Masindi 



travelled all round this part of Uganda in the same 

 fashion. 



I saw several superb trees covered with beautiful 

 pink blossoms, and in a picturesque valley through 

 which I passed these delicate pink petals had began 

 to fall off and lay scattered on the rusty-coloured 

 earth. The effect was splendid, and I should say 

 fully equal to the " wistaria " season in Japan. On 

 arriving at Masindi I made for the Boma, which is 

 the term applied to the administrator's office. It is 

 usually situated in the most central position, where 

 help and information can always be obtained. I 

 found it at the top of a flat hill, overlooking what 

 had formerly been a parade ground, around which 

 stood the Post Office, a " duka " (trader's shop), and a 

 few other buildings of minor importance. The main 

 roads or paths mostly emanated from this spot, and 

 had been laid out in the form of a Union Jack, which 

 I believe was an innovation of the late governor, 

 and was undeniably an excellent plan for teaching 

 the natives the national flag. In front of the Boma 

 or commissioner's office, in a position to mark the 

 paths, were laid out a lot of old skulls of elephants. 

 Behind the Boma, and through a delightful avenue 

 of trees, could be seen the commissioner's house. 



After sending a wire to Hoima I proceeded to 

 erect my tent under the venerable looking tree on 

 the camping ground. I had hardly completed this 

 when the commissioner kindly came round and 

 assured me he had a much finer locality in his own 

 grounds, at the same time inviting me to luncheon 



65 5 



