292 Men, Mines, and Animals in South Africa. 



mining centres, where j^rovisions could be pur- 

 cliased at comparatively moderate cost. The 

 financial resources of the company are respectable. 

 The monthly taxes on the building-stands in the 

 townships of Fort Salisbury, Umtala, and Hartley 

 Hill, and of the farming rents may exceed 3000/. 

 in the coming year. A nice amount may also be 

 expected from stamps. Licences, moreover, will 

 be a fruitful source of revenue. A general trading 

 licence costs 10/. ; a hotel licence for the sale of 

 liquor in retail lOOZ., a bottle licence costs the 

 same. Only three liquor licences have been 

 granted in Fort SalislDury, and it is to be hoped 

 that the company will curtail, as far as possible, 

 this source of profit. I may mention that till 

 within the last few days whisky and brandy were 

 selling at from 50s. to 60s. a bottle. Regular 

 hours of opening and closing the liquor shops are 

 effectually enforced, and the sale of liquor to 

 natives or coloured men is prohibited under heavy 

 penalties. Speaking generally of the revenue, it 

 is anticipated, and probably on substantial grounds, 

 that, without taking into account any profit from 

 gold mining, the cost of the administration of the 

 country during the coming year will be more than 

 covered. Thus, as I looked all round on the eve of 

 my departure on my journey south, I thought that 

 I could see much that was bright and smiling in 

 the present condition of Mashonaland. The ad- 

 ministration in competent hands. The bulk of 

 the settlers who intend to remain on through the 

 rainy season vigorous, confident, and full of enter- 



