15 



months at a cost of about £40 per ton by the desert route." * An 

 Arab trader from Tripoli was induced in 1905 to try the route 

 from Kano via the caravan road to Zungeru, and thence by the 

 Lagos railway and steamer to Algeria. He was afforded every 

 facility and was well satisfied with the security and advantages 

 of" this route. The journey occupied only two months, against 

 the five and sometimes seven months taken over the journey 

 through the desert. 



Postal Service.— An efficient postal system is established between 

 most of the places under European control, and telegraphic 

 communication has been effected, connecting some of the most 

 distant outposts in both Colonies, with offices at the following 

 places : — 



In Southern Nigeria, Akure, Ibadan, Ilesha, Iseyin, Lagos, 

 Leckie, Ogbomosho, Oshogbo, Oyo, Saki, in the Western province, 

 and at all the railway stations previously mentioned. 



Agbor, Asaba, Benin City, Burutu, Fishtown (Benin River), 

 Forcados, Ifon, Oka, Onitsha, Owo, Sapele, Warri, in the Central 

 province. Aba, Bonny, Calabar, Eket, Ikot-Ekpene, Itu, Opobo, 

 Oguta, Owerri, Uwet and Uyo, in the Eastern province. 



In NORTHERN NIGERIA, Amar (Muri province), Barrijuko 

 (Zaria), Bauchi, Baro, Bida (Nupe), Egga (Kabba), Ibi (Muri), 

 llorin, Jebba (Nupe), Jegga (Sokoto), Kano, Keffi (Nassarawa), 

 Kontagora, Kuta, Lau (Muri), Lokoja (Kabba), Loko (Nassarawa), 

 Maiduguri (Bornu), Nafada (Bauchi), Patiji (llorin), Sokoto, 

 Yelwa (Kontagora), Yola, Zaria and Zungeru (Zaria). 



This progress in the telegraphic system has been accomplished 

 since about the beginning of 1905, when, with the exception of a 

 short inland line — from Bonny to Old Calabar, a distance of about 

 117 miles— constructed but a short time before, the Colony was in 

 communication with Europe only, by cable from Lagos, Brass 

 and Bonny. 



Currency.— The coin of the realm is legal tender everywhere, 

 but in certain parts which are not yet under effective control and 

 where the natives are shy of its acceptance, the currency of the 

 country, regulated by law, is permitted to continue. The Native 

 currency consists of brass rods and copper wire, in Old Calabar, 

 and the Cross river districts ; Manillas {see below), in Bonny and 

 the Niger delta ; the Maria Theresa dollarf (Province of Bornu 

 chiefly, mean value 3s. in 1906) ; slaves and cowries in Northern 

 Nigeria, cowries in Southern Nigeria, tobacco, cloth, mirrors, &c. 

 are also used for exchange. 



* Col. Rep., Ann., No. 476, 1905, p. 88, N. Nigeria. 



f The Maria Theresa dollar is of Austrian origin, and is the currency of 

 Abyssinia, Eritrea, and the Eastern Sudan. According to Professor W. 

 Ridge way (Origin of Currency, and Weight Standards, 1892, p. 56), " The 

 Arabs of the Sudan will not take gold as payment, in consequence of 

 which our army in the late expedition had to take with them large and incon- 

 venient supplies of silver dollars, coined for the purpose. The Maria Theresa 

 dollar is the recognized currency in that region, not because of any notions as 

 regards currency, properly speaking, but because the Arab's taste lies in silver 

 ornaments for himself, his weapons, and his horse. Gold he cannot employ to 

 the same advantage." 



