CROWN PRAZOES . 117 



menace to law and order which for a century and 

 a haK they had continued. 



At the present time, as the outcome of legislative 

 measures which have occupied the attention of the 

 Cortes in Lisbon at intervals since the events I 

 have just outlined, the system which has become 

 so widely known, and has been so adversely criticised, 

 under the name of the prazo-system, consists mainly 

 in the letting or leasing by the State to approved 

 persons or associations of the sole right of collection 

 of native taxes and imposts in a given area called 

 a prazo. Zambezia, therefore, has been divided 

 into a large number of these areas, which are 

 known as Crown prazoes, principally for the pur- 

 pose above stated — namely, that of facilitating the 

 collection of the native taxes within their limits. 



Generally the boundaries of the regions so con- 

 ceded are accurately defined, especially in the cases 

 of those belonging to the Government as distinct 

 from those sublet by the great administrative com- 

 panies. On an appUcation for a prazo being made, 

 an immediate census of the native population is 

 proceeded with, whereupon the area as it stands 

 is offered at auction to the highest bidder, the 

 upset amount of rent payable being 50 per cent, 

 of the native tax-revenue capable of collection as 

 calculated on the basis of the census taken. The 

 prazo is then let to whomsoever offers the highest 

 rent over and above the value of half such tax- 

 revenue as stated. 



From the moment he enters into possession of 

 his estate, the proprietor, or his agent, wields the 

 authority of a native magistrate. He has power to 



