GENERAL REMARKS 331 



stretch, while with an ox wagon you have to collect 

 the oxen, inspan and outspan at least three times in 

 the twenty-four hours, which, if anything, is worse. 

 Of the third we have already spoken. 



Most of these advantages apply, if anything, more 

 forcibly to riding camels ; but, as I have alluded more 

 than once to their wonderful speed and endurance, 

 and to the terrific death-rate among horses in these 

 regions facts which in themselves are the most con- 

 vincing proofs of their superiority over the horse for 

 any kind of police, military, or commercial work. 

 Besides, they are cheaper to feed than horses, and are 

 altogether more economical once the initial expense of 

 importing them has been surmounted say in ten years 

 and they do not require shoeing. 



Lastly, let us glance at the financial aspect of the Thefinan 

 question. In calculating the cost, we must not over- of 

 look the fact that the initial outlay of most undertakings ( J uestlon 

 and commercial transactions is invariably large, and 

 in this particular instance it is hardly fair to institute 

 a comparison between a camel imported from a long- 

 distance and an ox which is native to the country. 

 Every venture must have a beginning, and one such as 

 this is bound to be expensive at the outset, besides 

 requiring time for development. When in working 

 order, however say, in ten years' time the price of 

 an average baggager, bred in this colony, ought to be 

 from SL to 10/., and of a riding camel about 20/. ; 

 while in twenty years the former should drop to 6/. 

 and the latter to 15/., providing the scheme was suc- 

 cessfully carried out in its entirety, against which I can 

 see no objection. Of course, this result would depend 



