THE TRANSVAAL. 197 



very soon, Delagoa will become the port of entry 

 for almost all imports destined for the Transvaal 

 markets; Natal will probably retain a certain 

 share in the business, especially if it is practicable 

 to reduce harbour dues and other shipping charges 

 and the railway tariff, but the Cape Colony will, 

 I fear, be left out in the cold, and the revenue now 

 derived from rail traffic will shrink to a vanishing 

 point in as far as it may be affected by an almost 

 total loss of all but intercolonial business. 



I hope this may prove a pessimistic view of the 

 prospects of the Cape in the near future, but fear 

 it will turn out to be more correct than desirable 

 to well-wishers for the prosperity of the Colony. 

 Meanwhile we are living in a fool's paradise; our 

 legislators seem much more inclined to authorise 

 expenditure than to advocate economy. 



