INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE. 
145 
Facilities and Hindrances to Commercial Development.— Under this 
head the first consideration is Accessibility or Means of Communication. 
Generally, the quickest, cheapest, and safest routes to a satisfactory 
market should be ascertained. 
Water Communication.— Observe what natural means of communication 
exist, what is the nature of communication between the country and 
the outside world. If communication by sea is of importance, how is 
the interior to be reached from the sea? Are there any deep inlets? 
Is there practicable river communication ? For what sort of vessels is 
it adapted ? Are there any obstructions in the river, and, if so, what is 
their nature, and how could they be surmounted? What is the width 
of the river, the depth of the water, and the force of the current, at 
various distances from the mouth, and at the periods of the year when 
the river is at its lowest and highest ? Are there any lakes that could 
be utilised for communication ? 
Hoads .— If there are native roads, state precisely what is their nature 
under various conditions of weather; their width; what sort of vehicles, 
if any, they are suited for, and where they lead to. If the country is 
mountainous, ascertain the principal passes, what places they connect, 
their exact heights at the highest point (not the heights of the mountains), 
for what animals or vehicles they are practicable, or if only for porters, 
and what is their condition at various seasons of the year. If the natives 
have any vehicles, or vessels, or other means of transport, describe them. 
Bailway Routes .— Observe, as far as possible, suitable routes for railway 
or canal communication, as well as for good roads, and whether any 
materials for railway construction are obtainable in the country. Possibly 
the country, if an inland one, could be connected by road or rail with 
some existing railway system. What are the nearest telegraph stations ? 
Labour — Another important consideration under this head is that of 
labour—labour for the varied enterprises connected with the development 
of a country’s resources. Is labour obtainable within the country itself? 
If so, to what extent, and on what terms ? Are the natives industrious, 
and are they likely to labour under foreign superintendence? Does 
slavery or forced labour in any form exist? If not obtainable in the 
country, how may it be most easily and cheaply obtained? Is the 
country suited to manual labour by whites ? If there are only certain 
kinds of labour in which whites may engage, state what they are. 
VOL. ii. L 
