ON THE RESOURCES AND FUTURE OF MATABILILAND AND MASHONALAND

In the last chapter I have brought the reader back to the sea from the
inland country we have spent three chapters in traversing. Now, while
the German steamer is threading her way to the open ocean through the
shoals that surround the entrance to the harbour of Beira, the traveller
as he gazes on the receding shore tries to sum up his impressions
regarding the economic prospects as well of Mashonaland as of the other
territories of the British South Africa Company. I will shortly state
these impressions.

The regions over which the British flag flies between the Transvaal
Republic to the south and the territories of Germany and of the Congo
State to the north, fall into three parts. The first is the country
north of the Zambesi. The easternmost section of this northerly region
is Nyassaland, of which I need say nothing, because it has been
admirably described by the distinguished officer (Sir H. H. Johnston)
who administered it for some years. The central and western sections,
which are under the control of the Company, are still too little known
for an estimate of their value to be formed. Though some parts are more
than 4000 feet above sea-level, most of the country lies below that
line, which is, roughly speaking, the line at which malarial fevers
cease to be formidable. Most of it, therefore, is not likely to be fit
for European colonization, and the heat is of course such as to put
European labour out of the question. Considerable tracts are, however,
believed to be fertile, and other tracts good for pasture, while there
is some evidence of the existence of gold and other minerals. The least
valuable region is believed to be that north of the Middle Zambesi,
where there are some dry and almost barren districts. Taking it all in
all, it is a country well worth having; but its resources will have to
be turned to account entirely through black labour; and as it is not
likely to attract any Europeans, except gold-prospectors, until the
unoccupied lands south of the Zambesi have been fully taken up, its
development belongs to a comparatively distant future.

The second region--that which lies south of the Upper Zambesi,
north-west of Matabililand--is equally little known, and, so far as
known, is not attractive. Most of it is comparatively low; much of it is
arid; some parts, especially those round Lake Ngami, are marshy and
therefore malarious. It is th