2,870. In addition, prejudice has contributed 

 in no small measure to retard its progress, and even at this 

 date its previous unhealthy reputation, no doubt at one time 

 justified, is proverbial in the adjacent parts of this continent. 



It is markedly to the credit of the responsible authorities 

 that the eradication of malaria, previously so common, was 

 undertaken and practically forms the base of all subsequent 

 improvements. Pleasures were adopted for clearing the town 

 and surrounding land of bush, grass, and undergrowth, and this 

 is rigorously enforced at the present date. In addition, the various 

 large swamps within the municipal area were filled in, the effec- 

 tive inspection of tanks and surface drains established. All 

 these wise regulations have contributed to the enjoyment of 

 immunity from fever, and the steady decline of the death-rate, 

 and eventually resulted in Delagoa Bay being enabled to be com- 

 pared most favourably as regards health with any town in South 

 Africa. It is a remarkable fact that other infectious epidemics 

 to which most towns within the Union are subject, have been and 

 are conspicuous by their absence. 



The Administration of Lourengo Marques is in the hands 

 of Municipal Government ( Camara Municipal), under whose 

 supervision the important duty of sanitary service and cleaning 

 of the town is maintained. In this respect Lourengo Marques 

 has no reason to take second place to any other town or city. 

 This work is performed in an excellent manner. In the general 

 development of the locality it is only fair to bear testimony to 

 the valuable assistance rendered by the Delagoa Bay Develop- 

 ment Corporation, Limited, an English Company that has 

 obtained the important concessions of water supply, lighting 

 and tramways, and these undertakings have contributed in no 

 small manner to the progress and development made in the past. 



In 1895 a concession was obtained for the establishment of 

 waterworks. Up to this time water for domestic and oth'^r 

 purposes was obtained from the numerous springs and swamps 

 located in various parts of the township. With the advent of 

 the Waterworks Company, considerable drainage works were 

 constructed, spring and surface water being collected and distri- 

 buted by means of an efficient installation. It was found, apait 

 from the fact of such supply being insufficient for future develop- 

 ment, that the water thus available was of unsuitable quality. 

 The Company proceeded with the erection of a Pumping Station, 

 situated on the Umbeluzi River, and, by means of a steel conduit 

 conveyed the water thus obtained a distance of eighteen miles to 

 Lourenco Marques. This work was completed in 1906, and has 

 resulted in water of excellent standard of purity and of copious 

 constant supply being available. The approximate daily con- 

 sumption for domestic purposes averages 8.6 gallons per head of 

 the total population. The installation is complete and adequate in 



