6o Mex, Mlnes, and Aximals ix South Africa. 



They are now concentrating their eftbrts on the 

 development of their mines, the attainment of 

 deeper levels, the erection of improved machinery, 

 and on economical administration. Many com- 

 panies have been reconstructed, and others are in 

 process of being reconstructed ; the capital of several 

 companies has been ruthlessly cut doAvn. In one 

 case that was brought to my notice, the capital 

 of a company had been reduced from 200,000/. to 

 10,000/., and although this reduction undoubtedly 

 represents a heavy loss in the past, it probably 

 precedes a profitable future. Johannesburg is 

 a town of much promise ; the stranger, however, 

 will find occasion for criticism and even censure. 

 The streets are unpa^'ed, and tlie roadways are as 

 bad or worse than the tracks across the veldt. 

 When the wind is high, as is often the case, the 

 clouds of dust thick and continuous make breathing 

 almost a difficult}^, nor is mitigation of this great 

 evil attempted by an}- kind of pavement, or by 

 the simple and comparatively inexpensive water- 

 cart. The streets at night are unlit, and after 

 sunset total darkness renders locomotion along the 

 Imd roads a matter of difficulty and of danger. 

 The obscurity moreover enables footpads and 

 housebreakers to pursue their a^'ocations Avith 

 consideral)le impunity, and there has been recently 

 much complaint among the inhabitants in con- 

 sequence of the increase in this class of crime. 

 The police, maintained by the Boer Government, 

 are few in number, nor can I learn that they are 

 in any way distinguished for efficiency. During 



