98 A COLONY IN THE MAKING chap. 



excess of the farms to be allotted, it is apt to lead 

 either to a scrimmage at the land office doors with the 

 object of being first applicant, as happened once to 

 the destruction of decorum, or to the use of a 

 lottery such as occurred on the occasion of the 

 Londiani Allotment, a system which, besides corrupting 

 the morals of the community by inciting to gambling, 

 seems somewhat unfair on those who have taken 

 the trouble to make a personal inspection and 

 selection. 



With regard to proof of means : this desirable 

 precaution takes rather careful handling. The writer 

 recollects a certain ,£1,000, which, lent for one day at 

 \ p. c. interest, yielded not only proof of means to 

 many applicants but a desirable income to the fortunate 

 owner. It would be interesting to learn on what basis 

 was estimated the means of the destitute gang of Boers 

 who were permitted to take up the bulk of the Uasin 

 Guishu plateau. 



As to the area of farms. In all humility I submit 

 that they are not very fairly apportioned. The very 

 best land is presumably that suitable for coffee and 

 wattle. Seeing that 900 acres of such land may 

 already be worth £"4,000, it is not unreasonable to 

 anticipate that in the course of a year or two they may 

 well be worth £*8,ooo. The worst class of land is 

 presumably that fit only for sheep-grazing. Such land 

 is unlikely to be ever worth more than 10s. an acre, 

 and 5,000 acres is altogether insufficient for a sheep 

 farm. Taking the first three classes, therefore, a 

 smaller grant and a better title would probably attract 

 more settlers, while with the last the grant might 

 certainly be increased. 



The temporary occupation licence represents an 



