CHAPTER XV 



CONCLUSION 



As one of the not very numerous throng of those 

 remaining who have witnessed the gradual improve- 

 ment which has taken place in Zambezia of recent 

 years, I trust that the not distant future may 

 enable stiU greater strides to be made, and I would 

 especially hope for these in the direction of railway 

 enterprise and the improvement of transport and 

 communication. 



Those who have had the patience to read the 

 foregoing chapters will have seen that in this vast 

 and fertile district, which I am satisfied is capable 

 of producing immense quantities of valuable ex- 

 ports, the chief difficulties which stand in the way 

 of the man who would otherwise be prepared to 

 invest his small capital in agricultural or other 

 pursuits are those which prevent him from getting 

 his produce to the coast. Nothing eats into your 

 profits like cost of transport ; and from the moment 

 that, in addition to river freight to the ocean steamer, 

 land porterage to the river must be paid as well, 

 it is time to figure out your estimates carefully, 

 and see how much margin your expenses leave you. 



Such a railway as I have advocated between 



398 



