236 Men, Mines, and Animals tn South Africa. 



built on the strength of claims pegged out on 

 promising-looking reefs, of selected specimens care- 

 lessly or ignorantly tested, of reports of inex- 

 perienced and even of designing jorospectors, that 

 there could not Ijut be a sharp reaction. I was of 

 opinion that, at any rate, it was a great thing to 

 know that there was no gold in the district (at 

 least of any importance), and consoled myself with 

 the reflection that in all probability Messrs. Perkins 

 and Rolker liad saved +he British puldic some con- 

 siderable sums of money. AVhat I have seen since 

 I commenced my travels in South Africa has led 

 me to the conclusion that no more unwise or unsafe 

 speculation exists than the investment of money in 

 exploration syndicates. There are many of these 

 at Avoi'k here, or on their way out, and most of those 

 Avliich have come under mv notice have liad tlieir 

 moneyfinely wasted, and their business properly mis- 

 manau'ed. Mainly oAvino; to o-ood foi'tune, g'ood 

 advice, and to the excellent qualities of those who 

 are conducting my expedition, I have some antici- 

 })ation of escaping from this country without any 

 appreciable loss of capital ; but there are several 

 shareholders at home in exploration syndicates out 

 here who will hardly see again a sixpence of their 

 money. It is, however, far too soon to give any 

 opinion as to the possible gold production of 

 Mashonaland. All hopes are now centred in the 

 Hartley Hill district, and on the Manica temtory, 

 both of which I hope to be able to visit. Reports 

 I'rom the former district are bright and alluring, 

 and even those prospectors and speculators who 



