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MEIKLE ORGANISATION

SOUTHERN RHODESIA

QN the first day of June, 1892, in the early days of Southern Rhodesia, a small
trading concern was opened in Fort Victoria. This small undertaking has,
with the passing of time, expanded to become the wide range of modem shops now
spread over the whole Colony. They are :-

• MEIKLES (BULAWAYO) LIMITED, Box 61, BULAWAYO.

• MEIKLES (BULAWAYO) LIMITED, Box 7, SHABANI.

• MEIKLES (BULAWAYO) LIMITED, P.O. BELINGWE.

• MEIKLES (SALISBURY) LIMITED, Box 287, SALISBURY.

• MEIKLES (SALISBURY) LIMITED, P.O. CONCESSION.

• MEIKLES (UMTALI) LIMITED Box 99, UMTALI.

• MEIKLES (UMTALI) LIMITED P.O. PENHALONGA.

• MEIKLES (UMTALI) LIMITED Box 6, CHIPINGA

• MEIKLES (GWELO) LIMITED, Box 70, GWELO.

• MEIKLES (VICTORIA) LIMITED, Box 121, FORT VICTORIA.

• MEIKLES (SELUKWE) LIMITED, Box 117, SELUKWE.

THUS has Meikles, for more than half-a-century, contributed to the development of
Southern Rhodesia, and will in the future continue to serve the country's people
and interests.

Never before has the practical application of the principles of economy been so
urgently necessary as at present. To the careful shopper economy does not mean
cheapness — it means the low cost compatiole with complete satisfaction • - in
other words, VALUE FOR MONEY. For fifty-eight years the name of Meikles has
been synonymous with GOOD VALUE and SERVICE. All your requirements can be
supplied by a Meikles Store.

Page 52

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

NEIKLE'S HOTELS

AAEIKLES HOTELS are iound in all the principal centres ol Southern Rhodesia, and
are recommended by the Royal Automobile Club of South Africa and the Auto-
mobile Association of Rhodesia.

MEIKLES HOTEL, Box 594, SALISBURY.
CECIL HOTEL, Box 27, UMTALI.
ROYAL HOTEL, Box 66, UMTALI.
HARTLEY HOTEL, Box 10, HARTLEY.

GRAND HOTEL, Box 598, BULAWAYO.
MIDLANDS HOTEL. Box 276, GWELO.
HOTEL VICTORIA, Box 125, F. VICTORIA.
GRAND HOTEL, P.O. Selukwe.

UN Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 53

WT "if ":

SYMBOL OF DEVELOPMENT

LONDON
LIVERPOOL
MANCHESTER
NEW YORK
HAMBURG
INION OF SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH WEST AFRICA
SWAZILAND
PORTUGUESE EAST AFRICA
NORTHERN RHODESIA
SOUTHERN RHODESIA
KYASALAND . TANGANYIKA
KENYA . UGANDA
ERITREA . SOMALIA
SUDAN EGYPT
GOLD COAST . NIGERIA
SIERRA LEONE
CAMEROONS
CYRENAICA
TRIPOLITANIA
MAURITIUS
GIBRALTAR
MALTA CYPRUS
PALESTINE
ANTIGUA
BAHAMAS BARBADOS
DCMINICA . GRENADA
JAMAICA ST. KITTS
ST. LUCIA ST. VINCENT
1RINIDAD
\ FR1TISH GUIANA

Symbol of the development that has occurred since the com-
paratively recent pioneering days of Rhodes and his collabor-
ators, is the imposing building erected by the Bank to house its
Bulawayo branch.

This is one of seventeen branches at the more important
centres in Southern and Northern Rhodesia; the Bank's network
of over 500 branches extends to every town of importance in
South and East Africa and to the many countries named in the
margin.

This unique system of branches , and the Bank ' s many affiliations .
agents and correspondents throughout the world enable it to
provide full banking facilities to persons in all walks of life.

Head Office: 54 Lombard Street, London
Head Office in South Africa: Pretoria
Chief Agent for the Rhodeslas: Salisbury

BARCLAYS BANK

(DOMINION, COLONIAL

AND OVERSEAS)

with which is amalgamated

THE NATIONAL BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA LIMITED

Incorporated in tho United Kingdom

Race 54

Southern Rhodesia 1K0O-195

From COMPMFS COLONY
to NEAR-DOMINION

Southern Rhodesia's Constitutional Advance

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR GODFREY HUGGINS

C.H., K.C M.G., F.R.C.S., M.P.

f£ ':':

\ %£jPgir$$!k today, after nearly twenty-six

of self-government, she is
s3f2Fji5fl£ rapidly approaching the status
'■'f'iiTvfiZf-'&ri of a full Dominion with complete

control over her own affairs.
That is not a bad record for a country which
was founded, colonised and developed within
the lifetime of many of its citizens.

The first constitutional step which led to the
acquisition of the territory between the Limpopo
and Zambesi rivers for
the British Empire was
the grant of a Royal
Charter by Queen Vic-
toria to the British
South Africa Company
on the 29th October,
1889, conferring upon
it large powers of ad-
ministration to carry out
the objects for which it
was formed . Those
objects, briefly, were to
give effect to the terms
of the Rudd Concession,
secured by Charles
Dunell Rudd, on behalf
Cecil Rhodes from the
Matabele King, Loben-
gula, exactly a year
before. The Concession
granted to Rhodes the
exclusive right to exploit
the mineral wealth of
Mashonaland, whose
.tfame at that time rested
largely on its reputed
riches of gold and silver.
Rhodes wanted Mash-
onaland not merely for
its mineral wealth. He

strategical significance. Its gold was the lode-
stone that attracted lesser men and the means
by which Rhodes hoped to place the venture on
an economic basis; his real aims were those of
the practical visionary.

He wasted no time once the Royal Charter
had been granted. He made a contract with
Frank Johnson (later Colonel Sir Frank Johnson)
to lead a column into Mashonaland. In those
days of inadequate communications and animal
transport, things moved slowly, yet within a
year Frank Johnson had recruited and organised

a Pioneer Column con-
sisting of a Pioneer
Corps of 180 men and
a column of British
South Africa Company's
Police of 500 men,
appointed its leaders,
arranged for its equip-
ment, and despatched
it on its journey. It
was a journey into the
unknown, but it ac-
complished its mission
successfully and peace-
fully, and hoisted the
Union Jack on the site
of present-day Salisbury
on the 13th September,
1890, having arrived the
previous day, which is
the date on which we
celebrate Occupation

Day.

COLONY'S EARLY
DAYS

HE CONSTITU-

tion of the new

territory, as originally

defined in the Charter,

had a far greater purpose THE RIGHT HON. SIR GODFREY HUGGINS, was amended by a series

— the extension of the Southern Rhodesia's Prime Minister through 17 years Q f Orders in Council in

British Emnire in Africa °* P eace anl5 War. This photograph was taken when t L r ( , rM - c n {

ful <.™-t?H«^ ™«f +kl the Prime Minister left by Flying Boat for the Conference **£ first few years Ot

the acquisition of this o( Commonwealth Prime Ministers En London in the Colony's existence,

valuable territory for its October, 1948. The Order in Council

Southern RHonesrA 1890-1950

Pace 55

LUXURY IN THE
HEART OF AFRICA

^l^HEN you come up each day from the Falls,
awed by the thunder of the world's greatest
river wonder — thrilled by the splendour of the
sunrise, the Lunar Rainbow or, perhaps, the sight of
hippo and crocodile . . . pleasantly tired . . . then
it is that you fully appreciate the quiet luxury of
the Victoria Falls Hotel, its efficient service and its
excellent cuisine.

Book your accommodation
through any Tourist Agency

or The Manager,

vjaoit

FALL*

HOTEL

Victoria Falls, Southern Rhodesia

Pac;e 56

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

LOBENGULA, King of the Matabele, 1870-93.

of the 18th July, 1894, following the conclusion
of the Matabele War and the rout of Lobengula's
impis, added Matabeleland to Mashonaland and
Manicaland to form the present geographical
entity of Southern Rhodesia. Another important
Order was that of 1898 (following the Matabele
and Mashona Rebellions), which provided for
the administration of the territory, its legislation,
the preservation of peace and order, the con-
stitution of the Courts of Justice, and the
administration of the Native population.

Within a year of the Occupation, the settlers
of Mashonaland found themselves with a ready-
made set of laws, for by proclamation on the
10th June, 1891, the laws of the Cape Colony
in force on that date were adopted for the
administration of the new territory as far as
circumstances permitted. Cape Colony laws
passed subsequently to that date did not apply.
(The Cape was then a self-governing Colony, of
which Rhodes was, in fact, Premier). This
proclamation had its echo 46 years later when,
4n November, 1937, the Southern Rhodesia
Parliament adopted a Dill to declare "which of
the laws in force in the Cape Colony on the
10th June, 1891, are inapplicable to this Colony,
and to repeal specifically such laws of the
Colony of the Cape of Good Hope and of this
Colony as have already been repealed otherwise
than specifically, or have by the lapse of time or
otherwise, become unnecessary."

FIRST ADMINISTRATORS

FOR THE FIRST NINE YEARS OF THE
B.S.A. Company's regime, Southern Rho-
desia was governed by a one-man Government —
the Administrator. The first Administrator, who
travelled up with the Pioneer Column, was
Mr. A. R. Colquhoun, but he resigned the
following year, and was succeeded by Dr. (later
Sir) Leander Starr Jameson, popularly known as
"Dr. Jim". Jameson, who was Rhodes's right-
hand man and closest friend, was an ideal man
for a job which at times was both difficult and
delicate. He had a free and easy manner, was
readily approachable, and interpreted the laws
with more common sense than legal profundity,
suiting his interpretation to the needs of the
moment rather than the letter of the law. But
he could act firmly, too. The only white man
so far hanged in Southern Rhodesia was sentenced
to death by him — for the alleged murder of a
travelling companion on the long trek to Salisbury
from the South. The evidence was purely
circumstantial, and a properly constituted court
of law would probably have given him the

MAJOR FRANK JOHNSON.

The contract for transport* equipment and food supplies
of the Pioneer Force was undertaken by Major Frank
Johnson (later Col. Sir Frank Johnson) who was placed
in command of the Force. The column reached its
objective, the vicinity of Mount Hampden, on September
12th, 1890

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 51

THE BREWERY commenced oper-
ations in 1899, one year before the
Railway reached Salisbury, all plant
and materials being transported from
Umtali by ox wagon. That the diffi-
culty of transporting heavy machinery
ever the roads then in existence was
surmounted was, in itself, a triumph
of Rhodesian enterprise.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN BREWERIES
LIMITED purchased the Old Brewery
in 1910 and, after erecting a more
modern and up-to-date plant com-
menced brewing their famous brands
of CASTLE BEERS.

CASTLE BEERS are truly Empire
Products in every sense of the
meaning of the phrase.

The Malt, the foundation which pro-
vides the health and strength-giving
property to Beer, is, as far as possible,
made from Rhodesian-grown Barley.

A portion of the Hops comes from
Gecge in the Cape Province, and the

Castle

Page 58

alisfaurp

^Bretoerp

Southern Rhodesia' 1890-1950

FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, 1924.

Left to right (sitting): Sir E. Montagu; W. M. Leggate; H. U. Moffat; P. D. L. Fynn; Sir C. Coghlan; L- Cripps
(Speaker); Sir F. Newton; R. L. Hudson; C. EickhofF: Mrs. £. Tavvsc Jollie; J. W. Downie.
(Standing): C. C. D. Ferris (Clerk Assistant); Col. D. C. Munro; Col. C. F. Birncy; Col. O. C. du Port; A. R. Thom-
son; G. F. Elcombe; J. Jearcy (Clerk of the House); W. J. Boggle; H. Benin; F. L. Hadfield; M. Danger; R. A. Fletcher.
(Back row): R. D. Gilchrist; J. Martin; C. E. Gilfillan; G. M. Huggins; J. Murdoch Eaton; J- Cowden; L. K.
Robinson; H. R. Barbour; E. Edwards (Press); Lewis (Hansard); A. Drew (Clerk ) ; H. Hawtin (Hansard).

Inset : I. P. Richardson and F. P. Mennell.

benefit of a considerable doubt, but Jameson
was at that time gravely concerned by the
growing number of incidents of this kind and
felt he had to make an example. Rough justice,
perhaps, but they were rough days.

Dr. Jameson's greatest achievement during
his Administratorship was his invasion of
Matabeleland at the head of 700 Pioneers from
Salisbury and Fort Victoria, and the conquest
of Lobengula's martial might. But he fell
temporarily from grace a bare two years later
jsvhen he led an adventurous body of Rhodesian
"Police" in his famous raid on the Transvaal,
which resulted in his defeat, capture and subse-
quent sentence to imprisonment in Britain. The
quality of his character may be measured by his
rehabilitation, for he later became Prime Minister
of the Cape Colony.

He was succeeded as Administrator of
Rhodesia by Mr. W. H. (later Sir William)

Milton, a Rugby International and a man of
outstanding character, who guided the Colony's
affairs wisely and well until 1914- It was under
his regime, on the 15th May, 1899, that the first
step towards democratic government was taken
with the formation of the first Legislative
Council. With Milton as its president, it
consisted of the Resident Commissioner, six
nominated members who were civil servants
(heads of department), and two elected members
for each of Mashonaland and Matabeleland,
making seven official votes to four elected votes.
They met in Cecil Building, since altered and
improved, which is still in service as the Legisla-
tive Assembly Building. During subsequent
years the elected members, as a result of constant
agitation, steadily improved their position until
by 1920 they numbered 13 and controlled the
Legislative Council, somewhat similar to the
position which the Legislative Council in
Northern Rhodesia has now reached. , ■•

Southern RhoMSIA 1890-1950

Pace 59

TEUNON BROS.

PaUUeM., 2>eco*aJo4d & g«puwate*A.

Phone 3545
P.O. Box 620
BULAWAYO

Phone 20572

P.O. Box 281

SALISBURY

RHODELECT HOUSE. SALISBURY

The Tallest Building in Central Africa
A Fine Example of Modern Design and Construction
PAINTING AND DECORATING THROUGHOUT BY TEUNON BROS.

SPECIALISTS IN SIGNWRITING
Signs • Posters • Show Cards
Calico Signs • Tickets • Panel Vans

SIGNS BY THE SCREEN PROCESS ALL TYPES 0F METAL SIQNS suppLIED

Sole Manufacturers of REFLECTIVE SIGNS in Southern Rhodesia

Page 60

Southern Rhodesia 1890 1950

SECOND LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, 1929.

Front row, left to right: Capt. H. Bertin; H. H. Davies;; Maj. the Hon. R. J. Hudson; The Hon. J. W. Downie;
The Hon. H. U. Moffat; The Hon. L. Cripps (Speaker); The Hon. P. D. L. Fvnn ; The Hon. W. M. Legate; The Hon.
R. A. Fletcher; C. Eickhofl" (Deputy Speaker).

Second row: B. Munscn (Chief Messenger); R. D. Gilchrist; D. MacGillivray; G. Mitchell; Maj. E. 1. Guest;
J. Murdock Eaton; C. C. D. Ferris (Clerk Assistant); R. V. Gorle, V.C. (Sergeant-atArms); J. G. Jearey (Clerk of the
House); C- S. Jobling; G. R. Milne; M. D. Chixton; J. L. Martin; Capt. R. E. Downcs ; J. Cowden,

Back row: L H. Malcolm; A. R. Welsh; G. M. Huggins ; G. Munro; Miss K. M. Davidson (now Mrs. W. D. Gale)
(Assistant Librarian); C:ipt. L. L. Green; M. Dan:igcr; S. M. L. O'Kccffe; L.J. W. Keller.
Inset: Col. A. J. Taylor ; A.R.Thomson.

RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT

TN THE ORIGINAL CHARTER CLAUSE 33
JL reserved to the Crown the power at the end
of the first 25 years, and thereafter at the end
of every succeeding 10 years, to add to, amend
or repeal any of the provisions of the Charter.
When the first period of 25 years ended, in
October, 1914, the Legislative Council was
called upon to decide whether the Charter
should be continued, or whether the country
should be incorporated in the Union. The
Council wisely decided (the first world war
having just broken out) to recommend its
extension for a further 10 years. A Supple-
mental Charter was issued on the 13th March,
1915, containing a proviso that if during the
ensuing 10 years the Legislative Council should,
by an absolute majority, pass a resolution praying
the Crown to grant Responsible Government,
supporting it by evidence that such a course
would be justified by the condition of the
country, financially and in other respects, the
Crown could alter the Charter to bring this about.

In May, 1920, the Council passed the necessary
resolution asking for the establishment of
Responsible Government "forthwith'". In
March, 1921, the Secretary of State for the
Colonies appointed a Committee, of which
Lord Buxton was chairman, to consider certain

questions relating to Southern and Northern
Rhodesia. The report dealing with Southern
Rhodesia recommended that the Question of
whether or not the territory was prepared to
adopt responsible government should be decided
at the earliest possible moment, and that the
matter should be placed before the electors by
means of a referendum rather than a general
election.

A delegation of elected members of the LegiS'
la five Council travelled to London to discuss
the terms of Responsible Government with the
Secretary of State and returned with Draft
Letters Patent. The Secretary of State at the
same time stipulated that the Government of
the Union of South Africa should be approached
to ascertain the terms on which Southern Rho-
desia could be admitted to the Union. The
alternative policies should then be submitted to
the people of the Colony in the form of a
referendum. General Smuts went to the limit
to make the terms of Rhodesia's admission to
the Union as attractive as possible, but when
the referendum was held on the 27th October,
1922, the majority voted in favour of Responsible
Government — 8,774 against 5,989 in favour of
the Union.

On the 12th September, 1923, the thirty-third
anniversary of the Occupation of Mashonaland
by the Pioneer Column, our country was formally

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

P A 01£ <SL

OUR TRADE MARK

/^5^\ YOUR GUARANTEE

\ A /

pflUAV/Cfc,

QONFIDENCE is the only sound basis ior lasting
filhk good relations between buyers and sellers,

-40 and we claim to have established that confidence
through our consistent adherence to the policy
that only the combination cf expert craftsmanship and quality materials
makes products of lasting satisfaction.

Our Trade Mark, therefore, is your guarantee of the
best in all types of canvas goods, from the marquee
tent or heavy tarpaulin, to the small folding canvas
stool or water bag.

TENTAGE is a line which has our special attention, and we are able to
meet the most exacting demands for all requirements.

TARPAULINS, designed to stand up to all weather
conditions, are produced for lorries, trucks or other
special purposes.

CAMPING EQUIPMENT, in all its varieties, is always
in stock.

AWNINGS and BLINDS, in many attractive patterns and
colour schemes, may be made to individual specifications.

32e

SOUTH AFRICAN CANVAS CO. LIMITED

DUNDEE HOUSE, GORDON AVE.,
SALISBURY, S. RHODESIA.

Also at - ,'OHANNESBURG

DUNDEE HOUSE. FORT STREET,
BULAWAYO, S. RHODESIA.

DURBAN

CAPE TOWN

PORT ELIZABETH

OVERSEAS HOUSE: LOW & BONAR LTD., DUNDEE and LONDON. SPINNING WEAVING and
WATERPROOFING WORKS AT DUNDEE (SCOTLAND).

Page 62

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

THIRD LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, 1934
BulcOT. F.D.Ttlw—1 A.R.Thomson: A.fi.W*; J. I. Mart., J. Cowd™, B. * . L Ho.ke. : C. VI .

Lcppington.

annexed to the British Crown with the title of
"Colony of Southern Rhodesia", and on the
1st October, Letters Patent were issued granting
Responsible Government under a Constitution
which provided for a legislature consisting of a
Legislative Council and a Legislative Assembly
of 30 members. The Council can be constituted
by a law passed by the Assembly, but this power
has not yet been exercised, and the Colony has
known only unicameral government. If the
present moves towards federation with Northern
Rhodesia and Nyasaland are successful, however,
a bicameral government will have to be intro-
duced, and in my opinion, should he introduced
in the near future if federation does not material-
' ise.

RESERVATIONS IN CONSTITUTION

THE NEW COLONY DID NOT ENJOY
full autonomy. Legislation regarding Native
affairs, the Rhodesia Railways Limited, and
certain other matters were reserved, that is, had
to receive the sanction of the Secretary of State
before becoming law. The United Kingdom High
Commissioner in South Africa had supervisory
powers in connection with Native affairs and

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

the trusteeship of Native Reserves was vested
in him. In 1934, and again in 1935, I visited
London to discuss with the then Secretary of
State (the late Right Honourable J. H. Thomas),
the removal or amendment, of certain restrictions
and reservations in the Constitution in keeping
with the advancing status of the Colony. The
British Government was sympathetic, and in
1936 the Constitution Amendment Act removed
the supervisory powers of the High Commis-
sioner in South Africa, established direct
consultation between the Southern Rhodesia
Government and Downing Street on differential
native legislation, transferred the trusteeship of
the Native reserves to a Board of Trustees
consisting of a chairman, nominated by the
Secretary of State, the Chief Justice and the Chief
Native Commissioner, and removed a number
of minor anomalies to give the Colony a greater
say in its own affairs. This represented a big
step forward towards constitutional maturity.

Since then, the reservations regarding the
Rhodesia Railways have fallen away (they are
now owned by the State), and with the exception
of differential Native legislation and foreign
affairs, in which Britain speaks for, us, we are
fully self-governing. The Native legislation
reservation is not likely to fall away until we

(continued pn page 69)

Page t>3

TIMES HAVE
CHANGED !

Early Rhodesia Railways locomotives
had a tractive effort of 18,660 lb.
The march of progress has necessi-
tated the use of larger and more
powerful locomotives to haul the
heavy volume of traffic offering. The
engine shewn above — a 15th Class
Garratt — has a tractive effort of
42,746 lb., and is one of 34 of this
class helping to break traffic records
almost every month.

SIXTY YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENT

RHODESIA ■ RAILWAYS

Page 64

Southern Rhodesia

FOURTH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, 1935.

Front row, left to right : H. H. Davics; The Hon. V. A. Lewis; The Hon. P . D. L. Fynn; The Hon. J H. Smit; The

Hon. G. M. Huggins; The Hon. A. R. Welsh (Speaker); Capt. The Hon. W. S. Senior; E. W. L. Nbakes; Cnpt.

The Hon. F. E. Harris; Sir Hugh Williams.

Second row: R.D.Gilchrist; C. W. Leppington ; R. T. Anderson; J. J. Conway ; D. M. Somerville; Lieut.-Col. J. B.

Brady; C. C. D. Ferris (Clerk Assistant) ; R. V. Gorle, V.C. (Sergeant-at-Arms); J. G. Jcarcy (Clerk oi the House);

W. A. E. Wincerton; Lieut.-Col- E. L. Guest; Maj. L. A. M. Hastings; R. C. Tredgold.

Third row: B.S.A. Police; A. W. V. Crow lie; Maj- G. H. Walker; J. Cowden; C. W. H. Caplc (Chief Messenger

R. A. Fletcher; F. D. Thomson; B.S.A. Police.

Back row: L. J. W. Keller; D. Macintyrc; J. H. Malcolm; J. L. Manin.

FIFTH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, 1939.
Front row, left to right : E. W. L. Noakes; The Hon. R C Tredgold; The Hon. J. H, Smit ; The Hon. G. M- Huggins ;
The Hon. A. R. Welsh (Speaker); The Hon. Sir P. D. L. Fynn; Capt. The Hon. F. E. Hams; Lt.-Col. The Hon. E. L.
Guest; The Hon. H. H. Davies.

Second row: A. E. Davis (Chief Messenger); C. W. Leppington; Capt- A. W Whictington ; H V. Wheeler; J- B.
Lister ; C. C. D. Ferris (Clerk of the House) : Col. A. J. Tomlinson (Sergeant-at- Arms) ; G E. We s (Clerk Assistant) ;

E. C. F. Whitehead ; M. Danziger; Col. W. H. Ralston ; L.B.Fereday; Col. J. B. Brady; G. E. Pennell (Chiet Messenger).
Back row: D. Macintyre; J. P. dc Kock; Capt- H. Bertln ; T. A. Kimble; L. J.W.Keller; Maj. LA. M Hastings;

F. n. Thompson; P. B Fletcher; E. P. Vernall; Capt. W. H. Eastwood; Maj. G. II. Walker; W. A, E. Winterton.

<T. H. W. Bcndle absent on service).

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 65

7^e

Wilh the opening of Rhodelect House in October, 1949, a milestone
was reached both in the history of Rhodelect Ltd. and of Salisbury
itself In erecting this, the tallest building in Southern Rhodesia, we
have to thank the public of this Colony for their splendid support.
We hope to have the privilege of serving our customers with renewed
efficiency in surroundings both pleasant and modern.

Representing:
REVO ELECTRIC COOKERS: EKCO RADIOS AND RADIOGRAMS;
HIGG'S MOTORS; PRODUCTS OF WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC
INTERNATIONAL CO.; ENFIELD CABLES AND WIRES; EASY
WASHING MACHINES; BRIMSDOWN RUBBER PRODUCTS; JACUZZI
PUMPS; VITRETEX PAINTS; VOLSPRAY AIR COMPRESSORS AND

PAINT SPRAYING EQUIPMENT; GEARING'S BOREHOLES; LINDSAY

LONG LIFE BATTERIES; AIREDALE STARTERS; THERMO COOKERS.

AND

GEORGE ANGUS & CO. LTD.; SAUNDEfTS VALVE CO. LTD.;

NATIONAL CORPORATION; WOLSELEY SHEEP SHEARING CO. LTD.;

BRITISH ALUMINIUM CO. LTD.: SPERRYN & CO; CM. ENGINEERING

CO. LTD.

Steetnicat

Phone 22276

B9B9B' Lt^'IB59£B|

HOOllECT L TD

ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL EN3INEERS
RHODELECT HOUSE- BAKER AVE -SALISBURY

P.O. Box 1324

Page 66

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

SIXTH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, 1946.

Front row, left to right : The Hon. T. H. W. Beadle; The Hon. G. H. Davenport; Th« Hon. P. B. Fletcher; Col. The
Hon. SirE. L. Guest; The Hon. Sir G. M. Hugging; Sir A. R. Welsh; E. W. L. Noakes; The Hon. 1. H. Smitr The

Hon. H. H. Davies; D. Macintyre; The Hon. L. J. W. Keller.

Second row: J. H. Hampton (Chief Messenger) ; B.S.A. Police; D. C. Paul; L. M. Cullinanj T. T. Haworch (Parlia-
mentary Librarian); J. R. Frank (Clerk Assistant); C. C. D. Ferris (Clerk of" the House); E. Grant-Dalton (Sergeant-at-
Aims); G. E. Wells (Clerk Assistant);! L. J. Howe-Ely (Committee Clerk); P. A. Wise; B.S.A. Police; E. Thurtcll
(Assistant Messenger).

Third row: J. A. Ewing; T. J. Golding; G. B. P. Tuniner; C. A. Bott; G. Mimro; D, W. Young; R. S. G. Todd;
T. I. F. Wilson; L. M. N. Hodson; W. H. Elliott; J. L. Smit; J. S. McNeillie.

Back row: J. B. Lister; R. Williamson: A. W, Dunn; R. O. Stockil; A. R. W. Stumbles.

J&: ■

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SEVENTH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, 194S.

FpSnt row, left to right: R. O. Stockil; The Hon. E. C. F. Whitehead; The Hon. P. B. Fletcher: The Rr. Hon. Sir
Godfrev Huggins; The Hon. Sir Allan Welsh (Speaker); T. I. F. Wilson; The Hon. T. H. W. Beadle; The Hon. R. F.
Halsted; L. J. V. Keller.

Second row: H. Hampton (Chief Messenger); L. M. Cullinan; G. K. Hackwill; J. R, Uendv Young; T. Titley Haworth
(Librarian); C. C. D. Ferris (Clerk of the House); E. Grant-Dalton (Sergeant -at-Arms); Lt.-Col. G. E. Wells (Clerk-
Assistant); L- J- Howe-Ely (Committee Clerk); R St. Quintin; R. A. Ballantyne; J. M. Caldkott; L. Ruile (Assistant
Messenger).

Third row: N. G. Barrett; The Hon. Humphrey Gibbs; L.J. Smit; H.A.Holmes; G. Munro; D. Macintyre; W. A.

E. Winterton; L. M. N. Hodson; The late A. M. F. Stuart; P. A. Wise.

Back row: I. D. Smith; R. S. G. Todd; B. A. Barker; J. M. Greenfield; D. W. Lardner-Burke.
Insets: The Hon. G. A. Davenport; W. H. Eastwood (elected in place of the late A. M. F. Stuart).

Soi-thern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 67

^.aONEEHB, : COACHBUILDERS : WELOHRS : «r„^ : KELMAK (ENGINEERS) : C OACHBU,LD ER S , m

—

KEIMAK (Engineers)

I SALISBURY

% COACHBUILDERS . WELDERS . SPRAY PAINTERS

w Makers oi

B BODIES TOM BUSES, TRUCKS, TOILERS, VANETTES. TRAILER CHASSIS 1

d FROM 15 CWT. TO 5 TONS CAPACITY. CANOPIES FOR VANETTES 5
X OF ALL TYPES

S KELMAH (ENGINEERS,. « SAUSBUBY STREET. SALISBURY. S. RHODESIA. |

£ Partners - - . i it UJWUHHV -_.. r, ,. ,. "

I. H. MACAULAY and D. F. FULLARTON.

» t :L M A KMRS , : COACHBUILOBRS : WELOERS : SPRAY PAI , rERS . KELMAK „,, ; COACHBUILDERS ; «

HYLTON & CO., LIMITED

AIBANr HOUSE - 89 MAIN STREET - BULAWAYO - S R

P.O. Box 607 - Phono SUB

FOR ALL LETTERING PURPOSES '

Pace 68

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

LEGISLATIVE

The construction of Cecil Rtnldinp

ASSEMBLY, SALISBURY, SOUTHERN RHODESIA.

'as commenced in 1896, with the intention of using it as an hotel.

Parliament in 1924, was held in Prince's Hall, Salisbury, but since then, Cecil Building, with alterations and im-
provements, has been the home of Southern Rhodesia's Legislative Assembly.

(continued from page 63)

have a Second Chamber. I am not particularly
anxious, at this stage of our development, to see
the Colony shoulder responsibility for the
conduct of its relations with foreign powers.
The establishment of embassies
and consulates in different parts
of the world would he costly in
both money and manpower and
would probably be beyond us,
at least until our resources have
been more fully developed than
they are now.

9LOSER ASSOCIATION
WITH NORTH

'"THROUGH THE YEARS,
■*■ close and cordial relations
have existed between the two
Rhodesias, and in later years also
with Nyasaland. During its
regime, the British South Africa
Company sought to bring about

the amalgamation of the two Rhodesias to
secure a measure of administrative economy
(before 1923 it was responsible for the admin-
istration of the two territories separately), but
the elected members of the Legislative Council

(continued on page 73)

A division in progress during the first session of the Seventh Parliament.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page $)

<_*

FOR ALL OCCASIONS

*>£><$<>

GOLDSMITHS • SILVERSMITHS

FIRST STREET
SALISBURY
SOUTHERN RHODESIA

SOUTHERN
RHODESIA

Land of Opportunity !

AGRICULTURE

INDUSTRY

MINING

Sunshine and Scenery
for ihe Tourist.

Eager as the Colony is to welcome

skilled British immigrants of good

health and character, there

:s a serious housing

shortage.

When normal conditions

return, the country will

offer you

UNRIVALLED
OPPORTUNITY

Pace 70

For further particulars apply to
The Dtreaor, Public Nrttw Department, P.O. Box 52, Causeway
Tu u- i. r. Salisbury, or to

The H,ah Commissioner for Southern Rhodesia.. Rhodes.a House t
423 Strand, London, W.C.2. I

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

[

^<^^^ A*e, which was

fa f ^Tl^^^ ft "«J. Margaret, spent

a reigning monarch had visited a Colony) was in the nature nfT MM?,' I 2&,?° th ' S Colony (the first time
m the Union, and official engagements were kept to a SuJS^lS ILwfftV **«?*«■ P-gramme
atjfie Victoria Falls where Their Majesties were able w rela X rI iL % ,^u ° f t L hci ?, visit was their «»Y
Gatooma, Que Que and Gwelo and spent three dTvs a BulawavA if„f eS f^ury the Royal Family visited
thetr way to Cape Town to rejoin the b«*S5, h!m?S Vanguard ° """"^ throu * h Bechuanaland on

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

■

Pace 71

J?-As€{7/?//<?6/, 'foaAdtjfe>&£e€%, in Clarks 'Joyance'
Sandals. Unexcelled for quality and fitting perfection. Clarks children's sandal.s arc known
and demanded by name in all parts of the world.

C. & J. Clark Ltd. (Wholesale only), Slrcel,
Somerset. England. Agents:- Agencies (Africa)
Ltd., P.O. Box 557. 34 Cordon Avenue,
Salisbury, S. Rhodesia.

CHILDREN'S SHOES AND SANDALS

MADE IX ENCT.*\n

Page 72

Southern- Rhodesia 1890-1950

(continued from page 69)

opposed the proposal, and it was dropped. In
the 1930's, the Southern Rhodesia Parliament
passed a number of resolutions urging amalgama-
tion, and in 1938, the Bledisloe Commission was
appointed to enquire into its feasibility. It
found certain objections to the immediate
introduction of amalgamation, but recom-
mended its adoption at some future time. The
outbreak of the last war prevented the matter
being pursued further. In 1944, when I was in
London, I asked the Secretary of State how he
proposed to implement the closer association of
Southern Rhode-
sia, Northern Rho-
desia and Nyasa-
land, and received,
in answer, the sug-
gestion that a Cen-
tral African Coun-
cil should be set
up. This suggestion
was discussed by
our Government,
who decided to
accept it in order
to ensure that the
proposal for amal-
gamation should
be kept alive,
although it was
appreciated that
the Council was
a mere sop. The
Council is purely
consultative and
advisory, and has
no executive func-
tions. Its proposals
are subject to the
sanction of the indi-
vidual Parliaments,
which is a cumber-
some procedure.
But at least, the
Council has proved
the* value of inter-
State co-operation
and the tremen-
dous benefits that
would derive from
still closer asso-
ciation under one
Government. In
recent years, it has

become evident that any proposal for outright
amalgamation would meet with serious opposi-
tion, and now we are considering the possibilities
of closer working under a federal form of
government.

THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS, MR. E. GRANT-D ALTON .

CARRYING THE MACE.
The design of the Mace follows tliat of the House of Commons,
and is officially described by the makers as follows : —

"a chased silver-gilt Mace, the head surmounted by a

Roval Crown, enclosing date 1924, and divided by caryatides

supporting arches into four panels containing the Royal

Arms, the Arms of Rhodesia, and cyphers of G.R.V., the

end of the staff terminated by four figures, and the rod

divided by two bulb fluted knobs and wreathed with the

national emblems of the Rose, Thistle, and Acorn ; having a

terminal trumpet-shaped knop enriched with chased acanthus

leaves, and roses and thistles in the panelling".

The Mace, together with the Speaker's Ceremonial Robe,

and the dress of the Clerks and the Chief Messenger, are a

perpetual reminder that the Parliament of Rhodesia is a child

of the Parliament of Great Britain, and that it shares with that

noble institution, its traditions and its liberties, which the

people of Great Britain have built up through the centuries, not

for themselves only, but also for the citizens of the whole

Commonwealth.

CONSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

YEN IF FULL DOMINION STATUS
has not yet been formally conferred,
Southern Rhodesia in some respects ranks as a

fully self-governing
country in the
councils of the
world. In econo-
mic affairs, her re-
presentatives sit
side by side with
those of the great
Powers, and at
Commonwealth
Conferences her
Ministers rank with
those of the Do-
minions. Recogni-
tion of her growing
constitutional im-
portance was given
in the passing in
June, 1949, of the
S. Rhodesia Citi-
zenship Act, where-
by the Colony has
the same right to
confer citizenship
as the completely
autonomous mem-
bers of the Com-
monwealth. Her
constitutional ad-
vancement has been
rapid, a far cry
from the terms of
the Royal Charter
of 1889 and of the
Letters Patent of
1923, and a tribute
to the character
and quality of the
people who have
helped build this
country over the
last sixty years.

Southern- Rhodesia 1890 1950

Page 7.3

HAULAGE

IN 1903

GEORGE ELCOMBE commenced Haulage Work
lor the commercial community of Salisbury with
two mules and one small trolley ....

TO-DAY

GEORGE ELCOMBE LTD. use a fleet oi modem
vehicles — the Foden Diesel illustrated above is
the latest addition to our fleet — coupled with
nearly 50 years experience IN RHODESIA

ELCOMBE'S
for
' HAULAGE

GEORGE ELCOMBE LTD.
SALISBURY

P.O. Box 166
Pace 74

Phone 22366

2ucdttu tf-o-otw-ea/i

Ijotmcf, Man a^ flkadedta

^J towtufoocC

I Jfowiwood,

Lae/uf, Pai/i Quantmteed

"Put Ifousidetlf m (Mi Hh&ed-'

W. M. CUTHBERT 5, CO., LIMITED

SOUTHERN RHODESIA

Branches at :
BULAV/AYO, SALISBURY, GWELO,
QUE QUE, GATOOMA, UMTALi I

Southern Rhodisia 1 8 90— 1950

"Even today . . . there is
still work for Pioneers!"

By
T. W. RUDLAND, o.b.e.

Thomas Wilburn Rudland, O.B.E. and a Freeman of the City of Salisbury, is one of the two remaining men now living in
Southern Rhodesia who was present when the Flag was hoisted at Fort Salisbury on September 13, 1890, a day after the arrival
of the Pioneer Column. At the age of IS Mr. Rudland was working on the gold mines of Spanish Honduras; 55 years after he
entered the Colony he was contracting on improvements on the main Bulawayo-Mafeking line. Between those dates he went
gold prospecting, built roads and railways, grew coffee in Kenya, and throughout his lifetime has maintained his great regard for

Cecil Rhodes, whom he m^t first in 1890.

' : r<£^WI&* HE E VENTS OF MY GENERATION
y«rVvW"--$' , !J = in tne opening of South Central. Africa

phenomen.

il in the world's

history. It was only as far back as

" .anley
a — a

^''X^^/^f-r- January, 1887, that ' H. M. Stanle
nSMfi^Vlfr starteu ouC to search for Emin Pasha—
k/^K^BkfisSr/a journey subsequently described in his
®-Sl52*a|t£*» book, "In Darkest Africa". Aged 20 at
the time, I was thrilled by Stanley's
adventure, and 1 wrote to a certain Travel Advisory-
Agency, to ask which would be the shortest and quickest
way to overtake Stanley. There was an amusing rebuff.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

The agency's reply was: "If your little eifusion is not

intended as a joke, the only advice we can give you is to

get on the back of a hippopotamus and go up the Congo I"

Only 63 years ago — and that was probably till they knew

about Africa!

Let me turn to Rhodesia. In March, 1890, when the
railhead was at Kimberlcy, 26 of us left there with 13
wagons. The main Pioneer Column formed at Macloutsie
and set out to occupy what is now Southern Rhodesia.
It was to be six months before we reached Fort Salisbury.

Our pay was 2s. 6d. a day to the Bamangwato country,
then 7s. 6d. a day until the Pioneer Corps disbanded on

Pa oh t ">

RHODESIAN COLLEGE OF MUSIC

22 LUCK STREET. SALISBURY. S. RHODESIA

Overseas Patrons :

Dr. Ft.

.. S. THATCHES, O.B.E., M.C., D.Mus.'Oxor, ),
Principal of the Royal Academy ol Music. London.

Sir GEORGS DYSON. M.A., D.Mus.fOxon > LLD
F.R.C.M., Hon. H.AM..

Board

Professor ERIC GRANT. F.R.A.M., late Director of the

South Af-ican Collego of Music.

of Advisers and Trustees :

T. S. CHEGWIDDEN. Esq., C.B., C.V.O.
I. F. DUGUID, Esq.
8. W. S. O'CONNELL, Esq., A.C.A.
Founder and Director of Studies :

EILEEN REYNOLDS. A.R.A.M., Hemter of
porated Society of Musicians.
Deputy Director ol Studies:

SYLVIA REYNOLDS. A.R.C.M.

the Incor-

StnH :

Secretary

CAROL [LION, F.T.C.L

MARGARET MOrlRISBY, A.R.C.M.

SHtlLA fOX, L.R.A.M.

UNA COLEMAN, L.R.A.M., A.R.C M

ELAINE HODGSON, G.R.S.M. LRAM

STELLA ALHADEFF, L.U.C.T.

I. HARLEY BRIMS, Esq.

RACHEL KING. B.So. (Psychology)

BARBARA TATTERSALL, A.R.G.M., A.R.C.O.
Miss D. B. WARD.

Assistant Secretary :

D. J. LATHAM. Esq.

Trie Rhodewan College ol Music offers complete training
In musicianship to students ol all ages, whether they intend
to adopt music as a profession or not. Siudents may tako
a complete course of study, or tuition in single subjects.

Students are prepared for the music examinations of
the University of South Africa, and arrangements have been
made w,th the Associated Board cf the Royal Schools of
Music. London, for the music examinations of the London
Associated Board and the LR.S.M. Diplomc.

In addition, the College offer 3 courses of study in solo
instruments _ Pianoforte, Singing, Violoncello, Violin,
Theory Harmony, Counterpoint, Woodwind, Brass Double
Bass, Drama, Aural Training, Sight Singing, Musical Appre-
naho/ and History ol Music, Choral Classes, String
Orchestra and Ensemble.

A Library has been established which contains books
ot reference lor students.

LimitlT^r^o,! 1 ? 6 bee " ' OUnded b * Messrs R adio
Limited and the Rhodesian College of Music.

The following are among ,he artistes who have visited

G'Lon ITT ?J 30,enS ' SuZanne Roche ' Beatrice

Gibson, Lib Kraus and Dr. Fielder..

Pa en 76

We Must be Prepared!

We are prepared to give you the benefit of y=ar s of
experience in advising customers on the choice and use
of their apparatus. We are prepared to give you the
squarest deal you have ever mel. We are prepared to
allow you the REAL WORTH on your present outfit

New KODAKS for
Better Snapshots

Six/20 Kodak BROWNIE Model C

Six/20 Kodak BROWNIE Model D

Baby BROWNIE

Brownie REFLEX

Six/20 Kodak FOLDING BROWNIE

Six/20 Kodak FOLDING BROWNIE, f/6.3
lens

Six/20 KODAK Model A. with f/6.3 lens
and Dakon 4-speed shutter

Six/20 KODAK Model A, with f/4.5 lens
and Dakon 4-speed shutter

£1/17/6

£2/6/6

21/0

60/0

£5/19/6

£7/2/6

£10/5/0

£16/17/6

PHOTOGRAPHIC SPECIALISTS
BERKELEY BUILDINGS, FIRST STREET. SALISBURY SR
P.O. Box 938 SALISBURY Telephone 2lg28

"Everything Photographic Only Protographic"?

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

September 30, 1890. We had to find a road and then
make it. Out pace was that of the ox. When we founded
Fott Salisbury we were 1,000 miles from the railhead in
the South; on the East Coast, the Portuguese were none
too friendly; in the West, the truculent Matabele impis
were wanting to '"eat us up"; to the North lay Stanley's
"Darkest Africa". That was only 60 years ago, but the
picture of gloom has changed to one of brightness, with
Southern Rhodesia's social and economic development
one of the modem wonders of the world.

EARLY COMMUNICATIONS
J WANT TO TALK ABOUT ROADS AND
railways, for on these I have spent most of my working
life.

The Pioneer Column cut and made the road through
virgin country from Tuli to Fort Salisbury, and this road
carried all the transport entering the country from the

time of the Occupation to the outbreak of the Matabele
war — a period of three years. There was no access through
Matabeleland, except by the grace of Lobengula, who might
or might not "give the road" to an odd trader or hunter,
and sometimes to important people entering the country
on national affaits.

Major Frank Johnson and Dr. Starr Jameson made their
epic journey to find a shorter and quicker route to Mashona-
land via Beira, and Mr. Cecil Rhodes quickly decided to
build a railway from Beira — for goods transported from
Cape Town to Salisbury were costing £50 a ton.

Construction of the railway started from the Pungwe
at Fontcsvilla and the first sod was turned at the end of
1 892 ; from those beginnings grew the Rhodesia Railways
as we know them to-day. Cecil Rhodes suggested that I
should take part in the building of the railway, and I
joined the staff of George Pauling in Cape Town, acting as
Mr. A. L. Lawley's Chief Construction Engineer for nine
months.

Cullen Gouldsbury did for Southern Rhodesia
what Robert W. Service did for Canada and the
Far North. In 1912, in "Rhodesian Rhymes",
appeared the following "Ballad of the B.M.R." —
apt comment on the story which Mr. T. W.
Rudland has to tell.

Down in the land where the heathens are,

Down in the swamps where white men stew,
Amid the woods that stretch afar,

Amid the creepers rank with dew,
The Line ran out — perchance, askew,

And drunkenly designed — but, ah !
In days gone by was work to do

Upon the lonely B.M.R. !
The Gates of Death were held ajar —

The pegs that marked the mileage too
Have stood for tombstones — near and far

Ghosts of a grimy shrivelled crew.
The sun looked down from out the blue—

Out of the night looked down the star,
And marked where men had drifted through

The death-trap of the B.M.R.

Each bolt, each nut, each metal bar,

Could tell a story — grim but true —
And where the gangers' houses are

Maybe are ghosts of dead men too —
Ghosts of men who worked and knew
The fever swamp, the sickening jar
That came when life was rusted through
Upon the Lonely B.M.R.
L'Envoi
Lo! — we may scoff — we often do —
And jest at engine, truck and car —
But— must we then forget the few
Who made for us the B.M.R.

■■

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 77

WILSON & SMITH

Plumbers, Sanitary Engineers and Sheetmetal Worker

Among the oldest established Plumbers and Sheetmetal

Workers in the Colony. Our reputation for first-class

workmanship and service is second to none.

Workshops and Offices :

91 SINOIA STREET

SALISBURY

Telephone 22765
P.O. Box 467

MS FURNISHERS

'£*

OF!

LIMITED

64a Abercorn Street, Bulawayo
P.O. Box 1058 Phone 4742

We offer you the best values in furniture,
whether it is Imbuia, Kiaat, Oak or Mahogany.

Always in stock Bedroom Suites,

, Chesterfield Suites, Dining-room Suites,

Odd Beds, Dressing Tables, Bedside
Tables, Liquor Cabinets, Bureaux in
Imbuia or Kiaat ..... also Lino
Squares, Carpets and Rugs.

YOU ARE AHEAD OF THE TIMES, WHEN YOU FURNISH AT THE TIMES

Page 78

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

MRS. T. W. RUDLAND.

Mr. and Mrs. Rudland celebrated

their Golden Jubilee in February this

year.

BIRTH-PANGS OF A RAILWAY

ryHE FIRST WET SEASON BROUGHT ALL ITS
-*- evils. There were washaways, supplies were short,
the Pungwe flooded hundreds of square miles of the flats,
and the workers suffered appalling bouts of fever. Labour
shortages, derailments, and fever — always the fever — con-
tinued to dog us. At the end of the first eight months
there were only four of us left of the original staff. Some
had given up the job, most had died.

When the line reached Chimeric*, P. St. George Mansergh,
the surveyor, reported that to carry the railway front
Macequece to Old Umtali was neither feasible nor eco-
nomic. With characteristic decision, Mr. Rhodes said;
"Move the township to the railway." And there it is to
this day.

In April, 1898, the first section to Umtali was com-
pleted. We celebrated with a "Railway Banquet" — and
compared the spread with our former rice rations. When
we drank the toast to the 400 men who had laid down their
lives, we thought of the labourers from India who had
died almost to a man; we knew that no other railway in
the world had had such a high mortality rate. But we
had' built the longest narrow-gauge railway in the world!

COLOURFUL CHARACTERS

tF OUR CONDITIONS WERE EXTRAORDINARY,
*■ so were some of those first "characters." Hardships
did not deter them. Miss Rhodes and Miss Balfour
were among the early visitors. Pat Campbell, husband
of Mrs. Patrick Campbell, the famous actress, worked
for rne for a time. In Beira, the heir ro an earLdom ran a

butchery of sorts. "Long" Paley, who claimed to be a
grandson of Bishop Paley, went up the Bust collecting
Portuguese taxes— without any authority from the Portu-
guese; he was to die in Beira. I found Dr. Schultz, of
Durban, and Hupfer at Sofala, scratching about at low
tide in search of ancient ruins. "Bloody Bill" Upsher, the
hunter, and "Daisy" Newbolt, a nephew of Canon Newboh
of St, Pauls, were among our "types". Respected and
loved by everybody was Carheart, who had contracted
for offloading railway materials from the lighters at Fontes-
vilUa, in the mud and heat on the Pungwe. His son is
W. D'Arcy Cathcart, now an architect in Salisbury.

Famous among the people who walked the old East
Const road were Bishop Knight-Bruce 's three nursing
sisters, Blennerhasset, Sleeman and Wclby. On July 14,
1891, they arrived at Old Umtali, having walked all the
way from the Pungwe, mostly along bush paths. It was a
bold and hazardous undertaking, especially for women.
They did the journey in 14 days, and arrived at their
destination with little more than the ragged clothes they
were wearing. I went to England with Sisters Blennerhasset
and Sleeman in 1893. They were the first nursing sisters
to arrive in Mashonaland, and a memorial to them has
very rightly been erected in Umtali.

ADVANCEMENT
■pEFORE I CLOSE 1 WANT TO POINT TO THE
JJ phenomenal progress of Rhodesia in the striking
comparison between the capital value o( the country now
and as it was 60 years ago— as far as one can be guided
by monetary values in a rough and ready, but generally
lair safe, way.

In 1889 Cecil Rhodes and his associates obtained a
Royal Charter from Queen Victoria for the British South
Africa Company, the initial capital being £1,000,000.
However optimistic they were, the shares were not looked
upon as gilt-edged. In 1948 the national income of
Southern Rhodesia was probably £60,000,000, and at our
present rate of progress that figure can be expected to rise
to beyond £70,000,000 by the end of this year. Assuming
the 1948 figure to be capitalised at an interest rate of
5 per cent per annum, the total capital wealth of Southern
Rhodesia at 20 years' purchase would be £1,400,000,000— a
colossal increase from the £1,000,000 which Cecil Rhodes
found 1 By the end of this year the capital value of" the
Colony may be expected to reach £1,500,000,000. Add
the national income of Northern Rhodesia capitalised
(which seems fu lly justified, as it has certainly grown from
that first £1,000,000 of the B.S.A. Company), and we find
ourselves among brain-staggering series of noughts! In
addition there are vast natural resources the value of
which cannot be estimated until they have been proved
and come into production.

I have given only a brief picture of those early days in
Southern Rhodesia, but hope that I have shown something
of the spirit which prevailed. Wc who were living then
and are now growing old have experienced almost un-
believable changes— so much so, that we are apt to be
impatient with grumblers. But the British have always
grumbled! We, too, grumbled in those days. Perhaps it is
better to grumble than to be smug, provided you are willing
to lend a hand and to get things done. Even to-day there
is still work for Pioneers!

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Pace 79

1890-1950

SOUTHERN RHODESIA is Sixty Years Old this year.
They have been Sixty Eventful Years — Years
of Struggle, Years of Adversity, Years of Progress.

The Foundations have been Well and Truly Laid
for Even Greater Progress in the Immediate Future
and in the Years Ahead.

The Post-War Difficulties — Shortages of Essential
Materials, Shortage of Railway Rolling Stock, Short-
age of Housing and Other Accommodation — are
now being overcome.

The Stage is Set for a great Surge Forward, to
Develop the Limitless Potentialities of our Country's
Wealth in Base Minerals — Coal, Chrome, Asbestos,
Mica — and in Intelligent Agriculture.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 80

Great and far-sighted schemes are now beyond
the Blueprint Stage — the Kariba Dam Hydro-Electric
Project which will harness the waters of the Mighty
Zambesi and produce Unlimited Power for the Two
Rhodesias — the Sabi Basin Development Scheme
which will turn this arid region into the Granary of
Central Africa.

These Schemes will take Years to bring to
Fruition. In the meantime We — All of Us — can
Help Our Country Forward by Putting Our Backs into
Our Jobs, Proving Our Faith in the Present and the
Future by Investing Our Money in Government Bonds
to help Finance our General Development, and by
Pulling Together.

"We Are All Of One Company."

In Three Years'
Celebrate t h e
Birth of Our
Rhodes. Let Us
Worthy of Him
Our Faith in and

Time we shall
Centenary of the
Founder, Cecil
Prove Ourselves
by Demonstrating
Love for ... .

SOUTHERN
RHODESIA

. .1

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Pace 81

The

Grand
Hotel

SALISBURY
S. RHODESIA

MANAGER :
W. R. REID

THE GRAND HOTEL, originally known as "The Commercial," accommodating approximately twenty
people, began over forty years ago. The present Grand Hotel has stood for 30 years, and has ex-
panded throughout that time. The accommodation is now 110 rooms, Grill Room, Banqueting Hall,
Dining Hall (seating 200 people), and 28 Lock-up Garages.

S A L I S B U R Y'S

MOST

POPULAR

MEETING PLACE

%o*

*»

«P

iA»*

tf>

tO»iV

G5&*

^O^" ,v '^

Pace 82

/
Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

16th Class Locomotive, No. 221, near Salisbur

THE RAILWAYS OF RHODESIA:

1890-1950

By SIR ARTHUR GRIFFIN, k.c.i.e., o.b.e.

giving them wide

KE PIONEER RAILWAYS IN OTHER
young countries, tlie Rhodesia Railways
have grown up with the territories thev
serve.

It was on 29th October, 1889, that
the Rudd Concession of October 5,
1888, was ratified by the British Govern-
ment when a Charter was granted to
the British South Africa Company,
powers and an almost unlimited field

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

or action over a huge urea or territory which was not
defined until 1905.

Since railway communications were vital to the success
of Rhodes S plan for the opening up of his "hinterland",
he made a railway agreement with the Cape Government
in January, 1890, by which the Cape agreed to build a
railway from Kimberley through Southern Bechuanaland,
and thence the Chartered Company were to continue and
complete it. In June, 1890, whilst away from Parliament,
news reached Rhodes that the Government proposed

Pace 83

Established UHI

J. S. HOLLAND

Member of the S.R. Institute of Auctioneers,

Estate Agents and Valuers

SWORN APPRAISER

UMTALI

P.O. Box 12

Phone 267

AUCTIONEEH AND LIVESTOCK SALESMAN. EASTERN DISTRICT

LAND AND ESTATE AGENT. OFFICIAL SELLER RHODESIAN SWEEP

STAKE TICKETS.

Representing:
Vacuum Oil Co. of S.A. Ltd.; African Explosives & Chemical Industries
Ltd.: Alliance Assurance Co Ltd.: Ellerraan 4 Bucknall S.S. Co. Ltd.

T. & I. CASH STORES

The Store of Service
ami

Satisfaction

LET US QUOTE YOU
FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS

IN THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENTS:

GENERAL DRAPERY

GENTS' OUTFITTING

GROCERIES, CONFECTIONERY

STATIONERY

HARDWARE, BUILDING MATERIALS

ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO THIS
ESTABLISHMENT WAS KNOWN AS
FINLAY & CO., WHICH ORIGIN-
ALLY STARTED IN TWO GRASS
HUTS; AFTER WHICH STEEL
FRAMEWORK AND CORRUGATED
IRON WAS IMPORTED FROM
ENGLAND. IN 1921 IT WAS
KNOWN AS TAYLOR & NESBIT,
A NAME WELL KNOWN IN THE
EASTERN DISTRICTS. SINCE

1943 IT HAS BEEM KNOWN AS
T5N CASH STORES

Page 81

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

abandoning the Kimberlcy line. He
rushed back to Cape Town and
made a spirited defence of his rail-
way project, the result being that
the Cabinet resigned- On July 17,
1890, Rhodes (who hud recently
attained his 37th birthday) became
Prime Minister of the Cape Colony
in succession to Sir Gordon Sprigg,

It says much for his personality
that he accomplished so much in
so short a space of time. Rhodes
had been in Parliament for ten
vears when he became Premier, and
already his political contemporaries
were describing him as "a coming
young man." Mark Twain went
further. He said of him that "when
he stood upon the Cape Peninsula,
his shadow fell on the Zambesi."

At this late date it is interesting
to speculate what might have hap-
pened if Rhodes had not defeated
the Cape Government. The history
of Rhodesia might have been very
different. As it happened, by the
time the Union Jack was raised over
Fort Salisbury on September 13,
1890, the first 127 miles of railway
line from Kimberley to Vryburg
were nearing completion.

Sir Arthur Griffin,
General Manager,

* A * *

THE LINE FROM THE SOUTH

TJIVE MONTHS AFTER HE ASSUMED OFFICE
F as Premier, Rhodes made a speech at Vryburg on
the occasion of the opening of the line from Kimberlcy
to Vryburg. Four years later (October 3, 1894) Vryburg
and Mafeking (96 miles) were linked by rail.

There was great jubilation as the line proceeded

steadily north. Rhodes prophesied
that Bulawayo would become the
Chicago of South Africa, and that
the population of Rhodesia would
exceed that of the Transvaal.

Ill-health prevented him from
attending the opening ceremony on
November 4, 1897, but it gave him
great satisfaction to know that
George Pauling had not let him
down, for in an earlier speech, he
had said, "By 1897 Mr. Pauling
has promised to bring you the rail-
way from the south to Bulawayo
and they are pushing on the railway
from Beira as hard as they can."

The success of his railway pro-
gramme inspired Rhodes to greater
endeavours. In April, 1900, he
endorsed a map of South and
Central Africa with these words:
"My map, my plan. C.J.R." The
map, which may be seen in the
Bulawayo Museum, has marked on
it in indelible pencil and red crayon
rail projects which had captured his
imagination. One such was a line
westward from a point south of
Palapye to the Kunene River mouth.
On April 8, 1902, the funeral train
conveying the body of Rhodes
arrived at Bulawayo. It had left
.... few davs earlier (Rhodes died on
March 26) and was preceded by a pilot train as far as
Mafeking, but from Mafeking an armoured train escorted
the funeral train, and searchlights were in operation
during the night, for the Boer War did not end until
May 31, 1902.

An interesting outcome of the construction of the
line between the Bechuanaland border and Bulawayo was
the founding of Plumtree School. When Metcalfe, the
first engineer of the Rhodesia Railways, travelled between

K.C.T.E., O.B.E.,
Rhodesia Railways

Cape Town some

15th Class Engine No. 380 at Umtali, with "Jack Tar", an early Rhodesia Railways engine.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Pare 85

ervice

"OF SERVICE" ACCORDING TO WEBSTERS, MEANS

HELPFUL OR USEFUL AND THAT IMMEDIATELY

BRINGS TO THE MINDS OF MOST RHODESIANS THE
WELL-KNOWN NAME OF HADDON & SLY — THE FAMILY
STORE WHERE SERVICE IS A TRADITION.

IT WAS IN 1894 THAT THE NAME OF
HADDON & SLY FIRST APPEARED ON THE RHODESIAN
MAP. A MODEST UNPRETENTIOUS GENERAL DEALERS
BUSINESS WAS OPENED IN BULAWAYO THAT YEAR
AND IN 1911 THE BRANCH IN SALISBURY WAS ESTAB-
LISHED. FROM THESE SMALL BEGINNINGS HAVE GROWN
THE PRESENT PROGRESSIVE AND MODERN STORES OF
HADDON & SLY LTD.

WE HAVE ADVANCED AND PROGRESSED
WITH THE COLONY OF SOUTHERN RHODESIA AND ARE
PROUD TO ASSOCIATE OURSELVES WITH ITS IUBILEE
CELEBRATIONS.

hddou £

"The Leading Store Since Ninety Four"
BULAWAYO GWELO SALISBURY

Page 86

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

The first train in Bulawstyo, November 4th, 1897.

these points, his train passed twenty or thirty gangers'
cottages. Around them were a number of children
growing up without education. Metcalfe gave orders
that arrangements should be made for them to be given
schooling. The Church, the Company and the Railway
shared the cost of collecting and teaching them. Thus
did Plumtree School come into being.

THE LINE FROM THE EAST

TF 1890 TO 1697 WERE IMPORTANT YEARS IN THE
initial stage of rhe fulfilment of Rhodes's dream for a
Cape to Cairo Railway, 1891 was also a year of great
importance to Rhodesia, for on June 11, 1891, rhe Portu-
guese Government agreed to construct a railway between
Pimgwe (near Beira) and the British sphere of influencs—
Jfrimtali.

The day after the Union Jack was hoisted at Salisbury
(September 15, 1890) Rhodes acquired for one hundred
pounds a year a concession over Manicaland, and with
that concession began his dream of Beira as the logical
pore for Rhodesia. In 1891 Rhodes and several of his
friends travelled round the coast by sea to Beira and
then proceeded overland on foot to Umtali in the hottest
month of the year. The shrewd eyes of Rhodes missed
nothing, and when he saw the possibilities of an eascern
sea outlet for Rhodesia, he had planned the project in his
own mind before Umtali was reached.

After some delay, occasioned by the ceding of rights
from one concessionaire to another, construction began
in September, 1892, at Fontesville on the Pungvve River,
35A miles from Beira. Umtali, the junction between the
Beira Railway and the lines serving Rhodesia, was reached
in February, 1898.

The line was built to the 2' gauge and construction
material and other traffic was landed at Beira from overseas
and conveyed up the Pungwe River to Fontesville. Shortly
afterwards, however, it was found desirable, to connect
Fontesville with Beira by rail, and a new company, the
Beira Junction Railway Company (amalgamated with the
Beira Railway Company in 1930) was formed to carry out
this construction, the line being completed in October
1896.

In the meantime the limited capacity of the original line,
and the difficulties of transhipment to the 3' 6" gauge line,
which was being built from Umtali onwards, led to its
conversion to the latter standard, and by August 1, 1900,
a 3' 6" railway was in existence over the whole distance
between Beira and Umtali.

The story has often been told of the difficulties under
which the first engineers laboured. Despite the fact that
floods frequently hampered operations and the deaih roll
was heavy, the engineers, Sir George Bruce and Sir Charles
Metcalfe, Bart., certified the Beira-Fontesville lino as
complete on October 29, 1896. The names of George
Pauling and A. L. Lawley will long be remembered as
being intimately connected with port and railway develop-
ment in the Beira-Umtali area.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 87

Spend y owl J4&liaaM& J+esie

THE

QUORN HOTEL

FULLY LICENSED.

•

SALISBURY'S NEWEST AND MOST COM-
FORTABLE HOTEL.

•

EXCELLENT CUISINE.

HOT AND COLD WATER IN ALL BEDROOMS.

•

SIX MILES SALISBURY ON MAIN ROAD TO

NORTHERN RHODESIA.

•

TENNIS.

BADMINTON.

RIDING BY ARRANGEMENT.

J* Reservations :

Proprietor: G. F. SPARLING

Quorn Hotel. P.O. Avondale. Salisbury, S. Rhodesia

Phone 9-0131

Since t&e fayutttwcf,

the House of Kimptons has been
selling cars and trucks from Iheir
premises in Stanley Avenue, Salis-
bury. Nearly 50 years of service
to Rhodesians. To-day we are

AGENTS AND DISTRIBUTORS FOR:

Chrysler Corporation

CHRYSLER
PLYMOUTH
FARGO

The Rootes Group

HUMBER
HILLMAN

SUNBEAM-TALBOT
COMMER

White Trucks
Marshall Sons & Co. Ltd.

FIELD-MARSHALL TRACTOR

Fowler Diesel Crawler

KIMPT0NS*4m.

STANLEY AVENUE
SALISBURY

Pace SS

Sovthern Rhodesia 1890-1950

•vnaaau.! **™*mBHi4amittatMli&.~

SMRiN>

A STAGE IN THE CAPE TO CAIRO DREAM.
of the engine naiintea^ emplo P yees vlewed Rhodes > s drea m of a Cape to Cairo railway.

INLAND DEVELOPMENT

THE POSITION AT THE END OF 1397 WAS THAT
both Umtali and Bulawayo were connected with
ports on the east and south coasts of Africa respectively,
but a gap of 300 miles between these towns remained to
be bridged. The construction of the line from Umtali
to Salisbury was therefore pushed forward and the latter
town was reached on May 22, 1899. In the same month
the extension of the line from Bulawayo to Gwelo was
begun.

This extension had reached a point near the present
Insiza siding when che war broke out in October, 1S99, and
the construction came to a standstill owing to the im-
mediate difficulties of obtaining permanent way material
and stores. It was therefore decided to continue the line
from Salisbury, using the eastern rail route from Beirn
for the necessary supplies. This extension was begun in
1900 and proceeded at a reasonable pace to Gwelo- at that
/ lime an important coaching centre— which was reached in
May, 1902; then on to Insiza railhead, where a link-up
was effected five months later, on the 6th October of that
year, some six months after Rhodes had been buried in
i he Matopos.

In a letter written in Bulawayo on September 7, 1900,
Rhodes said: —

"As to the commercial aspect, everyone
supposes that the railway is being built with the

only object that a human being may be able to
get in at Cairo and get ouc at Cape Town.

This is, of course, ridiculous. The object is
to cut Africa through the centre and the railway
will pick up trade all along the rouce. The
junctions to the east and west coasts, which will
occur in the future, will be outlets for the traffic
obtained along the route of the line as it passes
through the centre of Africa. Ac any rate, up to
Bulawayo, where 1 am now, ii has been a payable
undertaking, and I still think it will continue to
be so as we advance into the far interior. Wc
propose now to go and cross the Zambesi jusi
below the Victoria Falls. I should like to have the
spray of the water over the carriages."

The line northwards from Bulawayo reached Wankie
in September, 1 90.3 , and the Colliery there was soon
producing coal for sale.

On the line went, mile alter mile through Northern
Rhodesia to Kalorao, which was reached in July, 1904.
All the material for this section was carried over the
Victoria Falls gorge by a rope-way pending the completion
of the bridge, which was officially opened on July 13, 1905.
The engine which took part in the opening ceremony was
decorated with palms and flowers and carried the legend:
"We've got a long way to go." Miss Pauling drove the
engine, and the official opening was followed by native
sports and a banquet tor the Europeans.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 89

SAUSBVAV.

sta6UsUed.ig3i.

rffotf*

EXtHECUtR ACCOUNT IM LONDON.

***•**;

79 32

Q~^M^4^Mm

lO, CLCMINT't (.'AN

LONDO

■Jh==£

A cheque for £3,155,458 ■ 11 • 3 drawn by the Government of Southern Rhodesia in favour
of the Rhodesia Railways Trust, Ltd., by which the Colony purchased the share capital of the
Rhodesia Railways. The cheque signed by the High Commissioner for Southern Rhodesia,
Mr. K. M. E. Goodenough and by Mr. T. G. Gisborne, the Official Secretary, Office of the
High Commissioner, was handed over to Sir Dougal Malcolm, representing the Rhodesia
Railways Trust, on Friday, May 16, 1947. This is the largest sum ever paid out by the office
of the High Commissioner in one payment.

From Salisbury to Kalomo the financing company was
the Rhodesia Railways, Limited, which company, how-
ever, was precluded by the 1899 debenture trust deed
from giving a first mortgage over the next section of
281 miles to Broken Hill, where lead and zinc had been
discovered. This section was therefore financed by the
Mashonaland Railway Company, and reached Broken
Hill in January, 1906. crossing en route the Kafuc river.

The Directors decided ro extend the line still further
north to tap the rich mineral resources of the Katanga
copper mines. This last section of the main line was
completed in November. 1909. under the aegis of the
Rhodesia. Katanga Junction Railway and Mineral Com-
pany Limited. This company had been incorporated for
the purpose in 1908 and in 1909 issued £800,000 5£%
debentures, the interest being guaranteed tor 20 years by
Tanganyika Concessions. It was primarily with the
object of obtaining coke from Wankie that Sir Robert
Williams (mining engineer to Rhodes and the discoverer
of the Katanga mines) urged that the mines be served by
the Rhodesia Railways system.

T4ic total open mileage was at that time 2,048. Subse-
quently a number of branch lines were constructed, mostly
in response to mining needs, so that today the total mileage
of the Rhodesia Railways system is over 2,400 miles.

The branch lines include Gwelo to Fort Victoria (123
miles) and Mount Hampden to Shamva (73 miles) built by
the Blinkwater Railway Company. This company was
formed in 1908 with a share capital of £200,000. The
assets were acquired by the Rhodesia Railways, Limited,
as from October 1. 1930.

Another branch line to which special reference must be
made is the one from Somabula to Shabani (63 miles)
built by the Shabani Railway Company in 1926. This
company was incorporated in March, 1926, with a share
capital of £50,000, the line being constructed to serve the
asbestos mines at Shabani.

In the first instance the development of traffic over this
long line was disappointing and the railways experienced
many ban years, in which the shareholders participated,
until development had caught up and was able to supply
adequate traffic for the facilities provided. But at no time
did the railways allow development to overtake the
facilities they had to offer. They kept ahead of require-
ments by long-term improvement programmes, regrading
of the lines, bridge-strengthening, stone ballasting, relaying
with heavier rails, workshops extensions, new station
facilities, improved rolling stock and more powerful
locomotives.

Up to 1927 the whole system was operated by the
Mashonaland Railway Company under the title of the
"Beirn and Mashonaland and Rhodesia Railways". As
from October 1. 1927, however, the Rhodesia Railways,
Limited, became the working company, and in October
of the following year the Rhodesia-Katanga Junction
Railway was taken over by the Mashonaland Railway
Company. Then as from October 1, 1936, the Rhodesia
Railways, Limited, acquired all the assets of the Mashona-
land Railway Company and at the same time all series of
i he 4 per cent, 5 per cent and 6 per cent debentures were
converted by an issue of fc'21 ,750,000 4} per cent debenture
stock. Thus the Rhodesia Railways, Limited, became the

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 91

HI Ljowi MesuUce . . .

VAUXHALL

AND

BEDFORD

CARS AND TRUCKS

LET US QUOTE YOU FOE YOUR REQUIREMENTS

MODERN MOTORS LTD.

SOLE DISTRIBUTORS IN MATABELELAND FOR ALL GENERAL MOTORS PRODUCTS
MAIN STREET 11th AVENUE

BULAWAYO

Phone 2823

Page 92

P.O. Box 76
f

Southern Rhopesia 1890-1950

One of the 15th Class Garratt loccmotives in service on the Rhodesia Railwavs.

owners of the whole railway system in Southern and
Northern Rhodesia (excluding the Shabani branch) as
well as the Vryburg-Bulawayo section.

One other point of importance is the fact that, though
these railways have hitherto been privately owned, the

lines within the territories of Southern and Northern
Rhodesia and the Bechuanaland Protectorate were (since
1926) subject to the provisions of railway legislation and
to a control similar to that exercised by the Rates Tribunal
in England, railway charges being regulated and profits
limited.

THE WAR YEARS AND THE FUTURE

TOURING THE 1914-1918 AND 1939-1945 WORLD
*^ Wars, the Rhodesia Railways were called upon to
convey thousands of troops and their equipment, and to
rush large tonnages of copper, chrome, etc., to Beira and
the Union for use in the factories of the Allied nations.

By the time World War II had ended, the Railways
found themselves in a parlous condition, due to the
manner in which engines and rolling stock had been over-
worked. Replacements were difficult to obtain, for many
nations were clamouring for new equipment to rehabilitate
their war-ravaged railway systems. Coupled with the
deterioration of rolling stock was an increased demand
in the world market for many commodities of which
Southern and Northern Rhodesia held vast stocks. An
ambitious programme of development, which it was
hoped would keep pace with the rapid progress of Rho-
desia, was initiated. This called for new locomotives and
rolling stock, nnd more staff, and houses and single quarters
to accommodate them; better layouts to enable larger
tonnages to be moved expeditiously without encountering
bottlenecks. The result of such planning is gradually
becoming apparent. Train mileages arc on the increase
and revenue is mounting, but much still remains to be
done.

The most important recent event was the change from
private to State ownership of the undertaking of the
Rhodesia Railways, Limited, in the territories of Southern
Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia, and the Bechuanaland
Protectorate, as well as 112 miles of line in the Union of
South Africa from Vryburg to Ramarhlabaroa near
Mafeking.

The purchase of the Rhodesia Railways by the Southern
Rhodesia Government was effected by the acquisition from
the Rhodesia Railways Trust, as from April 1, 1947, of
the whole of the share capital or" £500,000 of the Rhodesia
Railways, Limited, for the sum of £3,150,000. This
amount approximates to the capitalisation at 4 per cent

of the dividend of £125,000 which the Rhodesia Railways
were entitled to earn for the year ended September 30,
1947, under the terms of the Railway Act, 1935. To
finance the transaction, as well as to redeem the balance
of £21,750,000 4i per cent debenture stock of the Rho-
desia Railways, Limited, outstanding as at September 30,

1 947, and to provide additiotial capital for the development
of the railway undertaking, a loan of £30,000,000 was
raised, being part of the issue of £32,000,000 Government
of Southern Rhodesia 2-S per cent stock 1965-70.

Although Southern Rhodesia assumed responsibility

for the financial arrangements necessary for the acquisition,
and carried out the transaction, Northern Rhodesia and
Bechuanaland Protectorate will be substantially interested

by guaranteeing 20 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively,
of any deficit which may arise in future for the loan service.
The Governments concerned will participate in a percentage
distribution of any surplus (based on the revenue earned
in their territories) after various commitments detailed in
the Rhodesia Railways Act 1949 have been met.

The prospects for the future are bright. The population

of Southern Rhodesia has increased considerably since
the end of the war, Rhodesian primary products are in

heavy demand overseas, and many new industries have
been established throughout the Colony. The difficulty
is to keep pace with developments and demands. Planning
takes time to materialise, especially when men and materials
are not available locally. Improved operating and increased
efficiency are making themselves felt, and, as the new

resources come forward the increase in capacity should
enable the Railways adequately to serve the country.

Southlkn Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 93

*JUe /IdA&U&L OnduAkuf, in RUad&Ua .

Thirty-eight years ago 'he production cf asbestos in
bouthern Rhodesia beaan at the Gath's and King Mince
in the Mashaba district. From small beginni..as in 1913
Ine industry has grown until, in recent years, "is output
nas ranked second only lo gold in the list of Rhodesian
minerals produced. Tho Shabar.i fields were opened up
soon alter tnose at Mashaba, and the combined output,
after increasing steadily for a number of years, has now
reached a figure which represents the optimum lor lona
term production and efficient operation. The asbestos
produced is ol the chrysotile variety, and is ol excellent
qualify. The textile fibre produced from Shabanie Mine,
in particular, is in great demand because of ils hiah
tensile strength, silkiness and freedom from impurities
I he industry at firsl experienced the usual crop of dilfi
cutties common to all young industries. Suitable methods
of treatment, grading and the physical state in which the
manu.ccturers required the grades had to be learned by
experience. The fact that the Rhodesian chrysotile was
different from Ihe Canadian product rendered useless the
application of the methods employed there for recoverma
Ihe .ibre from the rock or its subsequent treatment. The
present mining and treatment processes were evolved on
the mine after careful and detailed study of all the fac ors

Until recently, the asbestos was generally recovered by
nand-cobbmg in the open workings; p'.anls, however,
nave been designed and are successfully workina that
supplement and wfll in lime completely supersede these
methods, and make tor greater efficiency in recovery
Moreover, Ihe plants ol to-day embody highlv elaborate

methods of treatment and gradtng which secure Ihe

ihor™Lw n ' fc ", m 'L 1 ; 0| 3rade ™ d texture and e^sSr* a
thoroughly reliable product. Second only to the Sues-ion

?L £?"5 en COm S s the all-imporlan! question erf S™
Tne Rhodesian industry has been successful in ertahShinn

L™ world Th* ?'° d ? C ' S *9 S." ,he ***& eoum ies ol
me world The creation of that market and the aainiia

SLvL COn! i den09 by 4 nU °™ °"d standardised grades have
?hZ Ye B\ °j ]a - g " F 3 ? in ,he ""<=«« 'hat has been won by
™,£ hod P ,an . industry. On Ihe maintenance of that
nWnH« .v, r ° USn .• s,e ™ lne ss and reliability of suppfy
depends the continued success of Ihe industry.

An important ieature of Ihe Rhodesian product is thai 'ho
percentage of spinning fibre produced in proporfion to fls
total output ,s far higher than thai o< Canada The
shor.er grades, moreover, are much in demand for fibre
^m^KF. r0 f UCl5 - ° n l throughout the world to day supply
laftc? grades. he unprecedented demand fopTfse

SSSr. A«8JR 'wor'ld 9 SgUj? «S
h,°de m m .'nf alS H asbeSl °£ is •4*"* '° violent fluctua°ons

African AdA*cl<Ue<& Mine* Jlimited

P.O. Bex 1100, BULAWAYO.

Taoe 94

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

RHODESIA! MINING \Wm\X

F. P. MENNELL, f.g.s., m.i.m.m.

IS CERTAINLY TRUE TO SAY
mill the occupation of this country

had for its basis the idea of expansion
of the Empire, planted in the mind of
Cecil Rhodes by Rtiskin in his lectures
at Oxford. This was, of course,
advocated in a very different spirit from

that of mere jingoism— the bogey of

imperialism" conjured up by certain
Leftist writers. Both Ruskin and Rhodes believed chat
the advance of civilisation was best ensured under British
auspices. The profir motive had very little to do with
it, but it was obviously necessary, in order to enlist

sufficient financial backing, to offer some prospect of
material reward for those who embarked their capital
in support of the project. This took the form of a share
in the proceeds of working the minerals in which the
country was believed to be rich.

Nor is it any aspersion
on the character of the
original pioneers to say
that the lure of sold was
largely responsible for
their decision to proceed
to Mashonaland. They
had their living to make
like other people, and if
lliey hoped to make it in
a less humdrum way than
most, they also had to
take far greater risks and
face much greater hard-
ships to make up for the

romance with which their

calling was invested.

At the time of" the Occu-
pation in 1890 the country
certainly was invested
with an air of mystery
and romance.

ANCIENT MINE WORKINGS

T^HE MOST POPULAR OF RIDER HAGGARD'S
■i widely-read novels were tounded on the tales spread
abroad by the few hunters and other travellers who had
braved the very real perils that had to be faced in traversing
these inaccessible regions. They told of the numerous
ancient mine workings, and even of massive stone buildincs
m some parts of the same areas. And while it is true that
the 9arly legendary ideas connecting the Zimbabwe and

other nuns with the Phoenicians cannot be upheld, it is
by no means so certain that the "ancient workings" may
not, in some cases, date to a very remote period. The
knowledge of mining which they display may well have
been derived, as the art of working iron must surely have
been, either directly or indirectly from the ancient
Egyptians. This would leave it an open question whether
the tradition which suggested Milton's reference in
Paradise Lost to Sofala, thought Ophir" may not have
a more solid basis than appeared probable when the
belief in the great antiquity of Zimbabwe was first shown

to be without foundation. In this connection it is perhaps

Forty-nine years ago, as a young man aged 21, Frederic Philip
MenneU came to Southern Rhodesia to start the. Rhodesian
Museum. for the past 42 years he has been closeh connected
with the Colony s mining industry, so that he speaks with
authority and experience in the accompanying article. The

Member for Bulawayo District in Southern Rhodesia's first
Parliament after the grant of Responsible Government,
Mr- MennM s interests have been varied, and he ha< served
both on the Htstoncal Monuments Commission and the
electricity Supply Commission. Among the books on mining
5™"; teJWM written are "Hints on Prospecting for Gold"'.
lrte Khodesian Miners' Handbook" and "A Quide w
Mining in Rhodesia".

significant thai ancient workings for gold are, in tact
absent from parts of the gold belt near Zimbabwe itself
where some of the first claims were pegged, and from
the untouched outcrops on which the first recorded
production ol the precious metal was derived

Owing to their distance from the coast it is probable
that che old mines were worked by the inhabitants of the
country by the traditional methods which thev had brought
down from the north, without any direct foreign influence
of later date. They had, of course, the encouragement
afforded by being able to exchange their product for various
articles erf luxury with the traders who ventured some
par of the way inland lo various places— of which Sena
is the best known— where marts existed long before the
farst European set fool in East Africa. The port of Sofala
(which has since been superseded by that of Beira, a little
to the north of it and, as Milton's reference to it indicates)
was evidently rhc principal outlet at that time for the
products of the region which included what is now

Rhodesia. It was reported

by the first Portuguese

~~ navigators who sailed

along the East Coast 450

years ago to have a regular
trade in gold, ivory and

ostrich feathers.

The presence of the
numerous ancient work-
ings, which, if may be em-
phasised, included many
lor copper and iron as
well : as for gold, had a
great influence on the
work of the early pros-
pectors. As soon as they
were released from their
duties with the Column
which reached Salisbury
in September. 1890, the
pioneers spread about the
. . . . country and soon nene-

traced into most of the Mashonaland gold-belts. In many
of these almost every occurrence of gold-bearing rock
rhl-f Iread V, bee V,Pened up by the "ancients." Instead,
tTZ S ' °' n ar K tul i V ^taing ? likel V ""act of country
and testing all the favourable-looking outcrops (as is the
usual procedure elsewhere) the search for gold largely
resolved itself inco getting natives to disclose the where.
dweUin's workings in the vicinity of their

The usual inducement to do so was to make them
presents of blankets, whence the term "blanket prospecting-
tOTJk A- commo,,1 ^ed. The success of this procedure
had the distinctly unfortunate result that it did not tend
to train the newcomer in the routine of prospecting as
understood elsewhere. Many opportunities were ever!
overlooked owing co overestimating the powers of the
Old ancients as they were commonly termed. It began
o be believed that anything they had not tried was worth-
less, while, on the other hand, if the workings were large
there was a tendency to think that all the ore of anv value
had already been taken out. This was actually the case
with the first prospecting party to see the Globe and
Phoenix alter the occupation of Matabcleland, and it led
as I was informed by their leader, Mr. H. Shepherd, to

, . -i "—■' ""*»] I'll. II. OJ

ondertul property s being left unpegged!

Southern Rhodesia 1890 1950

Pace 95

The Bechuanaland Exploration, Company, Ltd.

AGMCI CHAMBERS, MAIN STREET, IJLLAWAYO

AGENTS FOR THE
African Chrome Mines, Limited
Charterland 4 General, Limited
Chrome Corporation (South Africa). Ltd.
Eileen Alannah Mining Company. Limited
Kafue Development Company, Limited
Nchanga Consolidated Copper Mines. Ltd.
New Bulawayo Syndicate. Limited.
E. Oppenheimer & Son

FOLLOWING COMPANIES :

Rhodesia Broken Hill Development Company, Limited

Rhodesia Chrome Mines, Limited

Bhokana Corporation, Limited

Selukwe Gold Mining & Finance Company, Limited

The Tobacco Co. of Rhodesia & South Africa, Limited

Umtali Mines. Limited

Union Insurance Society of Canton. Limited

Royal

COMPANY '

The Company has Land for lease or sale and is prepared to take up Mining Claims

on option or for outright purchase.

Chief Agents tor - ROYAL INSURANCE COMPANY, LIMITED

ALL CLASSES OF INSURANCE UNDERTAKEN

Customs Clearing and Forwarding Agents

Representing
ALLEN. WACK & SHEPHERD. LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STEVEDORING & FORWARDING AGENCY (SOUTH AFRICA) LIMITED
I. W. PHILLIPS, O.B.E. — GENERAL MANAGER
Tol. Add.: "KHAMALAND" and "CONFA." Bulawavo „ , ,

,,,,„„ Telephones 3220 and 317S

Postal Address: P.O. Box 592, Bulawayo. Southern Rhodo.ia

THE SOUTH AFRICAN TIMBER
COMPANY LIMITED

Established 1906

Telegiams: "SATCOY"

BRANCH :
P.O. Box 584
BULAWAYO

BRANCH :

P.O. Box 54

BEIRA, P.E.A.

Hoad Office- : P.O. Box 394. SALISBURY

Direct Importers of Building Materials

Pace 96

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

BARON DE REZENDE
Manager of the Mozambique Company, and associated
with Jeffreys in locating the goldfields of Manicaland.

INSUFFICIENT EXPERIENCE OF CONDITIONS

TT WAS A GREAT DRAWBACK TO THESE EARLY
L attempts at mining that so few trained miners were
available at the start of operations. Such matters as
surface enrichment and the distribution and pitch of ore

shoots were seldom understood, while mistakes were noi
infrequent even in regard to the dip of the reefs. Another
decided disadvantage with which the industry had to
contend was the neighbourhood of the Rand. This often
led engineers who had gained their experience on thai
great goldfield into one of two equally serious errors in
dealing with Rhodesian properties. They were apt either
to work them at quite unnecessary expense with shafts
and equipment altogether unsuited to the short shoots
of ore usual in Rhodesia, or, going to the other extreme,
to condemn as worthless prospects which did not conform

to Rand standards in various ways.

This was a singularly unfortunate procedure, as will be
realised from the fact that one property so turned down
covered what were afterwards repegged as the Cam and
Motor claims, which head the list of producers at the
present day. My information on this point came from
Mr. Harvey Brown, a former Mayor of Salisbury, who was
one of the original owners.

TIJE MINING LAW AND THE SMALLWORKER

A NOTHER FACTOR WHICH HAD AN ADVERSE
-t\ influence on the progress of the mining industry was
the provision in the mining laws that working for profit,
or in other words actual production as opposed to the
preliminary development work, was only permitted on
the flotation of a limited company in which a large part
of the vendor interest had to be allotted to the Chartered
Company. This provision was intended to help in re-
couping the Company for the expenditure it necessarily
incurred in the occupation of the country, but in view of
the small size of the majority of the mines it constituted a
very definite bar to progress.

Other influences that had unfortunate effects were the
Matabele War in 1893, the native rebellions in 1896 and
the Boer War that started in 1899. On the other hand,
it is true that the occupation of Matabeleland gave a marked
impetus to prospecting by opening up new and promising

fields, especially Sebakwc, Selukwe, Bulawayo and Gwanda.
Nevertheless, the provisions relating to the flotation of
mining claims prior to production continued to form a
serious stumbling block. In 1903 the visiting directors of
the B.S.A. Company eventually agreed to allow the
milling of ore on a small scale in return for a royalty on

the gross output, The same terms were extended in
August, 1904, to outputs up to 1,500 oz. a month, and
finally a royalty basis was applied to all new producers
at the end of 1907. There can be no doubt that the
abrogation of the "fifty per cent clause", as the provision
tor the Chartered Company sharing in the vendor interest
Of mining flotations was termed, was one of the most
important steps in putting the industry on a sound basis.

FIRST PEG

Pioneer, 10 claims, Umfuli, Hartley District, pegged
1st October, 1890 (the day after the Pioneer Corps were
disbanded). Transferred to Rhodesia Goldfields Ltd.,
21st October, 1898, and abandoned by them, 28th Decem-
ber, 1898. The inscription reads: "Pioneer. United
Rhodesia Gold Fields, Regd. 1.10.90. No. 3, Inspd.
6.1.91. End Centre E."

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1 950

Pace 97

''Zfdftirty TQAodeAfa fauv"

For over (ifty-three years COPTHALLS have been privileged to assist m
in the development of the Rhodesias by supplying that efficient machinery,
equipment, and service which is so necessary tor progress, and look
forward with confidence to the continued privilege of serving the Rhodesias
in the years ahead,

(ESTABLISHED 18S7)

COPTHALLS

(J. P. YOUNG & SON)
IRRIGATION ENGINEERS AND MACHINERY MERCHANTS

P.O. Box 70 P -°- Box 6 "

BULAWAYO SALISBURY

FAIRBANKS-MORSE

DUMPS AND PUMPING PLANTS. IRRIGATION SUPPLIES.
OIL ENGINES. ELECTRICAL MACHINERY. SCALES.
GRINDING MILLS. RAILROAD EQUIPMENT. COAL

STOKERS. INDUSTRIAL, AGRICULTURAL AND MINING
EQUIPMENT.

A SYMBOL OF CONFIDENCE
FOR OVER 100 YEARS

OHicial Service .Agents and

Stockists ior :

LUCAS

Electrical Equipmont

C A. V.

Electrical and Fuel
Injection Equipment

It- &• im»

Motor Cyclos

.9°* *A,
0- -.1&*

!•

<0>

vV V ^

><*

Specialists in :

Magneto and Auto

Electrical Equipment

Armature Winding

Aero Equipment

Speedometers

BATTERY DEALERS
Charging and maintenance
to all makes oi batteries

K.L.G. PLUGS

AUTOMOTIVE CABLES
AND ACCESSORIES

Pack

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

LOBENGULA - S BATTERY
Lobengula sent Dawson to secure some claims as soon
as the Pioneer Column had settled at Fort Salisbury.
Ground was secured at Hartley Hill, and an old five-stamp
battery was erected. Dawson was placed in charge and
had considerable difficulty with the old machinery. As
wealth did not materialize, Lobengula shut down. He
was given a button of gold which represented the total
output of his mine.

The result was a complete change in the course of a
few years from a general attitude of pessimism regarding
the future to one ot exuberant optimism. Numbers of
"small workers*', as they were called, started on claims of
their own, a considerable proportion of which had been
abandoned by the mining companies as insufficiently large

or rich for them. Other mining men continued the
practice of "tribucing" from the companies mines which
had been developed, sometimes on an extensive scale, but
had proved disappointing for one reason or another.
This was often nothing more than the failure to work with
sufficient economy or with suitable methods, and I can
say without hesitation — having been here at the time — that
it was the smallworker who taught most ot the companies
how to run a mine.

He had to make ends meet with little or no capital to
back him up, and the result was that systems of mining
and treatment were soon evolved which were suited to
local conditions. Of course, there were failures, but it is
remarkable how many of the men were successful, especi-
ally those who had some previous knowledge ot handling
machinery.

The position ot the companies was very favourably
affected by the activity which ensued. Various properties
opened by small workers proved sufficiently attractive to
be taken over for flotation and operation on a larger scale
than was possible without the provision of ample capital
tor development and equipment. After the signal success
of die Eldorado mine, added to the good showing by the
Giant and other companies, had led the way, a boom
period followed, during which the Loneiy, the Shamva,
the Cam and Motor and other claims were acquired from
smallworkers and developed into important producers.
It was not until the 1914 War broke out, however, that
this was fully reflected in the output returns; the import-
ance of the mining industry to Rhodesia is strikingly
illustrated by the fact that the gold produced was for many
years of sufficient value to pay tot the whole of the imports
into rhe country, a state of affairs which lasted till 1917.
In that year, it may be mentioned, the value of the gold
output was enough to pay the total government expenditure
nearly five times over!

SECONDARY MINERALS TO THE FORE

r THE VARIOUS MINERALS WHICH NOW PROMISE
- 1 - to contribute so much more largely than gold ever
did to the total output came upon the scene by slow
degrees. Lead, rather curiously, was the first base metal
to figure on the output returns, this being due to the fact
that it was contained in concentrates from the two leading
mines of rhe Umtali district. This was in 1903, a year
which added to its other very substantial records of
progress the first output of coal, as the railway was extended

towards Wankie. Diamonds and other precious stones
from Somabula came in during I 90S, as also did chrome
ore from the great Selukwe deposits. Regular production
of this very important mineral began in the middle of
1906, a cime which also saw the first outputs of copper,

chiefly from the small smelter at West Nicholson, where a
matte was produced containing gold and silver that could
not otherwise be recovered. Tungsten came on the scene
at the same time, the ore being wolframite from Essexvale,
to be followed in 1907 by scheelite from Umsweswe.
The first output ot antimony had already been declared
in February of that year.

A very important event was the appearance of asbestos
on the returns for 1908: by 1919 it had taken a place
second only to gold. Tin ore was produced for the first
time in 1916, though it had been known at a number of
localities since 1908. In 1919 a start was made in the
production of arsenic from local occurrences, while mica
was added to the list in the same year. Some nickel ore
was produced in the 'thirties, and small amounts of other
mincrals like :inc and manganese, platinum and tantalum,
corundum, graphite, barytes and fluorspar have been
mined, as well as ironscone, ochre, and iron pyrites.

During the last few years an endeavour has been made —
at last — to produce iron itself in the neighbourhood of
Que. Que. This is a step forward in the direction of

supplying from local sources rhe more important materials
on which the development of industries can be based.
More recently still, the discovery of a large deposic of

phosphates, from which production has so far been only
on an experimental scale, should shortly render us self-
supporting in this very important type of fertiliser.
Vermiculite, which has attracted much attention during
the past tew years in the Union of South Africa, is the
last mineral to come into production.

FIRST EXPORT OF GOLD

First regular production from the Geelong Mine, Twenty

Stamp Battery, September, 1898.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page

YOUR HOME

the background to your life, should be more
than mere living quarters. You owe it to
your family and to yourself to make your home
as attractive and comfortable as within your
means, creating an atmosphere where you may
enjoy your leisure to the fullest extent and in
which you will be proud to welcome your
friends.

Banet & Harris have the type of furniture
and furnishings which will provide dignity,
comfort and luxury for your home, be it a flat
or a mansion.

In our showrooms you will find a large
variety of beautiful designs manufactured from
quality materials and at very reasonable prices.

BANET & HARRIS LTD.

(SUCCESSORS TO P. LAZARUS & CO.)
FURNITURE & UPHOLSTERY SPECIALISTS

P.O. BOX 543 — PHONE 24980
COLONIAL MUTUAL BUILDINGS — — GORDON AVENUE
SALISBURY SOUTHERN RHODESIA

Page 100

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

TULLOCH'S WATER-WHEEL, made of whisky cases, on the Umtali River below the waterfall, and used for

crushins ore from the Liverpool Mine, 1896.

GOLD

THAT GOLD IS SO MUCH THE MOST PROMINENT
among the mineral products of the country shows
that the industry is still in an early stage of development.
It has, however, passed one important milestone in that
1948 saw the combined total value of the other metals
and minerals surpass that of gold. This has been im-
pending for some time, in fact the same thing occurred
before as Ion" ago as 1929. Only a combination of circum-
stances including low prices and the outbreak of war
prevented the present situation from becoming permanent
some years since. All chc same, it must be remembered
tvthat the gold output has not only been of the utmost
" assistance in the development of the country but still
remains a matter of much importance. So far the history
of the mining industry has been largely a tale of the enter-
prise and efforts of the gold producer, and ic is a matter
for regret that his stimulating influence on prospecting has
so greatly diminished, partly as a result of an otherwise
desirable feature, deeper mining. Unfortunately it appears
inevitable that the output should continue to decrease.

That we shall be doing very well if we manage to keep
up somewhere near the prescne level for any length of time
will be evident when it is realised that we do noc now

produce as many ounces as we did forty years ago. The

peak year was 1916, when a figure of over 930,000 ounces
was reached, but after 1918 it fell again to very much the
same on the average as in 1907 and 1908. Under the
influence of the gold premium another rise took place in
the thirties, and from 1936 to 1941 inclusive the output
was either over or very little under 800,000 ounces per
annum, It fell sharply in 1943 since when it has decreased
to 5 14,000 ounces for 1948. While the price is up, it has
been largely offset by increased costs and the fall in the
purchasing power of the pound as well as by the shortage
of labour. Nearly 30 million ounces, worth about 167
million sterling have been produced to date.

GOLD OCCURRENCE

GOLD OCCURS WIDELY DISTRIBUTED
throughout Southern Rhodesia among the extremely
ancient rocks known as schists. These are often indeed
called the "gold belt formation," or, as abbreviated by
the old time prospector, simply "formation". A
heavy red soil. covers most of the gold belts and renders
them easy to distinguish from the great stretches
of granite which occupy half the entire country and are

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Pace 101

Jiaii (IkoJUua !

BIRKMYRE'S CLOTH DEFIES THE WEATHER. QUALITY IS REMEMBERED
LONG AFTER PRICE IS FORGOTTEN. ASK ANY RHODESIAN.

for

B
U
C
K

S
A
I
L

for

T
E

N
T
S

. . . and the Ptrn^'d. m euesm fyib^e

Throughout the globe — from the tropics to the frozen wastes — Birkmyre's Cloth
enjoys a high reputation for its weather-resisting qualities and reliability under the
most testing climatic conditions. The reason for the superior water-proofing qualities
of Birkmyre's Cloth is easily understood. The Birkmyre process ensures that the
fabric is made water-proof, not only on the surface, but RIGHT THROUGH.

BIRKMYRE'S CLOTH CAME INTO RHODESIA WITH THE PIONEERS AND
HAS STAYED EVER SINCE TO BUILD UP A REPUTATION THAT HAS
GROWN WITH THE COLONY.

ROPES & CANVAS (AFRICA) LTD.

Tent and Sail Makers : Canvas and Ropework of
AH Kinds : : Verandah and Window Awnings

STANLEY
P.O. Box
S A L I S 8

AVE.

2 7 7

U R Y

ABERCORN ST.
P.O. Box 16
BULAWAYO

Page 102

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

when present, is usually conspicuous.
There are, however, quite a few de-
posits of the second group which show
little or no gold in the pun. It is
among such cases that there is most
hope for future discoveries: the
Lonely mine in its declining years
treated large tonnages from bands of
mineralised schist in the neighbour-
hood, at least one of which showed no
gold whatever in the pan. Other dis-
coveries will doubtless be made of
reefs, etc., now covered by soil, when
exposed by excavations put down
without a thought of finding gold in
most cases.

AT WANK1E.— A. Giese <in chair) discoverer of the Wankie Coal Fields,
and two coloured hunters who used to work for the trader Westbeech at

Pandamatenka .

characterised by poor sandy soil. Though only about a
quarter the area of the granite masses, the patches of
"formation" are still very extensive, and there is room for
serious prospecting even now. The granite also contains
gold at times, but as a rule only in the immediate neigh-
bourhood of the schists. The Globe and Phoenix and the
Tcbekwe, for example, are partly in one rock rind partly
in the other. The granite in these cases is usually so
altered as to be almosc unrecognisable, the bulk of the
ordinary types being entirely barren. There are a few
occurrences of gold among some of the younger rocks laid
down upon the granite or penetrating it in the form of
intrusions.

The deposits in which the precious metal is embedded
vary considerably, but it is possible to classify them in
two main groups. There are many which are commonly
termed reefs, usually of hard quart:, which are sharply
defined from the enclosing "country rock'". They may
extend for considerable distances, but are seldom more
than a few feet in width. Some valuable mines have been
on reefs only about a foot on the average; on the other
hand you may get at times an exceptional bulge up to
20 or 30 feet for a limited distance. When the length
of strike is considerable, it does not at all follow that the
whole of it, or indeed more than a small fraction of the
total, contains payable gold. The valuable portion is
known as a "shoot," and a shoot may extend downward
for a long way into the ground. Such cases are exceptional,
but it is, of course, the exceptional cases that make the
valuable mines. The other class of deposit may be called

an impregnation or dissemination, and may consist ol
any kind of rock, replaced to some extent by mineral matter,
and be nearly as wide as it is long. The impregnations
include comparatively narrow bands of mineralised schist
,-^or of "banded ironstone", very like an ordinary reef. The
width in oiher cases, however, may make all the difference
to the payability, and may compensate for a short strike
and for a limited extension in depth.

* ■* * *

PROSPECTS OF FUTURE DISCOVERIES
T-HE USUAL METHOD OF TESTING THE VALUE
-*- of a reef is by panning, i.e., washing off the lighter
materials in water, leaving a heavy residue in which gold,

ASBESTOS
HTHE VALUABLE MINERAL FIBRE KNOWN FROM

-*- the earliest times for its resistance to fire under the
names of asbestos or amianthus claims special attention
owing to its being by far the most important of all the
non-metallic minerals produced in Rhodesia at the present
day. There is more than one sort of asbestos, that fetching
the highest price being really a variety of the common
mineral serpentine, which forms large masses of rock in
many parts of rhe colony. It was first opened up in 1907
by a Bulawayo syndicate consisting of Messrs. G. S. D.
Forbes, H. S. Hodges and F. P. Menncll, with the active
assistance of Mr. A. A. Heyman, then Mining Commis-
sioner at Fort Victoria. It was no easy matter at the start
to gain a footing in a market dominated by firms interested
in rival deposits elsewhere. After several reconstructions,
during which the original holders dropped out, Gath's
claims at Mashaba were amalgamated with the Shabani
find, made by Mr. M. Kerr in 1915. They were taken
over by the Rhodesian and General Asbestos Corporation,
which was formed in 1917 and soon became the leading
producer of high grade asbestos. Other finds had meantime
been made near the two big mines and elsewhere. It is

now admitted that the Rhodesian chrysotile is unsurpassed,
and it is interesting as a reversal of former prejudices that
it is actually mixed with the Canadian fibre to improve,
the spinning qualities of the latter. In 1948 the production
of asbestos in Southern Rhodesia was 68,896 tons, valued
at £2,604,623, this being more than the combined total
o( all the other base minerals. There is plenty of room
for the further expansion of the industry. New fields
may well be developed in some of the numerous areas of
serpentine, by no means all of which have been exhaustively
prospected e%'en now.

CHROME

T->HE MINERAL CHROMITE OR CHROMIC IRON
■*- ore, always locally known as "chrome," has recently
been next in value co asbestos. Like the latter it is found
exclusively in serpentine or rocks closely related to it,
but does not often affect the same localities, though there

SotJTHGRN- RhODLSIA 1890-1950

Page 103

mum FOR TOMORROW

Rhodesia's rapid de-
velopment and plans
for the future call for
increasing employmenl
of reinforced concrete
constructions.

We are Structural and Reinforcing
Engineers and specialise in all Structural
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LIMITED

STRUCTURAL AND REINFORCING ENGINEERS
Lytton Road, Industrial Sites P.O. Box 205

Tel. 22529 Tel. Add.: "Lycon"

SALISBURY SOUTHERN RHODESIA

Page 104

Southern Rhodesia 1890-195C

Aerial view of Wankie Colliery.

is some being mined at Mashaba. The principal centre

of production is Selukwe, but other localities have large
outputs. The Selukwe deposits were first brought to
notice by Mr. J. Hazlehurst in 1904. Large irregular bodies
are scattered about in the hilly country there, and may be
almost solid chromite. It is the aim of the mining methods
employed to get the stuff out with as little dilution as
possible by valueless matrix. Remarkably extensive
deposits also occur in the so-called "Great Dyke", which
cuts right across Southern Rhodesia from North to South.
These are of quite a different type, consisting of flat-lying
seams so narrow as to be measured in inches rather than
feet. They are often rich and continuous for great distances,
but they are not easy to extract without a lot of waste.
The material has often to be washed or otherwise con-
centrated to be rendered marketable, and concentration is

also practised on some of the finer material from Selukwe.
The resulting product is of high grade, and is only excelled
by that of the much smaller deposits in Baluchistan. In
recent years the Turkish mines, owing to the rise in price
of the mineral and their more ready accessibility from
most of Europe, have had a renewal of activity and the
Union of South Africa is producing a good deal of low
grade material. Nevertheless Rhodesia is still potentially
of the first importance, and can put much more chrome
on the market as transport conditions become easier.
The 1948 output was 254,308 tons valued at £825,414,

over 80,000 tons more than for the previous year, and
nearly double as much in value.

COAL

TN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT COAL IS THE MOST
*■ important mineral product of the world, exceeding all
others both in tonnage and value, it is very satisfactory that
Rhodesia should possess such very extensive coalfields.
They occur in the lower parts of the country both north
and south of the central plateau, and occupy much of the
northern part of Matabeleland, while they run right
through the southern portion of Mashonaland, being
especially prominent in the Sabi valley. The Wankie
coalfield, between Bulawayo and the Victoria Falls, was
located by Mr. A. Giese shortly after the Occupation.
After some initial difficulties, the Wankie Colliery, which
will always be associated with the name of Mr. A. R.
Thomson, who was General Manager for 25 years, has
provided for the needs of the colony ever since. The
present outpuc is not in any way commensurate with the
enormous resources of the country in this essential fuel,
which arc exceeded by few countries in the world. That
which is mined today is a semi-bituminous variety, very
suitable for steam raising, but other types occur in the
other fields. In 1948, 1,868,669 tons were raised, their
value being given, as £748,053, over £125,000 more than
during the previous year.

Southern Rhodesia 1890- 1950

Rage 105

depend for their continued advancement on
reliable and regular supplies of quality tools and
materials. The organization of Baldwins (S.A.)
Limited maintains this service in catering for the
requirements of the Mining, Building, Engineering
and numerous secondary industries. Stocks of
Steel, Galvanized Iron, Timber, Wallboard and all
Builders' and Plumbers' requirements are always
held at our Bulawayo and Salisbury depots, and
amongst the world-famous names we represent
are "BROOM & WADE" (Air Compressors end
Tools) — "FIRTH BROWN" (Steels and Tools) -
"BERESFORD" (Pumps).

Consult Baldwins for your requirements and be
sure of quality and efficient service.

BALDWINS

(S.A.) LIMITED

P.O. Box 440 P.O. Box 1681

BULAWAYO SALISBURY

HEAD OFFICE : JOHANNESBURG, and BRANCHES AT CAPE TOWN
DUR3AN. FAST LONDON nnd PORT ELIZABETH.

Page 106

Southern Rhodesia 1890-19?

Open Asbestos workings at Mashaba.

COPPER

T-HIS METAL IS ONLY BEING PRODUCED IN
small amounts at present, but it has figured quite

prominently on the returns in former years, and there is
every reason to anticipate that it will assume an important
place in the future. Vasco da Gama called the Limpopo

the "Copper River" when he saw it for the first time on

his voyage along the east coast. There are in fact numerous
ancient workings for the red metal both in the vicinity of
chat river and various other parts of Southern Rhodesia,

among them two of the largest in the country. The first
production, under modern conditions was from a small
blast furnace at the Wesc Nicholson mine, Gwanda, and
was in the form of a matte rich in the precious metals.
Nearly all the ores worked so far have attracted attention
through their content of gold, the greater pare of the
output having come from the Falcon mine at Umvuma.
The orebody there was a gold-bearing reef, full of sulphides,

like that of the Valley mine which provided the concentrate

smelted at West Nicholson. The plant was however, a
much larger one, and the treatment was carried a stage
further to produce blister copper. The smelter also served
the very useful purpose of treating custom ores from

other parts of the country, and the lack of similar facilities

at the present day is much to be regretted. The production
of the metal has reached the considerable total of
£3,000,000, but there are deposits known in the more

remote parts of the country capable of outputs on a still
larger scale wich the improvement of transport and other
conditions.

MICA

'pHIS IS ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING OF

■*■ the non-metallic minerals, and though the industry

has had a decidedly chequered career since its first flush

period during the twenties, there is no reason why it
should not continue to flourish for many years to come.

The production has nearly all been from near Miami in
the Lomagundj district, where mica is found among a
series of gneissic rocks presumed to be highly altered
representatives of the same formation as that containing
the great copper deposits of Northern Rhodesia. The actual
matrix is a coarse aggregate of quart: and felspar, forming
wich the mica itself a pegmatite occurring in more or less
vein-like masses or dvkes, of very variable width. The

mica is of the variety known as "muscovite," and forms
what are aptly named "books," which are usually found
at or near the margins of the dykes, cither continuously
or in patches. They lie at all angles, and are somctitrcs
crowded so closely that they touch each other. They
may be split into any number of perfectly flat sheets which
usually have what is generally termed a "ruby" tint when

Southern Rhomsja 1 K90- 1 95

Pace 107

EMCO MILLS, UMTALI, SOUTHERN RHODESIA.

TELEPHONE 228 MANAGING DIRECTOR (A. H. VAN COLLER).

TELEPHONE 300 TRANSPORT, CARTAGE, RIVER AND PIT SAND.

TELEPHONE 450 CUSTOMS CLEARING AND SHIPPING, WARE-
HOUSING.

TELEPHONE 201 ENQUIRIES, FIREWOOD. COAL, CATTLE AND

PIG FEEDS.

TELEPHONE 229 EMCO CREAMERY AND MILK DEPARTMENT.

TELEPHONE 768 EMCQ MILLS MEAL, CRUSH MEALIES, FOWL

FOODS.

HODGSON & MYBURGH

LIMITED

ESTABLISHED 1396

CLEARING, FORWARDING & COMMISSION AGENTS. PRODUCE DEALERS

UMTALI

S. BHODESIA

Page 108

Southern Rhodesia 1890

Small gold mine neat Bulawayo.

not too thin. The larger and more transparent sheets are
used for lamp chimneys, stove fronts, etc., but the chief
use nowadays is for electrical goods, mien being unrivalled
as an insulator under the most trying conditions. There is
a great amount of waste during the process of" splitting
and trimming the sheers for the market, and the stuff as
mined only yields a few per cent of trimmed mica. Scrap
is used for milking lubricants and many other minor
purposes, and may also be cemented together to make
composite sheets. The Rhodesian mica is of the highest
quality, and the best is not distinguishable from the finest
Indian mica, which was previously regarded as unrivalled.
The annual output has been worth in the neighbourhood
of £150,000 in recent years, and the grand total is getting

on for a million and a half.

TUNGSTEN, TIN AND TANTALUM

THESE THREE MINERALS, LIKE THE VERY
different one dealt with in the last section, invariably
occur in association with granite or its offshoots, usually
pegmatite or a related type of rock. The first tungsten to
be worked came from the deposit of wolframite round
Mr. J. P. Richardson's homestead at Essexvale, of which
the ruins can still be seen among the excavations. The
initial output from this source was declared in August,
1906, the mineral having been identified in January, 1905.
Samples had come in from the Sabi valley two months
previously. Scheelite, the other tungsten mineral, which
is much more widely distributed, was first exported not
Jong after, namely in April, 1907. It was from a quart:
-Aeef in granite found near the Umsweswe river by Mr.
Rowland Buck in September, 1906. While wolfram has

been chiefly extracted from rubble, scheelite is often found
in gold reefs, as, for instance at the Golden Valley mine,
which has produced quite a lot. It is certain that a larger
amount might have been recovered by concentration from
a number of other reefs if more attention had been paid
to the heavy minerals associated with gold. The Scheelite
King at Mazoe and the Hippo Mine on the lower Sabi

were substantial producers during the war, but the centre
of gravity of the industry has shifted back recently to the
Wankie and Bulawayo areas. The total output so far has
been 4,723 tons of concentrates worth nearly a million

pounds.

Tin, which is a common associate of tungsten elsewhere
keeps quite clear of it in the local deposits as a rule. The
first finds of the metal were made in 1908, but production

did nor start till 1919. This was from the Victoria district,
but in later yenrs discoveries were made near the edge of
the Wankie coalfield. The granite in which it occurs
there has a marked resemblance in some important respects
to that of Cornwall, the earliest source of tin, and the area
has recently become much the most prolific producer.
The total production in the country has amounted to
3,180 tons of concentrates worth over £600,000.

Tantalum is decidedly rarer than the two minerals
dealt with above. It occurs near the tin and tungsten
lodes at the eastern extremity of the Victoria gold belt,
where it was recognised during the first world war. Very
little reached the market till after the outbreak of the
second war, furcher discoveries having been made mean-
time between Umtali and Salisbury. Altogether over a
hundred tons of concentrates have been sold, realising
more than forty thousand pounds.

OTHER MINERALS

TT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REFER IN DETAIL TO THE
•"- many other minerals which have contributed to the
output, though a number of them give promise of becoming
much more prominent in the near future. Silver has
reached a total value of three-quarters of a million, though
it has so far been a mere by-product of gold mining.
Platinum, first traced up by the Geological Survey in
1925, occurs abundantly in the "Great Dyke" area, and
the treatment problems which stilled production before,
in spite of Mr. A. Grainger's valiant efforts at Belingwe,
should not be insoluble now. That fascinating stone, the

Southern Rhodhsia 1890-1950

Pace 109

Hogarths Grows with Rhodesia

■ .

Established 1914)

Today: The Most Universal Engineering Establishment in the Colony

HOGARTHS, LTD.

BULAWAYO STRUCTURAL. REINFORCING, MECHANICAL Salisbury

P.O. Box 434 ENGINEERS AND FOUNDERS P.O. Box 1670

'ityavU&OK & *i¥uy&4o*t limited

AGENTS & DISTRIBUTORS

Official Sellers of State Lottery Tickets

* CLEARING &
FORWARDING

/ AGENTS

••

* AIRWAYS
ROOKING

AGENTS

Head Office:

MAIN STREET
BULAWAYO

Branches :

GORDON AVENUE, SALISBURY
CECIL AVENUE, NDOLA.

Pace 110

/
Southern- Rhodesia 1890-1950

diamond, has been worked to some extent, the first
discovery having been made in the Somabula gravels by
Mr. A. Moir, who brought it to the notice of Sir John
Willoughby early in 1905. The latter personally super-
intended extensive prospecting operations which revealed
the presence in the wash of* many other precious stones
which were identified by the writer: they comprised ruby,
sapphire, chrysobcryl (including catseyc and alexandrite),
beryl (aquamarine) and topaz, one variety of the last being
the beautiful "Somabula blue." Actual pipes, like those
of Kimberley, were discovered near the Bembezi river at
the beginning of 1908 as the result of a clever bit of pros-
pecting by Messrs. W. H. Kenny, J- Scott, and H. Withy.
These did not prove payable, but as we are well within the
area where rich deposits may be expected to occur, such
may still be found in the future.

Turning in quite another direction, arsenic may be
mentioned as a substance of great value to the farmer in
the form of dips and insecticides, which hns been produced
in some quantity. The pioneer in this work was Mr. J.
Buchanan at Odzi, just after the first great war, and pro-
duction afterwards took place at Gwanda. Antimony,
another useful substance which first earned notoriety as
;i poison, has also appeared on the output returns most

years since 1907, chiefly from the Gwelo district. Lead has
never yet been produced on a large scale, but the
phenomenal prices paid for it of late are causing the
possibility of putting up smelting plants to be explored
at more than one locality. Bismuth, a rarer heavy metal,
may also get further attention in the future. Zinc, though

expensive to produce, should receive more notice con-
sidering the extraordinary price at which it has been quoted
for some time past. Manganese and corundum are lower
priced minerals of which there has been some small
production. At present, in spite of their small market

value, an attractive prospect is also prcsenred by rhe largo
deposits of such non-metallic minerals as barytes, magnesite,
fluorspar, phosphates, and vermiculite. not to mention
our great resources in ores of the most important of all
the metals, iron. The possibilities of these have not by
any means received the attention they deserve. Particular
reference may be made to the two which have been most
recently discovered, namely phosphates and vermiculite.
These occur together at Dorowa, first opened up in 1945 ,
vermiculite being much more widely distributed, and since
found as far away as Wnnkie. The great phosphate deposit
at Dorowa is reported by the American authority who
examined it in 1943 to have proved reserves of 17,000,000
tons, and preparations for large scale production will
follow the provision of the transport facilities on which

work is now proceeding.

ASPHALTERS

SABI

(RHODESIA) LTD.

ASPHALT SURFACING CONTRACTORS

VERMICULITE

LTD.

•

THE PIONEERS OF RHODESIAN VERMICULITE

ROADS, DRIVES, INDUSTRIAL SITES, FACTORY FLOORS,

•

TENNIS COURTS, Etc.

MINERS. EXFOLIATORS AND EXPORTERS OF S.R

•

VERMICULITE.

"PROMPT SERVICE"
is our motto.

"ROGRO" for agriculture.
'ROPLASTA" for plastering.

"ROFIL" for insulation and building.

OPERATING IN ALL DISTRICTS.

•

15 GOLDFIELDS BUILDING. BAKER AVENUE

GOLDFIELDS BUILDING. BAKER AVENUE

Tele B hone 23913 P.O. Box 425

Telephone 23913 P.O. Box 425

SALISBURY. S. RHODESIA

WEAKLEY & WRIGHT

BROKERS

HOUSE. LAND & ESTATE AGENTS : INSURANCE AGENTS (NORWICH UNION)
CONSULT US FOR YOUR PROPERTY PROBLEMS
BASE MINERAL PROPOSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR INVESTMENT
1, 2. 3, GOLDFIELDS BUILDING, BAKER AVENUE P.O. Box 425 SALISBURY

MINING AGENTS

S. BHODESIA

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Pace 111

fyavUv

The history ol the Chartered Company reaily
began in 1888 when the emissaries of Cecil
Rhodes succeeded, in the lace ol the opposi-
tion of rival would-be concessionaires a! Loben-
gula's Kraal, in obtaining from that Chiel the
Rudd Concession.

A Royal Charter granted by Queen Victoria on
29 October, 1889, enabled the Company to
exploit that Concession and gave it the right
to exercise wide powers oi Government and
development within its sphere of operation,
should it succeed in obtaining these.

Less than a year later the Company's Pioneer
Column, guided by Selous and accompanied
by Rhodes's friend and lieutenant, Dr. Jameson,
had made ils way safely into Mashonaland and
planted the flag at Salisbury, now the Capital
ci Southern Rhodesia,

In 1893, after the routing of Lobengula's impts
end the flight and death of the Chief, Matabele-
land was occupied; and by agreement with the
Imperial Government the Company's adminis-
tration wa3 extended over the whole of what
is now Southern Rhodesia.

A vast new province had been added to

the British Empire without the loss of a

single soldier of the British regular army or

the expenditure of a shilling _..

o: the British .Taxpayers' j".- J
money.

Furthermore, the Company
v/as able to obtain from
Lowaniia, the Paramount
Chief of the Barotse, and from
ether native rulers in the vast ^J^

tract of territory lying between the Zambesi
on the South and the Lakes Tanganyika and
Nyasa on the North, a series of concessions
of extensive land and mineral rights; and having
thus obtained a foothold the establishment of
an Administration over what is now Northern
Rhodesia followed soon afterwards.

From that time until 1923, when the adminis-
tration of Southern Rhodesia was handed over
to a Responsible Government, and until 1924,
when the administration of Northern Rhodesia
was assumed by the Imperial Government, the
history of Rhodesia was the story of the British
South Africa Company The threefold objects
which the petitioners for the Charter had set
before themselves were the establishment of
British ascendancy in South Central Africa,
the development of the potential wealth of that
part of the world and the raising of the lot of
the native inhabitants.

As regards the second of these, a summary
of the mineral production up to the 31st
August, 1949. illustrates the progress made:
Southern Rhodesia: Toial value £238,861,993
(gold £170,377,008; asbestos £32,799,589; coal
£14,952,399; chrome £13,585,251; copper £5,803,663).

Northern Rhodesia, up to the 31st July, 1949:
Total £233,090,435 (copper £197,570,223; lead

£7,185,171; zinc £10.837.183;

cobalt £10,721,794; vanadium

£4,709,850).

The Chartered Company's
policy of granting prospecting
concessions to groups ol com-
panies, amply provided with
resources to enable them to

£ ^«

i\~yrf&

First Administrative Building Salisbury 1899

1'aof. 28

Southern Rhodesia 1890 1955

examine, develop and exploit the mineral wealth
of the country, has been fully justified by
results. The copper fields of Northern Rho-
desia, which are among the Empire's most
valuable resources, were developed and brought
to production through that means and have in
a few brie! years led to the establishment of
a vast industry which is giving wealth and
security to that territory. The Company dis-
posed of its mineral rights in Southern Rho-
desia to the Government of that Colony in
1933 for the sum of £2.000,000— a purchase which,
owing to the premium on gold, has proved an
extremely profitable one for the Colony and
recently arrangements have been concluded
with H.M. Government in the U.K. and the N.R.
Government ior the termination of the Com-
pany's mineral rights in Northern Rhodesia in
36 years' time.

The building of more than 2.500 miles of
railway, eonnscting Rhodesia with the Union
of South Africa on the South, the Belgian
Congo on the North and Portuguese East Africa
on the East, and the institution of road motor
services as "feeders'' to that railway system,
were initiated and completed by capital raised
on the credit of The British South Africa Com-
pany and have contributed largely to the open-

ing up of the territories served,
ways have now been taken
over by the Governments con-
cerned.

During the whole of the Com-
pany's existence it has led the
way in the agricultural and

BOARD OF DIRECTORS :

Sir DOUGAL O. MALCOLM, K.C.M.G.
(President).

His Grace the DUKE OF ABERCORM.
K.U., K.P.

C. HELY-HUTCH1NSOH, Esq.

A. E. HADLEY, Esq., C.B.E.

Colonel Sir ELLIS ROBINS, D.S.O.,
E.D.

Sir EHNEST OPPENHEIMER.

Lt.-Col. Sir JOHN R. CHANCELLOR.
G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., D.S.O.

LEO F. A. d'ERLANGER, Esq.

P. I. BAIRD, Esq., C.B.E., A.C.A.

All these rail-

Charter House, Salisbury,
Southern Rhodesia.

pastoral sphere of Rhodesia ... Its citrus
estates at Mazoe, Premier and Sir.oia; its maize,
wheal, cotton and forestry enterprises have been
scientifically developed; it initiated the tobacco
and cattle industries in Souihern Rhodesia; its
Milling Company is an undertaking which has
proved of great assistance to the farmers of the
country.

That the third object of the Charter, the rais-
ing of the lot oi the native inhabitants, has
been fulfilled cannot be stated better than ir.
the words used by a Minister of the Crowr.
who in 1920 described the native administration
o; Rhodesia to the House of Commons as "a
model not only in Africa, but for any part of
the world where you have the very difficult
problem of the white settler living side by side
with the native.''

A: the end oi this, its first hall-century ol
existence, the Company can look back upon a
period of solid achievement. For the first 33
years its work was solely for the Empire and
the people of Rhodesia — its shareholders saw
no material return on their investment.

Since 1924, the Company has distributed cash,
dividends and bonuses amounting to £1 16s. 6d.
per share — not an extravagant reward for the
patience of those shareholders during a lifo
of fifty-six years. Rhodesians
know that the prosperity and
security of the Rhcdesias are
still the paramount concern of
the Company,

Head Office:

10 OLD BROAD STREET,
LONDON, E.C.2.

Secretary aud CLIcI Accountant;

W. H. WHITE, Esq.

Assistant Secretary:

I. N. KIEK. Esq.

Resident Director in Africa:

Colonel Sir ELLIS R03INS,

D.S.O., E.D.

Heed Office In Rhodesia:

CHARTER HOUSE, P.O. Box 364,

SALISBURY.

Cruel Accountant in Africa:

E. S. NEWSON, Esq., A.S.A.A.

Local Secretary, N. Rhodesia:

H. St. L. GRENFELL, Esq., M.C.

Resident Mining Engineer, Ndola:

H. E. BARRETT, Esq.

Local Secretary, 3. Rhodesia:

W. L, SMITH, Esq.. M.3.E.

THE BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA COMPANY

(INCORPORATED BY ROYAL CHARTER)

Southebn Rhodesia 1890-1950

Pace 29

aaitat

Hornet of Parliament, London, England,

The finest car of its class in the world

The Jaguar is renowned, not only in Britain but throughout the world,
for its unique combination of elegance and high performance. With its
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at high speeds and corresponding freedom from swaying and bouncing.
Thus long journeys become short journeys and all journeys a joy. Both
front seats are adjustable for height as well as reach, and no more than
a flick enables the steering column to be moved to your liking. At 5 or 95 the
Jaguar heralds its approach with the merest whisper ; and in the deep-seated
comfort of its real leather upholstery the driver has the magnificent
feeling that he could steer this car through the eye of a needle.

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/ A G V A R DISTRIBUTOR S F O 7? S O I! T II

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or dosed . iMvishly equipped, to
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Page 30

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

THE S T II It V OF

THE CHARTERED COMPANY

SIR DOUGAL O. MALCOLM, K.C.M.G.
President of the British South Africa Company

"Having been a Director of the Chartered Company for fully half of a
long life, and President of it for about a dozen years, I hardly feared the
charge of trying to teach my grandmother when I agreed to write this article.
Rather, the ivriter is in the position of lecturing to the rising generation about
an elderly relative of whom something should already be known. There
may be some points connected with the old 'lady's' early loves and adventures
which are not wholly familiar. . . ."

;; £9g@§$HE CHARTERED COMPANY'S
8Sir-S@@!?2 ': story, which may he described
as "The Bride of Rhodes who
brought his children to birth" or,
to vary the metaphor, as "his
chosen instrument for the accom-
plishment of his great design,"
goes back at least as far as the closing decades of
the nineteenth century.

Till then the southern part of the African
continent had been regarded by the Powers of
Europe as being valuable only as affording
places of rest and refreshment on the long sea
voyage to and from India and the Far East. As
such, it was indispensable to the mariners and
explorers of Portugal in the fifteenth and sixteenth
centuries, of the Netherlands in the seventeenth
and eighteenth, of Great Britain afterwards: it

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Pace 31

ALFRED BEIT

Alfred Beit, who was the same age as Rhodes, came to
Kimberley in 1875 as a diamond buyer, and the (wo
young men struck up a friendship which was undoubtedly
one of the great influences in Rhodes's life. Rhodes relied
on Beit's business instincts, and in the years when
politics absorbed most of his time, Beit looked after
his interests. Beit was one of the four principle founders
of the Dc Beer's Consolidated Mines Ltd., and he

helped materially in financing the Chartered Company,
of which he was an original Director. He died in 1906,
and by his will left a large fortune to be administered by
Trustees on education and the development of com-
munications in the two Rhodesias, and this fund has
provided a large number of scholarships, has built
school assembly halls, given grants-in-aid to public
and charitable institutions, constructed numerous low-
level bridges over rivers, and four great engineering
works in, the Beit Bridge over the Limpopo, the Luangwa
River Bridge in Northern Rhodesia, the Birchenough
Bridge over the Sabi River, and the Otto Beit Bridge
over the Zambezi at Chirundu.

is still, as has been made plain to all in the course
of two great World Wars, of incalculable
strategic importance.

But, towards the end of the nineteenth
century, the discovery of the diamonds of
Kimberley in the 1870's, and, still more, of the
world's greatest goldfield on the Witwatersrand
in 1886, awoke the Powers to the idea that
South Africa was worth having for its own
sake — for might not further untold wealth await
the explorer in the interior? — and the scramble
for Africa began.

Two great rivals stood out before all others —
Great Britain and Germany. Of these, all the
initial advantages might seem to be with Great
Britain, which possessed the only two well
established foci of white civilization at the Cape
of Good Hope and in Natal; Germany had but
lately obtained footholds in what arc now
South-West Africa and Tanganyika. But Great
Britain was a satisfied Power. It is true that in
1885 she proclaimed her Protectorate over
Bechuanaland and thus saved the first stage of
the road to the North, but beyond that she was
not prepared to face the difficulties and bear the
cost of further Imperial expansion, while the
Government of the Cape Colony sat in comfort-
able apathy under the shadow of Table Mountain.

On the other hand, the ambitious parvenu
Power of Germany was unmistakably anxious to
extend a broad belt of dominion from South-
West to East over the savage African tribes
which lay between, and to establish herself as
the protector and patron of the little Boer
republics of the Transvaal and Orange Free
State. And what sort of a patron was she
likely to prove?

To one who had eyes to see, the race was set
between the British from South to North and
the Germans from West to East; the stakes no
less than the domination of the sub-continent
and with it of the harbours on the long sea
voyage from Europe to the Red Sea and to the
Orient.

Happily, on the British side there was one
man with the imagination to grasp the reality
and the magnitude of the issue, and with the
power and ability to grapple with it. He could
see that the race must fall to whichever side
could first establish itself firmly in the territories
of the Matabele Chief, Lobengula, to the north
of the Limpopo and in the territories of the
Barotse and other smaller native peoples to
the north of the Zambesi; that is to say, in the
whole of what is now Rhodesia

That man was Cecil Rhodes, still very young
but possessed of vast wealth drawn from the
diamond fields, commanding the resources of
De Beers Consolidated Mines, and a man who
carried weight at the Cape and even in London.

Far in advance of his time in his foresight
of what a Dominion, as we now call it, might
be, he tried hard to get the Government of
his own Colony to move, but in vain. , Very
well, then; he would shoulder the great task

Page 32

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

The first offices of the British South Africa Company
at Fort Salisbury.

himself. For that he must provide himself
with his own instrument. Commanding none
of the resources of a Government, he had
recourse to a traditional agency of Imperial
development — the merchant adventurers of the
City of London. He sent his emissaries to the
kraal of Lobengula, and through
them obtained from that Chief
in 1888 a concession over all
the minerals in his territory,
coextensive with the modern
Southern Rhodesia. To work
that concession he secured, on
October 29 in the following
year, through the British Gov-
ernment from Queen Victoria,
a Charter of Incorporation for
the British South Africa Com-
pany.

The Charter also authorised
the Company to obtain and
work further concessions within
its ''principal field of opera-
tions", which covered all the
Bechuanaland Protectorate and
Rhodesia of to-day, and to exer-
cise rights of administration (if
if should succeed in getting
them) in regions in which the
British Government claimed
,- neither to possess nor to be

able itself to grant such rights.

Thus the Chartered Company,
to call it by its familiar, though
not strictly its legal, name

The entrance to Charter House, Salis-
bury, the Head Office of the British
South Africa Company in Rhodesia. I

came into being. It was equipped with funds
subscribed for its shares by British investors,
true successors of the merchant adventurers of
an earlier day. Such men have never yet been
found timid in backing schemes which, like
Rhodes's, appeal to the imagination and to the
patriotic spirit. But these by themselves would
not have been enough. To subscribe with no
hope of ultimate gain would have been Quixotic,
and the investors, like their forebears, had an
eye to the main chance. Though they would
have been sanguine indeed if they had looked
for a quick profit, they naturally hoped for a
material reward which, though it might be long
deferred, would be ample; no man has the
right to grudge it to them.

Now Rhodes knew well that if he were to
speak, with Germany in the gate, his footing in
the promised land must be not only legal but
effective. Therefore his first step, in 1890,
was to recruit and equip, at the expense of his

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 33

tor twenty-two years we have catered for
the needs of the people of this growing
Country of ours. Faithfully have we en-
deavoured to serve, and long may we hope

to do so.

FOR THE BEST VALUE

LADIES' AND CHILDREN'S WEAR

see

BALLANTYNE & CO.

FIRST STREET, SALISBURY, SOUTHERN RHODESIA

BRAUDE BROS.

DIRECT IMPORTERS

Wholesale and Retail Wine, Spirit
and General Merchants

Speke Avenue, Salisbury

TELEPHONE Nos. 21772 TELEGRAMS "BRAUDE"

PRIVATE OFFICE 21170 P.O. BOX 163

Page 34 Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Company, a little force of Pioneers and Police,
as daring a band as those companies of Spaniards
who first made their way into Mexico and Peru,
and to send them up into the domain of the
formidable Lobengula. A very few of them,
very old men now, still happily survive and are
rightly held in high honour.

Guided by the famous big game hunter,
F. C. Selous, and accompanied and inspired by
Rhode's lifelong friend, the. late Sir Starr
Jameson, the Pioneers made their way through
countless perils and tribulations, but in safety,
to Fort Salisbury, where they planted the
Company's flag on September 13, 1890. And
Rhodes's race with the Germans for what he
called "My North" was won.

But it had been, as had been said before in
an even more famous connection, "a devilish
close-run thing", and at this point a strategist
may well pause and ask himself what, if the result
had been the other way, would have been the
effects on the World Wars of 1914 to 1918
and of 1939 to 1945?

If there be any virtue at all in the "might-have-
beens" of history, it is as certain as anything
in such a field can be, that the German power
would have been standing at all the ports round
the Cape to the Red Sea, and that, with the
Mediterranean effectively closed, the North
African campaigns of Montgomery and
Alexander, on which the issue of the last awful
struggle so largely turned, would have been
impossible. Something is due to the Company
for that.

Starting from Salisbury, the Company's tiny
white settlement, isolated from civilisation by
vast tracts of savage wilderness across which
the costs of such communication as was possible
strained the financial resources of the Company
to the uttermost, somehow made good. The
industries of mining and agriculture were
started, and a simple form of administration
was set up under Jameson which, after the
inevitable war with Lobengula and the Matabele
m 1893, was extended over all Southern Rho-
desia.

A great new province had been added to the
British Empire without the cost of the life of a
single soldier of the British Army or of a shilling
of the British taxpayer's money, and the Com-
pany had done for its country a work which, in
other circumstances, its country might reasonably
have been expected to be willing to do for
itself.

F. C. Selous, who guided the Pioneer Column to
Mashonaland. He suggested to Rhodes the line of
approach, and was, therefore, engaged to guide the
Pioneer Column to its objective, Mount Hampden, a
point on the plateau of Mashonaland, named by him at
an earlier date. He served in the Rebellion of 1896, and
after that made his home in England, but continued his
expeditions to various countries in search of natural
history specimens. At the age of 64, he joined the
Legion of Frontiersmen, and served in East Africa,
falling in action on January 4th, 1917. He was the
author of several books dealing with wild life and travel
in South and Central Africa.

The Company's administration survived many
trials; the ill-fated Raid into the Transvaal of
1896, the rinderpest and the subsequent Matabele
and Mashona rebellions of 1896 and 1897, the
South African War of 1899-1902, and the death
of Rhodes in that last year. It was recognised
on all hands as being a good administration,
well suited to the stage of development which
the community it served had reached, though
carried on at a heavy cost to the Company
itself.

Nor was it confined to Southern Rhodesia.
In Northern Rhodesia also, from 1900 to 1910,
the Company had obtained from Lewanika, the
Paramount Chief of the Barotse, and from the
other lesser chiefs to the East and North-East
of Barotseland, concessions generally similar to

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 35

ONLY THE BEST TIMBER

thl ed J n ° ur , own *"?*. ^ used in our workshops for
and?,^r rS ° f i oiner y. Shop Fronts, Show Cases
n r<Z* • r™' a ? d , hese Products - produced through
a "f nchon of ?™«? machinery and expert craffs-
manship - are of the highest quality, and the prices
arc competitive with those of imported goods
The Joinery Department will supply joinery of every

alwa^nha"? * SPedfiCati ° n ' «* ^ T 2

SJ^SmS*- De P arfa "ent specialises in shop fronts,

wan display ^J&tt^&cSr* Sh ° W —

ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE WILL BE SENT ON REQUEST

PREMIER WOODWORKING

(RHODESIA) LIMITED

Telegrams: "Lakes."

COMFORT ON THE ROAD

and confidence in your transport is
the key to a succesful business or
pleasure trip. We can provide
that. A fleet of luxurious, post-war
American Sedan cars is at your
disposal, to drive yourself, to any
part of Rhodesia and for any lenath
of time. s

Angwa S!./Union Ave.. Salisbury. S. Rhodes,
Phone 22996 T el. Add.: "RENTACAR

Page 36

Southern- Rhodesia 1890-1950

A. R. Colquhoun, First Administrator, Mashonaland,
seconded from the Indian Civil Service at the request of
Rhodes to accompany the Pioneer Column in 1890 and
start Civil Government in Mashonaland. Died 1914,
aged 67.

that which Lobengula had granted in
On the footing of those concessions, it had
extended its administration in a simple but
orderly form — again at very heavy cost to itself,
though without having to engage in a single
"little war" — over the whole vast area from the
Zambesi to the borders of the Belgian Congo
and of Tanganyika. The evil slave trade had
been completely suppressed, and the native
from the Limpopo to the Great Lakes no longer
quailed in terror of the witch doctor and of the
hostile assegai.

So it fell out that at the end of the First World
War in 1918 the Company stood in an apparently
great position. It ruled over all Rhodesia. It
owned all the mineral rights throughout the
country, and, through its subsidiary Companies,
a complete system of railways more than 2,000
miles in length, from Vryburg in the Union of
South Africa through the Bechuanaland Pro-
tectorate and Bulawayo northwards to the
border of the Belgian Congo, and eastwards
from Bulawayo through Salisbury to the PortU'
guese port of Beira. But it had never paid one
penny of dividend to its shareholders. The
discharge of the duties of administration had
swallowed up all that might otherwise have been
profit. And from that year, 1918, the days of
the Company as a governing authority were in
reality numbered.

A report of the Judicial Committee of the
Privy Council had found that the unalienated
land of Southern Rhodesia belonged not to the
Company but to the Crown, which was merely
bound to repay to the Company what it had
spent out-of-pocket on land management and
on the administration of the Government.
Thus, no profit was to be looked for from that
source. Moreover, the white population of
Southern Rhodesia had now grown to a number
and to a degree of prosperity which, they felt,
justified them in demanding emancipation from
the tutelage of "Mother Charter" and the
institution of local Responsible Government.

To such an arrangement, if the Crown was
prepared to agree to it, there was no reason
why the Company from a business point of

Sir Leander Starr Jameson ("Dr. Jim"), Second Adminis-
trator of Mashonaland until 1895, and President of The
British South Africa Company from 1913 to 1917.
Bom 9th February, 1853. Died 26th November, 1917,
and buried at the Matopos.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 37

GATH'S ASBESTOS MINE.

Photo: Public Relations Dspanmsnl.

GWELO

RAIL AND ROAD CENTRE
OF

SOUTHERN
RHODESIA

AND HUB OF

MIDLANDS
INDUSTRY

A STREET SCENE IN GWELO. Photo: H. Hains

■.taiu .

For further information write to :-
Th<j Secretary, Gwelo and District Publicity Association,
P.O. Box 212 - - Gwelo - - Southern Rhodesia

Pace 38

Gwelo was recognised as a convenient distribu-
tion point and as early as 1894 a community was
established on the site.

1950-

To-day, Gwelo is the established Midlands Capital,
and has many social amenities to oifer, plus excel-
lent manufacturing facilities. In the history of
Gwelo, we are proud of the prosperous farming
dnd ranching industries and the gold, chrome and
asbestos mines which settlers have built up in our
district, all of which bring valuable revenue to
the Colony.

Southern Rhodjsia 1890 1°50

The Rt. Hon. Earl Grey, G.C.M.G., Third Administrator
of Mashonaland until the end of 1897. He was one of
the original directors on the hoard of the Chartered
Company, and was Vice-President of the Company
from 1897-1903, when he went to Canada as Governor-
General. Earl Grey died in 1920.

Sir Arthur 1-awley, G.C.S.I., K.C.M.G., Administrator
of Mataheleland 1897-1901.

Sir William Milton, Fourth Administrator of Mashona-
land, and First Administrator of Southern Rhodesia.
He came to Mashonaland as Chief Secretary to organize
Government service in 1896, and succeeded Earl Grey as
Administrator of Mashonaland in 1898. In 1902, on
the departure of Sir Arthur Lawley from Bulawayo,
Sir William Milton became the first Administrator of
Southern Rhodesia. He died in 1930.

view should object. Accordingly, after the
"Devonshire Agreement" of September 29,
1923, had settled, finally and fairly, a whole host
of questions in dispute outstanding hetween the
Crown and the Company, Responsible Govern-
ment was established in Southern Rhodesia, and
since that time the Company's position in that
Colony has been similar to that of any other
commercial corporation carrying on important
business in the friendliest relations with the
local Government.

A few months later Northern Rhodesia was
also taken over from the Company and placed
directly under the British Colonial Office as a
Crown Protectorate. The relief afforded to the
Company's finances by these administrative
changes was immediate; and whereas, as 1 have
said, it had never previously paid any dividend
at all, it has continuously, with the single
exception of the worst "slump" year— 1932 —
paid dividends, albeit of modest amount, ever
since the changes took place.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 39

TURNER & SONS LTD.

EST 1926

P.O. Box 1097. Telephone 24910. Telford Road. Light Industrial Sites,

SALISBURY

BUILDING CONTRACTORS & JOINERS

COUNTRY ORDERS
RECEIVE THE SAME
PROMPT & CARE-
FUL ATTENTION AS
OUR LOCAL CUS-
TOMERS.

ALL BUILDING
CONSTRUCTION IS
UNDER THE
PERSONAL SUPER-
VISION OF THE
MANAGING
DIRECTOR.

One of :he most modem Joinery Workshops in Salisbury, S.R,

If you have a Building or Joinery problem, let us solve it; we have specialised for over 24 years to
the satisfaction of all our clients. Our materials are the best obtainable, which, combined with highly-
skilled workmanship, makes certain of a first-class job.

JtdeAMaiitmal $<Pieemmtf

. . . different countries . . . different customs ... in Rhodesia those who
know, agree that loelson Bros. Ltd., through their long association in the
electrical field in Rhodesia, offer the finest value in electrical appliances.

PREMIER PYLON KETTLE

British Quality i'roducts

JOELSON BROS. LTD.

Box 328

Salisbury

Page 40

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

•■■ - - Vi' -i'V'- f f — •» — ■ ' "i'lli'f'JT ' l 1 * c r)-» .i ,inji , i

Sir Drummond Chaplin, G.B.E., K-C.M.G. Second
Administrator of Southern Rhodesia from 1914-1923,
and Administrator of Northern Rhodesia from 1921-1923.
Resident Director in Africa of the British South Africa
Company from 1923 until his death in 1933.

Of the great assets of which the Company
stood possessed in 1918 the Southern Rhodesian
Mineral Rights were, in 1937, sold to the
Government of the Colony at a fair price, freely
offered by that Government and freely accepted
by the Company. The Rhodesian Railways
were similarly sold in 1947. But the Northern
Rhodesian Mineral Rights remain, and from
them, thanks mainly to the wonderful develop-
ments which have taken place in the copper
mining industry in that territory in recent years
and to the present high price of copper, the
long-suffering patience of the shareholders, with
their enduring faith in the great enterprise of
Rhodes, is beginning — though only just begin-
ning — to bring a hoped-for but tardy reward.

Last year as a result of negotiations with the
Northern Rhodesia Government it was agreed
that the Company should continue to enjoy
its mineral rights until 1986 when they would
become the property of the Crown, and that as
from the 1st October, 1949, the Company should
assign and pay to the Government of Northern
Rhodesia 20% of the net revenue from their
mineral rights.

Last year saw the sixtieth anniversary of the
signing of the Charter granted to Rhodes, and
the Company looks forward to playing a part
in the future development of the Rhodesias
commensurate with the services it has rendered
to those Territories in the past.

Colonel Sir Ellis Robins, D.S.O., E.D., Resident Director
of the British South Africa Company.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 41

1350 — Aerial photograph oi Showrooms, Workshops, Service Line and Offices.

21 YEARS' PROGRESS. Commencing business in a temporary showroom during 1929 With a stall of two Europeans and one
Cairn; Ltd. has grown into a large concern employing 65 Europeans and 70 Natives, wnile their builainga, cc
■v-vl-ch™^ Sorvir-P Tins Vehicle. Flectric ADoliances and Spares Showrooms, now cover ten stands (SZ.bUU sq

Motive Cairns L;d. has grown into a large concern employing 65 Europeans ana W natives, wane ineir U u.,uK.g a , ^ .,-
prising Workshops, Service Line, Vehicle, Electric Appliances and Spares Showrooms, now cover ten stands (oV.SUU sq. I

MASHONALAND DISTRIBUTORS lor:

CHEVROLET Cars and Trucks, VAUXIIALL Cars, BEDFORD Cars.
BUTCK Cars, GENUINE SPARES lor all G.M, Vehicles, PRICES
Motorine Oils, ATCO Motor Lawn Mowers, FRIGIDAIRE House-
hold and Commercial Refrigeration. XCEL Electric Stoves and
Appliances, HOOVER Washing Machines and Cleaners.

Cairn* mv>) Itb.

P.O. Box 103

SALISBURY

SOUTHERN RHODESIA

Photograph on loll shows Original Stall and Premises. 1S23.

Page <f2

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

A view of the British South Africa Company's Dam ai Maioe.

i^e c

• For the discriminating business executives who advertise
the integrity of their firms on Fine Office Stationery.

• On the high standard this industry has reached since ]8S0
our production is evidence of Rhodesia's progress which
we are all proud to celebrate.

You are assured of Fine. Printing when you
leave your printing problems with us

THE CENTRAL AFRICAN PRINTING & PURLISHING CO.

(Partners i K. A. D. Snapper and A. B. Werrett)
Agent, for THE CENTRAL AFRICAN PUBLICATIONS -:- PUBLISHERS OF "THE RKODESIAN TRIBUNE'

An informative journal and a fine advertising medium

P °- B ° X 9 " Mnn °9 e ' : R ' A ' »• Snapper Telophono 23692

SALISBURY, SOUTHERN RHODESIA

Southern Rhodesia 18Q0-1QS0

Page 43

IKCUIT H.NUfAC'UMAS TO H.H. .1

NC CfO«CI VI

Qua/tty count* MeMew*M""*

iNJoy

HUNTLEY & PALMERS
BISCUITS

bud

£#£**

Some of ,he mny delicious kinds now ohainobU

CUSTARD CREAMS • SHORTCAKE

OSBORNE ■ M.LK AND HO N E Y

These biscuits and o,h, aiuaaivc kinds including

CHOCOLATE SHORTCAKE

ore obtainable in

CARNIVAL ASSORTED

ACENTS
W. C. Mac-Donald & Co. Ltd.. P.O. Box 794 , B U U„. yo .

W. C. MacDonald & Co. Ltd., P.O. Box j6, Salisbury
HUNTLEY . PAlMERS LTD „ READ|NG , londoN| ^

Page 44

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

JOURMY IJVTO THE WILDS

It Y
JESSIE (. LOYE.1IORE

SSggOR three-quarters of a

century I have watched Rhodesia
grow; here are my impressions
of those early days when mission-
aries and hunters were the only
white people to cross the
Limpopo River.

months old when, in October,
18/4, my parents left Zuurbrak Mission Station,
near Swellendam, in the Cape, to make the long
journey into Matabeleland. You will realise
how long that journey was when I tell you, as
my mother told me, that the family left with
one four-months-old child and reached our
destination with the second baby alreadv four
months old.

My father had been appointed to Hope
Fountam Mission, near Bulawayo, and we
arrived there in December, 1875, having stayed
at Kuruman Mission for a couple of months
and then trekking by ox-wagon to King Khama's
capital, Shoshong, in Bechuanaland, where my
mother had her second child. Our journey was
a journey into the wilds. We followed the line
of least resistance, using roads that were only
tracks, and when 1 recently retravelled part of
the way by car, along the Garden Route from
Swellendam to George and
over the Montagu Pass to
Graaff-Reinet, I wondered how
an unwieldy outfit like a wagon
and 1 6 ozen had been manipu-
lated up the steep inclines and
round the sharp bends and
across the unbridged rivers.

ARRIVAL AT
MATABELELAND

THERE WERE ONLY
about 20 white people in
Matabeleland when we arrived.
At Inyati, the first mission
station established in 1859 by
Dr. Robert Moffat, there were
two missionaries and two at
Hop/ Fountain. Bulawayo had
two or three traders, and even-
year a few hunters and explorers
would wend their way into
the country during the dry
season and leave again before
the heavy rains started^

Nowadays, providing for a
long week-end agitates some
housewives. Fifteen years

MRS. JESSIE C. LOVEMORE
"Aunt Jessie" Lov&more is known
to hundreds of Rhodesians as "the
Rhodesian who has lived longest in

the country". In her, visitors find a
fund of knowledge and anecdote,
expressed with clarity and humorous
understanding of the days when trial
and hardship were c ommonplace.

before the arrival of the Pioneer Column all
provisions— which had to be brought from Cape
I own or Port Elizabeth—were ordered in
sumoent quantities to last two years! That took
a lot of concentration and calculation.

As the missionaries had to make their homes
in the country, they wasted no time in starting
to grow food. Both at Inyati and Hope Fountain
they were able to irrigate enough acres to plant
wheat, and one of my earliest recollections is of
seeing my father in the wheat field, leading the
water among the plants, and later mowing the
ripe wheat with a scythe, then tying it into
bundles and stacking it. During the day the
missionary and his wife were very busy with
ploughing, gardening, washing, ironing, cookie
and teaching the children, and it was only after
supper that they could settle down to readin"
writing and sewing.

The natives did not work in the house, but
tended the cattle, sheep and goats, or du« a
little bit in the garden. Even in those days they
seldom worked for more than two or three
months a year before "resting"! They were
never paid in money but with cotton blankets, or
yards of print, or beads.

When the crops were reaped,
a smooth, level piece of ground
would be found and some
native men would be enticed —
with strips of calico or tobacco
— to sit around and beat out
the grain from the sheaves
with home-made flails. The
women, with their round, flat
baskets would winnow the
grain from the chaff.

It was a very graceful per-
formance as they stood with
the winnowing baskets held
high over their heads, shaking
them gently. The women, like
the men, preferred payment in
beads.

As many of them still are,
the natives were then very
superstitious, and when they
were learning to read they
were not allowed to take any
books home, for they might
have been accused of witch-
craft and even put to death.
Later on, when the first three
or four converts were really
sincere in their desire' to

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 45

The @m@ good
thing they missed

To the Pioneers, the
men who founded the
Rhodesias . . . how re-
grettable that in their
fleeting moments of
relaxation SPA MAZOE
CRUSH was not avail-
able to sustain, refresh
and fortify them in
their heroic efforts.

become Christians, the missionaries refrained
from any ceremony of baptism, as that, too,
might have had serious consequences.

"MUTI"

THE NATIVES VERY QUICKLY TOOK
to the benefits of being doctored. (Note
how strong are the comparisons between then
and now!) The nastier the medicine, the more
it was enjoyed. Almost every day the missionary
was busy for two or three hours attending to
patients. We had no medical missionaries in
Matabeleland in the early days, but the students,
when studying for the ministry in England, walked
the hospitals for six months to gain a little
knowledge; after that it was a question of
commonsense .

One day my mother was horrified when a
native asked her to sew on a part of his nose.
His wife and another woman had been fighting,
and when he tried to stop them the other
woman had bitten off the piece of nose. He
had tried, without success, to sew it on with
some sinew- When my mother told the native
to await my father's return the next day, he
became truculent, and it was only after being
shown a great array of medicine bottles — some
of which contained poison — that he agreed to
wait as my mother didn't know which medicine
to use. The next day the separate piece of nose
was useless. However, the native's nose healed
without it, and he stayed at the mission station
for a month while receiving treatment. At the
end of that time he demanded payment for having
stayed !

One never knew what the natives would get
up to. A boy once came along to have a tooth
pulled; my father took a pair of forceps and,
having put down his pipe on a nearby stone,
proceeded to extract the offending tooth. Then
he noticed that his "client" was putting out his
foot — the natives could pick up anything with
their toes — to steal the pipe.

A DESPOT

AND NOW LET ME PAINT A LITTLE
broader picture, filled in with details my
parents later told me. When the first mission-
aries arrived, Mzilikasi was King of the Mata-
beles, followed, on his death, by Lobengula.
The missionaries were always very courteous to
the king; after all, it was his country, and they
were there by his permission. Soon after our
arrival we went to greet Lobengula at his kraal.
His wives and his sister, Ncence, were so taken
with my brother and me — two fat white babies —
that my mother was afraid they would steal us.
As we grew older we loved to visit the king's
kraal, because the women would give us lovely
chunks of beef which we could grill on the coals
at our wagon. Both of us could chatter the
language like natives.

Lobengula, cruel and ruthless, ruled his people
with a rod of iron. When he had Ncence
strangled, because she and her followers were
becoming too powerful, my father went to point
out the horror of the deed to the black king.
Lobengula said, "It was a case of my death or
hers, and I do not want to die." He acknow-
ledged that it was cruel, but it was the only way
to rule.

Two incidents in 1893 show how his word was
law. After the Fort Victoria affair, when the
Matabele, returning from their annual raids,
had killed some Mashona in the streets of the
town itself, it was decided to march into
Matabeleland and occupy it. Lobengula decided
to flee as the white troops approached.

Two traders, Fairbairn and Usher, were the
only white people who had not left the area
some months before. Before he fled, Lobengula
told one of his men to look after Fairbairn and
Usher and to let no one touch them, as he was
responsible for their safety. Likewise, the
missionaries' houses were not to be burned.
When the troops reached Bulawayo the two
traders were safe. Although some natives
looted the mission houses, stealing sheets, cur-
tains, knives, clothes and materials, they did not
set fire to them — a tribute to the power of a
king who had already fled.

Lobengula was a very sick man when he left.
For years he had suffered from gout, he had
grown very fat, and he took no exercise. His
flight in an ox-wagon over the veld, towards the
Bubi River, must have been a great strain, and
he died soon after Bulawayo was occupied. At
one time there were many rumours that Loben-
gula was Still alive, but when Umjaan, his head
induna, came to see my father about December,
1894, he had already taken Lobengula's head
wife for himself, and he said that Lobengula
was dead.

THE FEAST DANCE

TN FEBRUARY EACH YEAR THE
JL Matabele celebrated their feast-dance and
general harvest rejoicings. The indunas met to
discuss affairs of state with Lobengula, and to
decide in which direction they would send the
raiding impis during the dry season. The
feast-dance lasted a week; many oxen were
killed and much beer was brewed. One of the
outstanding ceremonies was the "Great Dance",
when 10,000 warriors formed in a big flattened
circle, with Lobengula and his visitors (often
including the missionaries) on one side. The
warriors' full-dress consisted of black ostrich
feather capes and head-dresses, varying according
to their regiments.

They carried shields, assegais and knobkerries.

One warrior then sang in a high-pitched voice,
reciting, as it were, an epic. He would tell of
the last raid they had made, how they had killed
many men, had taken many cattle and slaves.
After each sentence he would pause, and the

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 47

become Christians, the missionaries refrained
from any ceremony of baptism, as that, too,
might have had serious consequences.

"MUTI"

A DESPOT

THE FEAST DANCE

They carried shields, assegais and knobkerries.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 47

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Page 48

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

The Rev. Chas. D.
servants.

10,000 warriors would stamp
twice with their feet. Around
their legs they had strings of
"parchment" cases (they were
really cocoons from which the
grubs had been extracted and
replaced with a few tiny pebbles),
and when they stamped the
rattling noise was awe-inspiring.
When the epic was finished, the
dancers would shuffle closer and
closer, then widen out again,
using a sort of war cry. The
king would walk along the ranks,
carrying an assegai; halting, he
would hurl the assegaaai in the
direction in which the annual
raids would take place.

All 89 of the king's wives
would be present, wearing full,
short skirts of tanned sheepskins
and necklaces and armlets of
pink beads, which only the royal
family were allowed to wear.
Like the men, they were bare
above the waist, apart from
some ornaments. The head wife
would walk up and down before the king,
voicing a few grumbles. Until the great fiesta
week was over no one was allowed to eat any of
the new season's crops of green mealies, marrows
or sugar cane.

FAITH IN THE MISSIONARIES

WHEN CECIL RHODES SENT MAGUIRE,
Rudd and Thompson to get from
Lobengula the mineral rights of" Mashonaland,
the emissaries asked my father to be present at
every meeting, for they knew that Lobengula
had implicit faith in the missionaries. Lobengula
never signed any document unless my father had
read it over to him. Neither understanding nor
speaking English, he relied on interpreters — all
the missionaries were very good linguists — and
said that the missionaries had never lied to him.

TREKKING SOUTH

EVERY TWO YEARS THE MISSIONARIES
took it in turn to trek down south, to attend
jEhe mission meetings at Kuruman and to collect
the fresh supply of provisions. It was felt, too,
that two years' loneliness in the wilderness was
enough for anyone, and that a little social life
would benefit everybody. Those journeys were
made by ox-wagon, so I want to describe the
wagon and how we lived in it.

The wagon-journey was a joy and a glorious
picnic to the children, but the mother was never
so enthusiastic. A lot of thinking was needed

Helm and Mrs. Helm with some of their devoted African
This photograph was taken about 1908 or 1909.

to pack and stow enough clothes for a family
for six months. The wagon was 21 feet long
and 4 feet 6 inches wide, with a tent, or hood,
about 6 feet high. One could stand and dress
with ease. About the middle of the wagon a
double-beds pring mattress was tied to the tent,
to be used by the parents, who could sit in it
without bumping their heads on the hood.
Behind it was slung a smaller double-bed frame,
for the small fry; we bigger children used to
sleep below it, on the floor of the wagon.
Things were fairly cramped, but that was
unavoidable. These "beds" filled about 12 or
13 feet of the wagon's length. The space at the
front was where we sat when trekking, perched
on wooden boxes in which were packed the
clothes and provisions. At the very front,
across the width of the wagon, was the "voor-
kist" (the "front chest") on which sat the driver.
Into this "voorkist" were fitted eight empty
paraffin tins, containing crockery, cutlery, table
cloths and the food for daily use.

The time of trekking had to be arranged so
that we would get to water about 8 a.m., and
there we would stay until 4 o'clock in the
afternoon. Then we would trek until 6 p.m.,
when we would halt for supper and put the
babies to bed.

At 8 o'clock we would inspan and travel until
11 p.m. or a little later, sleeping until between
four and five o'clock, and arriving at the river
or vlei for breakfast. All the way along the
road there was water every 12 to 20 miles. The
pace of the ox with a loaded wagon is two miles
an hour — which is just as well, because without
springs and on the rough road we would never
have been able to stand more rapid bumping.

Southern Rhodesia I890-l°5O

Page 49

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Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

OUTSPAN

AS SOON AS WE OUTSPANNED IN THE
early morning a big tarpaulin would be
stretched from the wagon roof to the ground,
to form a "room." Folding tables and chairs
were put up, mats were laid, and we were ready
for the day. We always had a hot meal at midday,
cooked over an open fire. We baked bread,
made cakes, and generally carried on as though
we were in a house. Our routine was only
varied when we came to stretches where lions
were encountered, as between the Macloutsie
and Shashi Rivers. There we dared not trek at
night.

With darkness, the oxen were tied to their
yokes and the front yoke was pegged firmly to
the ground. Oxen do not lie down all night;
they are restless, they move about, lie down,
•stand up, and so on. The native boys used to
light huge fires right round the wagon and the
oxen, and they took good care that those fires
were kept going.

That famous hunter, Frank Selous, said that
when he was out hunting and was in country
where he could not get enough wood for a fire,
he used to tie about a dozen pieces of white
cloth to trees around his camp, and he was never
troubled hv lions.

THE RETURN

COMING BACK FROM THE SOUTH, WE
usually brought a few fowls, ducks, turkeys
and even some small pigs with us. Slung under
the back of the wagon was a slatted wooden
contraption, on which we could put the various
small crates containing the poultry and animals.
When we outspanned in the morning, the crates
were taken down and the birds and animals let
out.

When it was time to inspan, the wagon driver
used to crack his long whip, to call the boy who
was herding the oxen some distance away. We
would then collect the livestock, at first having
quite a job in catching them. Rut it was remark-
able how, in a few days, they began to associate
the cracking of the whip with their return to
the crates, and they would come running and
get in of their own accord.

J. MACKAY

& SON LTD.

SALISBURY

Qant/iactosti,

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T"\URING the past three decades many of the
finest and most imposing buildings in the
Capital have been erected by the pioneers
of the House of Mackay.

"IXJE have every reason to be proud of the

reputation the Company has achieved.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Pagk 51

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Pagf 112

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

1 \ IMi I II 1 1 II

SAVAGERY

THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE
NATIVE OF SOUTHERN RHODESIA

N. H. D. SPICER

; &M#£$\ HOS¥ ' OF us WHO HAVE NOT

watched with our own eyes the changes
which six decades have wrought in the
native people of Southern Rhodesia
may be excused for failing sometimes to
appreciate how great and how sudden —
for is not 60 years bin a moment in
eternity? — has been the transformation
from unbridled savagery to their present
state. It is not always easy to remember that the grand-
fathers — in some cases even the fathers — of our wagon-
drivers, our houseboys, our labourers, our delivery-boys
or our office messengers, were the warriors of Lobengula's
regiments, the fighting men of Gungunyana's impis, or —
less happily — members of neighbouring tribes liable at
any moment to become the target lor terrifying and bloody
raids at the whim of one or other of the black rulers who
held sway between the Limpopo and the Zambesi.

In little more than half a century the armies of these
native potentates have come to be thought of rather as
legendary hosts than as the forces oi historical characters.
Gone arc the military regalia, the plumed head-dresses, the
ox-hide shields, the diverse colours of which denoted
different regiments ; gone are the ankle-rattles, the fluttering
wisps of animal hair at knee and elbow, the head-rings
and the assegais. Save when, with the approval of Author-
ity, such things have been revived merely for display on
some great occasion, they have scarcely been seen since
the fall of Lobengula over half a century ago. More
slowly but no less surely have passed or are passing many
of the customs and traditions associated with the civil and
domestic lives of the native people of those early days.
Habits and beliefs which governed their lives from birili
*to death and rhrough which spiritual influence was believed
to affect the living, even from beyond the grave, have
either disappeared or ore still in process of modification.

EFFECTS OF OCCUPATION

UNTIL THE ARRIVAL OF THE PIONEERS,
outside influences by occasional hunters, traders,
explorers or missionaries had made but slight and for the
most port transitory impressions on the people of the
kraals with which they had come into contact. The

Matabele warriors in Lobengula's time

formal occupation a{ the country, however, marked the
advent of a new era in which the clash of civilisation and
barbarism resulted at once and inevitably in the suppression
of many of the practices^ which, for generations, had been
part of the daily life of the native inhabitants. It is as
regrettable now as it was inevitable then that the abolition
of those customs and practices which were intolerable to
civilisation should have involved also the sweeping away
of much that was not only harmless but was sometimes
even commendable, owing to its suitability to the native
way of life.

EVIL PRACTICES

A 6" INSTANCES OF CUSTOMS AND BEHAVIOUR
so repugnant to the outlook of the new authority
that immediate measures for their suppression had to be
taken may be mentioned twin- killing, the pledging ol
young girls and the activities of witch-finders. \X/hile
practices such as these could obviously not be countenanced,

SoLTiiiiKN Rhoofsia 1890 1 950

Page 113

TEA

Trade Enquiries:
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P.O. Box 557
Salisbury

Rhopak Tea is a specialty
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SALISBURY

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MARINA. MARGATE 6 TRAFALGAR TOWNSHIPS, NATAL.

Phone 24971.

Page 114

Southern- Rhodesia 1890-1950

their termination had ii profound
effect — but not always the desired
effect— upon the people concerned.

The mere fact that twin-killing

was made illegal did nothing to allay

the tears of the parents or of the
communities among which these
"freaks", for as such they were
regarded, were permitted to survive.
The superstitions which had de-
manded the destruction of twins at
birth were not lessened by the
passing of a new law and often remain-
ed sufficiently strong to outweigh the
fear of punishment, so that for many
years prosecutions for twin-murder
were by no means rare, and it is safe
to suppose that those that came to
light were but a small proportion of
those which actually took place.

To-day, though superstitious fear is
doubtless still a potent factor in the
less enlightened areas, the recording
of the birth of all twins, a certain
interest evinced by the authorities in
their progress, and the probability
that some informer who has outgrown
his elemental fears would report
any untoward happening, all tend
towards the ultimate elimination of
the practice.

Almost as objectionable by our

standards was the custom of pledging
young girl children to some in-
congruous and probably quite un-
acceptable suitor. This,' too, had to
be slopped, and so the marriage of a
girl to a man she was unwilling to
wed became an offence against the
law. It is true enough that there are
probably still many cases where the
girl does not protest against the
union for fear of subsequent reprisals
at the hands of her family, but as a
regular custom the practice' has almost
disappeared. At the same time,
while prohibition of the custom was

the only possible method of dealing with (he evil, and while
by now any embarrassment that may have been occasioned
to -some heartless father seeking to improve the family
fortunes at the expense of an unwilling daughter will have
disappeared, there must have been many cases where the
internal econom.es of families who had budgeted, quite
legitimately in the light of earlier practices, were seriously
upset, iney were cases in which, for instance, a father
or guardian sought to extinguish some debt, or to guarantee
the fulfilment of some obligation by pledging a daughter
to (he creditor. B

WITCHDOCTORS AND CHIEFTAINS

A L .-'5 OU L GH *f THE TIME OF THE OCCUPATION
J. lot Southern Rhodesia scarcely a century had passed
since, even in enlightened England, belief in witches and
witchcraft had flourished in many neighbourhoods,
drastic and necessary legislation was introduced with a
view to the destruction of the witchcraft cult in the Colony.
iNefessary as such measures undoubtedly were, the effect
orf the people of the removal of a powerful system to
which they had been wont to fly when assailed by the
tears and misfortunes which they had been used to associate
with the supernatural must have been disturbing in the
extreme. The aggregate of distress and misgivings suffered
by the masses on being deprived of the services of the
family witchdoctor, their one comfort and defence against
all supernatural ills may well have outweighed the ills of
those who would have suffered under a continuance of
trie system. A traditional refuge had been removed and
no alternative acceptable to the people had been provided

MR. N. H. D. SPICER.

Thirty-two years' service in Southern
Rhodesia's Native Department, of
which the last six (1936-1942) were
spent as Native Commissioner, Salis-
bury, entitle Mr. N. H. D. Spicer to
write with accuracy about the
African's changing role in Rhodesia.
The interest Mr. Spicer has taken in
the African is shown in his role of
Editor of NADA, the Native Affairs
Department Annual, which is, regret-
tably, too little known outside the
Colony.

Neither the white-man's gods nor his
attempts to laugh them out of their
superstitions were sufficient, at that
time, to convince the people that
there was no need for a witch-doctor
In their midst.

As has been suggested already, the
reorganisation of the culture of a
conquered people— especially of an
uncivilised people— to conform to
the standards of the conquerors too
often results in the loss of much that
was good in the older regime. It
seems almost inevitable that in the
process of destroying unwanted or
undesirable habits and customs much
that is commendable should also
perish.

As a further example, there is the
regrettable loss of the powers once
wielded by native chiefs, powers
which more recent policy has sought
to restore in some degree at least.
Immediately after the occupation and
during the early installation of ad-
ministrative machinery, the co-opera-
tion of the chiefs and their elders

could scarcely have seemed a matter
of very great importance. In con-
sequence, they received little more
than nominal recognition, and the
removal of their powers of punish-
ment so undermined their authority
that their influence with their people

waned until, with rare exceptions,
the new generations began to snap
their fingers in the faces of (hose at
whose voices they would once have
trembled.

The regrettable lack of respect so
noticeable among many of the
younger Africans to-day, and the
absence of discipline in the younger
men and women of the

.„...*,.. „, Jic race un-
doubtedly had its first cause in a
realisation that a relaxation of the
standard of deference once due to
their own chiefs and headmen met with no serious rebuke
Such behaviour quickly developed into a bad habit.

It is perfectly true that the new regime provided certain
protection tor the dignity of the chiefs and granted them
subsidies (the adequacy of which is questionable); it also
enumerated offences against chiefs for which certain pains
and penalties were provided. These, however, so far as
the chief s authority was concerned, were poor substitutes
tor the old powers of life and death and the summary
and drastic punishments which could be visited upon
offenders on the spot. Recent tendencies have been in
direction of re-establishing some of the lost dignity and
restoring something of the lost: power, but it has long been
apparent that the rebuilding of the tribal system, where it
is not already beyond repair, will take much longer than
did its original destruction.

NATIVE FARMING METHODS

A/fUCH HAS BEEN SAID AND MORE WRITTEN
, iu ol th . c natlve s wasteful methods of agriculture, of
his nomadic system of growing his cropS) f his indi
crimmate destruction of his trees, and of the overstocking
ot his gra;ing areas. Today, an appropriate department
is dealing with the first two ot these objectionable methods
Iheevd of overstocking has been preached unceasingly
by (he Department of Native Affairs ever since the earlv
years of the century. Latterly, these sermons, combined
With some measure of compulsion, introduced for the
ultimate and greater good of the native community, have
resulted in considerable de-stocking in manv areas -

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page II:

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(SALISBURY) LTD.

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• Kay co Tested Trek Chains.

P.O. Box 261 Bulawayo

Pace 116 Southern Rhodesia 1890-

Trumpeters of the B.S.A. Police.

It must not be supposed, however, that the native's
reluctance to reduce his cattle holdings numerically is ho
more than a pig-headed refusal to take the advice of those
who know what is best for him. Cattle, as most of us
know, arc the native's banks. The progeny are the interest
on his fixed deposit. The most important role which
such wealth is called upon to play, apart from an occasional
sacrifice to the spirits of his ancestors, is that of lobola.

For years the native cattle owner has been urged to
reduce his cattle holdings numerically and to put his
money into fewer but better grade animals. "'Look here",
we say, "you have 60 head of cattle, poor creatures for the
most part worth perhaps 50 shillings each. One hundred
and fifty pounds' worth of stock trying to graze a living
off a few inadequate acres of rather indifferent veld! Now,
if you had 10 animals worth fifteen pounds apiece, your
bank balance would be the same and the grazing, inadequate
lor 60, would suffice for 10 and would even support a
few head increase."

All of this is true and sound enough, until the necessity
lor/i sacrifice arises. A beast must be slaughtered. It is
al.Kvery well to take one-sixtieth part of a herd, a mere

trifle of two pounds ten's worth, to appease the disgruntled
spiric of some offended ancestor, but to take one-tenth
of a man's wealth for such a purpose, well — a single killing
may cost as much ns a lifetime of sacrifices under the old
economy.

A yet greater difficulty arising from the numerical
reduction of herds is to be found in the lobola aspect. In
a family where there may be several sons, brothers,

nephews or others for whom in the somewhat complicated
but quite definite customs of succession lobola must be
provided, there might well be no more than one or two
beasts left over from a large herd by the time all obligations
have been met. A herd of a mere do.cn or so would not
provide enough beasts to go round.

LOBOLA SYSTEM

pASSING FROM THE QUESTION OF LOBOLA
*■ cattle to the lobola system itself, this long-delayed
tendency on the part of the native to accept and to do
something about the idea of reducing his cattle holdings
is — morally- - perhaps something of an unhealthy sign.
It seems possible that this acceptance has come about,
not entirely because he has seen the light in regard to this
matter but to some extent because the lobola aspect— that
is, the cattle part of the lobola consideration — is no longer
an essential feature of the transaction. With the complete
disappearance of cattle (once almost the sole consideration
and later the main consideration, augmented by some cash
payment), one cannot help fearing that lobola. at one
time a traditional token of sincerity and an incentive to a
continuance of the union of the families, may have sunk
finally and entirely to the level of mere purchase price.
That this has been the position, for many years, and
certainly in a great number of cases, in and around the
cities and the larger industrial centres has been a regrettable
but undoubted fact. The deterioration of lobola, from
bride-price in its best sense to purchase-price pure and
simple, in the less sophisticated rural areas is a matter
which must cause uneasiness to the older generation,
whether of native administntors or of the natives them-
selves.

EFFECTS OF CIVILISATION

npHE FOREGOING ASPECTS OF NATIVE AFFAIRS,
-*- the customs and the habits which time has so greatly
affected, do not, perhaps, come to the notice of the man-
in -thc-street or if they do they may seem to him, with

Men of the Rhodesian African Rifles practise stripping a

Bren while blindfolded.

Southern Rholslsia 1890-1950

Page 117

PIONEER CLOTHING

FACTORY

P.O. Box 76 Phone 21607 75 MOFFAT STREET SALISBURY S.R.

Makers of High Grade Clothing for European and Native Trade

WORSTED FLANNELS
WORKING TROUSERS
KHAKI TROUSERS
OVERALLS
PYJAMAS

KHAKI SHORTS
SHIRTS

GABERDINE

TROUSERS

YOUTH SHORTS

THE GARMENT OF DISTINCTION

SOUTH AFRICAN REPRESENTATIVES :

MESSRS. PARAMOUNT AGENCIES

P.O. Box 2499 Phone 22-9030 IOHANNESBURG

RHODESIA HARDWARE & TIMBER COMPANY LTD.

UMTALI

Stockists of :

BUILDERS' HARDWARE. HARD & SOFT WOODS. JOINERY.

PAINT & DISTEMPERS, ETC. WROUGHT IRON WARE.

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Also

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MUKWA, MAHOGANY, MAFAMUTI, ETC.

Prices on Application.

Enquiries Welcomed.

P.O. Box 246

MAIN STREET, UMTALI

Phone 435
1

Page 118

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

certain exceptions, ot little importance and less interest.
There are. however, many matters in which yet greater
changes have occurred in less time than the 60 years
which have marked those others which have been
mentioned.

These are the changes in the way of lite, if not of the
whole people, at least of that vast proportion — the urban-
ised natives and all those in regular contact with
Europeans — whose needs have grown so incredibly in the
matter of three generations. Sixty years ago practically
every penny earned was pin-money. A few- skins and an
occasional sack sufficed for a man's wardrobe. He had
acquired no fancy tastes in the matter of food. His time
was his own and his legs were good enough to carry him
upon such journeys as he was called upon to undertake.
Beyond his annual tax he was not required to make any
other contribution, direct or indirect to the revenue of the
community.

How different is the position to-day ! In addition to the
annual poll tax, there arc dog tax and a number of financial
obligations to the community in which he resides. There
is clothing to be bought and replaced from time to time.
Bread and flour, tea and sugar, candles and calico and
numerous other items have become essentials in the homes
of many Africans. A bicycle has become as much a
necessity to the average native as a wireless-set or a motor
car to the average European.

Sixty years ago, a few skins and an occasional sack
sufficed for the African's wardrobe — today, in the matter
of three generations, the demands of the urbanised
Africans have grown incredibly, and the bride and
bridegroom in this picture have followed European
fashions .

Here, then, we are faced with a picture of a people
whose needs have increased ten-fold but whose aptitude
for service has scarcely improved in the past 60 years.
They are a people floundering between barbarism and
civilisation, missing, unconsciously perhaps, the comfort
of strange customs which served to give strength to their
forefathers in the times of their adversity, and not yet
sufficiently impressed by European standards to derive
stability and comfort from adopting them.

African workers in a clothing factory in Bulawayo.

Under European instruction and supervision, many

become highly skilled.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Pack 119

* £•

ears

Everyone welcomes Bovril. It has been
a national favourite for more than half
a century and is as popular as ever
today. There's nothing like a cup of hot
Bovril to take away that chilly feeling.
Its cheering glow warms vou through
and through. It tastes delicious too, for
/Bovril has the rich flavour of prime lean
beef in all its concentrated goodness.

"Co-operation like this

makes things happen fast!"

"I'd ))o lost without the services of my locai
B.O.A.O. Appointed Agent. He's the chap —
multiplied 3,500 times throughout the world
— who saves me hours of preliminary
planning.

^ , f Fes, my Agent makes things happen in a

II Y hurry. And he knows the answers to all my

' riddles about currency restrictions, baggage

allowances, visas and regulations. 1 give him my itinerary
and leave ihe details to him. He handles everything without
fuss or cunfusiou. All I <3o is pack a bag and leave on schedule.'
This same Spcedbird efficiency, this same concern for your
comfort ftnd pica-sure, applies wherever you mav flv along
i 50,000 miies of B.O.A.C. routes to forty-two countries on
five continents. The flight itself is swift and sure — comfortable,
too. Yon enjoy complementary meals,
and there are no extras (or the countless
attentions and courtesies that make
your journey so much more enjoyable.
It's all part of B.O.A.C. 's 31 -year-old
tradition of Speeribird service and experi-
ence.

CHEAT IJKITAIN . USA . BERMUDA . CANADA . MIDDLE EAST
WEST AFRICA . EAST AFRICA . SOUTH AFRICA . PAKISTAN . INDIA
CEYLON . AUSTRALIA . SEW ZEALAND . FAR EAST . JAPAN

B.O.A.C. TAKES GOOD CARE OF YOU

Page 120

31 FLY »B0 AC

Information &■ Bookings : South African Airways and B.O.A.C.
Southern Africa Headquarters, Maritime House, Loveday Street.
Johannesburg, or from Booking Agents in all cities.

AIO/SR

BRITISH OVERSEAS AIRWAYS CORPORATION WITH S.A.A/ O.E.A. AND T.E.A.l)

Southern Rhodesia 1S9O-I950

1934: A Westland Wessex flying over the Victoria Falls. This aircraft, hired by RANA from Imperial Airways
to cope with the increasing traffic was later replaced by the Rapide.

WIMS OVER RHODESIA

A BACKWARD GLANCE AT CIVIL AVIATION IN THE RHODESIAS AND NYASALAND

by
A. DENDY RAWLINS

ir\"2'7 WAS THE YEAR WHlCH SAW THE

I w "S "S first serious attempt to launch regular air line

-^ services within the Rhodesias and Nyasaland.

Already a number of adventurous spirits had bee"
blazing trails across the African skies and the "Hercules"
and "Atalantas" of Imperial Airways were lumbering over
the illimitable bush maintaining the first regular services
between the old country and South Africa.
JUne time was now ripe for

Southern Rhodesia to step

into the picture and take her
part in the great developments
which were revolutionising
transport and travel through-
out the world. After certain
negotiations the Beit Trustees
came forward with a hand-
some offer of financial assist-
ance ; Imperial Airways
agreed to provide expert
operational management and
so, in August, 1933, there
came into being — Rhodesian

and Nyasaland Airways
and wide as "Rana".

Ltd— s

to be k n

own far

Ctxptain A. T)endy Rawlins was associated with
civil aviation in Rhodesia for many years, and
was one of the first persons to be engaged by
R.A.N.A. when this organisation was formed.
He served as traffic superintendent and was later
transferred to S.R.A.F. Communications Squadron
as adjutant. He continued under S.R. Air
Services and Central African Airways Corpora-
tion until his retirement in 1948.

INCEPTION OF RANA

UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF COLONEL
(now Sir) Ellis Robins of the British South Africa
Company, and with Captain G. I. Thompson. D.F.C. of

Imperial Airways as Oper-
ations Manager, chc newly
formed Compnnv lost no
time in starting the formid-
able tasks which lay ahead.
In Bulawayo about this time
some enterprising gentlemen,

prominent among whom

were Mr. Harry Issels and
the late Mr. Aston Redrup,
had formed the Rhodesian
Aviation Company. Rana

acquired the R.A.G; as a
going concern with its fleet
of single engine aircraft

Soi.thhkm Rhodesia 1890-19>0

Pace 121

Page 122

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

comprising Puss Moths and a Fox Moth. When we
consider the magnitude and complexity of the operations
conducted to-day by Central African Airways, Rana's
lineal descendant, it is interesting to glance back at the
small beginnings from which the larger organisation sprang.
Two tiny offices in Stanley Avenue almost opposite
Pockets Tea Room housed the young Company and here
Captain Thompson with one assistant and one typist set
about the problem of providing the Rhodesias and
Nyasaland with their first official intcr-tcrritorial mail and
passenger Air Services. As regards pilots — Rana's opening
batsmen were two young men whose names were soon
to become household words in the three territories-
Miles Bcrwker and Mike Pearce. The war, unhappily,
claimed the former but Mike Pearce is still with us,
now as Superintendent, Flying, to Central African Airways.
To these two was soon added a third, Reg. Bourlny. Just

prior to the formation of Rana, Mr. C. J. Christowitz, a
progressive planter and contractor in Nyasaland had
launched a small private Company to provide Air Services
between Blantyre and Salisbury: his fleet consisted of
two Puss Moths and his pilot was Reg. Bourlay. Old
hands can still remember these very small aircraft, painted
a rather violent yellow, coming in to land with uncanny
regularity, irrespective of rain or storm, after completing
their three hundred mile flight across the almost featureless
wastes which lie between Nyasaland and Salisbury.

Rana absorbed Christowitz Air Services and its thus
augmented fleet was soon extending its operations and
increasing the frequency of its services into the Union and
all adjacent territories. It was building up, also, that
reputation for safety and punctuality which Rana never

1932: De Havilland "Hercules" class landplane which
pioneered the central route from Kisumu to Cape Town.

R.M.A. "Amalthca", Armstrong Whitworth "Atalanta' '

class of Imperial Airways, used on the central route

from Kisumu to Cape Town, about 1932.

1934 : De Havilland Fox Moth as used on the Salisbury-
Johannesburg Service.

1931 : De Havilland Puss Moth which did much to build

up civil aviation in its early stages in the Central African

territories.

ceased to enjoy until the Second World War brought its
activities to a close for ever. No brief survey of these
early days would be complete without mention of Mr.
"Steve" Launder who, with two or three young engineers,
maintained and serviced the Rana fleet to such good
purpose that mechanical breakdowns were very nearly
unknown,

HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS

THE CONDITIONS WITH WHICH RANA'S FIRST
pilots had to contend would horrify the young pilots
of to-day. In the first place the entire fleet consisted of
single engine aircraft and in these frail machines pilots and

passengers set off in complete confidence to traverse
hundreds of miles of wild country in which emergency
landing grounds were practically unknown. As for
"aids to navigation" — these were conspicuous by their
absence and wireless was as yet a pious hope which did
not crystallise into reality for several years to come.
Meteorological services were in their infancy and weather
reports, usually by landline, often depended on the frame
of mind of local elephants who tore down the lines with
gusto and departed into the bush draped with telegraph
wires and broken poles.

It was certainly a hard school but it turned out a breed
of pilots whom force of circumstances compelled to be
completely self-reliant and in whom initiative and self-
confidence were fostered to a high degree; daily the pilot
would be called upon to make decisions in which his only
guides were his own judgment and experience.

Shortage of funds was an ever present handicap during
Rana's early days. Everyone on the pay roll knew exactly
how things stood and oil pulled together to get every
ounce out of themselves and their machines. All knew
it was useless to badger the Directors for things they gladly
would, but were financially unable to, provide. Looking
back now after some sixteen years one cannot doubt that
Rana, battling against every imaginable handicap, did, in
fact, lay a very sure foundation for the greater things
which were to come.

STEADY IMPROVEMENT

MEANWHILE THE TEMPO OF DEVELOPMENT
in aviation was rising throughout Africa. Greater
speed, greater comfort, greater frequency was the order of
the day. Nor was the vital importance of improved
ground services overlooked. Larger and better airfields,
more and more emergency landing grounds, improved

meteorological services, quicker and more reliable com-
munications and above all — wireless; for these and other
facilities the operators clamoured. Such demands could

not be met overnight and to many it seemed that progress
was painfully slow. Specialists to man technical services
cannot be trained in a month and development must,
perforce, keep in step with the ability of the country to
pay the bills. Nevertheless, steady if unspectacular
progress was made and the public came to regard flying
as a normal mode of travel rather than as an exciting
adventure. For example, when in 1935 Sir Herbert
Stanley entered upon his term of office as Governor of
Southern Rhodesia he made history by arriving at the

SouTHiiRN Rhodesia 1S90-1950

Page 123

IMPERIAL MOTORS (1940) LTD

SALES — SERVICE

MHsfribntortt in Mashimaland of

* OLDSMOBILE Cars

* GMC Trucks

Phone 20987

Corner BAKER AVENUE and ANGWA STREET
SALISBURY SOUTHERN RHODESIA

P.O. Box 136

BUUWAYO

P.O. Box 1102

Phones - 3001

3002

3367

SALISBURY

P.O. Box 379

Phones - 24645

24240

LENNON LTD.

WHOLESALE AND MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS

for:
Mining end Assay Chemicals and Reagents.
Laboratory Apparatus and Glassware. Crucibles,
Liners, Cupels and Plumbago. Medical and
Pharmaceutical Supplies. Photographic Materials
and Apparatus. Chemical and Assaying Balances.
PH Apparatus and Indicators

Page 124

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1-950

1934: South African Airways Junkers Ju 52 as used on

the Rand-Bulawavo route, and later to East and West
Africa.

Capital City by air. This brings to mind the name of one
who from the earliest days was a warm friend and energetic
supporter of Civil Aviation — Sir Hubert Young, then
Oovernor of Nyasaland and Inter of Northern Rhodesia.

The ever increasing size and speed of modern aircraft
led many to believe that landplanes, requiring larger and
ever larger landing grounds, must in time give place to
flying boats which would utilise the lakes and seas provided
by nature rather than valuable land which could be put
co other important uses. Imperial Airways placed much
and well founded faith in the flying boat and in due course
there appeared the first of the famous "C" class flying boats.
These, on the South African route, followed the course
of the Nile and thence Southwards via the Great Lakes to
Mombasa, Beira and Durban. Once the new service
had got into its stride the Imperial Airways landplanes
were withdrawn and the Rhodesias were thrown on their
own resources to make suitable connections with the trunk
line to Europe.

To meet the need for a type of medium si:c twin engine
aircraft the Directors of Rana selected the De Havilland
"Rapide" and the first of this class was flown out from
England ro Salisbury by Captain G. 1. Thompson in 1935.

The choice could not have been better. By the standards
of that time these aircraft were comfortable and fast and
their reliability was beyond praise; if proof be needed,
it lies in the fact that even to-day they are still in use but
little modified from the original version.

In the Union of South Africa Civil Aviation has never
looked back from those almost pioneer days when Union
Airways were operating various types of Junkers over the
length and breadth of the country. This is perhaps natural
enough in a land of vast distances where hundreds of miles
separate the half dozen principal cities; further, young
South Africans have always shown a peculiar flair for
flying both in peace and war.

WAR CLOUDS

WHEN THE STORM CLOUDS OH WAR BURST
into explosion in September, 1939, it was dear
that for the foreseeable future an abrupt end had come ro

1934: De Havilland Leopard Moth, the replacement of
Puss Moth.

all hopes of further expansion and development. Rana
passed under military control as the Communication
Squadron of the Southern Rhodesia Air Force. With
many it was a sore point that they could not proceed at
once on active service. The inescapable argument chat the

essential services must go on has perhaps a hollow ring in
the ears of the young man bursting with martial ardour.
All such as could be spared did eventually get away and
we must be thankful that the great majority came back,
some with military honours thick upon them ; others,
alas, did not return.

Towards the end of the war the need for maintaining a
Communication Squadron became less urgent and the
unit blossomed forth as "Southern Rhodesia Air Services".
This new entity was born under a stormy sky. The war
was in its last and bitterest stages. The question of being

able to maintain the fleet ac all in an airworthy condition
became a nightmare; spare parts were virtually unobtain-
able but once again necessity became the mother of
invention and the engineers set out to make for themselves
what could no longer be imported; ha J the war lasted a
year or two longer they would probably have been turning
out complete aeroplanes. At the most difficult hour the
R.A.F. agreed to hand over a number of 'Anson" twin
engine aircraft for conversion into passenger carrying
aeroplanes and thus, in some degree, the worst of the
Air Services' troubles were met.

1935: The well-known and popuLar De Havilland
Rapide.

Lady Stanley christening one of the two new RANA
Rapides in 1937.

1937-38: De Havilland "Dragonfly'' used by RANA
on scheduled services.

Southern Rhopesia 1890 1950

Pace 125

Foi Your Next HolidaY

come to Inycmga, Rhodesia's bracing moun-
tain resort, whers you may enjoy, lo your
heart's content, Tennis, Bowls, Fishing, Swim-
ming, Riding, and Walks in majestic scenery
At the end oi the day, healthily tired after
your favourite pastime, you may relax in
the luxurious comfort oi Rhodesia's most
modern hotel - Dannakay. Here you will
iind beautifully appointed accommodation,
and cuisine and service second to none.

Please be sure to book your
accommodation well in ad-
vance, in order to avoid
disappointment.

DANNAKAY HOTEL

WUdeAale Menx^uiU

P.O. Box 41
BULAWAYO

P.O. Box 49
SALISBURY

Southern Rhodesia 1890-195C

Pace 126

Imperial Airways "C" class flying boat anchored in the
Pungwe River at Beira.

POST-WAR EXPANSION

WITH VICTORY AND PEACE ASSURED THE
Governments of the three territories recognised chat

if Civil Aviation was to hold its own and to develop as it
ought to develop then it was essential that it be put on a

new footing. To replace the then existing fleet with fast
modern types capable of carrying a score or more passengers
was in itself a financial undertaking of considerable
magnitude. Fleet replacement was only part of the
problem; on all sides were dear indications that
tremendous advances were pending as the lessons and

discoveries or the war were lurned to civilian use. If Civil
Aviation in Southern Rhodesia was to keep abreast of this
upsurge of development and to reap to its full advantage

the fruits of the worldwide research then proceeding, only
a body with the strongest financial backing could meet rhe
situation. In 1946, therefore, was formed the Central
African Airways Corporation, sponsored by the Govern,
ments of Southern and Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

The best and most suitable types of British post-war
aircraft were selected. Vickers "Vikings", equipped with
every modern device for che safety and comfort of
passengers were put into service on the major routes.
For the feeder services, Linking the remoter settlements

"Salcombe", first Solent to land on the Zambezi. These

flying boats are now in regular service between the

United Kingdom and South Africa.

with the main centres, the choice tell upon De Havilland
"Doves" and these fast flying and comfortable aeroplanes

have fully justified their seleccion.

And so it may he fairly said that, though the way has
been long and hard, Civil Aviation in the Rhodesias and
Nyasaland holds to-day a position second to none in the
continent of Africa.

RANA hangar and offices about 1935. Apart from two
other small hangars rhis was the only building on the

aerodrome.

■ ■ ■

■ . : :

„>4^|iflnMHIMVB|B||

;

*~ ■»-

JM0

: . ■ ;

■-

•-..-. j-.-.* i;j'j

'■■ ■

South African Airways Junkers Ju 86 which replaced
the Ju 52..

1950: The De Havilland "Dove" which is now in
regular service on the Central African Airways' routes.

1950 : The Vickers "Viking", the comfortable and fast aircraft extensively employed by the Central African Airways

today.

Southern Rhodesia 1^90-1950

Page 127

Isometric Plan of Fison's New Factory

RHODESIA

1927 — 1950

FISON'S FERTILIZERS were first introduced into Rhodesia
in 1Q27 In 1930 the original factory was erected at Msasa.
This building was, from time to time, enlarged and the
machinery modernised and replaced to keep pace with
increased demand and improved manufacturing methods.

It has always been FISON'S policy to give the best
service to the farmer and to maintain that tradition it has now become
necessary to manufacture Fertilizers in granular form.

GRANULAR FERTILIZERS have so many advantages, both
physically and Irom a plant-feeding point of view, that powder type
Fertilizers are likely to become obsolete.

FISON'S NEW FACTORY is situated on the main Bulawayo
line eight miles from Salisbury. Equipped with machinery of the latest
type 'or the production of GRANULAR FERTILIZERS this Factory ,s the
most modem of its kind in Southern Africa.

FISONS (RHODESIA) LIMITED

CITY CLUB BUILDINGS, SALISBURY. SOUTHERN RHODESIA

Tel. 24460

P.O. Box 190

Ski

< Ti5on5 fa 7etti/i^et5

Southern Rhooesia 1890-1950

P.\OE 128

■^■■M

AGRICULTURE

II SOiTHERlV RHODESIA

BY
CAPTAIN THE HON. F. E. HARRIS, C.M.G., D.S.O.

FIRST VISITED THE

''^■'W-y-ZW^- ha ° ueen maae r01 mc acvt •
''^"■^"^■'■- '-'*' the Estate. The Matopo Dam had been
built, and it irrigated a considerable
area. The farms were being very successfully managed
and developed bv Mr. Hull. A fine herd of Lincoln Red
shorthorn cattle and a large herd of Large Black pigs were
being established and were to become well-known through-
out Rhodesia and the Union of South Africa. Ostriches,
at that time were also doing well.

Wagons left each week with produce lor the markets
at Bulawayo and other centres. Lucerne, lucerne hay,
oat forage, oats, maize, potatoes, pigs, onions, eggs and
butter all found a ready market. These farms, with their
varied production, gave an insight into the possibilities
which the agricultural and pastoral industry had in Rhodesia .

A friendship grew up between Teddy Hull, as he was
affectionately known to all his friends, and me, which
continued until his death in 1920. This was a great loss
to all, but especially to the agricultural industry. To me,
Teddy Hull was my ideal of a farmer and a man, full ot
energy, with not a lasy bone in him. When Buiawayo
had a race meeting or a farmers' meeting he would ride
20 miles on horseback to attend, going back to his farm
again that night. At the Bulawayo races he was steward,

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Pace 129

^~^

i^ira^i 9£:m$ : &

-M. C';/

THE NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD

Salisbury
Southern Rhodesia

Page 130

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

owner and jockey. How the crowds
used to cheer when Teddy, as he
often did, rode one of his own
horses to victory! W'hat good times
we used to have, riding over the
estate, visiting the different farmers,

all of whom were friends of Teddy,
most of them having at some time
worked either for Mr. Rhodes or
himself. Harry Huntley, Jack Brebner,
'lorn Bourdillion, C. J. Webb, Percy
Ross, Gerald Selfe, F. B. Bctt and
many others belonged to that band.
Brcbncr's and Huntley's families still
farm successfully on the Estate. Tom
Bourdillion is now Manager of De
Beers' Ranches and President of the
Bulawayo Agricultural Society.

It was on Rhodes's Estate that I
first saw tobacco being grown by
some native tenants for their own usc-
After trying to smoke it, I took a very
dim view of the Rhodcsian product.

AGRICULTURAL SHOW

QALISBURY AND BULAWAYO
^ Agricultural Show Societies were

formed in those early days and played

an important part in developing the

agricultural and pastoral industries.

The Bulawayo Show Society owes a

debt of gratitude to Sir Boucher

Wrcy who, as President over a great

number of years, did good work in

building up the Society. Mr. W. A.

Carnegie has been Secretary so long

thai he appears to have given his life to it. His continued

work and efforts are greatly appreciated. We should all

feel it would be a poor show without W. A, C.

The Thousand Guinea Floating Trophy was first com-
peted for in 1914. The Cup is given for the best bull
on the Show, of any breed and any age. It has been

competed for with bulls from Great Britain, America,
the Union of South Africa and the Rhodesias. Mata-
beleland was always recognised as good cattle country.

Many herds were being built up and improved. Among
other good breeders were C. S. Jobling, George Mitchell,
Bertie Fynn, Joe Stewart and the Maropo farmers.

Mashonaland, wifb its larger rainfall and good valley
soils, was developing very rapidly with agriculture- Good
farmers were realising its possibilities, among them being
Mr. Duncan Black, Mr. McAfthur. Mr. Newmsrch and
many others.

• WAR.

EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE SET FAIR WHEN
*-' the 1914 War came along. The young men of Rhodesia
went off to carry out their duty to their Empire. Develop-
ment ceased, and only a few of the older farmers carried
on as best they could. When the war was over the young
men came back to make a fresh start. At first agriculture
appeared to be going well, but about 1922 a slump came
in world prices and continued for a number of years.

CAPT. THE HON. F. E. HARRIS,
C.M.G., D.S.O., Minister of Agri-
culture and Lands, Southern
Rhodesia, 1934-1946.

"On reading through this article, I find
that I have written more on the people
in the industry than on the dry facts
of agriculture — 1 suppose because 1 am
more interested in them. Anyway,

they are the people who have made
and who will make agriculture a great
factor in building up a great British
Dominion, based on Rhodesia in

Africa".

Sonic farmers hung on and weathered
the storm, but many lost all they
possessed. It was a struggle, food-
stuffs did not appear to be required,
and even if wanted it was only at
prices on which the producer could
not exist or develop his farm ro
advantage.

TOBACCO, DISASTER AND
RECOVERY

TOURING THIS TIME TOBACCO
came into some prominence as

a profitable crop but (here were no
auction floors in those days and the
buyers used ro go out to the farms,
or growers exported their crop direct
10 London and waited some time
for their money. There was much
fluctuation of prices and the types
of tobacco in demand by the buyers

varied each year. In 1926 there was
a great increase in production, as we
were assured thai Britain would rake
all the tobacco we could produce.
The results were disastrous, as
existing trade channels became clog-
ged, and much of our tobacco was
unsaleable and many of the tobacco
growers, including a number of Em-
pire settlers, went bankrupt and their
farms were sold at give-away prices.
It took many years for the industry
to recover from this blow, but even-
tually it was put on its feet by the
institution of organised sales on to-
bacco auction floors in 1937, and since then the industry
has never looked back and has expanded to its present
large proportions, with tobacco now our most valuable
exportable commodity.

About 1930 foot-and-mouth disease appeared in the
Colony. This closed our markets both for cattle and grain
and threw chs industry right back again into the doldrums.
The British South Africa Company had established a
grand ranch at Nuanetsi and built up a wonderful herd,
which 1 suppose ranked with the best in the world. 1
always think it was a tragedy, both to Southern Rhodesia
and the British South Africa Company, when — against local
advice- -the London directors decided to close down. If
they had only hung on for a few more years, what a ranch
they would have had, and what a rich harvest!
* * * *

OFFICIAL ANGLE
TN 1934 THE PRIME MINISTER, SIR GODFREY
Huggins, invited me to take on the Portfolio of Ministct
of Agriculture and Lands. Now, I had had no political
training but if I could be helpful I thought I ought to try.
I found many friends who gave good advice, especially in
the House, where Members — including the Opposition —
were kind and helpful. For 13 years I served under the
present Prime Minister as Minister of Agriculture and
Lands. He was always sympathetic when I was in trouble
or dilficulty, which was often. 1 soon learnt, however,
that there was no short cut round the problems of agri-
culture. In the Department of Agriculture and Lands I

F. E. HARRIS.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 131

Plan for Prosperity

Rhodesians can look back with pride a!
the achievements of the last 60 years and
forward with confidence that a new and
still greater prosperity will be theirs. But
io secure that future — a future which is
inextricably bound up with the soil — the
most careful planning is necessary.

Planned conservation works are a matter
to which more and more progressive iarmers
are giving their attention, and to assist them
they have at their disposal the revolutionary
new system of mechanised farming known
as the "Ferguson System."

Ten minutes at the controls will con-
vince you that the Ferguson System will do
everything the farmer wants to do — do it
better; at less cost; on every farm, no
matter how large, how small, how difficult
to work.

Farm Mechanisation Ltd., sole distributors
of the Ferguson System in the Rhodesias
and Nyasaland, supply a complete range
of Mechanical Equipment to cover every
farming operation.

FARM MECHANISATION LTD.

mmsi

FERGUSON SYSTEM

Head OfBce and Showrooms: Cor. KINGSWAY and JAMESON AVENUE, SALISBURY; Box 287- Phono 2277° /

Branches/Deolers : UMTAtl. BULAWATO, GWELO, LUSAKA. MARANDELLAS. GATOOMA FORT VICTORIA, BLANTYHE.

Page 132

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

itself and

Left to right: Sir Godfrey Huggins, Prime Minister; Sir Herbert Stanley,

Governor ; Mr. Duncan Black ; Major H. G. Mundy, and Col. Sir Ellis

Kobins, at the Agricultural Show, Salisbury, 1938.

round a loyal and efficient staff who were a great help. I was
extremely fortunate in the two Secretaries ot Agriculture,
Major H. G. Mundy and Mr. C. I-. Robertson, both capable
and who gave me good advice but were prepared to accept
the position when the Government thought otherwise
and then carried out the Government's policy to the best
advantage. They kept me out of a lot of trouble.

At this time the policy was to discourage the export
market. This was regrettable, but what else could be done.
Maize for export gave a return of 3/9 per bag; cattle (our
best beef) realised lid. to 2d. per lb.; pigs brought in
2Jd. to 3d. per lb.; butter was 5Jd. per lb.; and eggs
sold at 4d. per dozen. In London, our tobacco lay unsold.

To try to improve matters legislation was introduced,
such as the Maize Control Act. It was never popular
with anyone, but it was a genuine attempt to help. The
Maize Control Act was brought in to give all producers
a share of the local market, the balance to go to the export
market. To-day you have the exact opposite, the export
price being higher than the local price.

The buying of the Cold Storage by the State and the
appointment of a Commission to administer it really put
the cattle industry on a sound footing. The thanks of the
industry are due to Sir Digby Burnett, as Chairman and
Mr. A. Gelman, the General Manager, for rheir hard work
and efficiency. To-day the C.S.C. is a great national asset.

Sir Robert Maclllwaine brought home to the country
generally the dire necessiry of conserving soil and water,
and he became the first Chairman of the Natural Resources
Board. The country owes him a real debt of gratitude for
his great work. The creation of the National Farmers'
Union, which allowed the farmers to speak with one voice
and also advise the Government on all agricultural matters,
was appreciated both by the Government and the industry.
Mr. John Dennis and Mr. Humphrey Gibbs played a great
part in bringing this about: they became the first two
presidents.

IMPROVEMENTS

A MONG THE MAJOR IMPROVE-
ments for the benefit of agriculture
have been :

(a) The purchase of the Cold
Storage as a State industry.

(b) The establishment of the Natural
Resources Board.

(d) The Tobacco Marketing Act
and the establishment of a
Tobacco Marketing Board.

In addition, another scheme which
was introduced was the Maize Bonus,
whereby an additional payment was
made to maize growers for all maize
sold to the Board which could be certi-
fied as having been grown in accordance
with sound farming practices such as
soil protection and green manuring.
This brought home to farmers the
need for proper concentrated measures
it their soil was to be retained and the
yields increased, and it certainly effected considerable

improvement in this direction.

In 1938, with the shadow of war looming over the
world, it was decided that there must be a change
of policy; it was beginning to be realised that there
was going to be a shortage of food and other necessi-
ties ot life in the world, and that these were of more
importance than money. The time had come to tell the
producers that there would be markets for all they could
produce at remunerative prices. This was a complete
change of policy and took some time before the full
benefits could be felt.

Difficulties have arisen in obtaining the necessary
machinery and native labour, but these are gradually
being overcome. Tobacco, after all its setbacks, has proved

is now we

11 established

the world's market.

Lady Bledisloe presenting the Milne Trophy for the

Champion Bull to Mr. Duncan Black, at the Salisbury

Show, 1938.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Pace 133

• ill Trrriri 111

Secretaries, €xecutoi%
SbmitttetratonS anb tErugteefi

From the days of the Pioneers . .

the Salisbury 3oard of Executors has been
to the public of Rhodesia a household
name symbolising integrity and efficiency
in matters of property, finance and trustee-
ship. Established in 1895, within a few
years of the occupation, it is the third
oldest existing Company in the Colony.
Its present building, constructed in 1911,
has been a landmark for two generations
of Rhcdesians, many of whose affairs
have beer, conducted by the Board.

The Board undertakes the purchase and
sale of houses, farms, businesses and
other property; the administration of
Estates and Trusts, the management of
affairs of residents and non-residents;
the collection of rents and management
of property; the duties of company
secretaries; the lending of money and
investment of capital; and all forms of
insurance.

1}eal> Estate, finance &%uste#$hips.

Comer MANICA ROAD and ANGWA STREET

SALISBURY

P.O. Box 21 Telephones 20530. 20929

Our tobacco now realises more than eleven million pound;
sterling in our export trade. Tobacco farmers arc among
our best agriculturists: not only are they now able to
develop their farms properly, but they know they must
look after their soils to maintain production.

NATIVE AGRICULTURE

pkVER THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW, EUROPEAN
'—^ agriculture has made good progress, but the problem

of improved agriculture in Native Reserves stilt remains

unsolved. In the western part of Matabeleland (PJumtrec
district), before 1920 this district supplied the mines of
Southern Rhodesia, including those in Mashonaland,
with native grains, monkey nuts and beans in very latge
quantities, but with the introduction of the plough, no
soil conservation, and down-hill ploughing, the good
top-soil soon went down the rivers. To-day these districts
cannot produce enough to feed themselves. With the
increase in the native population and also in their herds
and flocks, huge areas are being ruined each year. Giving
them more land to ruin is not the solution. A scheme will
have to be worked out, so that the land can be properly
farmed. The native people working in the towns and in
industries should be properly housed in villages adjoining
their work, where they can live with their families.

They can no longer be both farmers in the reserves and
workers engaged in industries in the European towns, I
know much time and thought has been given to this
question, but up to now the results arc not noticeable.
On the contrary, every year the position in the Reserves
is worsening.

SUGAR AND COTTON

'"THE EXPERIMENT OF GROWING SUGAR IN
Southern Rhodesia, so far from the sea coast, has
proved very interesting. In the hot, low-lying part of the
country the Government is developing the Triangle
Estate. It has been proved that with irrigation and the
right strain suitable to this country sugar can be grown
successfully. Good progress is being made, and it is the
opinion of men who know, chat, at least, we will eventually
produce the sugar to supply our own needs. A sugar
refinery is already esrablished at Bulawayo, and the possi-
bility of growing sugar in the Zambesi Valley is now
being investigated by a private company.

Cotton is a crop which every farmer should grow, even
on a small acreage. It is a paying crop and also a splendid
rotation one. Major G. S. Cameron has done great work
in developing strains suitable for Southern Rhodesia and
has also developed the Government spinning mills at
Gatooma, thus adding another good industry to the
country.

SPEECH MADE IN 1943
T-O ROUND OFF THIS SHORT SURVEY OF
agriculture in Southern Rhodesia, I want to quote
from a speech I made in 1943— for I feel it applies even
more so ro-day.

Page 134

Southern- RHonpsiA I S9O-1950

This is what 1 said :

"It must be remembered, in looking
at all the problems of agriculture, that
the controlling factors are the soil and
soil conservation. These must come
first, before you can rectify the other
ills of agriculture. There is no single
remedy for such ills. The wholesale
displacement of ownership to the Stale
is ill-suited to our conditions and
foreign to our traditions and character.

A farmer should be given the
opportunity and encouraged to own
his land, for the State is a bad land-
lord. Farmers are not prepared to
work for a Government; however
great may be its powers to enforce
good cultivation, the good men will
gradually drift away to other indus-
tries and the State will be left with
the poor farmer- In short, we are
driven back to the conclusion that
without a fair and level price for
agricultural products, land nationalis-
ation is doomed to failure: if stability
exists, nationalisation is superfluous.

World prices cannot be based on
the uncontrolled working of supply
and demand, but must be based on
the cost of efficient production under
conditions which ensure a reasonable
standard of living. What is required
is stability, not onLy for the producer
but for the consumer. The wild fluctu-
ations of unregulated production must
be eliminated, and it must be ensured
that the consumer gets supplies at a
price level which is reasonable.

This is the necessary structure on which agriculture
must be built, and this can only be brought about by
Governments safeguarding the agricultural industry. It
is not asking for exceptional treatment, but it does ask
for what most other industries already possess, and what
after the war, it can be safely predicted, all will insistently
demand. It is the duty of the State to provide for the
future of sericulture.

The worker on the land can no longer We a hewer of
wood and a drawer of water to the industrial population.
The agricultural industry must also play its part in greater
efficiencv, both technical and scientific and must be

Cutting sugar cane on the Triangle Ranch.

Mr. C. L. Robertson, Chairman, Natural Resources Board (second from

right, front row), and Mr. L. H. Stewart, Secretary, Natural Resources

Board (extreme left), with the chairmen of Salisbury District Intensive

Conservation Area Committees.

prepared to submit to measures of national direction and
control.

Subsidies have got certain advantages. They do show
clearly the cost of assistance, and during difficult times they
can be justified, but: experience has proved that they are
politically undesirable. They are regarded by the producer
as a dole to consumption and by the consumer as a dole
to production. To the taxpayer, subsidies appear as a
burden laid on his shoulders for the benefit of producers
and consumers alike. They are the cause of constant
friction and debate. In future, the direct subsidy should
be avoided and prices must be fixed on a fair basis.

When arriving at fair prices the
costs of distribution must be examined
carefully. To those who advocate low
farm prices in order to preserve a
reasonable cost of living for the urban
population, it may be pointed out that
the same result could be obtained by
a reduction in the cost of distribution.
We have had several examples of
how this can he brought about in
cattle, pigs, butter and maize, etc.

To have price stability you UHlSI
have control. This is a fundamental
fact, for in the absence of efficiencv
the nation cannot be expected to
guarantee the farmer. But just as an
unreasonably high level of prices is
not in the best interest of the pro-
ducer, so over-rigid control is not in
the best interest of the State.

What is required is a system
strong enough to curb inefficiency,
while at the same time giving full
play to individual enterprise".

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Pace 135

v,ith one ma- cortug ated
.. .. i..,rw to

B turning ? u '

and »= C ?or a 'ho using -
units »'

s iOt Housing. d

Commenced Pr supplymgl he a f tn er

high-pr» sure

laCt0lY ' has been es^^.

auction ana

taken. , deve lopment »

The company, P^f^ the .*»*&
roS^V^oireCoWnV.

P° r,et S in area* demand in i erecled ,

<* ucte are 'd domestic use- ta 8 ^ an

TM.1 FACTOR.

priRTFB'S CEMENT INDUSTRIES (RHODESIA) LTD.

PORTbK po. Cox 603. Salisbury. Tol. 22161. 22162.

P.O. Box 348. Umtali. Tel. 6-21.

PORTER'S CEMENT INDUSTRIES (BULAWAYO) LTD.
1U P.O. Box 1753. Bulawayo. Tel. 4619, 2971.

CEMENT INDUSTRIES

nft

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

^8^^P^;HE STORY OF COMMERCE IK
'■■?'& ?//$'^J< Southern Rhodesia begins with the tale
Sfr^gfazP*^?. ot merchant adventurers in the best
?'%&$%'l¥?r. Bricish Iradi( 'ons but instead of small
\*'f~''^':%fii?':$ ships facing the dangers or" the oceans
z£'f^&^'?3'. C ' 1Cre were wa §°" s antl even scotch
&*£l£?*si&&%S} carcs wnicn journeyed through the
deserts and cut dangerous trails with
their precious freights of food, clothing and refreshment.

Meiklc's and other wagon trains helped to keep the
Pioneers alive and even John Dunlop's scotch cart played
its pari. Mr. Dunlop buile a temporary store at Victoria
of whisky cases and tarpaulins but afterwards sold out to
the Meikle brothers, Tom, Stewart and John, so that he
could make another trip,

Tom Meikle became the doyen of Rhodesian com-
mercial men and the organisation he founded now controls
large and even vast interests covering stores, hotels, land
and other businesses.

In those esirly days the arrival of supply wagon trains
were great events and very old settlers will recollect the

disappointment they felt on one occasion when having
ridden out from Bulawayo to meet a train and get supplies
of bacon, flour, baking powder and other goods they
found that the loads consisted of nothing but whisky.

LONG CREDIT

HE HISTORY OF THE ADVANCE OF COMMERCE
is also the history of the Colony. Commerce has kept
pace with the progress of the country and even on occasions
set the pace. Part of the development of the Colony is
undoubtedly due to the aid given to young and struggling
industry, primary and secondary, by the merchants who
allowed long credits for the goods and machinery needed
to produce minerals, farm produce and manufactured
goods.

From
MERCHMT ™'
to

COMMERCE

and

INDUSTRY

By CYRIL ALLEN, o.b.e., j.p.

Soi-thehn Rhodesia 1890-1950

Pace 137

If the truth were known

it would probably be found
that ninny men whose work
wns crowned with ultimate
success owed much to the
merchants who "carried"
them during the lean years.
But commerce itself was
young and struggling and in
those early days few firms
were so solidly established
and financed that they did
not themselves need assist-
ance. Mere the banks came
into the picture and it says

much for their faith in the
future of the country and
the integrity of the mer-
chants that they provided
money so freely.

To-day the Standard Bank
and Barclay's Bank are
national institutions inti-
mately associated with the
financial life ot the country,
thoroughly an /flit with its
heart beats and fluctuations
and still helping, guiding,
advising and supporting.

The relations between
individuals and the banks
have always been close and
men of sterling character
and financial probity have
found the banks to be their
very good friends. In very
many instances the only real
security for help given was
the character of the recipi-
ent.

The banks and the public

have been well served by a

succession of competent

managers of broad outlook in whom the public has the

completes! faith and confidence.

MAKESHIFT TRADING
/"COMMERCIAL MEN SETTLED DOWN RAPIDLY

^-' in the new country, stores were opened in the main
centres, on main routes and near mines and thus Rhodesian
commerce had its birth. It proved to be a lusty youngster

though there were hard years and many illnesses and

accidents before the present chromium glitter could come

into existence.

In very many of the earlier stores bookkeeping was

elementary, the only fittings were cases of goods opened
up and turned on their sides as chey arrived. Stocktaking
was not as systematic as ic is to-day. There were no
income tax and other returns to be made out and progress
was judged by the presence or absence of a credit bank
balance.

Some of the tradeis were more advencurers than com-
mercial men and strange stories are told of what was

tound when occasional
clearing was undertaken.
Newly arrived cases had
masked partially emptied
ones which had lain long
forgotten. Some traders had
surprises when the front
rows of boxes were taken
down, it is even rumoured

that machinery, pianos and
other large goods were
revealed.

Imports which were once
reckoned in wagon loads
have grown to many
thousands of tons with a
value of many million
pounds.

To-day commerce is
served by ships, trains and
motor cars. Travelling

from town to town is less
of an exciting adventure,
the roads, considering the
enormous mileage in com-
parison with the population
are excellent, trains are
convenient and comfortable
and aeroplanes have begun
to play their part.

MR. CYRIL ALLEN, O.B.E., J.P.
the author of this article, who recently retired from
the editorship of the Sunday Mail, was articled to
newspaper work in 1893 and practised his profession
in England, Canada, the United States, Natal, Japan
and the Far East before coming to Southern Rhodesia.

ORGANISED
COMMERCE

OMMERCIAL MEN

for united consultation and
action and Chambers of
Commerce were early in the
field and they in turn were
combined into a Federated
Chamber representing all
local organisations, discuss-
ing commercial problems on a high level, and making
representations to the Government with considerable
power and authority.

So well has commerce established itself that in 1946 the
total taxable incomes of commercial men and commercial
companies reached the total of £3,500.000, of which
amount half was received by individuals. The incomes
from commerce were exceeded only by the incomes from
rents and were greater than those of mining or farming.
In that: year the total taxable incomes of the Colony were
over £20 million and commerce paid the greatest amount
of nctt tax.

Not only does commerce to-day cater for many tastes
but it also plays its part in creating new tastes and providing
the means for their satisfaction. In all the main towns
there are stores of pleasing architecture with modern
fittings and the new science of management is well displayed.
Commerce has every reason to feel pride in its sixty-year
achievement. There are still a few who can remember the
early days and contrast then and now. Not many are alive
co-day who took part in commerce during the closing
years of the last century but the sound praccices on which

(continued on l>agc 141)

Pace 138

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Rhodcsian Cement factory at Colleen Bawn near Gwanda.

DELEGATES TO THE CONFERENCE OF THE RHODESIA FEDERATED CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

IN BULAWAYO ON FEBRUARY 23, 1948-
Front row, left to right: Councillor H. A. Holmes, Mayor ofBulawayo; Sir Allan Welsh, Sir Miles Thomas; Mr. G. A.
Davenport, Minister of Commerce and Industry; the Prime Minister, Sir Godfrey Huggins; Mr. M. G. Fleming, President
of the Bulnwayo Chamber of Commerce; Mr. E. F. C. Whitehead, Minister of Finnnce; Mr. P. B. Fletcher, Minister
of Agriculture ; Mr. T. H. W. Beadle, Minister of Internal Affairs; Sir Arthur Griffin, General Manager of the Rhodesia
railways.

Second row: Mr. K. St. Quintin; Mr. G. R. A. Johnson (now Vice-President of the Rhodcsian Federated Chambers
of Commerce); Senhor M. A. Ribeiro, President, Associacao Commercial Beira) ; Mr. M. Pearl; Mr. J. Burke; Mr. F.
A. Perrow; Mr. G. E. McLeod; Mr. A. Sanders; the late Mr. I. J. Poley; Mr. A. G. Kerr.

Third row: Mr. R. A. Ballantyne; Mr. H. G. Payne; Mr. B. M. Gough; Mr. E. Watson, President of the Salisbury-
Chamber of Commerce; Mr. B.Goldstein; Mr. H. Krikler; Mr. C- P. Kinrnont; Mr. R. Paisey; Mr. L. Wood; Mr. Z.
Kaufman; Mr. F. A. Bennett; Mr. B. F. Wright; Mr. A. H. Murrell; Mr. D. H. Tobilcock.

Fourth row: Mr. H. J. Filmer; Mr. F. Hackney; Mr. A. Landau; Mr. H. H Penman; Mr. Stanley Cooke, President
of the Rhodesia Federated Chambers of Commerce ; Mr. D. Broad ; Mr. J. H. Allen.

Fifth row: Mr. A. W. Sturgess ; Mr, C. S. Small; Mr. M. M. Buchan; Mr. O. R, Baxcndale; Mr. J. G. Maxwell; Mr. J.
W. Fittj Mr. S. S. Grossberg; Mr. H, A. Cheetharo; Mr. H. J. Cook.
Sixth row: Mr. A. C. Slater; Mr, C. R. Hutchings,

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 139

W&E SILKS LTD

for

LADIES' WEAR

and

MEN'S SPORTS WEAR

WARM INTERLOCK
UNDERWEAR, SILK
SHIRTS, PYJAMAS,
DRESSING GOWNS,
SOCKS, TIES, ETC.

VVscE

Cnr. GORDON AVENUE

and

FIRST STREET

SALISBURY

Phone 24400 P.O. Box 1121

LINKED

with

THE NAME

and

FAME

SOUTHERN
RHODESIA

Charter

BOTTLE STORE

PRICE

14/6

PER BOTTLE

Page 140

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

A section of Salisbury's industrial area.

(continued from l>as<-' 1-38)

commerce was founded have been continued by the
successors. New ideas have been absorbed and converted
into action which has resulted in the present day excellence
of the stores and gives promise for future advance.

"MADE IN RHODESIA'

THE RECORD OF INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS IN
-*- Southern Rhodesia during the lasc decade is striking.
The volume of output has nearly trebled, productivity of
labour has risen 1 1 per cent and the cost of labour 40 per
cent but owing to the increased productivity of labour
this has been reduced co 26 per cent. This advance took
pLace despite the violent dislocation of economic life
caused by the war and its repercussions.

Two years ago the net value of the products of secondary
industries was almost £!4 million. When the figures for
last year are available it will undoubtedly be found that

even that high figure will be greatly exceeded; further
rapid advance is certain. This growth is not as widely
known as it should be but each year sees new producrs
on the market "Made in Rhodesia".

In older countries secondary industries developed from
the work of individuals operating in small workshops or
back yards and to some extent this has happened here
but the greater number of our industries have been planned
and have begun with all the advantages of the systems,
machinery and plant evolved in more established
industries.

In the early days after the Occupation the country lived
on mining but agriculture soon became of economic and
social importance. Now the two primary industries have
been passed as wealth producers by secondary industries
whose net output in 1947 — and the operative word is
"net"— was £13,804,000.

The gross mineral output was £7,586,000 and European-
owned farms produced £13,080,000. The gross value of
the output of secondary industries was £29,080,000. The
net output is the fund from which dividends, capital
additions, maintenance and replacement, wages and
salaries, rates and taxes are paid. The net output represents
the values created in the Colony. The considerable
advance may be judged from the fact that in 1938 the gross
value of the output of industries was £8 million.

The figures in regard to secondary industries have been
carefully analysed by the Government Statistician, Mr. J.
R. H. Shaul and the various tables reveal a position that
should be carefully studied by all industrialists. They
give a sound base for faith in the progress and expansion
of the country.

COLONY'S GENUINE INDUSTRIES
TOURING HIS VISIT TO THE COLONY TO LEARN
-*— * how the Victoria Falls Hotel was conducted so that
he could gather hints for the Union's proposed national
hotels, Mr. Sturrock, a Union Minister, saw no future
for Southern Rhodesia except as the producer of raw

materials for use by the industries of the South.

Countries providing raw materials and little else in-
variably have a low standard of living and this prospect
does not appeal to Rhodesians. To-day there arc about

700 industrialists here producing over 150 articles or kinds

of goods and in 1947 they paid over £7 million in wages
and salaries. For the last ten years the European part of
the labour force has remained constant at about 12 per cent
out of a total in 1947 of 71,466 of all races.

At first some of the so-called secondary industries were
mere money making concerns that did little more than
pack and label imported materials but nowadays most or
them are genuine industries actually manufacturing and
each year using more and more of the raw materials of

the country.

Southern Rhooi-sia 1890-1950

Page 141

1 929

Twenty-one years of steady progress
have enabled us to expand and meet
the exacting demand of our customers.

Our Products have always been right
and the wise housewife now always
asks for "VICTORIA FLOUR" for
successful baking.

THE MIDLANDS MILLING CO. LTD.

Gwelo

. i

1950

Page 142

Southern Rhodesia 18W-I950

In 1947 no fewer than 14 firms had outputs valued at
more than a quarter of a million each. It is significant chat
the number of industries whose output was valued at less
than £5,000 a year fell from 155 to 79 because many of

them had expanded. In 1938 the average output per firm
was £15,500 but by 1947 it had risen to £46,500, an advance
of over 200 per cent.

During the decade ended 1947 employment in factory
industries nearly trebled, the value of the materials used
and of the net output of factory industries multiplied
nearly four-fold. The value of secondary industries is
now in the neighbourhood of that of Western Australia.

EFFICIENCY

'"THE ESSENCE OF THE PROBLEM OF INDUSTRIAL
■*■ expansion is efficiency, in overhead costs reduced to
a minimum, in the production per unit of labour and the
exclusion of wasted labour and material. Judged by
these standards Rhodesian industries have made consider-
able strides.

Whilst costs of material and labour have risen there is
an increase of II per cent in the production per unit

above that of ten years ago. The return of workers who
had been to the war and lost some of rheir industrial
efficiency, which it took some time to recover, and the
beginning of new industries that had not had cime to

organise properly, lowered the production per unit for a
year or two but the latest figures show a steady rise.
Efforts will probably be made to ascertain to what extent
production has been improved by the use of machinery and
power.

Again taking the 1947 figures it is interesting to learn
that nearly 42 million pounds of bread were manufactured
that year and 52 million pounds ot chilled and lro:en meat
were sold. Even ice cream contributed to the total with
an output worth £'41,000 and over 9 million pounds ot
soap were manufactured. Metal manufacturing and
\ engineering contributed over £4 million.

It will be seen that secondary industries have added
nobly to the wealth of the country and much more may be
expected from them. By the use of raw materials new
wealth is created and employment provided. Secondary
industries were assisted by the urgent demands of the
war years when the Colony had to provide itself with
many things or go without but the wave of progress
continued into the peace years and is still advancing to-day.

RHODESIA'S SUGAR INDUSTRY

The present Refinery was established in Bulawayo in 1936 to supply sugar requirements
of Southern and Northern Rhodesia and portion of Bechuanaland. The annual con-
sumption of sugar in these territories, which was then about 9,000 tons, has increased to
34,000 tons, and is still rapidly increasing. A Branch Refinery is being erected in
Salisbury to cope with this increasing consumption.

Products are:- No. 1 REFINED AND BROWN SUGAR; ICING, CASTER AND CUBE SUGAR;
GOLDEN SYRUP; IMFE AND COOKING TREACLE; AND MOLASSES FOR STOCK FEEDING.
SOLE SELLING AGENTS : : MESSRS. FRANCIS & CO. LTD.. BULAWAYO. SALISBURY, NDOLA.

RHODESIA SUGAR

<§►

REFINERY LTD.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 143

AERIAL VIEW OF FACTOXY

Pedograph by the Air Survey Section oi Csn

Iral Africar. Airw

The Lytton Tobacco Co. Ltd. sprang from
what was originally known as Lytton Estates,
later Lytton Tobacco Export Co. Ltd., established
in the- Colony in 1926.

When Tobacco Auction Sales in the
Rhodesiao and Nyasaland were started the
Company abandoned growing operations and
disposed oi all tobacco estates with the
exception oi headquarters near Salisbury
where it was decided to concentrate on leal
handling operations.

The Company's up-to-date plant at
Lytton Siding, seven miles from the city by
tarmac road, is fully equipped and staffed to
buy re-qrade, stsm and otherwise proceso.
pack and export all types of Rhodesian and
Nyasaland tobacco. Processing machinery
installed includes adequate steam generating
plant and electrically driven ordercrs, hanging
belts, sand and dust removers, screens, con-
veyors, etc., also two Proctor & Schwartz re
drying machines, one o! which is the Latest model

drcct drive No. 7 Super-Dryer. The over-a'
fectorv floor area of 1C0.000 sq. ft. includes base
n-ent conditioning and storage bays. A private
siding en the main Salisbury, Bulav/ayo lino
affords efficient rail facilities.

Up to 30 Europeans and 600 Africans are
employed. Many of the staff live on the
adjoining estate, Aspindale Park, where ocean
modation is provided by the Company. African
employees and their families ars also housed
on the estate, and the many amenities provided
for them include steam cooked midday meals,
water light, water-borne sewerage, school
church, cinema, radio broadcasts, trading store,

beer hall and sports ground.

Directors are Col. the Hon. Sir Ernest

Guest KBE., C.M.G., C.V.O. (Chairman); Sir

Edward Baron; P. Lytton Baker, Esq.; John A.

Sinclair, Esa.; Geoffrey H. A. Goodwin, Esq.;

Charles B. Taberer, Esq., B.Com. (Managing

Director): G. R. A. Johnson, Esq., A.J.M.E.; CM.

Milner. Esq. Secretary: E. G. Bowles. Esq.

Chief Buyer; I. Harrison, Esq.

LYTTON TOB

ACCO COMPANY, LTD

- " CABLES : " LEAF," SALISBltRy.

LYTTON SIDIKG. SAU 3 BU B V. r SOUTHKHN HHODES,A ; ^^ & ^ ^ ^^ & ^

Southern Rhodesia. 1890-1950

PaGS I'M

A SURVEY OF THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY IN SOUTHERN* RHODESIA

By D. D. BROWN

Chief Tobacco Officer, Department of Agriculture, Southern Rhodesia

HISTORICAL

-*<&S~-. ,-*-■.<

«£^®?RECrSE INFORMATION
concerning the introduction of
the tobacco plant to Southern
Africa is not available. In the
absence of authentic records, it
is surmised that tobacco was first
introduced through the agency
of the early Portuguese explorers and Arab slave
traders visiting the southern and eastern shores
of Africa. Cultivation of the plant subsequently
extended far into the interior of the continent
until finally it was distributed generally through-
out all areas climatically suited to its growth.

&%&

Natives of Southern Rhodesia, before the
arrival of the white settlers, cultivated their own
tobacco, which then, as it is today, was allowed
to grow as a weed around their "kraal" in small
and irregular patches, sufficient in extent to
supply the requirements of the inmates. The
best known areas were situated in the Wankie
district, whence came supplies of tobacco
for the use of Lobengula, the last of the Matabele
kings, and in the Sebungwe district where the
famous "Nyoka" tobacco was grown and manu-
factured for sale in the form of cones, balls and
carrotes. Tobacco was also cultivated in the
eastern districts.

Southern Rhohesia 1890-1950

Page 145

The first record of tobacco being planted by
a white settler was the crop planted by a pioneer
on the farm 'The Park", Umtali in the year
1894. The quantity harvested weighed ~>l« lbs.,
and after being matured the cut tobacco realised
4s. 6d. per lb.

In 1898-99 a small area was planted to tobacco
in the Nyamandhlovu district, and in 1900 the
crop was tried at Filabusi, Umzingwane district.
In the season 1903-1904 tobacco was grown on
as manv as a hundred farms in the Colony.
These experimental plantings in the various
districts were so successful that in 1904 an
agriculturalist, resident in Southern Rhodesia,
was sent over to the United States of America
to study tobacco culture, and on his return was
appointed to the staff of the Department of
Agriculture as Tobacco Expert The first
"Tobacco Handbook" was published in 19U3
for the guidance of tobacco growers in the
Colony.

* * *

TURKISH TYPE TOBACCO HAD BEEN
grown experimentally at Plumtree, Figtree,
Umgusa and other centres in the Colony_with
promising results, and in the year 1907 the
Tobacco Expert was sent to Turkey and Greece

to study tobacco culture in those countries and
to select technical advisers for the industry.
During the course of his visit 14 Greeks were
selected for service in Southern Rhodesia and
they arrived in Salisbury on December 14, 1907.
Their services proved beneficial in establishing
the culture of Turkish type tobacco which, by
1912, was expected to show some expansion.
A number of these men subsequently settled in
the countrv to take up tobacco growing on their
own account and a few remain actively engaged
in the industry today.

It is recorded that Turkish tobacco was
auctioned in Bulawayo in 1911. The sale was
conducted by the British South Africa Company
at the police camp.

For a number of reasons the Turkish tobacco
industrv made but slow progress and failed to
come up to expectations. By 1918 the acreage
had increased to 813 acres, which yielded
205,000 lbs., ten years later the acreage was
about the same but the yield had doubled. After
a further decade the acreage had doubled and
the yield trebled. It was not until the year
1941 that, for the first time, the acreage exceeded
2,000 acres and production one million lbs.

After experiencing the same difficulties and
disappointments as the Virginia tobacco growers

AFRICAN TOBACCOS LTD

,LL TYPES OF VIRGINIA & TURKISH
TOBACCO BOUGHT, PACKED AND
EXPORTED.

O ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD.

( EAF STRIPS OR SCRAP PACKED
IN HOGSHEADS, CASES OR
BALES.

Phone 22506

Cables: "AFTOBAC"

P.O. Box 960, SALISBURY

SOUTHERN RHODESIA.

Pace 146

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

in establishing markets for their product, the
growers of Turkish type tobacco eventually had
only one market remaining, namely, the Union
of South Africa. Consequently the annual
production of Turkish tobacco was governed by
the requirements of the Union market and the
output remained fairly constant for a number of
years. The tobacco was sold under contract
at prices which gave a fair average return to the
growers. This continued until 1930 when the
Union Government introduced an import quota
allowing only 400,000 lbs. of Southern Rhodesia
Turkish type tobacco to be imported duty free
into the Union. In the next year the quota of
duty free tobacco was reduced by half and in
1 938 was cancelled entirely. The sale of Southern
Rhodesia Turkish type tobacco in the Union
thus ceased and the sudden disappearance of
their principal market proved disconcerting to
the growers, whose immediate reaction was to
concentrate on the development of new markets
overseas. Soon a number of markets were
found and the Turkish tobacco industry became
established on a wider and sounder basis than
would have been possible had the industry
continued with only one outlet.

In 1905 small commercial plantings of Virginia
type tobacco were made in a number of districts,
and a warehouse, under the management of a
qualified warehouseman brought over from the
United States of America in that year, was
opened by the Commercial Branch of the British
South Africa Company in order to assist in the
manipulation and sale of tobacco produced by
the farmers. At first the tobacco was sold by-
private treaty, but in 1910 the first auction sale
of Rhodesian tobacco was held in Salisbury on
January 19th when 100,000 lbs. of the 1909
crop were sold for £5,833 at an average of Is. 2d.
per lb. In the next year 192,065 lbs. of leaf
were auctioned at an average of Is. 4§d. per lb.
and 80,000 lbs. were purchased by the Tobacco
Companv of Rhodesia and South Africa Ltd.,
for manufacture within the territory. The 1911
crop was auctioned in Salisbury on January 31st
and February 1st and 2nd, 1912 when buyers
representing eight firms were present. The crop
offered for sale constituted a record and amounted
to 453,495 lbs. All, with the exception of
46,093 lbs. of Turkish leaf, was of the Virginia
type. The average price paid for Virginia leaf
was Is. 2|d. per lb. and for Turkish 2s. lid.
A small parcel (900 lbs.) of tobacco grown on
*he farm "Mungo", Marandellas district, fetched
3s. 7d. per lb., this being the highest price
recorded for Virginia type tobacco at the sale.
Of the Turkish tobacco a bale of about 50 lbs.
weight was sold at a record price of 4s. 4d. per lb.

The continued satisfactory prices gave greater
confidence and caused production to increase
rapidly.

The crop of 1912-13 totalled 3,061,750 lbs.
The packed leaf was offered for sale in May,
1914, but on account of disagreement between

Seed beds on a Rhodesian tobacco farm.

the Tobacco Company of Rhodesia and South
Africa Ltd., who were then operating the ware-
house, and the visiting buyers, no sales were
effected. A portion of the crop, 1,198,000 lbs.
was exported to the United Kingdom and failed,
for economic reasons, to realise satisfactory
prices. The remainder of the crop was held
and »radually disposed of during the next two
years. The failure of the auction sales resulted
in the bankruptcy of many growers and tobacco
culture, both Virginia and Turkish, rapidly
lost favour with the farming community and
production declined. The yield dropped from
3 million lbs. to less than half a million and
remained under one million lbs. until 1919 when
the crop amounted to 1,467,612 lbs. compared
with the crop of 620,171 lbs. harvested during
the previous season. Although the reduction
in output during the period 1914-1918 was due
mainly to the unsatisfactory prices offered for
the tobacco, production was also affected by
the outbreak of World War I.

FORMATION OF CO-OPERATIVE
SOCIETY

AFTER THE FAILURE OF THE AUCTION
system of marketing, the Rhodesia Tobacco
Co-operative Society (registered) was formed in
1915 to undertake the warehousing and sale of
tobacco, and generally to promote the welfare
of the industry. It is to this society that the
subsequent progress of tobacco cultivation is
largely due.

For some time after the formation of the above
societv, growers were suspicious of tobacco
culture and consequently production increased
but slowly until the season 1918-1919. ^ Since
1918 the Rhodesia Tobacco Co-operative Society
(registered) sold Virginia type tobacco under

Southern Rhodesia 1890-195O

Page 147

THE FOUNDATIONS OF AN INDUSTRY

R.T.W. T.P.F.

The Company's property covers an area ol 28 acres, over 10 of which are
under rooi. The origin of Ihis large concern, which now buys, packs, and ships flue-
cured, fire-cured and Turkish type tobacco to all parts of the world, sprang from the
first Tobacco Planters' Co-Operative Society, which was the growers' initial effort to
organise marketing in 1911, but over-production which followed later brought about its
downfall. It was subsequently resuscitated at a later date, and in 1923 its place was
taken by the Rhodesia Tobacco Warehouse and Export Co, Ltd., which in turn was
liquidated in 1946 with the formation of Rhodesia Tobacco Warehouse <S Export Co.
(1946) Ltd.

Daring was the experiment, when in 1936, the industry committed itself to auction
sales, and it was soon found necessary !o form a separate company to handle this side
of the business and the Tobacco Producers Floor Ltd. was formed in 1938. From the start
ii was a success, for the foundations on which the whole scheme was based were
remarkably sound — so much so that no major alterations have been made to the system
during the last 14 years. On the sales floor or Tobacco Producers Floor Ltd. bales are
sold at the rate of eight a minute and the grower receives payment within half an hour
oi the completion of his sale.

»»»,«*»«„,»;

— -^ - - - .—..-•-- :.;;-,.Xv;-;;;:.-=;^:.::-:;; : V.X _ C ;

mmmm

■-s taSSKaj ss

THE RHODESIA TOBACCO
WAREHOUSE & EXPORT CO. (1946) LTD.

SALISBURY. S. RHODESIA

TOBACCO PRODUCERS
FLOOR LTD.

'aoe 148

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

contract with the Tobacco Development Co.,
Ltd., and the African Tobacco Manufacturers,
Cape Town. The contracts were made to cover
a period of three years with optional extension
of the period, the prices were fixed for a like
period and ranged front 3s. 7d. per lb. for the
top grade to 3d. per lb. for the lowest grade
leaf. A system of standard grades was designed
for the classification of tobacco to be sold under
these contracts and these grade marks were
adopted as Rhodesian Standard Grades, which
continue to be used in the grading of tobacco
in farm and commercial grading sheds at the
present time.

In 1923 the Rhodesian Tobacco Co-operative
Society was placed in voluntary liquidation and
its assets and liabilities were assumed by the
Rhodesia Tobacco Warehouse and Export Com-
pany, Limited. This company was composed
of members of the old Society and a number
of these tobacco growers are still active members
of the Rhodesia Tobacco Warehouse and
Export Company, Limited, which was formed
purely as a marketing organisation conducted
on co-operative lines. An extensive, modern
warehouse equipped with a Proctor re-drying
machine was built in Salisbury for the proper
handling of members' tobacco crops. At
intervals as it became necessary the warehouse
has been enlarged to cope with crop expansion
and another Proctor re-drying machine was
installed in the year 1928, The present floor
space amounts to approximately a quarter of a
million square feet including the. auction floor
which is operated by the Tobacco Producers
Floor, Limited — a subsidiary to the Rhodesia
Tobacco Warehouse and Export Company,
Limited. Agents were also appointed in London
and an export trade was established with the
United Kingdom where renewed interest in our
product had been caused by Southern Rhodesia
tobacco exhibited at the Empire Exhibition at
Wembley in 1924.

The publicity gained at this exhibition also
attracted many new settlers to the Colony and
resulted in increased tobacco production, which
rose from 2-4 million lbs. in 1925 to 5 -6 million
lbs. in 1926, followed by 19-2 million lbs. and
24-9 million lbs. in 1927 and 1928 respectively.
The increase in rebate allowed under the Imperial
Preferential Tariff, from one-sixth to one-quarter
of the full Import Duty or a preference of 2s. Od.
per lb. of tobacco, was another factor responsible
for the rapid increase in production.

Another reason for the expansion of the
industry was the establishment of the Imperial
Tobacco Company of Great Britain and Ireland
in the Colony during the year 1927. The
company erected a modern warehouse fully
equipped to handle all tobacco purchased by
them for shipment direct to the United Kingdom.

As the industry expanded and the proportion
of growers operating independently of the co-
operative organisation increased, the formation

Tobacco barn and furnaces.

of a representative body became essential and
the Rhodesia Tobacco Association was formed
in 1928. Membership was at first voluntary, but
since October, 1933, it has been compulsory
and the Rhodesia Tobacco Association is now
fully representative of all sections of Virginia
tobacco growers in the Colony, and it is financed
from the Tobacco Levy Fund. The executive
of the association is composed of members
elected by tobacco growers in each area into
which the country has been sub-divided for
electoral purposes. The Rhodesia Tobacco
Association has been instrumental in securing
legislative and other measures found necessary
for the welfare and progress of the industry.
The association is directly represented on the
Southern Rhodesia Tobacco Marketing Board
and on the Tobacco Research Board.

A similar organisation — the Southern Rhodesia
Turkish Tobacco Society — representing the
interests of growers of Turkish type tobacco
was formed in 1943. Legislation for the control
of production and the sale of Turkish tobacco
was drafted along lines similar to those of the
Marketing Act introduced by the Virginia
tobacco industry.

MARKETING

UNTIL 1925 THE DEVELOPMENT OF
the industry was one of simple expansion,
for up to that year production had been governed

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Pac;u I4 1 '

mm*

TOBACCO AUCTIONS LTD.

TOBACCO LEAF AUCTIONEERS AND WAREHOUSEMEN

_ , . , "inrTIONS" Telephone 22533

PO Box 523 Telegrams: AUWluns

SALISBURY - SOUTHERN RHODESIA

$c Company Himiteb

TOBACCO LEAF

MERCHANTS and IMPORTERS

IBEX HOUSE, MINORIES,
LONDON. E.C.3, ENGLAND

Cables :
'MAKKANBAC. ALD, LONDON'

P.O. Box 9S0. SALISBURY
SOUTHERN RHODESIA

Cables ;

■MAKKANBAC, SALISBURY'

SouTHtRN Rhodesia. 1890-

PM3E 150

almost entirely by the demands of the market
in the Union of South Africa. Endeavours made
to develop the United Kingdom market proved
abortive. A revival in exports from this Colony
to the United Kingdom was caused by the
favourable publicity gained by Southern Rhodesia
tobacco exhibited at the Wembley Exhibition
held in 1924- A trial shipment, on a com-
mercial scale, was exported to Great Britain in
1925 and, owing to the establishment of this
market for Southern Rhodesia tobacco, crop
production increased accordingly. Since then
other outlets have been developed, but fully
two-thirds of the crop is exported to the United
Kingdom which continues to be not only the
principal market for Southern Rhodesia tobacco
but has also the greatest potentialities for further
expansion as a market for our product.

The system of selling tobacco has changed
periodically and the methods adopted have
included sale by private treaty, under contract,
sealed tender and by public auction. As stated
previously, auction sales were introduced in
1910 after sale by private treaty had proved
disappointing then, owing to disagreement
between sellers and buyers the auctions were
discontinued in 1914 and co-operative marketing
under contract took the place of auction sales.
The Rhodesia Tobacco Co-operative Society
(registered) and later the Rhodesia Tobacco
Warehouse and Export Company Limited, con-
tinued to sell tobacco under contract to the two
leading manufacturing firms in the Union of
South Africa. After a trial shipment in 1925,
the Rhodesia Tobacco Warehouse and Export
Company Limited, in the following year exported
fairly large shipments of tobacco to the United
Kingdom. In 1927 the company allowed the
contracts with the Union manufacturers to lapse,
with one exception, and at the same time intro-
duced sales locally by sealed tender and later, by
private treaty. Marketing by sealed tender was
a failure.

In 1928 public auction sales were re-introduced
but proved abortive owing to the small number
of buyers and lack of competition and this
method was discontinued after the second sale.
The system of selling by private treaty became
more firmly established than ever in 1927, when
a warehouse was erected by the Imperial Tobacco
Company (of Great Britain and Ireland), Limited,
and the number of tobacco buyers' operating
in the Colony also increased.

The sale of tobacco to the Union of South
Africa was considerably changed in 1930, when
the Union imposed an import duty on Southern
Rhodesia tobacco in excess of a quota 2 million
lbs. Virginia and 400,000 lbs. Turkish type
tobacco allowed in duty-free. Since 1931 the
quantity of Southern Rhodesia tobacco allowed
duty-free into the Union in any quota-year has
been determined in advance by the Union
Tobacco Control Board, which also fixes the
minimum price at which such tobacco must be

purchased in Southern Rhodesia. The quota
has not remained constant, but the figures have
altered each year according to the tobacco crop
prospects in the Union. The general trend was
towards reducing the imports of our tobacco
into the Union and, as already stated, the Turkish
tobacco quota was cancelled soon after its
introduction. After the outbreak of World
War II, however, the quota for Virginia type
tobacco was increased owing to the increased
demand and to reduced crop production caused
by unfavourable seasonal conditions. The
duty-free quota for the year 1944-45 was 10
million lbs. dry weight. The previous record
export to the Union was 8 million lbs. shipped
in 1929 in anticipation of the restriction to be
imposed on the importation of Southern
Rhodesia tobacco. Since 1945 the annual
quotas for duty free tobacco have been
respectively: — 1-i- million lbs., 3 million lbs.,
5 million lbs., and nil during the past two years.

The Southern Rhodesia Tobacco Control
Board, afterwards re-named the Southern Rho-
desia Tobacco Board, was formed to administer
the Union quota and apportion the quantities
of leaf sold to the Union manufacturers at
prices arranged under contract. The Board
also controlled the sale of locally produced
tobacco to manufacturers in the Colony.

PHENOMENAL INCREASE

FURTHER RE-ORGANISATION OF THE
industry became necessary because of a
phenomenal increase in the production of
Virginia type tobacco, when the output rose from
2-4 million lbs. in 1925 to 5-6 million lbs. in
1926; 19-2 million lbs. in 1927, and 24 -9
million lbs. in 1928. The market was glutted
with accumulated stocks of Southern Rhodesia
tobacco and in order to relieve the position
legislation was introduced at the request of the
tobacco growers. First there was the "Tobacco
Reserve Pool Act, 1934", which provided for the
compulsory pooling of all Virginia type tobacco
which was surplus to existing market require-
ments. This proved but a temporary expedient,
and in 1934 an advisory committee, which
came to be known as the "Tobacco Quota
Committee", was appointed by Government for
the purpose of regulating production and
stabilising the industry. The committee was
appointed at the request of the tobacco growers
and functioned for two years, determining the
basic production quota for each grower and
dealing with applications from new growers
wishing to enter the industry. The recommenda-
tions made by the committee resulted in some
improvement but a greater measure of success
would have been attained if the basic quota
had been calculated on an average production
over three years instead of the one year, 1934,
fixed by the tobacco growers representatives.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 151

Following on this came the Tobacco Marketing
Act, chapter 166, promulgated in 1936 and
which has been amended to meet new conditions
as they occurred in the industry. In its main
provisions the Act ensures control over pro-
duction by providing for the registration of
tobacco growers and empowering the Minister
of Agriculture, in consultation with the repre-
sentatives of the industry, to fix minimum prices
for proclaimed markets, to regulate and control
crop production, and to control the sale and
export of prescribed types or varieties of tobacco
in the Colony. The sale of tobacco is controlled
by the Southern Rhodesia Tobacco Marketing
Board appointed under this Act for the purpose
of determining market requirements, licensing
of commercial graders, buyers, and auction
floors, disposal of surplus tobacco, development
of new markets and generally supervising the
sale of tobacco as defined in the Act. No
Virginia flue-cured or dark fire-cured tobacco
may be sold in the Colony other than over the
auction floors, except with the written permission
of the Southern Rhodesia Tobacco Marketing
Board. Growers, however, are free to consign
their own tobacco direct to markets other than
the Union of South Africa and the local market.

TOBACCO AUCTION FLOORS

THERE ARE TWO TOBACCO AUCTION
floors, the first owned by the Rhodesia
Tobacco Warehouse and Export Company,
Limited, and operated by the Tobacco Producers
Floor, Limited; and the second owned and
operated by the Tobacco Auctions, Limited.
Owing to the expansion in crop production the
establishment of a third auction floor is at present
under active consideration and building opera-
tions will probably be completed within the next
three years. The floors employ their own trained
staff but all auction sales must be conducted in
accordance with the rules laid down by the
Southern Rhodesia Tobacco Marketing Board
in consultation with the owners of the auction
floors, buyers and producers. The Board's
Sales Supervisors are present at every sale
throughout the selling season which opens in
April and closes towards the end of September
or early October.

The Board also employs a number of classifiers
for the classification of the tobacco immediately
after sale in order to analyse the crop according
to grade and quality.

In addition to those already mentioned there
are a number of commercial grading warehouses
and packing plants in Salisbury. There are also
co-operative and commercial grading warehouses
situated at convenient centres in the principal
tobacco producing districts.

The number of tobacco factories in the Colony
has increased in recent years. The products of
these factories are manufactured principally for
local European and native consumption but a
rapidly increasing export trade in tobacco and
cigarettes is developing with neighbouring terri-
tories. Limited quantities are also exported to
overseas markets.

PRODUCTION

A RAINFALL OF 25 TO 30 INCHES IS
sufficient for the production of Virginia
type tobacco, provided the rain is well distributed
throughout the growing season. Generally the
required rainfall is attained in the majority of
the districts where the soil is also suitable.
Consequently there are very large areas in the
Colony eminently suitable for tobacco culture.

Turkish type tobacco requires less rain than
Virginia tobacco and is best suited to the drier
areas of Southern Rhodesia.

Tobacco can be grown on almost any soil,
provided it is well drained, fertile, and the
climatic conditions are favourable; but the
various types of tobacco must be planted on
soils best suited to the class of leaf desired, in
order to secure optimum results. In this Colony
tobacco cultivation is generally confined to
three types of soil, viz., sandy loams of granitic
or sandstone origin; "contact" soils, which are
found where granite and epidiorite, or dolerite,
granite and banded ironstone, granite and schist,
or sandstone and basalt are in contact; or on
clay loams which are derived from epidiorite,
banded ironstone or schist. The greater portion
of the acreage under tobacco is planted on the
sandy loam soils of granitic or sandstone origin.
These soils comprise approximately 50 per cent
of the total area of the Colony, and vary in
colour from white, grey, pink to light red, and
are sometimes black where highly impregnated
with organic matter. The "contact" soils also
are sandy loams, but are finer in texture, more
fertile and produce heavier yields of tobacco.
The soils derived entirely from epidiorite, iron-
stone or schist are usually red in colour, and
may be generally classed as clay loams suitable
for Virginia dark fire-cured and heavy air-cured
and sun-cured leaf whereas the sandy loams are
best suited for the production of bright flue-
cured light air-cured and sun-cured Virginia and
sun-cured Turkish tobacco.

The principal tobacco-producing districts
are: — Lomagundi, Mazoe, Salisbury, Marandel-
las, Mrewa, Makoni, Charter, Hartley and
Umtali, and the acreage planted with Virginia
Tobacco, flue-cured, were during 1947/48 as
follows:— Lomagundi 24,989; Mazoe 16,823;
Salisbury 16,429; Marandellas 11,701; Mrewa
4,869; Makoni 15,491; Charter 2,057 ; Hartley
8,303; Umtali 8,307. During the same season,
the acreage planted with Turkish Tobacco was: —

Page 152

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Lomagundi 2,909; Mazoe 407; Salisbury 294;
Marandellas 89; Mrewa 140; Makoni 195;
Charter 39; Hartley 197 ; Umtali 40.

For the control of tobacco disease and pests
the Tobacco Pest Suppression Act, Chapter 169,
was introduced in 1933 and remains in operation
in suitably amended form. In the main this Act
makes provision for the removal of tobacco plants
from the field after harvesting and also for the
disinfection of warehouses and buildings twice
yearly.

Under the Tobacco Marketing Act, growers
of Virginia type tobacco are required to apply
for registration each year. The number of
growers registered during 1936— the year when
this Act was first promulgated— was 486 while
the number registered for the present season is
2148 growers. The number of Turkish tobacco
growers registered in terms of the Turkish
Tobacco Act during the current season is 583.

Technical advice and assistance required by
the industry since its inception has been furnished
by Government through a staff of specialists
employed in the Department of Agriculture.
Technical articles dealing with all phases of
tobacco culture are published in the Rhodesia
Agricultural Journal for the advice and instruction
of tobacco growers.

In the initial stages of the industry tobacco
growing experiments were conducted on a
co-operative basis between the Department of
Agriculture and certain farmers in the tobacco
producing areas. The Department also con-
ducted some experiments for a year or two at
Lochard near Bulawayo and at Stapleford a few-
miles from Salisbury. The first fully equipped
and properly organised tobacco experiment
station in Southern Rhodesia was established at
Hillside, on Salisbury Town Commonage, in
September, 1924. The programme of experi-
ments was designed to furnish local data and
elucidate problems relative to tobacco production
in the Colony. Provision was also made for
the practical training of students in tobacco
culture and general farming during a two year
course, after which the student might take up
farming on his own account or become an
assistant or farm manager.

The experimental work conducted on the
Tobacco Experiment Station formed the founda-
tion on which tobacco research has been
established first on the Tobacco Research
Station, Marandellas, during 1930, and later on
the Tobacco Research Station, Trelawney, in
1934, followed by the Tobacco Experiment
Stations at Karoi and Chipinga established in
y 1946 and 1949 respectively.

In 1935 a Tobacco Research Advisory Com-
mittee was formed of members of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture and representatives of the
Rhodesia Tobacco Association and Tobacco
Trade Section, Salisbury Chamber of Commerce.
A more active participation in the work was
evidenced by substantial financial contributions
received from the Rhodesia Tobacco Association
and the leading tobacco buyers and manu-

Tobacco arriving at Salisbury from the TJmvukwes by
the Railway Road Motor Services.

facturers. Subsequently a Tobacco Research
Trust Fund was established and the Government
contributed a grant in aid on the £ for £ principle,
up to a maximum of £5,000 per annum. On
direct representations made to Government by
the Rhodesia Tobacco Association and the
Tobacco Trade Section the Tobacco Research
Board appointed under the Tobacco Research
Act, 1938, Chapter 168, took over full direction
and control of tobacco research in the Colony.
This arrangement continued until 1948 when
control of all tobacco research was allowed to
revert to the Department of Agriculture which
had recently been completely re-organised.

Government assistance to the Turkish tobacco
industry includes the provision of an experiment
station in Matabeleland. This Turkish Tobacco
and Plant Breeding Station was opened at
Umgusa, near Bulawayo, in September, 1943 and
it is expected that the station will become the
focal point of the tobacco industry in Matabele-
land and serve to re-establish tobacco production
in that province. Previously tobacco experi-
ments had been conducted on the Matopos farm
in 1926 and again in 1931.

It is proposed to establish a Central Tobacco
Research Station at Salisbury and several sub-
stations in selected areas in the tobacco producing
districts of the Colony as part of a plan for
expanding tobacco research. The Rhodesia
Tobacco Association has offered to finance
research work confined to Virginia flue-cured
and dark fire-cured tobacco during a rive-year
period to the extent of some £60,000 per annum
on the basis of £2 for every £ contributed by
Government.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

r-rHE TOBACCO CROP IS OF PRIMARY

_L importance from both the agricultural and

economic viewpoints. To-day it is the only crop

which is capable of defraying the expenses in-

Southbrn Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 153

curred in stumping and clearing virgin land, and
is thus a dominating factor in the agricultural de-
velopment of the Colony and in the post-war
settlement of ex-servicemen and settlers on
the land.

The extent of the average tobacco farm is
roughly 2,500 acres of which one-fourth com-
prises arable land . Taking an average throughout
the Colony, the acreage planted to flue-cured
tobacco per farm is estimated to be 70 acres
approximately. The acreage under dark fire-
cured tobacco averages 35 acres per farm and
on farms where Turkish type leaf is grown the
average is 15 acres.

Southern Rhodesia tobacco has been exported
to practically every country in the world and
to-day it is marketed in more than 30 countries.
Great Britain is the principal market for our
tobacco and its importance has been still further
increased by the "London Agreement".

This agreement made between the Tobacco
Advisory Committee (representing the United
Kingdom tobacco manufacturers) and the
Southern Rhodesia Tobacco Marketing Board
(representing the Rhodesian tobacco producers)
covers a period of five years commencing from
the opening of the 1946 tobacco auction sales
and subject to revision each year. Under the
agreement it was arranged that the British
manufacturers shall purchase each year during a
five-year period two-thirds of the Southern
Rhodesia flue-cured tobacco crop up to a
70 million lb. crop.

This contract coupled with the world shortage
of tobacco made it necessary to introduce
export control to ensure delivery of the allotted
quotas to our priority markets. The Tobacco
Marketing Act, Chapter 166, was suitably-
amended to enable the granting of permits for
specified markets. Import licences regulating
United Kingdom manufacturers' purchases are
issued by the Board of Trade in Great Britain.
Export permit allocations are dealt with by a
committee appointed by the Southern Rhodesia
Tobacco Marketing Board.

The United Kingdom, South Africa, and the
Local Market were termed "priority" markets.
A "preferential" allocation was made to an
organisation which purchases considerable quan-
tities of Southern Rhodesia tobacco for export
each year. Markets other than the above were
termed "non-priority" markets. After the 1948
season Australia was added to the list of priority
markets.

In terms of the "London Agreemet" the
Southern Rhodesia Tobacco Marketing Board
was notified in July, 1948 by the Tobacco
Advisory Committee that the Agreement would
be extended for a further year, and that should
the 1948/49 crop increase sufficiently, the
United Kingdom manufacturers were prepared
to purchase a further 15 to 20 million lbs. over
and above the 46 millions originally agreed upon,
provided prices and quality were satisfactory.
It was subsequently agreed that the United
Kingdom allocation be increased to a minimum
of 56 million lbs. for 1949 and the four years
following.

Later the Southern Rhodesia Tobacco
Marketing Board in consultation with the
Government, Rhodesia Tobacco Association,
and representatives of the Tobacco Advisory
Committee, assured the British manufacturers
that their annual allocation could be increased
to 75 million lbs. by 1953. In order to fulfil this
undertaking it is necessary that the flue-cured
tobacco crop be increased to approximately
1 20 million lbs in that year.

In conclusion, the progress of the tobacco
industry and its importance in the economic
structure of the Colony is further illustrated by
the following table showing the relative value
of tobacco exports to the total value of agricultural
crops exported from the country: —

EXPORTS: AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

Total Crops

Tobacco

Year

Value

£ 1,000

£1,000

per cent

1923

1,030

154

14-95

1928

1,830

779

42-57

1933

1,250

479

38-32

1938

2,280

1,132

49-65

1943

4,550

2,492

54-77

1948

15,220

10,316

67-78

The Llangibby Castle at Pungwe Wharf, Beira, being
loaded with Rhodesian tobacco.

The economic importance of the tobacco
industry will be considerably increased through
further development, the rate of progress being
dependent upon the success attending the
efforts of the growers in producing an article
which conforms to the standard required by the
manufacturers and governed also by the ex- .
pansion of present markets and the development
of others.

Page 154

Southern Rhopfsia 1890-1950

%OSa^^i HE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORT IN THE COLONY DURING ITS YOUNG LIFE
/«2 1'YMz'&fJ'i of iust over 50 years is something of which sportsmen can he proud. That is a short

■ "**%0S£?vq'9iI* economic anu civu mu, <mu urc v«« uulbi«a.o .»i.^.. .«.« ..w ~- ._.-.-—
V^y^^^k transport, the development is all the more remarkable. It is doubtful whether any

' > "'-'~ ? -- ; ' <v other community as small, or as remote, has achieved so much in so short a time.

An indication of what the pioneers of sport did to foster all the various codes is given here in a brief
summary with an idea of what exists to-day.

HORSE RACING

HORSE RACING HAS DEVELOPED
from the early days — when as in any
young and romantic country, races were
run for the strangest stakes and incredulous
wagers — into one of the most highly
organised sports in the Colony.

The first race meeting on record in the
Colony, was held as early as 1889. A
detachment of the Royal Horse Guards
(The Blues) arrived at Gubulawayo (as it
was then known) carrying a letter from
Queen Victoria to Lobcngula, Chief of the
Matabele, announcing the incorporation
of the B.S.A. Company by Royal Charter,
advising him to give his confidence and
support to the Company. A race meeting
was held in honour of the Queen's
envoys and a fairly good course was laid
out — with hurdles. All the Europeans

Lt. Col. J. de L. THOMPSON, E D-

entered those of their horses which had
any pretensions to speed, and with the
addition of some of the King's and the
Indunas' horses, there was a creditable
muster for the Zambesi Handicap, the
Gubulawayo Plate and the two minor
events that constituted the meeting.
The racing was good and the King's
horses won some of the stakes. Thousands
of natives assembled to witness the
white man's sport, buc beyond a few

violent disputes tolerable order was kept.
Thus the first race meeting in Rhodesia
was held under Royal patronage!

Main centres are at Bulawayo and

Salisbury. In recent years stakes have
been increased, and for big races, doubled.
But, old-timers do not forget that two-day
meeting in Bulawayo in 1895, at which
over £2,400 passed through the totali-ator;
while at a meeting in Salisbury in 1897

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 155

FOR TWENTY-ONE YEARS

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have served the public, particularly the sporting public

of Southern Rhodesia. This service will be continued

and improved in the future.

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Phone 2607

and at

U M T A L I

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B.S.A.

Page 156

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

the stakes amounted to €3,075. New Mood has been
brought into the Colony- from the Union and Overseas,
and Colony-owned horses have achieved some success
beyond the borders of Rhodesia. Most of the smaller
centres also hold regular meetings.

Discussions have been held recently about the appoint-
ment or a Stipendiary Steward, an appointment recom-
mended by a commission held by the Jockey Club of
South Africa.

Plans have been discussed lor more and bigger improve-
ments to the eourse in Bulawayo. A modern grandstand
to seat 25,000 is visualised, also the building of an up-to-
date totalizator— additional stabling for 150 horses, and
so on. Estimated cost of the improvements is about
£150,000.

POLO

pOLO IS PLAYED IN SOME CENTRES, NOTABLY
L Salisbury and there are numerous hunt clubs and riding
schools whose activities include riding through the
Rhodcsian bush and visits to the many beauty spots which
surround the towns.

CRICKET

'T'HIS SPORT HAS BEEN PLAYED IN THE COLONY
A from the beginning of its occupation. The first bi<-
representative game was in 1899 when Lord Hawke's team
played two matches in Bulawayo, one against a local XI
and the other against a R hodesia XI. The visitors won both
easily. The Salisbury contingent for the Rhodesia match
had a most eventful 10 days' journev. The coach had to
be pulled out of a morass at Charter by a span of 30 oxen
and they were then held up by the Hunyani River in
flood. H. M. Taberer made contact with the other hank
by throwing over a cricket ball with a line attached. A
skip was constructed and the team conveyed across the
rivet and taken to Bulawayo, by another coach, arriving
lust before the hour of play.

Three major leagues are catered for in Matabeleland
and Mashonaland. The latter also runs a Country Districts
League. Like tennis, cricket is played throughout the
year — on a friendly basis in the winter months — when
private clubs visit district teams.

The game is taken seriously in the Colony, and an
indication of this fact is that the Rhodcsian Cricket Union
has agreed to have six English coaches this season. Their
campaign will be split between the schools and the clubs.

Rhodesia is concentrating on its younger players. No
great successes have been achieved on inter-provincial
tours, though many important mutches have been lost by
the narrowest margins.

The transition from matting to che new type of turf
wicket has been accomplished, and the vounger players
have adapted themselves to the new conditions. Com-

An incident in the match between M.C.C. and Rhodesia
on the Salisbury Sports Club Ground in February, 1949.
Percy Mansell of Bulawayo is seen juggling with a
difficult catch from the M.C.C. captain, F. G. Mann.
He failed to hold this catch but had made up for it
previously by taking a magnificent one-handed catch
at slips to dismiss Bedser. The other plaver in the
photograph is Hugh Tayfield of Salisbury.

menting on the scandard of play by the Colony's school-
boys — the only unbeaten side in a recent Nuffield Intcr-
Provincial Shield tournament in the Union, Dave Nourse
emphasised that "some brilliant players were revealed".
Last year a new Nuffield record of 125, not out, was made
by a Plumtree schoolboy-
Rhodesia drew both matches in 1930 and in 1939 against
the M.C.C. and also one against Australia in 1936, but last
year were soundly beaten by Australia. Rhodesia is
gaining prominence as a cricketing country, and there is
still hope here that a Test will be played in one of the
main centres.

SPEEDWAY RACING

ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR OF THE NEWLY
organised sports is motor-cycle racing. The sport in
all centres draws the most thousands. Inter-town meetings
are held regularly and records are being broken at most of
them as the newer and more powerful machines arc
reaching the Colony's markets. Some of the riders are
recognised as the best in Southern Africa to-dav, notably
Charlie Harrison and Colin Graves. In the P.E. "200",
the Union's biggest race, the main places were gained by
Rhodesian riders, and another of the team put up the
fastest time for the exacting 9}-mile circuit — just under
92 m.p.h.

-<~— ~1*> — -.-— xJL ' ii!lF~

At Bulawayo, when Rhodesia beat the All Blacks in
July, 1949. Rhodesia converts her second try.

RUGBY

RHODESIA FALLS LITTLE BEHIND THE UNION
in her enthusiasm for the Rugby code.
The first game of football in Rhodesia was a rugby
match which took place in the bed of the Shashi River.
By some error the Pioneers got it into their heads that it
was the Tuli River, and so called their camp Fort Tuli.
The game was played on July 5, 1890. The date is fixed
because it was on the next day that Troop 'B" of the
Pioneers started cutting the road to Mount Hampden, a
day that is commemorated annually on the Rhodes' and
Founders' holidays.

The field selected for the game was a patch of
heavy sand in the river bed. No one was hurt, for
the game was very slow, with the men toiling labori-
ously after each other through the sand.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 157

The Pioneer Corps contained some line players. The
past has produced a number of stars well known through-
out the hemisphere. A peak was reached in 1949 when the
New Zealand XV played here. The All Blacks left the
Colony without a win; they were beaten in Bulawayo
and forced to he satisfied with a draw in Salisbury.
As a result of those matches two Rhodesians were
included in the Second Test in South Africa, and one
of them was selected for the Third and Fourth Tests.

Hartsfield, the Matabclelnnd Board's Ground is one of
(he finest in Africa, and steps arc being taken to increase
the number of seats (here.

SHOOTING

SHOOTING HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF
Rhodesia's favourites though with the movement of
big game away from the towns it has fewer followers than
in the past. New ranges have been built, and there arc
still those whose performances can compare well with any
shots in the world. The names of Rhodesian shots as
individuals, and teams, are written in most of the record
files. As recently as 1948 some of the highest scores
made at the South African National Bisley were by
members of Rhodesian platoons. Rhodesia gained second
and third places in the Governor's Cup and the highest
score in the King's Medal was by a Bulawayo shot. These
1948 performances, however, are not Rhodesians' best
efforts. In 1904 Captain A. C. L. Webb, of the Southern
Rhodesia Volunteers team that competed in the Transvaal
Bisley, won the grand aggregate. In 1905 his brother then
still a cadet of St. George's also made the highest score,
and won several trophies. In 1906 Trooper D. Drummond

won the highest individual honours when he annexed
the Lieutenant-Governor's Cup. As it is hoped to send
a Rhodesian team to the English Bisley, this year, ii is
timely to look back to the Colony's first visit in 1902,
when Rhodesia gained second place in the Kolapotc Cup.

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL WAS FIRST PLAYED
in Rhodesia by members of the Pioneer Column soon
after their arrival at Fort Salisbury at the end of 1890.
Conspicuous among the early players were Charlie Hall,
Cooper Hodgson, Bill Strachan, Bly Hopley, Willie
Grimmer, Joe Clinton, Spreckley. who represented
Johannesburg in 1889 and P. C. ("Sally") Nunn, who was
killed with Allan Wilson in 1893. The first clubs were
Police, Kopje, and Causeway, the two latter eventually
changing their names to Alexandra and Salisbury respect-
ively.

Salisbury's nearest rival was Unitali, 170 miles distant,
and though the only means of transport was by mule
coach, there were frequent intcr-town matches. In 1899
the Umtali side included Harry Allen of Derby County,
Reg Elkin of Middlesex and his brother Syd, Watty Ross,
Tom and Jim Gilbert, Jimmy Hendry, W. Bennett. J. H.
Davidson and Thos. Eickhoff.

Prominent early players in Bulawayo were Magnus
Spcncc, Howitt, Wilkinson, Stewart, Katinakis, Knight,
H. Agar, Davy Bruce, Currie and Cameron, all of the
B.S.A.P. Queens had an imposing array in Harrison
(capped for England), Halsey, J. Collyer (late Postmaster-
General,) Charles and Bob Granger, C. H. Blanckcnbcrg,

We realise that your Sports
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OFFICIAL TICKET SELLERS S. RHODESIA STATE LOTTERY

Pace 158

Southern Riiomsia 1890-1950

J. Small, a promising Rhodesian boxer, in action.

G. M. Tait and D. E. Williams. B.A.C. stalwarts were
T. and A. Roy, M. G. Linnel, Reg Payne, A. Ruxton,
Hallward, Routledge, E. W. Clarkson (Surrey), Loosley
and T. H. Cooke. In che Rhodesia Scottish team were
MacArthur, Dunbar, McKenrie and Burnett.

Soccer, though it has not shown the improvement
expected since the war despite the influx ot immigrants
irom llie United Kingdom, is able to field a strong repre-
sentative team. Considerable success has been achieved

and enthusiasts still talk of the way a Rhodesian side held

the Clyde to dtaw in Bulawayo-

Trophies for inter-club, inter-town and inter-provincial
tournaments abound. The code has suffered many
reverses, and one of its majot difficulties is that the senior
schools of the Colony do not include the sport on their

programme. It has been able to keep going because of
the encouragements given by touring teams from oversea
and the Union, and the enthusiasm, of" the local clubs.
All the grounds are under turf, and each centre has both
senior and junior leagues. The support given to the code
is increasing, and capacity crowds attend most of the big
matches. Last year three Bulawayo players, Wood,
Paxton and Van Vuuren, were selected by U.K. clubs
and latest reports about them are encouraging.

t,\ * * * *

WATER SPORTS

THE WATER SPORTS ARE NATURALLY PLACED
high in the scale of popularity, and in all of them,

considerable progress has been made by the Colony.

SWIMMING

Much is being absorbed of the newer and more scientific
training methods and nowhere is this more evident than
in che training of the Colony's swimming talent. There
has always been an inner circle of good men and women,
and local competition has produced young swimmers like

Greenshields who won the men's 100 yards championship

of South Africa in 1948, Miss Bennett who gained a place

in the women's 680 yards freestyle and young Stott who
smashed his way thtough the Rhodesian records and won
the 220 yards breast-stroke in South Africa. Another boy,
M. Flint, holds the boys' 100 yards South African title.

Rhodesians through the years have figured prominently
in South African championships, the earliest winner being
J. T. Brown, ]00 yards in 1920, and again in 1921. Freddie

Flint, Len Brown and C. N. Foster, are others. In 1935

Foster created new South African records for the 500 yards

and half-mile distances. And now wc arc looking to Ann
Webb and Beryl Nugent to do greater thigs.

WATER POLO

WATER POLO IS POPULAR AND MANY GIANTS
of the game have been trained in the Colony.

Rhodesia gained second place in the log in the 1949

intcrprovincial Carrie Cup tournament.

YACHTING

YACHTING, THE YOUNGEST WATER SPORT TO
enter the competitive arena, is engaged in, on all the

Colony's bigger dams and recently a team from Mashonn-
land entered the Union's major regatta.

CYCLING

THE COLONY'S CYCLISTS HAVE BEEN IN THE
top class for many years, and have held several

South African national records. Latest names to

be added to the long list, is that of E. Evans who smashed
the mile scratch time with a ride of 58-2 seconds,

Branfield for whom records are onlv times to be bettered,
and Bennett.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 159

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Sole Concessionaires in Nyasaland:

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P.O. Box 239. BLANTYRE

Page 160

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

ATHLETICS

IN THE ATHLETrC FIELD ALSO, YOUNG
Rhodesians are coming to the fore- In every school
sports meeting during the last two years new records
have been established. A big new development was the

inauguration of inter-school championships in Matabele-
land and also of the Rhodesia junior championships.
There remains a great deal to be done in the way of en-
couraging the younger athletes to go forward into the
wider competitive field, though this is not the case with

our young cyclists.

ANGLING

THE RHODESIAN ANGLING SOCIETY CATERS
for nearly 12,000 fishermen. The Society is constantly
restocking the Colony's dams with fish of all types. In
six months, 9,000 Bass were added. Junior members are
encouraged, and a special trophy has been donated for
them. One of the best results last season was a bag of
140 lb. of Carp. The fishing rights are protected.

HOCKEY

HOCKEY IS A SPORT IN WHICH RHODESIANS
count for a great deal in South Africa. In this field,

the Colony can hold its own with the best, and beat most
of the Union's teams in both sections.

The South African inter-provincial tournament has been
won by our women, and in the men's section Rhodesia in
1929 won the top position in the log. Visiting reams have

Miss Valierie

Retief, Rhodes-ian
Champion.

Women's Diving

been glad to play on the Colony's hockey pitches, and the
Swallows were the first oversea team to visit the Colony.

They left with the honours even-

Those matches led io C. V. Irvine's selection as the
first Rhodcsian Springbok captain. The first Rhodesian,
however, to win Springbok honours was Miss R. du Pree:
in (930.

Miss Gw-endy Love, one of the coming Rhodesian
singles and doubles players, holds the junior champion-
ship of the Western Province,

BOXING

OXING IS ANOTHER SPORT WHICH COMMANDS
big following.

Among the early pioneers were numerous boxers of
repute. Bulitwnyo boasted three boxing stadiums. An
amusing paragraph in The Btilaivayo Chronicle after Chrisc-
mas, 1895, reads "Several pugilistic encounters came off at
the holidays, one of which went into 80 rounds, but

none were of special interest!" A colourful fighter and a

very popular one, was Piet Stcyn, then there was Fred
Buckland and Harry Price. Among the early amateurs of
note were Pat Bland, W. P. T. Hancock, W. C. Hoaten,
and Stanley Perry. Between World Wars I and II were
Pat Kealy, J. Ashwin, N. A. S. Hoffman, I. P. Potgieter,
C. Brissett, Len Hall, A. E. Walters, and W. Fulton.
Some of the strongest South African teams have been
beaten recently by Rhodesian teams, and as in the past,
South African title holders arc among the ranks of the
Colony's boxers. Present hopes arc centred on Verceuil,
Small and King (N.R.), and the former is being carefully
warched by S.A. Empire Games contestants.

SOUTHERN Rhodesia. 1890-1950

Pace 161

GOLF

THE COLONY'S GOLF COURSES HAVE BEEN
surveyed by experts from oversea and are improving
every year. Bobby Locke recently stated that Bulawayo's
course was on the way to becoming as good as any in
South Africa. The number of people playing golf is
increasing, and the standard of play has greatly improved.

Young golfers have been well to the front, and one
junior has recently won one of the Colony's major tourna-
ments. Standard scratches are coming down, mainly
because of performances of this kind, though due in no
small measure to the improvement in the courses themselves.

TENNIS

TENNIS IS ONE OF THE SPORTS FLAYED ALL THE
year round. It gained early popularity among the
curly settlers because of its simple equipment nnd the
easy preparation of hard courts, there being no grass
courts in Rhodesia. The first court was laid at Fort
Victoria in 1893 by the enterprising proprietor of the
Standard Hotel.

Among the Colony's outstanding players were: F. G.
Brooks, Sir Percy Fynn, W. S. Tabercr, Andrew Ross.
Ralph Vincent, C. V. Irvine, Mrs. S. J. Oliphant, Mrs.
Griffin, Mrs. J. H. Kennedy, Mrs. J. G. Jeary. New hopes
are Miss Black, Gwendy Love, Kate and Miss Bowyer.
Matabeleland followed Mashonaland's lead and last year
organised a winter league.

The winter league has proved popular, but difficulty is
that many of our soccer players and rugger players are also
ardent tennis players, and they find it difficult to keep
more than one spore going during any one season. That
is the trouble with many Rhodesian sportsmen.
There arc too few specialists. Too few go in for that
kind of intensive training which marks out the champion
from the all rounder. The Rhodesian is no worse for that,

in fnct, ninny or the nil rounders have gained honours in
more than one sport.

Like some of the other sports, tennis has suffered from
lack of sufficient oversea coaches. In any sport where
the local champions (and in Rhodesia the champions
are the same year after year) coach the coming players,
there tends to be developed a stereotyped player whose

game is not versatile enough to compete with the different,

and more up-to-date game of players in the Union and
elsewhere, who have gained much from oversea experience.

On the other hand, there are those in Rhodesia to-day
who hold honours gained on the South African courts.
Miss Gwendy Love, one of the coming Rhodesian singles
and doubles players holds the junior championship of the

Western Province. Mrs. Bowyer captured the Griqualand

singles title two years ago.

BILLIARDS AND SNOOKER

BILLIARDS AND SNOOKER ARE TWO OF THE
more popular indoor sports. Local leagues exist in
most centres, though the need of a wider organisation is
now being felr. Povall, a Bulawayo player, recently just
tailed to gain both championships in South Africa, one,
only after a play-off against the South African champion.

STEEL BODIES
for all types of chassis

CARAVANS
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BUSES

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WATER TRAILERS
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M ASHIIAIAN I

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proudly report that

the installation of Modern Machinery,

their experience and practical interest in the

requirements of the Rhodesias,

their willingness to co-operate,

AND ABOVE ALL

THEIR INSISTENCE ON FIRST CLASS

WORKMANSHIP

have enubled

THE MASHONALAND COACHBUILDERS

to advance to leadership.

Phone 24309 P.O. Box 572 SALISBURY

SCOTCH CARTS

WATER CARTS
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PANEL

BEATING

WELDERS

RADIATOR
REPAIRS

BLACKSMITHS
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SPRAY

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Pace 161

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

BOWLING

BOWLERS ARE WELL CATERED FOR AND SOME
of rhe greens are all an enthusiast would expect after
nearly fifty years of hard work has been put into them.
Rhodcsians have excelled in both men's and women's
inter-provincial tournaments in the Union, and active
members in the Colony's clubs run into some thousands.

BASEBALL AND BADMINTON

npWO OTHER SPORTS, BASEBALL (AND ITS
J- sister Softball) and Badminton, have formed associa-
tions. Both are growing in popularity and once these
associations affiliate with the South they can reach out
into the inter/provincial sphere. Visits from South African
teams have already been made and much experience gained
by local enthusiasts.

BASKETBALL AND WE1GHTLIFTING

BASKETBALL AND WEIGHTHFT1NG ARE TWO
other of the younger sports. The R.A.F. stationed in
the Colony has given a big impetus to the former which
is also played in some of the senior schools.

Weightlifters are an enthusiastic crowd and champion-
ships have been held in the provinces and Northern Rho-
desia. With a constant gain in experience new records
are being made, and it will not be long before the Colony
will be offering a more direct challenge to South Africa
and further afield. OxdenWillows will represent Rhodesia
at the Empire Games.

Enthusiasts of other forms of sport than those mentioned
in this summary are finding that Rhodesia is a sportsman's
paradise. But the most important fact which is steadily
emerging from the Colony's development along all lines
is that there is a more definite movement towards affiliation
with parent bodies, both within the Colony itself, and
with those whose headquarters arc in the Union and
oversea. This widening of the Colony's sporting life will
ensure Rhodesia's part in future international touts, and
lay the foundation for further experience in both the playing
and in the administration of the games.

A team of Southern Rhodesians is competing at the
Empire Games representing five sports — athletics, boxing,
cycling, swimming and wcightlifting; and it would not
be surprising if one title, possibly boxing, comes to the
Colony.

This is not the first time Rhodesian green has been seen
at this contest. Sufficient evidence exists to make us
confident, that with new blood, and more up-to-date
training methods, and with more outside competition,
Rhodesian sportsmen should soon be ready to hold their
own with any in the world.

ERIC CROSS SPORTS LTD.

of First Street, Salisbury

(/K QSOC Op
have contributed to this since 19&2>

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 163

Minister of Finance and Officials
supervising draw.

Officials checking balls into drums.

The Broadcasiing and Press Teams.

7955

_ 1950

57 lotteries in 15 years

Rhodesia nearly U million pounds sterling The J^tees
have qiven Jarqe sums of this money to combating
BUharzS by research, and the building swimming
baVhs in the Colony wherever a local authority has been
found to maintain one. Child Welfare has received
support from the Lottery. Children's Nursing and Con-
vaSscent Homes have been built. Holiday Camps have
been helped and aid has been given to various o a
undertakings for the European, Coloured and African
commuS Also individual medical distress octave
been given assistance. Prize money to date has totalled
about % million pounds sterMngcmd to reprints 70 /«
of the face value of all tickets included in the draw, which
is one of the highest percentages in the world.

TICKETS OBTAINABLE FROM ALL OFFICIAL SELLERS.

"THE WHEELS OF FORTUNE."

Some ol Ihe audience watching the

draw in the S'ate Lotteries Hall.

Salisbury.

SOUTHERN RHODESIA
STATE LOTTERIES

Page 164

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1

UNION-CASTLE

the union-castle line offers luxurious passenger
accommodation and fast Cargo services to Southamp-
ton i'rom Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth and
Cape Town, with calls at Madeira or Las Palmas.
There is also an Intermediate Service from South &
East African Ports to England via St. Helena,
Ascension and Canary Islands or via Suez Canal.

FAST

MAIL PASSENGER
& CARGO SERVICES

SOUTH & EAST AFRICA
tmd ENGLAND

UNION-CASTLE

LINE

HEAD OFFICE: 3 FENCHURCH STREET, LONDON, E.C.3.

S. & E. AFRICAN OFFICES AT CAPE TOWN. PORT ELIZABETH. EAST LONDON.

DURBAN, JOHANNESBURG, LOURENCO MARQUES, BEIRA AND MOMBASA.

AGENTS THROUGHOUT AFRICA.

Southern Rhodesia 189C-1950

Paol 1

When in Bnlawavo . . .

your comfort is assured ii you stay at the
Palace Hotel. The Palace is centrally
situated with a large dining-room and
lounges: 100 bedrooms (hot and cold water
and telephones); private suites wilh bath-
room. Garage and sample rooms. And
last, but not least, the most beautiful and
restful gardens to be found in Bulawayo.

PALACE HOTEL

PALACE HOTEL (BYO.) LTD.. ABERCORN STREET. BULAWAYO
P.O. Box 520 Telegrams: "Palace"

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

African Associated Mine* Lid **

African Distillers (Bhod.) lid j*

African Tobaccos Ltd.

Agencies (Africa) Led ij

Atelier, Ltd. j,

Ballantvne cm Co ..,.

Baldwins (S.A.) Ltd JJ5

Banet &. Harris Ltd. .. •■ ■• n"f*,'' a \ 7rv„.,.Vl

Barclays Bank (Dominion, Colonial & Oversea). (Central

Advertising Lid.) .. • •- , h .,

Bennett & Webb Ltd. ■- 'J?

Bechuanaland Exploration Co. Ltd. .. .. ■■ ■■

B.itish Onw Airways Corporation IP. N. Bar.etl Company

(Ply.) Ltd.) •• • ;„

Borril fl). A. Blurobetg Ltd.l '-'

Brando Bros. • • ' 7*>q

British South Africa Company .. -• "**

Bulawayo Vulcanitets Ltd. 'Adserviccs Lid.) .. "is

Byiom Motors Ltd. .• •• -- Zy

Cairns (Sbv> Lid. .» qg

CcnirirAWc'aT'lways Corporation (Greenwood Advertising ^
Cetll»l*AfrlCan"Und"& Development Co. Ltd. (Rho.An B lo

c,J^^^^^^^c ? . . :: :: «

Clark. C. c* J. Ltd. (Cecil Noilcy Advertising Ltd.) . . ^j

Coplhalls. _ -• ,--, .', ". 16}

Cross. Rrie. Sports, Ltd. ..,

Cuthbcrt ei Co. Ltd.. v\. M. fa

Dannakay Hotel 74

Llcombc. Ltd., Geo JJ

fESftB*Z£E£Ei. (Klio-Anglo Publicity Ltd.) " " OS

Fisons (Rhodesia! Ltd |g

Fulton ei. Evans Ltd ot

Geddes Ltd J,

Gmud Hotel ••_■•,,;.,;•, up

Uotirock Ropes & Canvas (Atnca) Ltd '«-

Gwelo ci District Publicity Association •>=

H.ddon &. Sir Ltd |J

i£ffii I ftnialcn .Agencies) Ltd.". (Adscrvicc, Ltd. , J 10

Hodgson & Mvburgh Lid. • . ■ • ., Jj".

Hurarttas. Ltd. (Rho-Aogfo Publicity Ltd.) ' 1»

Holland. I. S. ... -• . " ii

Howard & Co. (Africa) Ltd.. John ■..••..; "

Hl.ntleveiPala.c. Lid. (Smee's Advertising Ltd.) .. 44

Hylton ei Co. Ltd. . . ...

Imperial Motors (19401 Ltd '"+

loelsoo Bros. Ltd. ,? 6

Kahot Brothers Ltd. . . , . ,

Keanmac (Salisbury) Ltd ■■ 4 j ()

Keavs . . ■ • • - • • - ' ' " ' " _j$

Kelmak lEncineetsl .. •• .••,.,-. aa

Kimptoni (Salisbury) Ltd. I Adserviccs Ltd.) • »

Lenuon Ltd. .... '' *' i>

I .eopard Rock Hotel || JbtJ

Liberty Motors . . .- •• •• ■' " ....

Lysagbi Ss Co. Ltd j\J

Lytton Tobacco Co. Ltd '|J

Mackay Si Son. Ltd.. I. ..,

Mashonaland Coachbuildcrs ]•£

Macmillan. Ma.s-vell & Co. Ltd. ... .. '£

Mufele, Thomas, trust ci Investment Co. Ltd =>- «

Midlands Muling Co., Ltd ™

Modern Motets Ltd. . . ns

Mos-enthals (Rhodesia! Ltd !,J;

Natural Resource* Board

Palace Hotel (Balawavo) Ltd.

Pest Control (C.A.) Lid [[6

PoneS ?S InduTrie. (Rhod.j ltd. (kho-.Wo Publicity

Etd.) ■-,.:■, 50

Premier Aeeociei Limited ;-,,.. if,

Premier WoodvorkmB (Rhod.) Ltd. " an Rl

Public Relations Department '"'

Pu=cv & Diss Motors Ltd. . - • • "

Quoin Hotel ....'■-- Qu

Radio Ltd. ._. 1 . 1

Raymond Tiles Ltd ,6

R„odd;aL, L d. d (-Rho.An g lo Publicity Ltd., f

Rhodesian College of Music Jj

Rhodcsian Graphic .- .- •• -• ■■ ,,,,

Khodesia Hardwares Timber Co. Ltd 11»

Rhodesia Railways ,

ffiSS Toi^^tcie & P. P or. Co. CfW) Ltd. ,Ai i4g

Rhodcsia^Valcaniring Works (Kho^Anplo Publicity Ltd.) . . 4«

Sauer's Motors Ltd. .. .. -■ •. •;. . , , ,

Salisbury Board of Executors Ltd., (Adserviecs Ltd.) .. "»

South African Breweries Ltd.

South African Canvas Co., Ltd ^

South African Timber Co., Ltd. . .■.■__,..' . '.', 4*

Spa Food Produeti ltd., (Greenwood AdyertisinB Ltd.) «

Standard Bank of South Airier. Ltd *

State Lotteries (Adscrvlces Ltd.)

Stuiurt, Allele. Ltd ■ (0

Teunon Bros. ■■-."'""' "8

Times Furnishers Ltd. • ■ ■ | j rt

Tobacco Auctions Ltd. ^ Q

Turner & Son* ..-•-- j.^

U^^Ca'Tue Ma^eamshipCo. Ud. (G. -Street & Co." Ltd.) . 1 >

Victoiia Palls Hotel .. .Vt

Weakley ei Wrifiht

Wilson & Smith .;„

W. & E. Silks Ltd

South'p.un Rhodesia 1860-1950

Pagf 2

SOUTHERN RHODESIA

18904950

THE EDITOR AND PUBLISHERS OF
"Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950" are
indebted to His Excellency the Governor, Sir
John Kennedy, for his inspiring foreword which,
apart from its tribute to the past, encourages
us to face with confidence the obstacles which
are inevitably to be found in the path of a young
country determined to go ahead, and this
sentiment is reflected in the words of Mr. T.
W. Rudland: "Even today, there is still work
for Pioneers".

This volume is an outline of Southern Rho-
desia's advance during the sixty years of occupa-
tion. All contributors possess an intimate
knowledge of the subjects with which they deal,
and have themselves played, and are still playing,
leading roles in shaping the destiny of this
Colony.

Thanks are due to them for their interesting
and authoritative contributions to this record,
and also to the Central African Archives, the
Public Relations Department, and the Clerk of
the Legislative Assembly, for their ready co-
operation.

(Exccp* where otherwise ackno
volume of the early days In Rhodes!
courtesy of the Ccn'ral African Archh

'Ic-rlacd. all photographs in this
have been ohtained through the
S.)

CONTENTS

Foreword by His Excellency the Governor,
Major-General Sir John Kennedy,
^ K.C.V.O., K.B.E., C.B., M.C.
Cecil John Rhodes
"Sixty Years Onward"

by W. D. Qale
"The Storv of the Chartered Company"

fay Sir Dougal O. Malcolm, K.C.M.Q.
"Journey into the Wilds"

fay Jessie C. Lovemore
"From Company's Colony to Near-
Dominion"

fay the R(. Hon. Sir Qodfrev Huggins,
C.H., K.C.M.Q., F.R.C.S., M.P.
"Even today . . . there is still Work for
Pioneers"

fay T. W. Rudland, O.B.E.
"The Railways of Rhodesia, 1890-1950"

fay Sir Arthur Qriflin. K.C.I.E., O.B.E.
"The Rhodesian Mining Industry"

fay FY P. Mermell, F.Q.S., M./.M.M.
"From Unbridled Savagery"

fay N. H. D. Spicer
"Wings Over Rhodesia" ...

fay Capt. A. Dandy Rawlins
"Agriculture in Southern Rhodesia"

by Capt. the Hon. F. E. Harris, C.M.Q.,
D.S.O.
"From Merchant Adventurers to Com-
merce and Industry' '

fay Cyril Allen, O.B.B., J.P.
"Tobacco"...

fay D. D. Brown
"Rhodesian Sport since 1889"

fay Lt.-Cot. J. de L. Thompson, E.D.
Index to Advertisers

DESIGNED AND COMPILED 15T THE RHODESIAN GRAPHIC

Page

5
6

/-}
83
95

113
121
129

137

145

155

SALISBURY SOUTHERN RHODESIA

PUBLISHED BY PICTORIAL PUBLICATIONS SYNDICATE

wn|HH|nHB|H|

Bulawayo 1949

The Standard Bank grew up with Rhodesia : our ser-
vices which are based on intimate knowledge of local
banking needs include :-

• Current, Savings and Deposit
Accounts.

• Letters oi Credit and Travellers'
Cheques.

• Purchase and Sale of Stocks

and Shares.

• Safe Deposit lor Securities.

All forms of Bill Work.
Import/Export Market Contacts.

Trading and Industrial Informa-
tion.

Monthly Review of Business
Conditions available on appli-
cation.

Assay Offices :
JOHANNESBURG, BULAWAYO, SALISBURY, GATOOMA and GWELO.
Over 440 Branches and Agencies in South and East Africa

The

STANDARD BANK

OF SOUTH AFRICA, LTD.

(REGISTERED AS A COMMERCIAL BANK)

SAFETY

COURTESY

CONVENIENCE

Page 4

Souihekn Rhodesia 1890-1950

FOREWORD

HIS EXCELLENCY MAJOR-GENERAL SIR JOHN NOBLE KENNEDY, K.C.V.O., K.B.E., C.B., M.C.
GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER-IX-CHIEF IK AND OVER THE COLONY OF S. RHODESIA.

&%Si8^S>. N THIS S1XT1ETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN
Rhodesia as a civilised state, we stand on the threshold of a new era in the vigorous
S;i life of our Colony. This is an occasion when we are called upon to exercise at
I? once our memory for the past, and our imagination for the future.
j£> As we look back upon the past, it is strange to reflect that, only sixty years

J® ago, this was a land unknown to the world, save for the accounts of missionaries
&&&&** anc l hunters, and inhabited by barbarians who preyed upon each other. There
is no more thrilling story in the annals of adventure and romance, than that of the occupation
and settlement of Rhodesia by Cecil Rhodes's pioneers.

The high tradition established in the early days has been worthily upheld. The record of
our country, in peace, has been one of steady progress, in the advancement of the native races,
and in the development of the natural resources for the benefit of Europeans and Africans alike.
In the two great wars of this century, Rhodesians have played a gallant part, second to none in
the whole Empire, in proportion to our population. These are things of which we may well
be proud.

The future prospects of our Colony give us grounds for sober confidence. I, for one, believe
that, in Rhodesia, we possess all the elements for continued progress. The spirit of our people
is high. This Rhodesian spirit is, indeed, the Colony's greatest asset, greater even than our vast
natural resources, still largely untapped.

,- Like every other young country, Rhodesia has had its growing pains, and will doubtless
suffer more in years to come. But I see no reason to doubt that difficulties will be surmounted,
as they have been in the past, by the determination, and enterprise, and courage, which are
characreristic of our people.

/\r.

'bUi^i^A

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

SALISBURY,
SOUTHERN RHODESIA.

GOVEltNOn.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

Pacf S

CECIL JOHN RHODES
Founder of Rhodesia

The Right Honourable Cecil John Rhodes was born at Bishop's Storrford Parsonage in Hertford-
shire, on July 5th, 1853, and came to South Africa in 1870. In 1880 he founded the de Beer's
Diamond Mining Company in Kimberley, and entered the Cape House of Assembly. In 1883
he commenced the work towards the Northward expansion of British territory in Africa, and
in 1887, his parcner, C. D. Rudd, gained a far-reaching concession over Mashonaland from King
Lobengula. In 1889, Cecil Rhodes formed the British South Africa Company and was "ranted
Royal Charter for the occupation and development of Mashonaland, and in 1890 his pioneers
hoisted the Union Jack at Fort Salisbury, and the settlement of Mashonaland began.

The Matabele war broke out in 1893, which ended in the subjugation of Matabeleland, and
Mashonaland and Matabeleland were renamed Rhodesia in 1895. Cecil Rhodes died on March
26th, 1902, and was buried in the Matopo Hills.

Page

Southern Rhodesia 1890 1950

SIXTY YEARS IIWAII

•i-^&^^-HE TRAIN CLACKS RHYTHMI-
ify' sfi&'&'j^ cally over the gleaming track, past
i:&fo'4$Z'?%. snug native villages with their
?'TvlralS^ waving picannins, neat home-
l*t3fiB^»^ steads nestling amid trees, and
■^''y^^iiiii^/- beyond, acres of rich farm land or

a smallworker's battery merrily
hammering the gold-bearing ore. Telephone
wires alongside the track hum with their messages,
motorcars speed along all-weather roads, electric
pylons straddle the Kills and valleys carrying
power for farm and mine and industry. The train
draws into a town, a town of modern
shops and cinemas and hotels, of

peaceful homes and gay gardens, o( _.- .. „..„

sports fields and swimming hath, ot |)1 \\ . ||. (lALr,
activity and recreation.

From the train on the daylight
journey from Bulawayo to Salisbury

the newcomer will see all this and more to
convince him that he has come to a civilised
land in which his person and property are safe,
a land of law and order, a land throbbing with
activity and energy and great promise.

SIXTY YEARS AGO

It has not always been like this. Sixty years
ago this land was a wilderness of bush and
tree, granite kopje and waving grass, inhabited
by wild beasts and wilder men. Those herds
of cattle were antelope and buffalo and elephant;
that dog scratching himself in the
sun was a lion waiting for his prey;
that African constable on his bicycle
was a Mashona tribesman with battle-
axe and spear moving warily along a
game track, probing every shadow
for the menace of man or beast that

Southern- Rhodesia 1390-1950

Page 7

W . D. GALE
Like many other South Africans, he

Vis on, the Story of Rhodesia , and
his novel of the Pioneer Column,
"The. Hundred Wagons . Mr Gale
was for many years on the editorial
staff of the Rhodesia HwB "^J""*
appointed publicity officer to the U40
(JiUlen Jubilee Celebrations Com-
n.Utec in 1939, and later bM«
Oticer for the duration ot the war.
He has been assistant director ol the
Public Relations Department since is
inception, and fcr **£* *—
years acting Director.

men to tread Rhodesian soil. White men had
ventu°d into Matabeleland forty years before-
ventAiieuiu. Robert Moffat and his

rr°jX Smith Moffat the Morgans, the
Thomases and ethers who established little pases
o ? civilisation in the forlorn, and complete y
vain hope of converting the pagan Lobengula
■and his people to the gentler ways of Christianity;
eSorers and travellers like Baldwin .George
\Vesfoeech and the artist-scientist Thomas
Baines; hunters like Oubaas Hartley (who
SSe of his club feet hunted elephant from
horseback) and in later times Frederick Courtenay
Si geologists like the German, Karl Mauch
who first revealed Rhodesia's mineral riches; a
medlev of traders like Petersen, Dawson Fair-
hairn and Usher. Their influence on the life
of the country in their day was negligible but
e importance of the part they unwittingly
Saved m the eventual colonisation of Rhodesia
was Profound. They blazed the first faint trail
of civ h at on in a savage wilderness and drew
°he attention of others dreamers ; and doer to
its possibilities. And the greatest ot these,
others was Cecil John Rhodes, statesman and
millionaire, both dreamer and Joer.

These possibilities began to be more fully
realised after the Pioneer Column had o it-
snanned for the last time, on the site of bausbury
on sSteXr 12, 1890, and its members, forming
S££S 'into small syndicates, wWeredm£
the vague vastness of the veld to search tor
tangible reward for their enterprise In those
day! Prospectors sought only one thmg-goR
Gold was the lodestone that drew men to risk
Scomfort, privation and peril, and they found
death more often than gold The other mineral
riches beneath Rhodesia's soil-its coal, chrome.

haunted his life. That smoke from a factory
Sney w- ^^n'liamesT^tli:

nmsmm

-i „I Southern Rhodesia sixty years ago
SLfiZSn S the smiling, peaceful, prosper-
ous land that it is today.

FXPLORERS, GOLD AND REBELLION
Pagb 5

13 September 1890.

Lieu,. Tvndale-Biscoe, of the Pioneer Columti, hoisting

the Union Jack at Fort Salisbury.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

OFFICERS OF THE PIONEER COLUMN, 1890

M^ " m S. Z^£S££ SSS-Bu-., Cap, M. Hean, Mai, F. Johnson; Cap, P. C.
FronTrow: Lieu,. E. C. Tyndile-Biscoe ; Lieu.. R. G. Nicholson; Lieut. R. Beali Asst-Surgeon-LIeut. J. Brecc.

asbestos, iron— were at first ignored for the
greater lure of a yellow streak in the bottom of
the pan. Sixty years ago Rhodesia's goldhelds
were thought to be the equal of the great reefs
of the Witwatersrand, at a time when the Rand
miners had struck the sulphide zone and in
their ignorance of a process to separate the gold
from the sulphide were convinced that the Rand's
halcyon davs were over. But the Rbodesian
reefs belied their promise; they were badly
faulted and rich strikes had a. habit of suddenly
petering out. Disappointment and failure, allied
to hardship and the threat of unpleasant death
from disease, wild animals and savage men,
tested the fortitude of the pioneer miners to
the utmost.

Not only the miners' fortitude was tested.
Every man and woman of that pioneer com-
munity faced a continual challenge, both
communally and individually— the challenge of
loneliness, insecurity, deprivation of the very
essentials of civilised life. Individually they
faced and met their challenge— the man in the
veld helpless with malaria, the woman having
her child without benefit of medical aid, the
policeman alone with a mob of threatening
natives — and out of their individual ordeals was
born a spirit that is the very foundation of the

Rhoclesian character. Communally they faced
the threat of Matabele aggression with equal
courage; a mere seven hundred men conquered
LoberTgula's lesions and brought Matabeleland
within the sphere of colonisation, and then,
three years later, they met and defeated the
greatest peril of all, when the Matabele, and later

Administrator and Civil Staff, 1890

Left to right: L. S. Jameson, C. F. Harrison. F. C.
Selous, A. R. Colquhoun.

South f.

rn Rhodesia 1890-1950

Page 9

the Mashona, rose in their thousands and
menaced the life of every white man, woman and
child between the Limpopo and Zambesi.
Exploits from those troublous days — the Shan-
gani Patrol of the Matabele War, the Mazoe
Patrol of the Mashona Rebellion, Rhode's
heroic indabas with the Matabele — all contributed
to the most precious of all Rhodesian heritages,
the Pioneer Spirit. It is something the modem
pioneer would do well to acquire.

rapid, until it was rudely halted by the outbreak
of the Anglo-Roer War. The builders abandoned
the pick and plough for the rifle and did not
return to them for nearly three years, but a
still more serious effect was the country's
isolation. The railway line from the Cape
which had triumphantly reached Bulawayo in
1897 was useless as long as Kimberley and
Mafcking were besieged, and even after these
towns were relieved the line was subject to the
hazards of guerilla warfare. The only means
of entry for the essentials on which the country
depended for its very existence was Beira, and

A STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL
TTHE FIRST EIGHT YEARS OF THE
■*- Colony's life was a period of danger,
anxiety, strain and insecurity that demanded
the highest fortitude and faith in those striving to
establish the foundations of civilised life. Those
who later built upon those foundations also
required fortitude and faith, but of a somewhat
different order because the circumstances and
demands were different. The courage required
now was not so much physical and moral as
spiritual and moral, the courage to lay railway
tracks through the virgin bush, hew roads
through the wilderness, build towns where
native kraals had been before and establish farms
in the favourite haunts of wild beasts. The faith
of the early settlers was the faith of Cecil Rhodes
who had dreamt about these things in the 1880's
on the diamond fields at Kimberley, and by the
conviction of his faith had persuaded his hard-
headed partners in de Beers Consolidated and
investors in Britain to become shareholders in
the British South Africa Company to finance
the sinews of civilisation in the land beyond the
Limpopo. The magnetism of his faith inspited
the first Rhodesians to hold on, to struggle and
build and survive, and it also inspired the
shareholders of the British South Africa Com-
pany to deny themselves a dividend as long as
the Company was responsible for the administra-
tion of the territory. The colonisation of
Southern Rhodesia as a unit of the British
Empire was remarkable not only for the faith
of its Founder or the fortitude of its builders
but also for the fact that it did not cost the
British taxpayer a single sixpence. There are
few parts of the Empire that can say that.

After 1897 the builders had need of the Pioneer
Spirit not because of any internal challenge but to
meet the stresses of the outside world. The
two years following the final suppression of the
Mashona Rebellion in 1897 were years of
development in which progress promised to be

':■:

NYANDA and KAGUBI— INSTIGATORS OF THE

MASHONA REBELLION
Kagubi was a man of about forty years of age. About
three months before the rebellion, he and other para-
mount chiefs gave orders that the white settlers were to
be murdered. Kagubi was the chief instigator, and to
him all loot was handed. He gave orders to Nvanda to
spread the rebellion, Nvanda being an old mondoro or
goddess of twelve year's standing, and she in turn gave
orders to the people around Ker in Mazoe to murder the
settlers in that district, stating that her instructions had
come from another god named Mlanga, who promised
that as soon as the whites had been massacred in the
outlying districts, he, by a miracle, would kill all those in
town. Kagubi and Nyanda surrendered in October,
1897, and the rebellion in Mashonaland may be considered
to have been finally crushed from that date.

Pace 10

Southern Rhodesia 1890 1950

MAZOE PATROL, 1897
« of t Ke ..v.^ - t ook refuse a^^e - -*. - — *- sen, * ^ ft.

To P = Berry, H. D. IWson, Pascoe (on roof) and George (native dxiwr).

the capacity of that port to handle Rhodes a s
imports was as inadequate in those days as it has
proved to be in more recent times. Serious
development was halted and it was not easily
resumed. The war was followed by the : inevi able
slump, and it was not until about 190? that the
builders saw their way more clearly before
them. Nine years later came the First World
War. No one thought of conscription to keep
the mines and farms producing, the administra-
tion functioning, the country deve oping. Mines
were allowed to flood, farms to he fallow and
when the tragic years were over it took a long
tune to bring them into production again, I he
uneasy years that followed, the Great Depression
of 1931-33, the international uncertainty or trie
Hitler period, the outbreak of the Second World
War are all too recent to need recounting, but
they affected the Colony adversely in reducing
the flow of capital to prime the pump of develop-
ment. The sixty years of Southern Rhodesia s lite
have not been easy or tranquil years.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

The staff of a Bulavvayo engineering firm, at the time of
the rebellion.

CmrOuui ly H. G. /.«els. E,4.

Pace 11

- 1 1 am

Troop, leaving Salisbury for the Boer War.

IN SPITE OF SETBACKS

A.TET IN SPITE OF ALL THESE SETBACKS,
X occurring at almost regular intervals through-
out these sixtv years, the Colony s progress
has been steady, and it has been sound, ^o
other self-governing unit of the Empire can
claim the same rate of development tat the first
s £ty years of its life, but then no other self-
governing unit has enjoyed the same mechanical
advantages. The birth of Rhodesia coincided
with the" birth of the Mechanical Age. Although
he Colony was pioneered and colonised at the
pace of the ox, the Age of the Ox-wagon was
Latino its end. Railways were becoming a
commonplace, and 12 years after the Pioneer
Column had outspanned at Salisbury the
Rhodesian sun shone on ra.ls from Bulawayo

Stage coach leaving Salisbury's first post

office.

to Umtali. The day of the stage catthwM
over, too; Zecderbergs elaborate «0mm
could not compete with the raflway, andstdl
less with the motorcar which appeared m all i J
noisy and noisome, glory before the tirst
World War. (Early settlers still recall with a
chuckle the arrival of the first motorcycle,
owned hv an adventurous medical man, Dr
Aoplevard, whom they remember with respect
2£f alection. He tried it for *<:*<* "™™
the racecourse, and having got it started was
unable to stop it. He went round and round
the racecourse until the petrol gave out, witn
Mrs. Applevard periodically throwing food to
him as he passed.) The telegraph was an
accepted commonplace of civilisation so that
the pioneers of Rhodesia cou d communicate
with the outside world in a
matter of minutes, whereas the
Pioneers of South Africa,
Canada, Australia and New
Zealand had to wait months for
the answers from the Mother
Country. The advent of wire-
less speeded up communications
still further, and the develop-
ment of broadcasting alter the
First World War brought the
Rhodesian into intimate and
instantaneous contact with the
outside world.

The introduction ot these
mechanical marvels has meant
that Rhodesia did not develop
in isolation. From the beginning
it has been conscious ot the

Southern Rhoiiesia

1 8MO-I950

Pace 12

Fording a Rhodesian rivtr in the earlv days.

outside world and has kept pace with modern
trends both material and mental. The spur
of progress has been consistently in its flanks
and it could do nothing else but respond.
But that fact does not dim the achievement
of, or diminish our debt to, all the Rho-
desians, high and humble, who have con-
tributed to the development of Rhodesia in
these last sixty years. The mechanical aids to
progress were not in themselves sufficient, it
took enterprise, initiative and courage to make
the fullest use of them. And above all, it took
faith.

FROM ROYAL CHARTER
SELF-GOVERNMENT

TIN 1922, THAT FAITH \VAS
L exemplified, when on Octo-
ber 22nd the 33,000 people who
composed the European popu-
lation were faced with the task
of deciding the whole constitu-
tional future of their country.
For the past .32 years they had
been governed by the British
South Africa Company, generally
known as the "Chartered Com-
pany" — and it all depended on
the tone of voice whether the
term "Chartered" was one of
respect or opprobrium. But let
this be said. Of all the chartered
companies sanctioned by the

British Government, none completed its labours
and yielded up its commission with so high a
prestige, so exemplary a record of service, so
commendable an achievement to its credit as the
British South Africa Company. Not only did it
save the British taxpayer the cost of adding
Rhodesia to the crown of Fmpire, but it saw the
infant Colony first through its birth pangs, then
through its teething troubles and finally through
the aches and pains of adolescence with far more
concern for the interests of the resident popu-
lation than for its shareholders. Its Admini-
strators (like Sir William Milton and Sir Drum-
mond Chaplin) were men of the highest integrity,
its officials of the highest calibre. But they could
not escape the charge that no matter how disin-
terestedly it carried out its administrative re-
sponsibilities, the Chartered Company was a

First huts, Umlali, 1897.

This was the first residence and office of the Magistrate

and Civil Commissioner, C,i M.iii: Scott-Turner.

SoniiBN Rhodesia 1890-1050

Pace 13

{

— -

xorri- ,

■ '

.?-i^;;-.vy/ ••

sj«< pre -is, -'fO*

/5UiTlW^ FOTHERIKOM. S

G W ECO

I t£mMiMdm^ : :m^^¥ ^^x*^I t s%

■SfP

. Cvv.£

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„ THE,-

BUTCHER

FURSE Bros,

IT70!

GOOD STA.SJ. .'.'V5

3 aiw,-c>^ VTL •fy&W&i

increased and the clamour for a larger measure

was a testimonial to the quality of the settler,,
heir c "reliance, their independence heir
mpatience with an administration which took
borders from a board of directors ,n London
The voice of the people had stridently demoded
a larger sav in their own affairs ever Since the
Pioneer Column, and bit by bit the reins had
been slackened through the years In 1VK»
the Legislative Assembly had consisted of Uve
official members (heads ol the Company s
departments) to four aominated members, e
•settlers' representatives. Bur that year trie
numbers on each side were -creased to seven
giving the settlers an equal vo.ee. In 190/ the
number of official members was reduced to
five "ving the settlers a majority of two, and
n 9 H the composition of the Councd was

no ,reater than the Company's desire to give

them Xr head so that, relieved of its adrrunistra-

uTresponsiHlities, it could concentrate on the

business of earning well-earned dtvidends for

(continued on page to)

The first newspaper, Gwclo, 1894.

"The Norths Optimist", edited by £*£&£t££.
four month,, and later became known as the Queio 1 nnes.

commercial concern, and in the opinion , of the
"settlers", as the non-official population was
called, it must have an eye to the jnttm chance
Yet, when the first 25-year period of the Charter
exp red in 1914, the settlers' representatives n
the Legislative Council were wise enough to
recognise that without the guidance, and above
all the financial strength of the ■Chartered
Companv behind it the Colony could not exist,
and they agreed that the charter should be
extended for another ten years.

During these ten years the population grew
the commence of the settlers in themselves

Paoi-. H

Col I W. Colenbrander, Captain Fit»tubbs and
Sail" L V a,l of the Is. KitcB^B^^^

Southern

Rhodesia 1890-1950

World's View, Matopos, Burial Place of Cecil John Rhodes.

THE BURIAL— 1902

When that great Kings return to clay,

Or Emperors in their pride,
Grief of a day shall fill a day,

Because its creature died.
But we — we reckon not with those

Whom the mere Fates ordain,
This power that wrought on us and goes

Back to the Power again.

Dreamer devout, by vision led
Beyond our guess or reach,

The travail of his spirit bred
Cities in place of speech.

So huge the all-mastering thought that drove-
So brief the term allowed —

Nations, not words, he linked to prove
His faith before the crowd.

It is his will that he look forth

Across the world he won —
The granite of the ancient North —

Great spaces washed with sun.
There shall he patient take his scat

(As when the Death he dared),
And there await a people's feet

In the paths that he prepared.

There, till the vision he foresaw

Splendid and whole arise,
And unimagined Empires draw

To council 'neath his skies,
The immense and brooding Spirit still

Shall quicken and control.
Living he was the land, and dead,

His soul shall be her soul! — Rudyard Kipling.

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

PAlit 15

■»*o^-o-^- 2sraW jnttaaKWff** , zl , ^:r"

its shareholders. The question at issue in 1922
was no longer whether the Company s charter
should be continued or terminated, it was what
was Rhodesia going to do— become a fifth
province of the Union or embark on the risky
venture of self-government? The elections in
1970 g ave a pointer to the referendum held
two vears later, for the representatives returned
to the Legislative Counci were with one
exception, elected on a platform of self-govern-
ment. As the date of the Charter s termination
drew near the controversy raged at boiling
point throughout the land, and even General
Smuts joined in. He was anxious that Rhodesia
should join the Union for the value of the
British vote which the Colony represented, and
he lumped at an invitation to open the 19Zi
Salisbury Agricultural Show. In his speeches
at various centres he urged the advantages of
■ oining the Union— and, economically at any
rate, these arguments were weighty. I he con-
ditions which he offered both the people and
the Chattered Company to woo their support
were extremely generous. But all to no avail. Ihe
Rhodesians were determined to plough their own
furrow, and when they went to the polls on
October 7th, 1922, they decided in favour Of
self-government by 8,774 votes to 5,989.

On September 12, 1923, thirty-three years after
Lieut. Tyndale Biscoe of the Pioneer Column
had hoisted the Union Jack on the virgin site
of" Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia was formally
annexed as a Colony of the British Empire and
was granted Responsible Government as from

Pace 16

October 1st of that year. The Chartered Com-
pany thankfully laid down its administrative
Task. It had borne a heavy financial burden
It had paid the cost of the Matabele \Varand
the still heavier cost of the Matabele and Mashona
Rebellions; it had been made responsible tor
the entire cost of administration, and deficits
between revenue and expenditure had had to
be met out of its commercial revenue. From
1897 to 1905 the annual deficit was between
£?00 000 and £500,000, and it was not until
1908' that revenue and expenditure balanced
for the first time. That was why the Company
was unable to pay its long-suffering shareholders
a dividend. On termination of its Charter the
Company was paid £3,750,000 as compensation
for its losses in administering the Colony (it had
asked tor a great deal more and the amount
was settled by a Royal Commission) and in
1924 it was able to give its shareholders the
small return on their investment of 6d._per
share dividend and a return of capital of 5/- a
share.

• • •

RHODES'S VISION

THE STRATEGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF
1 Rhodes's achievement in first of all securing
from Lobengula the right to exploit the minerals
of Mashonaland, then adding Mamcaland and
Matabeleland to form Southern Rhodesia and
finally colonising the territory by means or his ,
Chartered Company must not be overlooked.
When he was studying the map of Africa in his

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

"Seeing the boys off". Departure of the 2nd Rhodesia Regiment from Salisbury. September. 1917.

Kimberley office in the 1880's, the Germans
were becoming firmly entrenched on the coastal
belt of South-West Africa and were reaching
north-eastwards into the interior (the Caprivi
Strip stretches from the top of South-West
Africa almost to the Victoria Falls, which luckily
was as far as they got) ; the Portuguese had been
established on the east coast for a couple of
hundred years, and although they had not
colonised the interior they considered Manica-
land at least as within their sphere of influence;
the Boers of the Transvaal Republic were casting
envious eyes on the country beyond the Limpopo,
and indeed might have occupied it but for a
belt of tsetse fly along the river which threatened
their oxen and the knowledge that the Matabele
would bitterly oppose their entry. Had Rhodes
not sent his Pioneer Column north in 1890
Rhodesia would have become either German or
Portuguese or Boer territory, or perhaps an
uneasy combination of all three. Had Rhodesia
not been British territory in 1900, cutting off
/"the Boer retreat northwards, the Boer Wat-
would probably have been much more protracted
than it was. Had the territory been owned by
Germany at the time of the First World War
rhe Union of South Africa, and the whole
system of British communications in Africa and
the sea route round the Cape would have been
directly threatened (as it was, the German
forces ' from East Africa were stopped by the
Rhodesians at Abercorn in Northern Rhodesia).
Had the Portuguese colonised the interior the
whole of Central Africa, probably, would have

been neutral in both World Wars and Brirish
strategy would have been severely compromised.
The vision of Rhodes, the courage of the
Pioneers, the tenacity and faith of the Rhodesian
people, the sacrifices of the Chartered Com-
pany's shareholders, all have combined to
exercise an incalculable influence on the pre-
servation and development of the British
Empire in Africa.

THE FIRST GOVERNMENT

THE COLONY WAS FORTUNATE IN
its first Premier. Sir Charles Patrick
Coghlan, a Kimberley lawyer who had settled
in Bulawayo in the early years, had been the
leader of the Responsible Government forces.
He was a doughty fighter, with a statesmanlike
approach to the Colony's problems, and at the
first general election in 1924 he led his party,
the Rhodesia Party, to overwhelming victory.
He was faced with no light task, but at least he
was heartened by the knowledge that the majority
of those who had opposed him on the Respons-
ible Government issue were now solidly behind
him, for everyone, whether he believed in the
Colony's ability to govern itself or not, now
put his shoulder to the wheel. Coghlan had
plenty of talent to choose from for his first
Cabinet, with such staunch Rhodesians as H.
U. Moffat, grandson of the famous missionary,
Dr. Robert. Moffat, who was to succeed him
as Premier, W. M. Leggate, an Edinburgh

Southern Rhodesia 18°0-1950

Page 17

1921. Prince and Princess Arlhur uf Connaught during their visit to Umtali.

CoiwipnitJ 6y L. G- Si'weH. Eiq.

gold medallist in economics, who is best remem-
bered as Colonial Secretary (the old title of the
Minister of Internal Affairs), R. A. Fletcher,
whose son, P. B. Fletcher, has followed in his
footsteps as Minister of Agriculture, J. W.
Downie, who at various times held the portfolios
of Agriculture and Mines and later was High
Commissioner in London. The Colony's first
High Commissioner was Sir Francis Newton,
an outstanding character, who had been Treasurer
in the B.S.A. Company's administration, and the
first Speaker of the Legislative Assembly was the
Hon. Lionel Cripps who had helped hack the
road through the lowveld bush with the Pioneer
Column. All these, and others like P. D. L.
(Sir Percy) Fynn who held the Treasury portfolio
for many years, were all great Rhodesiuns who
embarked on their task of guiding the infant
Colony's footsteps and laying the foundations
for its future growth with a loyalty and devotion
that transcended all thought of self. The
Colony was lucky in its first Responsible
Government leaders, just as it has been luckv in
the quality of the men who have since taken
over their tasks.
y The foresight of the earlier Rhodesians in
having the land issue settled before the termina-
tion of the Company's charter enabled the
Colony to embark on the perilous sea of self-
government with a certain amount of confidence.
The land story goes back to pioneer days, when
a German financier named Lippert obtained a
concession from Lobengula giving him the land
rights in Mashonaland and Matabeleland for
100 years. The Chartered Company was justified
in arguing that the Rudd Concession of 1888
gave it the right to the land as well as to the

minerals of Mashonaland, but Rhodes, who
did not believe in fighting if he could gain his
ends by other means, bought the land rights
from Lippert in 1891. During subsequent years
the Company alienated land in the belief that
they owned it by both grant and purchase. They
received a shock in 1914 when the unofficial
members of the Legislative Council passed a
resolution contesting the "claim of the Company
to be the private owners of all the unalienated
land in Southern Rhodesia", and claiming the
land on behalf of the people. The resolution
resulted in protracted litigation and finally
reached the Judicial Committee of the Privy
Council in 1917. The Council's judgment,
delivered in July, 1918, found that the Company,
as a subject of the Crown, had acted on the
Crown's behalf in adding Mashonaland and
Matabeleland ro the British Empire, and that
the land therefore belonged to neither the
Company nor the settlers but to the British
Government. When Responsible Government
was granted the land passed into the ownership
of the Southern Rhodesia Government.

So much for the land. But what of the
minerals? The Chartered Company was recog-
nised as the owner of the mineral rights and was
therefore entitled to charge royalties on the
result of mining operations. One of the first
actions of the first Government was to try to
purchase these rights, but the Chartered Com-
pany was not willing to sell. The ownership
of the mineral rights was a bone of contention
in Rhodcsian politics for years, until in 1933
the Company, under the chairmanship of Sir
Henry Rirchenough, yielded to the wishes of
the people and agreed to sell for £2,000,000.

Page 18

Southern Rhodesia 1890^ 1950

Crown Colony whose affairs are directed from
6,000 miles away, and a comparison between
their state and ours.

Rhodesia's confidence has grown with the
years. At first our footsteps on the road of
progress were hesitant, then gradually they
steadied until today the tread is firm and sure.
Why are we so much more confident today than
we were, say, twenty, even ten, years ago?
Twenty years ago we stood on the brink of the
Great Depression. Trade was beginning to
slacken, we saw approaching the spectre of
widespread unemployment, which was already
afflicting more powerful and better developed
countries; money was steadily getting tighter.
This was the worst depression of all time.
Would the Colony be able to stand it? We
followed Britain off the gold standard, tightened
our belts, helped the. poor fellows on the benches
of Cecil Square as much as wc could (for the
first time in our history we had white men
handling picks and shovels on the roads, a
salutary experience), and faced the storm. And
we survived. We noc only survived, but we
began to climb out of the depression earlier
than most other countries. We felt we could
face anything after that.

IVZ5. The visit of the first Governor of Southern
Rhode-sia, Sir John Chancellor, to Gatooma.

Left to right: Captain Lowther, A.D.C.; Mr. T. J.
Golding, Mayor ; Lr.-Col. Sir John Chancellor,
K.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., R.E. i and the Magistrate of
Gatooma.

CtatrihunJ by L. Q. Well, E«7.

CONFIDENT PROGRESS

THE PROGRESS MADE BY SOUTHERN
Rhodesia in the last twenty-eight years of
self-government has fullv justified the confidence
of the 8,774 Rhodesians who in 1922 decided
that the country should, and could, stand on
its own feet. When the first Cabinet Ministers
were sworn in the total population was about
900,000, of whom some 36,000 were Europeans:
the public revenue was only £1,326,000; road
communications were poor and air services
were non-existent; social services such as schools
and hospitals were well behind the country's
needs. Today, 28 years later, the total population
is nearing the 2,000,000 mark, of whom more
than 120,000 are Europeans, the national revenue
is yver £16,500,000, all-weather roads radiate
over the length and breadth of the Colony,
air services communicate swiftly with places
fat beyond our borders, social services, while
by no means fully developed, are at any rate
far more comprehensive than anyone could have
expected even 15 years ago, much less 28.
Materially, Southern Rhodesia's progress under
Responsible Government has been a remarkable
achievement for so small a European com-
munity. For confirmation of the advantages of
autonomy all that is necessary is a visit to a

NOTABLE WAR EFFORT

THEN CAME THE SECOND WORLD
War. Since, in the words of the Prime
Minister, "England's wars are our wars",
Rhodesia was in it up to the neck from 11 a.m.
on Sept. 3, 1939. Like the rest of the Empire
we embarked on it unprepared and unequipped,
but determined to give of our best. That best
exceeded our wildest dreams. Rhodesian soldiers
were the first in the Empire to move, Rhodesian
airmen were the first to fly to battle stations,
Rhodesians fought in every Service and on
practically every front. Militarily, economically,
industrially, Rhodesia's contribution, in pro-
portion to her total European population which
in 1939 numbered only 63,000, was a notable
one. But her greatest contribution of all was
the part she played in the Empire Air Training
Scheme. At the beginning we thought the utmost
we could manage would be one full-si:ed training
station, which would probably strain the Colony's
resources to the utmost. Within a few months
we had accepted liability for three, though we
doubted our ability to build the stations and
feed the troops. But we did it (in the Gwelo
area a stretch of bare veld was transformed into
a full air training station, with barrack rooms,
hangars, administration offices, etc., and a hot
meal on the table, in the space of eleven weeks)
and as the number of stations increased to eleven
for fighter, bomber and navigator training, wc
found that our resources were far more elastic
than we had imagined. Our confidence in
ourselves grew. Instead of thinking in terms of
thousands of pounds, as we did before the

Southern Rhodisia 1890-1950

Pace 19

A nev/ MorrU Six

in front ol the

Town House, Salisbury,

Southern Rhodesic.

DJSTRI3UTORS :

PUZEY & DISS MOTORS, LTD.

SHOWROOM : KENWOOD'S SEHVICE STATION. SECOND ST..
SALISBURY. SOUTHERN RHODESIA.

Pace 20

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

1939-1945 War. His Majcscv King George VI in conversation with Rhodesian troops in Italy.

War. we now thought in terms of millions. Our
horhons widened, our outlook broadened, our
faith deepened. The Rhodesians of 1 945 were
vastly different to the Rhodesians of 1939 in a
subtle psychological way, and for that difference
the Air Training Scheme was to a large extent
responsible.

When, after the war, the Roads Department
proposed that £10,000,000 should be spent in a
ten-year programme of road improvement and
development, no one even blinked; when the
Irrigation Dept. proposed to spend another ten
millions on a long-term scheme of irrigation and
water conservation works, the general comment
was that far more would probably be needed;
when the Government announced that it intended
to raise a loan of thitty millions to purchase the
Rhodesia Railways, the newspapers waited in
vain for letters of protest. The realisation that
Southern Rhodesia's resources, mineral and
agricultural, had scarcely been tapped, much
less exploited, and that the real development of
the country lay ahead and not behind coincided
-with that widened outlook and that deepened
faith without which no real development can
be possible.

THE AFRICAN

BUT IT IS PROBABLY IN THE FIELD OF
human relationships that the most notable
progress has been discernible in, say, the last
twenty years, the relationship between the

European inhabitants with their higher standard
of civilisation, their broader culture, their vastly
different background, and the native inhabitants
who only sixty years ago were savages living in
savagery. The arrival of the Pioneer Column
in 1890 rescued the hapless Mashonas from
extermination at the hands of the rapacious
.Vlatabele and, to a lesser extent, the Shangaans
of Portuguese East Africa. One of the primary
causes of the Matabclc War of 1893 was the
fact that the handful of settlers, scattered over
the face of Mashonaland, could not effectively
protect the Mashonas from continued raids

The Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Sir Godfrey Huggins
visiting Rhodesian troops in the Middle East in 1943.

Solthcrn Rhodesia 1890-1950

Pace 21

FOR YOUR RHODESIAN HOLIDAY

MODERN COMFORT. ALL
ROOMS WITH RUNNING
HOT AND COLD WATER.
ROOMS WITH PRIVATE
BATH AND PRIVATE SIT-
TING ROOM. LARGEST
SWIMMING POOL IN S.
RHODESIA. GOLF COURSE.
TENNIS. FISHING.

AMIDST SOME OF THE FINEST

SCENERY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA.

LAWNS GREEN AND REFRESHING

ALL THE YEAR ROUND.

LEOPARD ROCK HOTEL

VUMBA

PRIVATE BAG. UMTALI. S. RHODESIA s Phone UMTALI 9-0302.

KAFUE 3RI3GE, NORTHERN RHODESIA
ERECTED BY

JOHN HOWARD & CO. (AFRICA) ITD.

CIVIL ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS

HOWARD house

L US A HA. N. KHODESIA

24 SALISBURY ST
SALISBURY
S. RHODESIA

Page 22

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

1947— The King's Year.

His Majesty King George VI, the first reigning monarch

to visit Southern Rhodesia, at the grave of Cecil John

Rhodes in the Matopos. With the King is the Minister

in attendance, the Hon. P. B. Fletcher.

by the Matabele, and that there could be no
real economic development as Ion-; as the. sense
of insecurity persisted. The conquest of
Lobengula's 20,000 warriors by 700 Pioneers
under the intrepid leadership of Dr. Jim (Sir
Leander Starr Jameson) settled that issue, for
the next three years at any rate. The outbreak
of the Matabele Rebellion in March, 1896,
was totally unexpected but at least it was under-
standable. The Matabele indunas resented
/ their loss of authority, the Matabele people
objected to the truculent attitude of the native
police, most of them.Mata.bele (there is no harsher
tyrant than a member of a subject race against
his own kind, unless adequately disciplined),
they hated the idea of working for the white
man, although there was no compulsion on them
to do so. In 1895 the dread disease of rinderpest
swept through the land and killed their cattle
by the thousand (a calamity indeed, for cattle

was their wealth), then a series of locust visita-
tions destroyed their crops. Here was proof
enough that the gods disapproved of the presence
of the white man. Then Dr. Jameson made the
mistake of his career, and when almost the
entire Police Force was captured at Doornkop
and almost the entire stock of arms in the
country fell into Boer hands, the Matabele
leaders realised that never again would they have
such an opportunity. An eclipse of the moon
in March, 1896, gave them their date, and they
struck, savagely, mercilessly, without pity for
man, woman or child. They were subdued
after four months of bitter fighting, thanks to
the dauntless courage of the Pioneer settlers
and to the heroism of Rhodes himself who ven-
tured into the fastnesses of the Matopos to
talk with them and persuade them to put away
their assegais.

The Mashona Rebellion which broke out
with the murder of the ^^orton family near
Salisbury in June, 1896, was far more difficult
to understand. The Mashonas had every reason
to be grateful for the presence of the white man,
and no one dreamt of the possibility of treachery.
A large number of settlers in lonely places paid

Their Royal Highnesses the Princess Elirabeth and the
Princess Margaret, preceded by Ladv Kennedy*, arriving
tor the opening of the second session of Southern
Rhodesia's Sixth Parliament at Salisbury on April 7, 1947

Southf.rv Rhodfsia 1 3Q0-1 950

f'AGt 23

THE RHODESIAN

®iaphh

P. EFLECTS RHODESIA TO THE WORLD

"The Rhodesian Graphic." Southern Rhodesia's quarterly journal,

circulates chlelly in this Colony, but it may be o! interest to see

at a glance how far atteld this publication travels, end to realise

how Rhodesian developments and allrcclions are reflected, through

its pages, to numerous and lar away countries where previously

the name Rhodesia meant little more than a spot on the nap.

It is nil pn-t of our expansion that th« world should know the iremendous strides

which have been taken curing thos& post-war years, and, apart from being cf inte-est

to the overseas business nan, ihe tourist realises that rtnode&ia holds attractions,

second to none in ihe world, which are well worth seeing for oneselt.

THE PU3LISHERS

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SOUTHERN RHODESIA

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Page 2)

Southern Rhodesia IS:0-1950

Southern Rhodesia.

with their lives for the general misunderstanding
of Mashona psychology, which reasoned that
since the Matabele must be stronger than the
white man (because the Matabele punished
with the assegai whereas the white man sent them
to gaol, where they were fed and clothed and
comfortably housed; therefore the white man
sought to disguise his essential weakness by
appeasement) they would drive the Whites out
of the country. And when that happened the
Matabele would say to the Mashonas, "You
did not help us to drive out the white men,
therefore you must die like the dogs you are",
and would proceed to exact retribution according
to custom. And so, reasoned the savage
Mashona mind, we will rise against the white
men, too, and be acclaimed by the Matabele as
allies. Terror and sudden death stalked the
land for months, each petty Mashona chieftain
had to be conquered separately and it was not
until late in 1897 that peace was finally restored.

For vears afterwards the Europeans were
,/ understandably mistrustful of the native, and
this mistrust was fanned by one or two minor
risings, or threatened risings, in various districts
in the early years of the present century. The
D.S.A. Company administration adopted the
policy of "Leave the native alone. Do nothing
that is at all likely to upset him," a policy which
led them, for instance, to suppress all information
about the discovery of Lobengula's burial place
in 1914, so that the true story of Lobengula's
death and burial in the wilds of the Wankie

Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

district at the end of the Matabele War was not
generally known until 1946. But through the vears
the suspicion and mistrust have gradually died
down, to be replaced by a sense of confidence
and a realisation that both sections comprise
one population and that each is essential to the
other in the development of the country they
both call "Home". The advancement of the
native (or "the African", as enlightened opinion
prefers to call him) is an accepted part of
Government policy, designed not only to improve
his efficiency as an economic unit but also to
raise him in the human scale, to develop his
potentialities as a human being. Instead of
leaving him alone, as the R.S.A. Company
deemed it wise to do. the Government of today-
is educating him (close on £600,000 was provided
for Native Education in the 1949/50 financial
year), teaching him to become a more efficient
farmer, improving his village life, providing him
with far-flung medical services, helping him in
a hundred different ways to adapt himself to
the demands of modern civilsacion. And in
doing all this the Government has the backing
of the majority public opinion in the Colony.

ATTAINING MATURITY

rpHAT IS A TRIBUTE TO THE OVERALL

-L quality of Southern Rhodesia's European

population— the fact that in spite of the horrors

of the Matabele and Mashona Rebellions a

Pace 25

FURNITURE . . .

from the House with a reputation of over
Fifty Years of Honest Value. Each piece
of furniture sold by us must satisfy two
groups of people - our customers and
ourselves. Every piece must be worthy
of the "Ellenbogen" tradition. By no
means a spectacular policy, but it does
assure you that all "Ellenbogen" furni-
ture is honest furniture, and we gladly
accept the responsibility.

ELLENBOGEN & CO.

THE PHEMIER KOUSE FURNISHERS OF RHODESIA
ELLENBOGEH'S BLDGS. AR'Z°* A HOn ^

ZS5T- "MS

Don't envMj a good car

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Page 26

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Southern Rhodesia 1890-1950

1949— AND LOOKING AHEAD.

THE DELEGATES TO THE VICTORIA FALLS CONFERENCE ON FEDERATION OF
SOUTHERN RHODESIA, NORTHERN RHODESIA AND NYASALAND.
Front row, left to right: Mr. G. Beckett (N. Rhodesia); The Hon. E. C. F. Whitehead, O.B.E. (S. Rhodesia); The Ri.
Hon. Sir Godfrey Huggins. C.H., K.C.M.G. (S. Rhodesia); Sir Miles Thomas, D.F.C. (Chairman of the Conference);
The Hon. R. Welensky, C.M.G.. M.L.C. (N. Rhodesia); Mr. M. P. Barroiv, M.L.C. (Nyasaland); Mr. G. G. S. J. Hadlow,
M.L.C. (Nyasaland).

Standing, left to right: Mr. F. J. Morris (N. Rhodesia); Mr. A. A. Davis (N. Rhodesia); Mr. J. Marshall (Nyasaland);
Mr. Stanley Cooke (S. Rhodesia); Captain the Hon. F. E. Harris, C.M.G., D.S.O. (S. Rhodesia).

little over 50 years ago (recent enough to be
remembered by many Rhodesians of today) these
conflicts have left no bitterness to poison
relationships between White and Black, as
similar conflicts have done in a neighbouring
country. The Past is past, only the Present
and still more the Future count. Rhodesians
can claim with some justice that they have
worthily discharged the responsibilities they
undertook when they chose Responsible Govern-
ment, and that the tolerance and understanding
they have shown in the development of har-
monious relations between Black and White
qualify them for still greater responsibilities.
No one will deny that there are imperfections in
our jf ace relationships, but under the guidance
of Sir Godfrey Huggins, who has directed the
Colony's destinies for the past 16 years and
is the chief architect of our Native Policy,
those imperfections are being gradually removed.
Nothing is to be gained by trying to develop
the African in a hurry; far better that his
development should be slow but sound than that
it should be rapid and ephemeral.

In the past four years, since 1946 when the
flow of immigration started in earnest, Southern
Rhodesia has developed more rapidly and in a
larger number of directions than ever before
in her brief history. The development in many
ways has been startling, and revolutionary, and
the Colony has been suifering from a severe
attack of growing pains. But growing pains are
the physical manifestation of a healthy adolesc-
ence leading to virile manhood. Southern
Rhodesia is approaching that manhood. She is
taking her place in the councils of the world,
speaking up with the voice of independence,
gaining the experience that will eventually
entitle her to stand solidly on her own feet.
In the last few years she has made considerable
progress towards the attainment of her consti-
tutional goal of Dominion Status, fit to rank as
equal with the nations of the British Common-
wealth.

That is not a bad record after only sixty years —
less than the lifetime of the average man, a very
brief span in the life of a country. What will
the next sixty years produce? No one can say,
but at least we have the satisfaction of knowing
that the foundations for our future progress
have been well and truly laid.

Southern Rhodesia IS90-1950

Page 27

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