xxxiv CRICKET, FOOTBALL, ETC. 339 



are fought on the keenest and most modern principles, 

 and if I venture to think that such principles detract a 

 little from the old-time sportsmanship of the game, the 

 fault is most probably with my conservative spirit. At 

 all events there can be no question of the keenness, 

 pluck and energy displayed. 



Golf is a modern introduction to the country, and 

 that it has caught on there can be no question. Four 

 years ago the game was unknown to us, now there are 

 at least six courses and an annual championship. It is 

 a game especially suitable to those who are working 

 in the capital. The official or business man usually 

 leaves his work about 4, and has just comfortable 

 time for a cup of tea and a round of golf amid beautiful 

 air and surroundings. 



The courses in the Protectorate are Nairobi, Kisumu, 

 Naivasha, Mombasa, Nyeri, and Mweru. Of these 

 Kisumu, Naivasha, and Mombasa are noteworthy as 

 tributes to the perseverance and keenness of the local 

 golfers, and as evidence of the fact that golf is possible, 

 and even enjoyable, under the most unpropitious 

 circumstances. That at Kisumu has a further and 

 most noteworthy distinction. At one time Kisumu or 

 Port Florence had the reputation of being the most 

 unhealthy station in the Protectorate. The thick 

 jungle which surrounded the houses was the haunt 

 and breeding-place of millions of malaria-carrying 

 mosquitos. When Mr. John Ainsworth was appointed 

 Provincial Commissioner of the Nyanza Province, he, 

 with his customary indefatigable energy, started cutting 

 down the surrounding jungle, and though having a 

 horror of the game, in laying out a golf-course in its 

 place chiefly with the idea of keeping down the 

 vegetation. To-day both mosquitos and fever have 



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