Nigeria and its tin fields

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

NIGERIA & ITS TIN FIELDS — EARLY DAYS IN NIGERIA

In 1879, when Sir George Taubman Goldie organised the amalgamation of the rival trading firms of the Lower Niger and formed the United Africa Company, only a few far-sighted people could have had any idea of the possibilities of future commercial greatness that were possessed by this utterly unattractive and uncivilised region. “The Niger,” as Colonel Mockler-Ferryman tells us, “was absolutely tabooed; its name was mentioned only in whispers, and the British public regarded it as an unlucky, pestilential spot, out of which no good could ever come.” It must be remembered, in explanation of this pessimistic attitude, that all attempts to explore Nigeria and open up commerce on the river had failed more or less completely; a great number of lives had been sacrificed in successive expeditions, and no practical good had been accomplished. McGregor Laird, some quarter of a century earlier, had founded the African Shipping Company, with monthly sailings to the West African ports and, with the grudging co-operation of the Government, had contracted to keep a steamer on the Niger. But Laird died in 1857, when his spirited enterprise appeared to be on the point of yielding tangible results, and the country was still under a cloud when, twenty years later, the first organised attempt was made to develop its commercial resources.

THE PROTECTORATE PROCLAIMED — THE NIGER COMPANY — PROGRESS OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA — ANTICIPATIONS OF NORTHERN NIGERIA’S FUTURE — NATIVE TIN WASHING — THE DISCOVERY OF BAUCHI TIN — THE NIGER COMPANY’S EXPEDITION — THE FIRST GEOLOGICAL REPORTS — FIRST SHIPMENT OF TIN — OFFICIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW FIELD — TINSTONE CONCENTRATES ANALYSED — THE REPORTS OF EXPERTS — FRESH DISCOVERIES ANNOUNCED — CONFIDENCE IN THE FIELD ESTABLISHED — THE PIONEERS OF NORTHERN NIGERIAN TIN — THE INACCESSIBILITY OF THE FIELD — COST OF TRANSPORT — THE RAILWAYS OF NIGERIA — NEW LINE ADVOCATED — SIR WALTER EGERTON’S OPINIONS — THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PROJECTED LINE — VARIOUS OPINIONS — THE ROUTE DESCRIBED — THE BAUCHI PROVINCE — CLIMATE AND WATER — LIVING AND PROVISIONS — LICENCES AND LEASES — LABOUR — THE FUTURE OF THE FIELD — ALLUVIAL AND LODE MINING — THE GENERAL PROSPECTS — A DISTRICT FULL OF NARAGUTAS — POLITICAL AND COMMERCIAL OUTLOOK

PARTICULARS OF COMPANIES WORKING TIN PROPERTIES IN NORTHERN NIGERIA — CHAMPION GOLD REEFS OF WEST AFRICA, Ltd. — NARAGUTA (NIGERIA) TIN MINES, Ltd. — LUCKY CHANCE MINES, Ltd. — TIN FIELDS OF NORTHERN NIGERIA, Ltd. — JUGA (NIGERIA) TIN AND POWER COMPANY, Ltd. — PRELIMINARY REPORT BY MR. ARTHUR W. HOOKE, ACCOMPANYING HIS LETTER OF SEPTEMBER 14, 1910. — GONGOLA SYNDICATE, Ltd. — NIGERIA TIN CORPORATION, Ltd. — NORTHERN NIGERIA (BAUCHI) TIN MINES, Ltd. — REPORT ON THE N’GELL RIVER TIN DEPOSITS, NORTHERN NIGERIA — N’GELL STREAM AREAS — TIN AREAS OF NIGERIA, Ltd. — ANGLO-CONTINENTAL MINES CO., Ltd. — JOS TIN AREA (NIGERIA), Ltd. — BISICHI TIN COMPANY (NIGERIA), Ltd. — WEST AFRICAN MINES, Ltd. — BENUE (NORTHERN NIGERIA) TIN MINES, Ltd. — GEL TIN LODE AND ALLUVIAL COMPANY, Ltd. — AKERRI (NIGERIA) TIN COMPANY, Ltd. — NEW AFRICAN COMPANY, Ltd. — THE SOUTH BUKERU (NIGERIA) TIN COMPANY, Ltd. — RIBON VALLEY (NIGERIA) TIN FIELDS, Ltd. — THE REIN RIVER (NIGERIA) TIN MINING CO., Ltd. — ESTIMATES

To this company belongs the credit of being one of the first to appreciate the almost unlimited opportunities the tin fields of Northern Nigeria offer for the employment of British capital. It is not surprising, therefore, that it has to-day, not merely one finger, but the whole of its digits in the Nigerian “pie,” from which it has already pulled out a “plum” in the shape of a dividend of 100 per cent. paid in March last. It is not always the pioneer in a new mining field who strikes the richest areas, but under the guidance of its highly capable engineers, Champion Gold Reefs of West Africa obtained exclusive rights over some properties and interests in options over others which promise a magnificent harvest in years to come.

It was in September 1909, that the company decided to abandon gold mining in Ashanti and devote attention to tin mining in Northern Nigeria. What were described as “very extensive alluvial tin areas” were acquired on September 20. In a circular to the shareholders, dated October 6, it was stated that the work carried on by the Niger Company, and the investigations of mining engineers in the district had “proved the existence of very rich alluvial ground, and already upwards of 1,000 tons of black tin, won by means of calabashes and sluice boxes, had been shipped.” It was further stated that on one of the properties, over which the company had exclusive rights, there was a waterfall of 480 feet, which would secure cheap and ample power; that the properties were situated some 3,500 feet above sea-level, and the climate was good; that the district was thickly populated, and the natives willing and anxious to work.

The first members of the staff sailed for Northern Nigeria on October 6, and were followed a month later by Mr. Charles G. Lush, the well-known expert on the working of alluvial tin deposits. Mr. Lush was to advise as to the best method of developing the company’s property, which was then stated to be 13 square miles in extent. Parenthetically it may be mentioned that other suitable areas were afterwards taken up and several handed over to subsidiary concerns. Mr. Lush first went to the Juga and Sub-Juga properties, and the first communication received from him was the following cable, dated Bauchi, December 17: “Have visited Juga, am very favourably impressed. Up to the present time proved alluvial extends over 200 acres and averages 9 feet; alluvial contains 4s. per cubic yard; the value of stream tin, £600,000. I will visit Sub-Juga this week.” On December 22 he again cabled as follows: “Sub-Juga—Have visited, am very favourably impressed. I consider admirably adapted for the Australian method of working. It will be necessary to erect a dam; will make survey and report upon. Alluvial extends over 500 acres and averages 9 feet. Estimated value of stream tin, 2s. 6d. per cubic yard.” From these and other communications subsequently received it was evident that Mr. Lush had been most favourably impressed with the field generally, and with the value of the Champion Gold Reefs property in particular.

Four subsidiary companies have been formed to date, viz.:

• Naraguta (Nigeria) Tin Mines, Ltd.
• Lucky Chance Mines, Ltd.
• Juga (Nigeria) Tin and Power Company, Ltd.
• Tin Fields of Northern Nigeria, Ltd.

The Naraguta (Nigeria) Tin Mines is not only a productive concern, but one that has already entered the dividend list, 1s. per share having been distributed. The property was originally five square miles in extent, but the area has since been extended. It was held under option by Champion Gold Reefs, who transferred their option to the present company. The purchase consideration paid to the Niger Company was £50,000, payable as to £30,000 in cash and £20,000 in fully-paid shares. The Government and the Niger Company are together entitled to a royalty of 10 per cent. on the profits. Before the present company was formed the Niger Company obtained from the Naraguta property over 1,000 tons of tin concentrates, and it is stated that in one square mile of the property, which has been systematically tested by pits, there are 10,000 tons of black tin awaiting extraction. Up to the present time, the ground treated has produced tin to the value of £3,000 per acre, whereas in other countries, such as Australia and the Malay Peninsula, £1,000 per acre is considered phenomenal. Some of the ground gives fully 5 lbs. of tin to the cubic yard. There can be no doubt that Naraguta is going to be one of the “gems” of the district.

The Lucky Chance Mines, Ltd., was originally formed in May, 1905, to acquire property in New Zealand, but at the end of 1908 only seven shares had been issued, and the paid-up capital was £5 5s., the company having no assets or liabilities. Towards the end of last year, however, it was placed on its financial legs by the Champion Gold Reefs of West Africa. The latter company sold certain of its tin areas to the Lucky Chance Company for 200,000 shares, and agreed to procure the subscription of 8,000 further shares. To-day the Lucky Chance Company is a robust and ably-controlled enterprise, with excellent prospects of development. Its properties comprise nearly 12,000 acres. The South Juga property has recently been sold to the Juga (Nigeria) Tin and Power Company for £10,000.

The Juga (Nigeria) Tin and Power Company owns what is known as the Juga property, which is situated on a plateau 3,280 feet above sea-level, having a total area of 1,600 acres, and the Sub-Juga property, which lies upon the lower plateau immediately below Juga, the area in this case being 6,720 acres. As already remarked, the South Juga property has recently been added. Mr. Lush estimates that 200 acres of the Juga property will be highly payable. For the purposes of his estimate, he took the average depth as 9 feet, which, extending over 200 acres, equals 2,904,000 cubic yards, each cubic yard containing 6 lbs. “In valuing the ground at 6 lbs. per cubic yard,” Mr. Lush said, “I am not taking into account only the high results obtained from some of the bottom wash, but am reckoning it as a whole. I do this because working results may prove that the wash does not extend over the whole 200 acres, but the gravel does, and I feel confident will average what I state.” In a similar way he estimated that the Sub-Juga property would yield 3 lbs. per cubic yard over 5,808,000 cubic yards.

Tin Fields of Northern Nigeria, Ltd., is a company owning eight square miles at Federri and nine square miles near Dila River, both in the Bauchi Province.

In addition to having floated these companies—in which, of course, Champion Gold Reefs retains a large interest—the company has also large holdings in the following concerns:

• Northern Nigeria (Bauchi) Tin Mines.
• Anglo-Continental Mines, Ltd.
• Anchor Diamond Mines.

It also still owns a lease over five square miles in Ashanti.

This company owns an area of 3,200 acres at Naraguta, and two further blocks known as the “C” and “Q” areas of eight square miles. It was formerly worked by the Niger Company, who won from the alluvial beds its 1,000 tons of tin concentrates. The company was registered on 15th January, and the property was taken over on 4th February. Mr. C. G. Lush, the company’s consulting engineer, has inspected the property, and has stated that on the Naraguta property they had ground which would give fully 5 lbs. of tin to the cubic yard. He further reported that ten acres had already been treated and given that result, which could be taken as a very fair prospecting whole.

The returns up to and including the month of October 1910 amounted to a total of 350 tons of tin oxide made up as follows:

Good profits can be, and are being, made under the present primitive methods in use, but the greatly increased profits to which the management is looking forward can only be secured by adopting the most up-to-date machinery, such as is used in Tasmania and other countries. In order to assure success experienced men are being brought from Tasmania by the Champion Gold Reefs group, and the Naraguta Company will have the benefit of their advice.

At the statutory meeting in April last the chairman stated: “We have the proud distinction of owning the property from which the first shipments of tin were made—not only that, but one of the richest out there, and I am quite confident this company can look forward to a very successful career. The extent of our property is four square miles, one mile only of which has been thoroughly prospected, and calculated to contain 10,000 tons of tin oxide. At the present market price of tin this should yield over £500,000 profit. Our engineer tells me that up to the present time every acre of ground so far treated has produced tin to the value of £3,000, whereas in other countries, such as Australia and Malay, £1,000 per acre is considered phenomenal: therefore, I consider we can congratulate ourselves upon being interested in such a unique proposition.”

As an indication of what may be expected when improved working methods have been introduced, Mr. C. G. Lush states that thirty men and one plant will be able to produce as much and even more tin than is now being obtained with three hundred men. “If we put only one plant on the property,” he says, “it will take us, perhaps, a hundred years to work it out, but there is no reason why we should not have four or five plants, and work it out in a lifetime!” In Australia, Tasmania, and the Straits Settlements 1½ lbs. of tin per cubic yard is considered very good, but Mr. Lush is of opinion that in Naraguta the ground will give fully 5 lbs. of tin per cubic yard; in fact, 10 acres have already been treated, and have given that result, which can be taken as “a very fair prospecting whole.” All that is necessary is to get the plant there as soon as possible.

In Mr. Frank D. Bourke the company has an excellent and indefatigable manager, and recently the directors engaged the services of Mr. A. F. Kitto, who left on October 12 to assist Mr. Bourke in the management.

This company owns the following properties:—

(1) Dubbo.—A property in Bauchi, Northern Nigeria, consisting of 632 acres. This property is under the charge of two engineers.

(2) Rafinsiroma.—This is a small rich property of 33 acres adjoining Dubbo to the south, and capable of immediately producing tin by ground sluicing and calabashing.

(3) Bengalili.—A property of about 320 acres on the river Bukeru, situated about one mile to the north of Dubbo, and capable of producing tin by handworking at once.

(4) Bengalili North.—This is an area of about 120 acres adjoining and to the north of the Bengalili property, also capable of producing tin by sluicing and calabashing. The river runs through this property.

(5) Polchi.—A property of 84 acres adjoining South Juga, and situated on the main road from Toro to Bauchi. The property is now being worked and is producing tin.

(6) Boidun.—This property is situated on the road from Dubbo to Bri, and is about one mile west of Dubbo. It extends for a distance of about a mile along the river.

(7) Bilidi River.—Three square miles, or 1,920 acres. Good tin was found on this property, besides an appreciable amount of gold in the wash.

(8) Kurdum.—Five square miles, or 3,200 acres. On the tests made the overburden went 3 lbs. of tin for 7 feet, and the bottom wash went 60 lbs. of tin for 1 foot.

(9) Kwall Falls.—The first application was made on behalf of this company for this power, which would be of great value, as it gives 2,000 horse-power in the dry season, and commands several properties.

The Dubbo property is situated near the village of Dubbo, on the Dubbo River, and west of the Soli Hills. It is sometimes described as Topaz Valley, so named on account of the large quantity of topaz found in the wash. It is situated about six miles north of Juga. The Lireui natives have done a lot of work on this property, sinking shafts in some cases a hundred yards back from the Dubbo River. These shafts run from 8 to 10 feet in depth, proving that the bottom wash must have been very rich for, as a rule, the Lireuis only mined shallow ground where the wash is easily got. Mr. Lush said that he had not seen similar work in any other part of the tin district.

Mr. Lush reported that the pannings from the river bed gave very high values, and four shafts sunk to a depth of 8 feet averaged 6 lbs. of tin to the cubic yard. One shaft, which bottomed at 5 feet, went 30 lbs. of tin to the cubic yard. An open-cut on the river bank exposed 17 feet of gravel, which went 6 lbs. to the cubic yard. The overburden thrown out at the shafts sunk by the Lireuis, where tried, gave an average of 5 lbs. of tin to the cubic yard. At the southern end of this property Mr. Lush says the river comes down from a hill with a fall of some 350 feet through a rocky gorge. By working a dam at the top of the rapids sufficient water could be conserved to run a plant by electrical transmission. This country is mostly granite sand, no stiff clay or pug. Mr. Lush states that nearly the whole of the 632 acres are an alluvial deposit, and in his estimates, in order to be well within the mark, he estimates that the payable dirt extends over 300 acres and averages 6 feet in depth. The manager reported on August 29 that he had 300 men employed, and for the four weeks ending August 27 he had recovered 31½ tons of tin, and had cut 735 feet of water leads.

Rafinsiroma adjoins Dubbo to the south, and the manager, reporting on August 29, said he had just started work on this property. On September 4 the manager reported that he had already shipped 505 lbs., and a cablegram received October 9 states that a further shipment is being made.

Work has been started on Polchi, and on October 9 a cablegram was received stating that the first shipment had been made.

On the Bilidi River property Mr. Lush reported that he made several tests from wash exposed on the river bank below the Kofai crossing, and obtained payable tin results in all. He then followed up the river for about three miles, and in one part he says he got gold as well as tin in the concentrates. In five pannings he reports there were from six to ten colours of gold in every dish, which in his opinion was highly satisfactory. Two miles below the Kofai crossing he found some very promising flats, where he also got eight colours of gold in one dish. At the time of his visit he says there was sufficient water running in the Bauchi River for centrifugal pump work.

As regards Kurdum and Dila Rivers, at the lower end of the ground, near the village of Bundas, Mr. Lush says he obtained very good prospects of tin in gravel from the river bed. At Dawka, some eight miles upstream, the wash taken out of the river went 80 lbs. to the cubic yard. Several pits were sunk on the banks, but owing to soakage water only one bottomed, the depth of which was 8 feet, and gave the following result:

Overburden 7 feet went 3 lbs. of tin to the cubic yard.

Bottom wash 1 foot went 60 lbs. of tin to the cubic yard.

The river between Dawka and Bundas falls 400 feet, and at the latter town it is 30 feet by 2 feet deep, flowing at the rate of 60 feet per minute. Even in the middle of the dry season Mr. Lush says a race cut from a point about a mile upstream would give sufficient head to generate 500 h.p. by electricity.

Mr. L. H. L. Huddart, in his report on the Kurdum River concession, says he feels justified in making a preliminary estimate in order to give an idea of what the property may be proved to contain, and he bases it on the following reasons:—

Upon these grounds he is of opinion that there are about 300 acres of alluvial ground that should prove to be about 2½ yards deep with values of about 3 lbs. per cubic yard. Mr. Huddart adds that an output of about 30 tons per month, or 360 tons per year, should be reached without difficulty. In conclusion, he says: “The property is a good one, and its ample supply of water cannot be too strongly emphasised. Tin will be produced quickly from the river bed, and systematic development should bear out the above estimate, and enable the work to be laid out with a view on ultimate production of about 40 tons per month.”

Application for the Kwall Falls for electric power has been made on behalf of this company, and great importance is attached to them. They are situated about 14 miles west of the Niger (Bauchi) Syndicate’s area, and it is stated that in the driest months there is ample water flowing with a drop of 400 feet to generate 2,000 h.p. without any expense of damming.

This company owns alluvial tin property at Federri comprising an area of 5,120 acres, and a further property situated on the Dila River or Doss, comprising an area of 5,760 acres.

On the Federri property a tin-bearing area of 300 acres has been proved containing tin alluvial from 2½ to 3½ yards deep, going from 3 lbs. to 6 lbs. per cubic yard, and it is estimated that the property has a life of twenty-six years.

The second property is the Dila River or Doss, which has a proved area of tin alluvial deposit from 3 to 5 yards deep over 400 acres, with an average value of 3 lbs. per cubic yard. The life of the property has been estimated at twenty-three years. A fully qualified engineer is now in charge of the properties, and production of tin is expected to commence immediately. The consulting engineer is Mr. C. G. Lush.

This company owns three properties, as follows:—

South Juga.—Mr. C. G. Lush, in reporting on the South Juga property, said: “On the northern end there are several native workings, in which payable prospects can be got. It would be advisable to have shafts sunk right along the lead from the Juga boundary to the Bauchi road, and boring plant used if water hindered sinking to bed-rock.... Some of the tin carried into Juga must have found its way into South Juga.” Mr. L. H. L. Huddart, reporting on the property, said: “The elevation is about 3,000 feet above the sea-level, with precipitous granite hills rising at least 1,500 feet above the valley on both sides.... The tin occurs in a valley about four miles long, running north-east and south-west. Bed-rock is granite with frequent outcrops of granite and granulite, which form baths more or less at right angles to the valley. The average width is about 2,000 feet.... The ground is friable and easy to work.... A water course which rises on Juga runs right down to the valley. From December to April there is practically no running water, but from May to November the stream runs freely.... If the small tributaries are dammed, and skill is used in saving the water, there should be sufficient for all purposes for six or seven months in the year. Later on a portable pump elevating plant would have sufficient water for at least nine months. There is a considerable quantity of water held up between the granite baths, and the water-locked ground provides natural reservoirs.... A thorough system of prospecting should be inaugurated.... Pits should be put in right across the valley at 100 feet intervals, and a property plan made out showing the depth of ground valued. These will enable the mining work to be laid out in a systematic manner, and will disclose the rich leads.” Mr. Huddart has formed a favourable opinion of the property, and gives the following reasons for the estimates he has prepared: (1) Amount of work previously done by natives who never touch anything but rich wash; (2) sampling and inspection of native working and their tailings; (3) the fact that this proposition is geographically a part of Juga on which rich wash exists; (4) personal knowledge of the ground tested and discoveries on every known part of this field, and general occurrence of cassiterite on all parts of the property. Taking the property as a whole, he estimates that there are 180 acres of alluvial ground, running 4 lbs. per cubic yard, averaging two yards deep. In conclusion, Mr. Huddart says this is an attractive property.... Importance is readily attached to the fact that the property can be made an immediate producer.

Juga Property.—This property is on a plateau 3,280 feet above the sea-level, and Mr. Lush estimates that 200 acres will be highly payable. He takes the average depth of ground as 9 feet, and this extending for 200 acres equals 2,904,000 cubic yards. The area is of exceedingly high quality, and exceptionally free from impurities. In his report Mr. Lush says: “Valuing the ground at 6 lbs. per cubic yard, I am not taking into account only the high results obtained from some of the bottom wash, but am reckoning it as a whole. I do this because working results may prove that the wash does not extend over the whole 200 acres, but the gravel does, and I feel confident will average what I state.”

Sub-Juga.—This property, comprising an area of 6,720 acres, lies upon the lower plateau, or plain, immediately below Juga. The natives have done a great deal of work here, and their beds were extensively tried by Mr. Lush, who got very rich prospects when panning. Some of the dish concentrates went as high as 40 lbs. of tin oxide to the cubic yard, and in no single instance did he get less than 3 lbs. He considers that out of the 6,720 acres 400 are proved to be highly payable, but this only includes the main lead, which runs right through the property for 6¼ miles, and does not include any of the runs coming in from east and west. He takes the average depth of ground as 9 feet; this extending for 400 acres equals 5,808,000 cubic yards. Mr. Lush has recommended movable plants for these properties. Transmission of electrical power to run both the nozzle and the gravel pumps is, of course, the cheapest and best method of working, but it will be some time, probably two years, before the contemplated hydraulical scheme can be installed. Mr. Lush’s recommendations have been accepted by the board, and two plants are being constructed, and their cost when mounted and erected at the mine will not exceed £10,000. In addition to the sluice boxes at present on the property, there are now on the way a further sixty-nine sluice boxes, with all exhausters complete, and these will enable sluicing and calabashing to be carried on pending the arrival and erection of the hydraulic plant.

Mr. Hooke has been appointed manager, with Mr. Grant as his assistant. Besides sluicing, surveys have to be completed, dams constructed, prospecting done, especially by means of boring, tools being supplied for those parts where the water is too heavy for the pits to be sunk.

Mr. A. W. Hooke writes under date September 14, 1910, as follows:

“Attached hereto are my notes upon the leases of the company and the dam site. In setting forth this general report several difficulties have faced the writer—the absence of any systematic sampling record—the flooded condition of the existing holes, and the short time in which to cover the ground.

“At the same time also an effort had to be made to organise the labour and increase the output under existing circumstances. I give the following summary to show how the output has increased in the last four weeks. From August 15 to September 10 the production stands thus:

“Some of this ore is being won on Juga, but by far the greater part comes from Nafuta. It contains much iron impurity, and a streaming box has already been made for its re-treatment at Juga. It will be understood that the natives bring their weekly winnings from Nafuta to Juga on Sundays, when it is weighed and purchased from them. The first three lots shown above were purchased approximately at ¾d. per lb., and the last one at ½d. The condition of the tin, &c., is a big factor in guiding one as to the price, but as time goes on I hope to instruct the native into the way of streaming his tin and bringing it to a better quality. If I can do this, and keep the price down, it means a big advantage to us.

“Labour at 6d. per day is most satisfactory (9d. is the ruling rate elsewhere except at Dubbo). This week my whole gang struck work and demanded an increase from 6d. to 9d. I flatly refused, and to time of writing have almost as many new men as I require. Some of the old hands have since returned to work. I have despatched a headman to Gingim and Polchi, who will doubtless secure all that I require.

“At Nafuta sampling shafts are being sunk at the rate of about nine per week. These cannot be quite bottomed on account of the water in the wash, but as the rain eases off they can be completed and sampled.

“General.—The three leases are all properties upon which hydraulic sluicing can be carried out satisfactorily, and the wash and overburden in each case is ideal material for gravel pumping. I am quite pleased with the general condition of things, but am anxious to have my sampling completed, so that I may form some estimate of yardage and the average value.”

Juga Property.—This lease stands at the highest elevation of the three, and practically forms the divide between South Juga and Nafuta. Its watershed is large, and the greater portion of this goes north-east through the Nafuta gorge to the flats. The lease embraces an area of 1,440 acres and compasses the flats adjacent to two streams coming from the South, which unite and continue north-east, passing into the Nafuta gorge as the Juga River.

The maximum depth of the ground is only about 12 feet, and much of it is amenable to ground sluicing, though it could be handled more advantageously by gravel pumps. This latter scheme is eventually the policy to adopt, as thereby most of the material can be stacked after treatment, and any chance of silting-up be avoided.

The former (ground sluicing) will be a temporary expedient—I say temporary advisedly, because the detritus from such operations will eventually find its way to the area for the dam site above the Nafuta gorge. It will be readily understood that the shape of the property is irregular in order to most economically take in the desired area.

The rocky surroundings naturally bring down their storm waters rapidly, and this will always act as a deterrent in ground sluicing and be a point in favour of power plants.

The lease carries a sparse supply of timber, but will justify the installation of a steam plant of such dimensions as that already under construction. As time wears on, however, an alternative power must have consideration.

The contour of the country does not lend itself to the construction of earthwork headraces, &c., being too rocky; service water, will therefore have to be carried in a pipe service.

I am forwarding a sketch plan showing the two streams and their confluence under the name of the Juga. Pits as shown have been sunk and a sampling done. The samples (Mr. Robinson informs me) were taken by a native headman, and run very erratically from 17 lbs. to nil per cubic yard. Robinson says that some of the holes at that time had been flooded, and is of opinion that all the bottom wash in some instances was not included in the samples taken.

At the present time all the pits are more or less flooded and silted, but I will re-sample the whole of these and advise results at the earliest possible moment.

The two dams shown in the sketch have been carried away by floods. Higher up the river at “A,” a much better site exists, which will give more pressure and command more ground. I propose to place one here as soon as I can.

The tracts shown on the drawing will give some idea of the direction in which the other leases lie.

Viewed in conjunction with the plans, the directors will have a more concise idea of their relative positions.

Nafuta or Sub-Juga.—Of the exclusive area held here some 1,850 acres have been embodied in the mining lease just issued. It embraces what appears to be the pick of the Nafuta flats and encloses a maximum of alluvial drift with a minimum of rock, and at the same time adheres to the water-course. The Nafuta gorge terminates quite abruptly, and opens in an expansive plain lying some 400 feet below. The lease commences at the foot of the gorge, and runs along the river in a north-easterly direction. Its width embraces the deepest of the flats, though there is still some ground at the south-west corner of the exclusive area that warrants attention. I should say from a cursory examination that the amount of workable ground is in excess of that of the other leases, though no attempt can be made to quote tonnage until many more pits have been sunk. It is from this area that most of our present tin is being won. The tin contains much impurity, such as iron, and the natives find a difficulty in separating it by calabashing.

The average depth, judging by the present trial pits, is 12 feet. The wash is clear and medium sized, and the overburden is ideal material for removal where viewed in the old paddocks.

I see no difficulties in it as a gravel sluicing proposition, once provision is made for power. The lease carries no timber, and is a power consideration from the beginning.

Of tin value I can quote last week’s winning of 4,000 odd lbs. of crude tin by 120 men with calabashes, and this too in the face of many weather difficulties.

A site has been set aside for a native village, and already people are congregating and erecting their grass huts.

South Juga.—This lease, as its name implies, lies south of Juga. It covers 855 acres, and is approximately 4 miles long by 2,000 yards wide. It is traversed for its entire length by the track which leaves the Toro-Bauchi road and comes on to Juga. The lease is narrow—it lies in a long gully, and appears bound by a succession of rocky bars. These no doubt may be acting as excellent natural tin savers, but they will make work very irregular. Of the tin value here I cannot speak with any definiteness. I have not traversed the ground in detail, and as no pits have been sunk upon it, I have no samples to guide me. It will have my attention so soon as I can get one lease into a regular producing stage.

Nafuta Dam Site.—In proceeding from Juga to Nafuta one traverses the basin of this proposed dam. As a site its position would be hard to beat. It covers some 356 acres, which narrows down to a steep rocky neck, through which the waters debouch on to the Nafuta flat. The sides of the gorge rise in an abrupt slope, and are composed of granite. It forms an ideal situation for a retaining wall which, if reared 100 feet, would throw back 326 million cubic feet of water. This quantity of water would develop approximately 550 horse-power for 370 days of 12 hours, using 1,220,000 cubic feet per day, and allowing 525,000 cubic feet for daily evaporation and soakage losses.

At present the dam area is enclosed in the Nafuta exclusive area, which expires at Christmas. I propose therefore to take it up as an agricultural lease, which I believe can be secured at annual rental of 1s. per acre.

The dam is a necessity for the operation of Nafuta, though, of course once established, it could generate high tension electricity for transmission to Juga and South Juga, and operate them as well.

A masonry retaining wall could, I think, be most cheaply built, as the stone exists on the site. It would be the installation of a quarrying plant of say half-dozen rock drills and channelling machines, also a small aerial line up the bed of the dam for handling the stone, and a “flying fox” gear across the gorge for handling all the stone in the retaining wall.

In some places at the lower end the water is lost to sight 30 feet or more beneath the huge granite boulders that lie in the gorge.

This syndicate owns the following properties in the Bauchi Province:—

Rein.—An exclusive licence to prospect an area of 4½ square miles near the towns of Rein and Forum.

South Bukeru.—An exclusive licence to prospect an area of 3 square miles south of Bukeru, and sold to the company of that name.

Shen.—A mining licence to work an area of 24 acres on the left bank of the Shen stream.

The Rein property is situated on the south-eastern side of the Bauchi Tin Fields, between the pagan towns of Forum and Rein. The area encloses about six miles of a stream flowing in the northerly direction from Rein to Forum, where it junctions with a system of rivers on which the Ribon, Bisichi, Doss, and other properties are situated.

The area is three-quarters of a mile wide by six miles long, an extent of 4½ square miles, practically the whole of which is tin-bearing alluvial. The alluvial is composed of a sandy material of an extremely free nature, and the bottom is the usual coarse grey granite. The latter outcrops in very few places, and carries from about a yard to four yards of alluvial ground. Although the bottom could be reached in only a few places in the stream bed, good prospects of black tin were obtained in nearly all samples panned, and from the alluvial flats, as exposed by the banks of the stream, the results ran from about 3 to 5 lbs. of tin per cubic yard. The panning concentrates contained 10 to 15 per cent. of titaniferous iron sand (which was allowed for), but this mineral presents no difficulties, and can be easily eliminated by the ordinary dressing operations.

The width of the property (three-quarters of a mile) does not include the whole of the large alluvial flats that occur on either side of the river, but having secured the river and so much of the adjacent ground, these flats are protected, and, if necessary, may be taken up when the land for mining purposes is selected.

Of the area staked, certainly more than two-thirds carries alluvial ground of the thickness given above. Except in the bed of the stream, rich patches are not expected, but a fairly uniform value throughout.

Water.—There is a continuous flow of water for sluicing purposes all the year round.

Grades.—Cannot be determined without survey, but at the lower (Forum) end of the property there is sufficient fall to allow the tailings to be inexpensively dealt with.

Costs.—Will compare favourably with other mines in the district, i.e. with ground of moderate value the costs would amount to between £10 and £15 per ton of black tin, and present transport charges £27 10s. per ton inclusive.

Final tests of the flats are capable of being cheaply and quickly carried out by means of trial pits; boring is unnecessary. The probability is that the workable ground will prove to be of too large an area to be included in one mining lease, and that it will be necessary to split the present area into two or more properties.

Shen Property.—This property is situated on the left bank of the Shen stream, on which it has been pegged out for some distance with an average width of about two chains. The Shen property adjoins the concession acquired by the Bisichi Tin Company (Nigeria), Ltd.

South Bukeru.—This property, comprising an area of three square miles, is situated about four miles south of Bukeru. It is situated on the top of the Bukeru watershed, a basin heavily watered with small streams running through the whole area, which is stated to be alluvial, and all the ground is tin-bearing from the top to the bottom of the pits, which have been sunk to a depth of about fifteen feet. Pump or boring plant will be necessary to thoroughly test the property. This property has been sold to the South Bukeru (Nigeria) Tin Co., Ltd.

This company owns four areas aggregating 14 square miles in Nigeria, and in addition to these has large holdings of shares in the leading companies operating in this field, including:

• Champion Gold Reefs of West Africa, Ltd.
• Naraguta (Nigeria) Tin Mines, Ltd.
• Juga Tin and Power Company, Ltd.
• Anglo-Continental Mines, Ltd.
• Northern Nigeria (Bauchi) Tin Mines, Ltd.

Another of the company’s assets to which considerable importance is attached is the interest in the Juga (Nigeria) Tin and Power Company, whose property comprises what is known as the Juga area, situated on a plateau 3,280 feet above sea-level, amounting to 1,600 acres, and the Sub-Juga area which, as its name implies, is situated upon the lower plateau immediately below Juga, amounting to 6,720 acres. A further property, known as the South Juga, has also been acquired. From August 15 to September 10 the quantity of crude tin produced by the Juga Company was 12,339 lbs., but Mr. C. G. Lush, the consulting engineer, states that, as in the case of the Naraguta property, the bed of the river, in which the richest deposits of tin are contained, is exposed for calabashing in the dry season, which is now beginning, so that a much larger output of tin may be confidently expected in the near future. New plant is now being supplied capable of dressing twelve tons of tin oxide per day.

The Anglo-Continental Mines Company is largely interested in what are undoubtedly the best gold mines in the Tarkwa and Prestea, districts of West Africa, but it has also a substantial slice of the Nigerian “cake.” It has already had one profitable “deal” in the successful flotation of the Northern Nigeria (Bauchi) Tin Mines, Ltd.—a company holding prospecting licences over a compact block of 50 square miles in the Bauchi Province, and mining licences over three blocks of about 12½ acres each. Portions of the property have been worked sufficiently by the Niger Company to prove their exceptional value as tin-bearing areas. Mr. C. G. Lush, reporting in February last, stated: “From surface pannings I should estimate the over-burden, or rather stanniferous gravelly deposit overlying the wash, to go 2 lbs. per cubic yard.... Provided sufficient power is obtained, there is room here for at least four big plants capable of treating 10,000 cubic yards of gravel each per week. 40,000 yards at 2 lbs. equals 80,000 lbs. of tin oxide, equal to 35 tons per week, which, at £80, means £2,800; less cost of treatment at 6d. per yard £1,000, carriage on 35 tons of tin (at £15) £525, Government royalty at 10 per cent. £127, leaving a net weekly profit of £1,148.” The Anglo-Continental Mines Company has a large interest in this company, and is looking for big dividends therefrom in the not very distant future. But this is not by any means the full extent of its interest in Northern Nigeria, for it has acquired an adjoining area of 50 square miles, which are stated to afford equally satisfactory prospects.

Apart from the indirect interest the Nigerian Tin Corporation has in the Northern Nigeria (Bauchi) Tin Mines, through the Anglo-Continental Mines Company already referred to, it has a large holding on its own account.

The original intention, when the Nigerian Tin Corporation was formed, was that it should confine itself entirely to taking participation in deals and promotions, but feeling persuaded that this is the most important virgin tin field the world has yet seen, the directors decided to extend the scope of the corporation’s operations, and, as already stated, four areas have been acquired of eight, three, two, and one square miles respectively.

Mr. H. O. Crighton, late manager of the Pusing Lama Mine, in the Straits Settlements, has been appointed the company’s manager in Northern Nigeria in January last, and has already taken up three areas on behalf of this company.

This company has exclusive prospecting rights over an area of 50 square miles in the Naraguta district of Northern Nigeria, together with mining licences over a further area of 12½ acres situated at the head-waters of a small river.

The manager of this company in Nigeria is Mr. Means, who has done a considerable amount of prospecting on the property. This large property of 50 square miles was originally secured by the Anglo-Continental Company. It is believed there are several large areas of alluvial tin on the property, which has not yet been properly prospected.

With regard to the smaller concession of 12½ acres, Mr. Lush confirmed the statement that the alluvial tin at this point was exceptionally rich, averaging as much as 12 lbs. per cubic yard.

In his report on this property dated February 21, 1910, Mr. Lush said:

“From surface pannings I should estimate the overburden, or rather stanniferous gravelly deposit overlying the wash, to go 2 lbs. per cubic yard. It would be interesting to see the values and thickness of the bottom wash. Provided sufficient power is obtained, there is room here for at least four big plants capable of treating 10,000 cubic yards of gravel each per week: 40,000 yards at 2 lbs. equals 80,000 lbs. of tin oxide, equal to 35 tons per week.

“I look for a fair depth of payable ground, everything points to its being so, but only boring can decide this.

“Life of property would largely depend on the depth of the deposit and the number of plants erected, but presuming the deposit is 15 feet deep, and you instal four plants capable of putting through 10,000 yards weekly each, it would take fully eight years to work out this 500 acres of the property.

“I understand that the total area of land taken over by you from the Niger Bauchi Syndicate is 50 square miles, or 32,000 acres. In this report I am only dealing with the southern and south-western part of your holding, some 20 square miles, as I did not visit the northern portion. I was, however, credibly informed by one of the Government mining officials that on the northern block of 30 square miles there are also stanniferous deposits, and in addition a very promising tin lode, a continuation of the one that has been opened up by the Niger Company on your eastern boundary. The actual value and life of only the area I have reported upon would, in my opinion, quite justify your proceeding with vigorous development work at once. The probable values of the remaining 30 square miles may possibly turn out equal to the southern; there is no reason why they should not, as the whole of the property is within a rich alluvial and lode tin district that has hardly as yet been scratched.”

On June 15 the company’s representative in Nigeria cabled: “Active sluicing operations will be commenced as soon as sufficient water is available. Meantime 6 tons of tin have been produced by means of calabashes.”

A complete sluicing plant has been shipped, and pending its arrival washing by means of calabashes is being continued.

At the first statutory meeting, Mr. Lush said, since delivering his report:

“I see by a cablegram from Mr. Means that he has found good tin on other areas. There are about 4 square miles of about 2,600 acres that have been proved to carry tin since I left there.”

By Mr. H. W. Laws

The N’Gell River, which is one of the sources of the Kaduna, rises in the pagan town of N’Gell on the highest watershed of the country.

Black oxide of tin is found in large quantities in the bed of this river where it is not deeply covered with gravel, and in the various streams flowing into it, especially those coming in from the south. The ore undoubtedly has a very local origin, it is derived largely from the denudation of the small tin-bearing quartz veins in pegmatite granite on the sources of the tributaries known as Nos. 1 and 2 streams, and lode matter containing massive crystals of tin is also breaking down in the neighbourhood of Nos. 4 and 5 streams. All these it will be noted are on the south side of the river.

For the purpose of discussing these tin deposits as a mining proposition, the river may be conveniently divided into three portions:

A

This portion is actually on the apex of the watershed. The streams which fall rapidly to the valley below on the west are crossed by numerous bars of granite and quartz reefs, which act as natural riffles, and have served to concentrate the ore in high values, but relatively small quantities of alluvial in the beds and banks of the streams. Good alluvial also occurs in patches amongst the granite hills away from the waterways.

The streams get a fairly regular supply of water from springs and the drainage of the many veins, but they are also subject to scouring floods caused by heavy but entirely local rains. The floods are breaking down the alluvial with great rapidity, and large quantities of ore must be washed down to the valley below every year.

During three months of somewhat irregular work last year we recovered 30 tons of black tin from Nos. 1 and 2 streams. Part of this was won by sluicing the alluvial banks, of which 2,736 cubic yards, worth 10 to 11 lbs. of black tin per yard, were worked. Operations were commenced from the boundary, the ground was worked fairly, and although superficially it only represents some 300 square yards, it gives a fair idea of the value of the bank deposits. The values, of course, would not apply to the alluvial apart from the streams, nor to that on No. 3 stream, where there is far less grade and more alluvial, but, taken as a whole, the proposition is decidedly the richest yet found in Nigeria. Until further prospecting has been done and a detailed survey carried out, it is impossible to give any accurate estimate of the payable alluvial available on this portion; as a hand-work proposition it is not of great extent (as will be gathered from my report to the Niger Company last December, a copy of which I attach), but as an area systematically worked with the aid of machinery, it is undoubtedly a property which should produce a large tonnage of tin over a period of many years.

The above-mentioned report also clearly sets forth the difficulties in the way of systematic mining, if it is to be regarded as a separate concern. I have carefully considered the methods suggested by Mr. Lush in his report. The first we have already tried. The second is impracticable, because we have no higher level at which we could conserve water for hydraulicing the whole of the alluvial deposits, and the third and fourth can only be considered in conjunction with one or both of the other portions of the N’Gell River.

A modification of the second suggestion might prove satisfactory as a temporary measure. It would be possible to conserve in a reservoir constructed near the head of one of the streams sufficient water to sluice by gravity—I do not think there would be pressure for hydraulicing—the alluvial in and near the main river and part of that about the three streams. The ground higher up the streams could not be worked by this means.

B

This portion of the river flows through the Niger Company’s area, as shown on the plan attached. The river, after leaving the town of N’Gell, falls into a fine open valley within which is an apparently deep basin filled in with loose gravels heavily charged with water.

Four important streams numbered 3, 4, 5, and 6, enter the river from the south, three of them having falls in the position marked on the plan.

In addition to the alluvial being washed down the main stream, this basin must also be enriched by the tin-bearing wash in the tributaries, which also show good prospects.

The basin covers an area of roughly 300 acres, not including the bank deposits on the streams or the higher level flats. As would be expected from the nature of the ground, the top gravels do not carry payable values, but it seems to me almost impossible for the bottom to be other than rich when it is remembered that tin will not travel far without easy outlet and good grades, and that for a long period tin-bearing dirt has been emptying itself into this basin from so many channels. We have been unable to reach bottom in ordinary trial pits owing to heavy water and the running nature of the alluvial, and it will now have to be tested by boring.

Even if it proves only a low-grade show, it is obviously a big mine, and one that must be worked by dredging or pumping methods. Possibly the three falls above mentioned would give sufficient power, in which case the problem of working the “A” deposits would be solved at the same time. Otherwise it would be necessary to acquire the Kwall Falls, and generate electric power there.

C

I am not so familiar with this portion of the river, but, generally speaking, it is of a similar character to “B,” and the same remarks apply, but with this important exception, that it is down stream and therefore farther away from the source of the tin. I am not in a position to say whether it is fed by other tin-bearing streams or rocks further to the west.

As your Chairman very reasonably suggested, there may be an obstruction in the shape of rising bedrock or bars about Section 46, in which case this portion may prove of little value. This can only be disclosed by continuing the boring operations, and I would here emphasise Mr. Lush’s opinion that the greatest care should be exercised in taking samples from holes in these loose gravels where boring has a tendency to concentrate the heavier mineral at the bottom.

RECOMMENDATIONS

As some difficulty is anticipated in holding the areas as they now stand after this year, I suggest that they be dealt with as follows:—

The above four mining areas will not include all the alluvial mentioned in this report as existing on this portion (A), but if the three streams are held, the alluvial lying between them will be safe from others, who would have no water for working it. This is only intended to meet the case temporarily, and until further surveys have been made and the Mining Laws revised.

With regard to staff and the work for the immediate future, a good surveyor and assistant must be sent out whose chief duty, apart from the demarcation of boundaries, would be the determination of grades in the rivers, measurement of water, survey of falls, and the preparation of sections showing the alluvial beds as disclosed by the pits and bores. An experienced man to carry out the boring operations should also be provided, and the whole work placed in charge of a capable hydraulic mining engineer.

CONCLUSION

It is above all things desirable to aim at working the whole of the deposits about this river as one large power proposition, deriving the power either from falls on the property or from Kwall. Should it be found impossible to do this (from failure to secure the land and falls required), then it will have to be proved whether the deposits on the six square miles of “A” portion justify the expense of harnessing falls and conveying power to the heads of the streams. If not, as much of the alluvial as possible must be worked out by the same system of sluicing as was employed last year, but on an increased scale, and with a more elaborate method of dealing with the water supply.

I am of opinion that it will take a year with a competent staff to prove the six miles of land referred to in “A” portion.

(Signed) H. W. LAWS, M.I.M.M.

3rd September, 1910.

28th December, 1909.

The Secretary,
NIGER COMPANY, LIMITED,
London, W.C.

Dear Sir,—I beg to hand you herewith Summary of tin returns for the months of November and December.

Tin Recovery.—Work ceased on the 14th instant owing to Mr. Carpenter’s time being completed, and his desire to return to England; otherwise sluicing on No. 1 stream could have continued to the end of the year. Sluicing on No. 2 stream was stopped early in November owing to want of water.

The black tin recovered for November amounted to 12 tons and 2 lbs., and from December 1st to 14th, 4 tons 14 cwts. 3 qrs. 12 lbs., making a total of 30 tons 0 cwts. 1 qr. 3 lbs. for the three months that mining operations have been carried on, as shown on the summary.

The ground sluiced at No. 1 stream measures approximately 2,736 cubic yards, worth 10 to 11 lbs. of black tin per cubic yard.

In arriving at these figures, the tin taken from the actual river bed, where it was impossible to measure the ground sluiced, is excluded, and this value will be found to be a fair average for the alluvial bank deposits on the N’Gell areas.

I estimate there is sufficient of this to last for six years on the two areas we have taken up, but this does not include some fairly extensive deposits between the three N’Gell streams and outside our small mining leases, which we have recently found to exist. We have not attempted to develop these higher deposits, but wherever tried they carry good values, and if by careful selection we added them to the existing areas, the proposition would become an important one as far as quantity is concerned. The difficulty lies in economical working. The present method, although profitable, is unsatisfactory, at any rate from an engineering point of view; my experience of the last three months has proved that sluicing in a small way can only proceed between seasons—in the dry season only hand-work can be done, and at the height of the rains the sluices cannot be fixed low enough to receive the sluicing water. It is essentially an elevating proposition, but without power, fuel, or water, we are helpless. I therefore recommend you, should an opportunity occur, to give careful consideration to any amalgamation scheme which our neighbours on the N’Gell River might think desirable after they become familiar with their property, especially if they decide to work on a large scale.

Should no opportunity of the kind occur, I advise you to take the best out of the three streams and their alluvial banks by our present cheap sluicing methods and handwork during the next six years or so. A good engineer and an assistant would be required to supervise, but the former would only be required at certain seasons and not permanently on the property. I am preparing a list of plant required to work economically on these lines on the three streams.

Export.—The tin won was all first grade, assaying 72 per cent. to 73 per cent. 644 bags, weighing net 19 tons 9 cwts. 3 qrs. 7 lbs., were despatched in November, and 350 bags, weighing net 10 tons 10 cwts. 1 qr. 24 lbs., were despatched this month, making a total of 30 tons 0 cwts. 1 qr. 3 lbs.

General.—The plant has been properly laid up and protected from the weather for the dry season, and a watchman has been placed in charge.

I am, &c.,

(Signed) H. W. LAWS.

Since the preparation of the foregoing particulars a report has been received from the company’s manager giving the first detailed particulars of the prospecting as follows:—

“Prospecting.—With regard to this important subject I expect to have a little more to say when I have a general map ready to forward to you. The shaft in Section 26 which you asked about in your letter of 26th July was not got down to bedrock on account of water, and there were no results to report. In prospecting the streams of the central and northern part of the 40-mile area, we found tin in many places in various quantities, and irregularly distributed. Apparently the best stream is that one which runs through Section 28; while prospecting there we calabashed out five tons very easily from the bed of the stream, which tin we have in stock and shall report it to the Government as soon as the mining lease is applied for. The prospecting by numerous pits shows that the ground is too irregular in values outside the bed of the stream to make satisfactory estimates until some sluicing is done, which will be a relatively easy matter when we have the mining lease. There is another stream about three miles further north which I think will warrant taking up, but perhaps not quite so good as that in Section 28.

“In prospecting other streams of the northern part of the 40-mile area we generally found from a trace of tin to say a pound or so per yard with limited yardage, and none of them offer much encouragement to the company for mining purposes.

“A part of the N’Gell River, in Sections 49 to 50, I think is suitable for taking up as a mining lease. The tin, however, appears to be mostly confined to the river bed, and therefore it is more suitable for calabashing than for sluicing purposes. Also the parts of streams Nos. 1 and 2, which are in the prospecting area, should be included in the areas applied for.”

The manager further states, in regard to the drilling operations which are being carried out on the more remote and westerly portion of the property, that the results hitherto obtained have not been very encouraging, but that it is too early to arrive at a definite conclusion in regard to final results.

Cable advice has been received of the recovery of ten tons of tin during the month of October. The manager adds that the water is falling rapidly; this should permit of calabashing on an extended scale. The value of the tin already won by intermittent working should realise nearly £4,000, a sum in excess of the outlay in respect of the surveying and prospecting on which the small staff has been principally occupied.

This company owns two alluvial tin properties of about one square mile each, and when the company was formed they had a further option for an area of about 1,920 acres, which option has since been exercised, and the property referred to in it floated as a subsidiary company called the Jos Tin Area (Nigeria) Limited.

For the purpose of identification the two properties owned by the company were described as Jos No. 2 and the Fusa property.

Mr. Malcolm has been appointed manager of the properties, and on behalf of the company has applied for and secured permission to take up a further area on the Fefan River.

Mr. S. W. Carpenter, who was in the employ of the Niger Company for five years, has been appointed engineer. Mr. A. Higgins, who has also joined this company, was formerly in the Public Works Department of Nigeria, and has been in the country for the past ten years. He will make his headquarters at Lokoja, in which place the company has contracted to acquire a site and buildings to be used for trading, with a steam launch and two barges on the river. In connection with this trading and transport work, the company have acquired properties in Nigeria belonging to the firm of Messrs. Siegler & Co., and their place in Lokoja occupies the best river site there.

This company promoted its first subsidiary company in May 1910, and was called the Jos Tin Area (Nigeria) Limited. The property was a producing one.

This company, in addition to having interests in various West African and South African concerns, is interested in the Nigerian Tin Fields, and in addition to holding share interest in various companies, they have a prospecting right over an area of 50 square miles in the Bauchi district to the west of the Naraguta area, and to the north and adjoining the area of the Northern Nigeria (Bauchi) Tin Mines, Limited.

The company acquired from the Tin Areas of Nigeria Limited, an area of 1,920 acres which were originally held by the Niger Company. Mr. Charles Scott has been engaged as mine manager, and is now on the property, from which about 20 tons of black tin were won during May, June, and July.

At the statutory meeting held on 22nd August, the chairman said:

“I may say that I have had the pleasure on two or three occasions of meeting Mr. H. W. Laws, who was the chief mining engineer of the Niger Company in Northern Nigeria, and is now their consulting engineer here. He had for some time the direction of the work on this particular mine. In the course of friendly conversations with him, he told me that he was of opinion that our company should get back its capital, together with interest commensurate with the risk run in all mining enterprises. He also told me that he considered the mine could go on producing indefinitely anything up to 200 tons of tin per annum, without any capital expenditure, but he added that he thought that would be a very wrong policy to pursue, and that the right thing to do was to have, as we intend having, a thorough survey made of the property, and then come to a conclusion as to the best method of working it. I think that it is very satisfactory to hear this from Mr. Laws, because it points to the fact that we have really got a sound property, and one which, if properly managed, will prove to be a sound speculative investment. It is a property which must be regarded as a low-grade proposition. Although, of course, it is more fascinating to have a property which may be called a very rich one, yet a large low-grade property is really far more satisfactory from the shareholders’ point of view than a property which is simply rich in patches, because with a large low-grade proposition it is a case of “cut and come again” and as often as you like. There is always something to go away with. Mr. Lush, in a report which he gave us at the time of the flotation of this mine, estimated that we could reckon upon having 500 acres containing 2 lbs. of tin per cubic yard, and if that estimate is realised—and I have no reason to anticipate that it will not be realised—and the profits are made that he foreshadowed might be made, you have a very handsome property, and one containing apparently something over half a million sterling worth of tin.”

This company was formed to acquire and work mining rights over a property known as the Bisichi Valley Tin Area, comprising an area of three square miles in extent, situated in the Bauchi Tin Fields. It is located about 12 miles south-east of Jos, at the head-waters of the river Gongola, on the main transport route from Keffi to Naraguta.

Mr. Laws, the general mining manager of the Niger Company, in his report, says:

“One of the most pleasing features of this property is its constant supply of water for sluicing and power purposes, and the ample head of water given by the three falls for hydraulicing.”

In the Bisichi Valley there is a large alluvial deposit of light sandy material which is quite free from clay, and is extremely friable, and consequently capable of cheap and rapid concentration.

Black oxide of tin occurs abundantly in the river beds and adjacent alluvial flats, and is of very good quality, there being practically no iron or other impurity associated with it. The tin-bearing alluvial is all on the surface, and varies in depth from a few inches to some 20 feet in the vicinity of the river.

Systematic tests of the alluvial by trial pits were commenced this year, and up to the present the great proportion of the alluvial of the river Bisichi has been tested.

The tested ground averages 4 yards in depth, and contains approximately 2,120,000 cubic yards of payable alluvial wash. The latter varies in value from traces to 129 lbs. of black tin per cubic yard, the average value being 7.27 lbs. of black tin per cubic yard. The total contents of the tested portion therefore amounts to 6,800 tons, exclusive of the river bed deposits, which the Niger Company’s engineers estimate to contain about 1,000 tons.

The nature of the river-bed wash does not lend itself to accurate sampling, but Mr. Laws, judging by actual returns from similar deposits on this field, considers this estimate of 1,000 tons a moderate one, and states that it may be taken that some 7,800 tons of black tin (containing over 70 per cent. of pure metal) have been developed to date. Taking the costs as estimated by Mr. Laws at £45 per ton, the above tonnage contained in the area already proved, shows an available profit of over £350,000.

Payable tin-bearing alluvial exists on other portions of the Bisichi Valley area, but as it has not yet been measured or tested, no exact estimate can be made of quantities and values. The ground already tested represents about one-tenth of the total area; but the very high values and quantities so far disclosed cannot be taken to apply to the whole area, as it is natural that the course of the main stream should carry better values and deeper ground than the remainder of the land where the alluvial would be more patchy and shallower. It will be seen, however, that the estimated working costs per ton have been placed by Mr. Laws at a figure which will permit of lower grade ground being worked than that already referred to.

Mr. Laws advises the immediate erection of an hydraulicing plant capable of dealing efficiently with wash dirt sufficient to produce 800 tons of black tin annually, an ample head of water being available for this purpose throughout the year.

He also states that it would be quite possible to commence work on the property immediately by ground sluicing; but he is strongly of opinion that this policy would be unwise, as the disturbance of the ground might tend to interfere with the economical working on a large scale such as is proposed.

Provided no unforeseen difficulties arise, Mr. Laws is of opinion that the whole of the plant would be in operation within nine months.

If Mr. Laws’ advice is taken, he estimates that working cost would amount to about £10 per ton on ore of the value already found, but, as stated above, to allow for working a larger quantity of lower grade ground, working costs should be placed at £15 per ton of ore. The price of the ore in the market at Liverpool may be taken at £90 per ton, which, after deducting £15 for working costs, and £30 per ton for transport and contingencies, would leave a margin of profit of £45 per ton of ore. Although it is proposed in the earlier stages of development to equip the mine with plant capable of producing 800 tons annually, any increase on this rate of working will depend on surveys determining the head of water available.

This company, which is managed by the Consolidated Goldfields of South Africa, Limited, has secured an interest in a tin business in Nigeria. The company have sent out Mr. Balfour, who has had experience in tin dredging in the Straits Settlements. The tin property which is here referred to was floated in conjunction with the Anglo-Continental Mines, Limited, and was called the Northern Nigerian (Bauchi) Tin Mines, Limited.

The company originally held a prospecting mining licence over an area of ten square miles, situated in the Benue River district, Northern Nigeria.

Mr. Harry Kemble, accompanied by an experienced engineer, left for Nigeria early this year. The following circular was issued to the shareholders on 29th August 1910:

“I beg to inform you that Mr. Kemble, writing from Naraguta, on 21st July, reports as follows:—

“‘Please inform my brother-directors I have acquired four square miles of very rich tin area, as stated in my cable of the 19th inst. It is mainly in the streams, and will be almost entirely recovered by calabash washing (i.e. natives washing the alluvial in calabashes).’”

In a cable from Mr. Kemble, dated 8th August, he states that he has acquired a further six square miles, also rich, and on 21st August he cabled that he has acquired “another square mile extremely rich.”

With regard to the exact locality of these areas, Mr. Kemble says: “Mr. Knight will have plans, report, &c., ready for sending home as soon as possible.”

The following was issued to shareholders on 15th September 1910:

“Referring to my circular of 29th August, in which I informed you that Mr. H. Kemble reported having secured in all eleven square miles of very rich tin area, in a letter just received from Mr. Kemble, dated 3rd August, he states that as a test they have washed 3,000 lbs. of tin in five days’ work. With reference to seven square miles which Mr. Kemble has secured for the company, he says:

“‘(1) Property on which camp is built lies nearly half-way between Bauchi Town and Naraguta. It is two miles long by half-mile wide, taking in the Ademi River in its length. There are other smaller streams on the property running into the Ademi, and also containing tin. One square mile. (2) Property on the river known locally as the Kogin Zungur, one day’s march due south of Bauchi Town, and commencing quarter-mile south-west of the town of Zungur, is six miles long and one wide. Mr. Knight reports it rich in tin. Six square miles. It is impossible for Mr. Knight to make detailed plans yet, as all his time must be devoted to getting hold of further concessions.’”

This company has secured an area of 5¼ miles next to Naraguta, the alluvial area comprising about 785 acres. Mr. H. W. Laws reporting on these 785 acres, says:

“The bed of the stream is extremely rich in tin, in fact it is one of the richest in the country.”

Mr. Laws also says that fifty natives with calabashes can earn 10 tons of tin per month at a cost of less than £10 per ton, and that the extra expense for transport, &c., to England, would not come to more than £30. This would mean that fifty tributers, with the most primitive methods, could earn 100 tons per annum, since it is stated that there is plenty of water for sluicing purposes during eight months of the year. During the remaining four dry months of the year there is ample water left in the pools. In addition to the alluvial properties, the Gel Company has a half share in a lode firm on a property covering 640 acres. Upon this lode the Niger Company have already spent £10,000 in prospecting shafts with satisfactory results. The lode formation is 20 feet wide on an average, and an analysis of prospects gave 20 per cent. of tin.

This company acquired their property through Mr. W. H. Champion, who has also reported on the property. Most of the other companies which have been formed up to this date, are working in the Bauchi Province, and as the Akerri Company is proposing to work in a new district near Zungeru, the present capital of the Colony, a copy of Mr. Champion’s report is given in full:

“Having been appointed by you to prospect and report on your tin properties in Northern Nigeria, to which place I proceeded in March, I have now much pleasure in submitting to you the following particulars:

“Situation.—Your property is situate one day’s journey in a south-westerly direction from Zungeru, the present capital of the Colony, and one and a half day’s journey north-east of Jebba, which is an important railway centre.

“There is one important point as regards its position, which places it far ahead of any property of any company at present working in this Colony. That is, you have as boundaries, on the north the Lagos Railway (Northern Extension), on the west the Kara River, and on the east the Kaduna River.

“It is a granite country, and although in the Naraguta district reefs have been proved to exist, large alluvial deposits, which yield cassiterite (tin oxide), are of chief importance.

“Mining.—For a couple of years the natives have been working in the rivers adjoining, and also on your property, treating the ore in their usual primitive way by means of ‘washing’ with wooden pans or calabashes.

“Under my supervision a large number of bore-holes were put down, varying in depth from 10 feet to 35 feet. I can form no idea as to the depths of the tin-bearing soil, as on the western boundary I have reached 35 feet in depth without getting to the end, on the eastern boundary about 30 feet in depth. You have over the whole of your area alluvial deposits existing on a very large scale. These deposits yield cassiterite (tin oxide) containing on an average 62 per cent. metallic tin, which proves the alluvial to be as rich or even richer than you find in any other part of the world.

“I estimate the yield at 7 lbs. per cubic yard—equal to, say, 5 s. per cubic yard, with tin oxide at £85 per ton. The cost of production would be approximately 6d. per cubic yard.

“The extent of the property is great, the natural facilities for mining are favourable, and the output of tin will be simply proportionate to the number of men employed. Assuming that a minimum of only 250 natives be employed, they should produce 500 tons of metallic tin per annum. Taking the price of tin oxide at £85 per ton, there would be a profit of some £36,000 per annum.

“The mining rights are over 3,200 acres, or five square miles, granted by the Northern Nigerian Government, and are subject to an annual rent of 5s. per acre.

“There is also a 10 per cent. royalty on the net profits derived from production, but I can assure you that there is every prospect of a reduction taking place in the near future.

“Labour.—This is undoubtedly one of the most important questions with which mining companies will have to deal at a very near date. This I foresaw, and am now pleased to say that arrangements have been made with the Zereki, or Chief of the Village, close by, to provide you with not less than 300 natives at any time or date, the same are required.

“Transport.—This is another important question.

“At the present moment the railway has not been completed, but I assure you that it will be before the end of the present year. They are now laying it at the rate of one mile per day, and are only some forty miles from your property when I left on 14th May.

“In this matter you have a very great advantage over those companies who are exploiting the Bauchi district, for, to quote the words of their expert, the cost of carriage from their tin fields to Liverpool is some £27 per ton. The cost to you will not exceed £12 per ton, so you will have on every ton arriving in Liverpool a clear profit of £15 more than they get. This is a large margin, and when worked out on the small production of 500 tons per annum (which I have previously mentioned), means a sum of £7,500 over and above what they can get on the same quantity.

“Water.—There is no need for me to dwell on this point, as the very large rivers you have as boundaries will be more than ample supply for all or any companies who will be operating here in the near future.

“Climate.—Northern Nigeria is far different to any part of West Africa. You are at an elevation of some 500 feet. The nights are quite cool, and any man who takes ordinary care of himself and lives well ought to have good health. It is, in my opinion, by far and away the healthiest part of West Africa, and I say this after sixteen years spent in different parts of it.

“In conclusion, the results obtained prove conclusively that there is immense alluvial wealth which can be cheaply won, and I believe in this property you have one which will prove an astonishing success.

“I should recommend you to at once commence operations on a large scale.

“A large working capital is unnecessary; and I consider that £25,000 will be more than ample for all requirements.”

This company, which has been dealing for some time in South African business, has recently acquired an interest in a Nigerian tin property comprising an area of 640 acres, containing a lode which is claimed to be the mother lode of the district. Arrangements are now being made to prove the lode at depth. In addition this company have also acquired an alluvial property adjoining, which runs along the bed of a stream for a distance of about 5¼ miles, and extends to a width of 200 yards on each bank. The property has as its northern neighbour the Naraguta Company, with the Jos Tin Company on the east, and the Bauchi Tin Syndicate on the west. This company appears to be working in conjunction with the Gel Tin Lode and Alluvial Company, which company is probably a subsidiary company issued by it.

This company has been formed to acquire the exclusive rights to prospect for minerals, mineral oils, and precious stones over an area of 3 square miles, situated about 4 miles south of Bukeru, in the well-known Bauchi Tin Fields of Northern Nigeria.

The property is situated on the top of the Bukeru Watershed, a basin heavily watered with small streams running through the whole area, which is stated to be alluvial, and all the ground is tin-bearing from the top to the bottom of the pits, which have been sunk to a depth of about 15 feet. Mr. Lush, the consulting engineer to the principal Nigerian tin mining companies, who thinks well of the property, has consented to act as consulting engineer for this company.

A party, consisting of four engineers with boring plant and stores, has already sailed for Nigeria to take possession of and work this property, as well as two other properties belonging to the Gongola Syndicate, Limited, and arrangements have been made for giving to this company the benefit of this organisation, on payment of a proportion of the charges incurred and to be incurred in connection therewith. There will be set aside £20,000 of the capital for working capital, of which 10,000 shares will be subscribed for immediately.

The purchase consideration is 30,000 fully-paid shares to be allotted to the Wadu Syndicate or its nominees, and the right to subscribe at par for the unissued capital of the company.

It may be mentioned that it is estimated that a profit of at least £45 per ton of ore will be obtained, taking the actual price at £90 per ton and deducting £15 for the cost of working and £30 for transport, &c., which latter item will shortly be considerably reduced.

This company has acquired a most extensive property—nine miles in extent—and holds it under an exclusive prospecting licence from the Northern Nigerian Government. So far the prospectus has only been privately issued. The licence carries with it the right to select areas for mining purposes for periods of twenty-one years, at an annual rental of 5s. per acre, and a royalty on the mineral output. The property is situated on the head-waters of the river Gongola, the river flowing through the area being locally known as the Ribon. It is about 20 miles south-east of Naraguta, and within easy reach of the main transport route. There is a constant and unlimited supply of water, and a large quantity of timber suitable for fuel. The labour is plentiful, cheap, and suitable for alluvial mining. The costs are put approximately at £20 per ton of black tin, of a minimum of 70 per cent. Mr. H. W. Laws, M.I.M.M., the chief mining engineer of the Niger Company, says: “I consider the area has excellent prospects of proving very large and profitable, and that in selecting land for mining purposes it will probably be necessary to acquire two, and perhaps three, separate leases, owing to its unusually large extent.” An engineer of wide experience and an assistant has left London for the property, and Mr. Walter Wethered, who is paying his third visit to the Nigerian tin field, is to attend to the Company’s interests on the spot. The intention is that the Ribon Company shall become one of the parent kind, because it is quite impossible that, unaided, it can develop so large a sett.

This company has acquired an exclusive prospecting licence over about 1,440 acres of alluvial tin-bearing ground, situated at Forum on the Rein River, in the Province of Bauchi, which is at present the richest known tin district in Northern Nigeria. From this district alone over one thousand tons of tin have already been won. The property extends for a distance of about three miles along the river. Hand-washing by calabashes and simple sluice-boxes, using a stream of water, have been employed, and this method will be adopted by this company for the present.

By comparison with the results obtained in the district it is estimated that, when the property is opened out, an output of 50 tons a month or 600 tons a year of “Black Tin” should be obtained, and the following results may be anticipated on the basis of the report:—

By about March the new freight conditions should be in force, which would increase the estimated nett profit to about £29,000 per annum.

Life and Tonnage.—Assuming Mr. Wethered’s figures that more than two-thirds of the area carries 3 to 5 lbs. per cubic yard for a depth of from 1 to 4 yards, the following is an estimate of the tonnage of tin and the life of the property:—

Management.—An arrangement has been made with the Lucky Chance Mines Limited, for the superintendence of the company’s interests, and for organising the work under a suitable manager.

The following report by Mr. Walter Wethered, one of the pioneers of the Northern Nigeria Tin Fields, was made on the original concession, which comprised an area of six miles along the river, of which this company have acquired one half.

“This property is situated on the south-eastern side of the Bauchi tin fields, between the pagan towns of Forum and Rein.

“The area encloses about six miles of a stream flowing in a northerly direction from Rein to Forum, where it junctions with the system of rivers on which the Ribon, Bisichi, Doss, and other properties are situated.

“The area is three-quarters of a mile wide by six miles long, an extent of four and a half square miles, practically the whole of which is tin-bearing alluvial. The alluvium is composed of a sandy material of an extremely free nature, and the bottom is the usual coarse grey granite. The latter outcrops in very few places, and carries from about a yard to four yards of alluvial ground. Although the bottom could be reached in only a few places in the stream bed, good prospects of black tin were obtained in nearly all samples panned, and from the alluvial flats, as exposed by the banks of the stream, the results ran from about 3 to 5 lbs. of tin per cubic yard. The panning concentrates contained 10 to 15 per cent. of titaniferous iron sand (which was allowed for), but this mineral presents no difficulty, and can be easily eliminated by the ordinary dressing operations.

“The width of the property (three-quarters of a mile) does not include the whole of the large alluvial flats that occur on either side of the river, but having secured the river and so much of the adjacent ground, these flats are protected, and, if necessary, may be taken up when the land for mining purposes is selected.

“Of the area staked, certainly more than two-thirds carries alluvial ground of the thickness given above. Except in the bed of the stream, I would not expect rich patches, but a fairly uniform value throughout.

Water.—There is a continuous flow of water for sluicing purposes all the year round.

Grades.—Cannot be determined without survey, but at the lower (Forum) end of the property there is sufficient fall to allow the tailings to be inexpensively dealt with.

Costs.—Will compare favourably with other mines in the district, i.e. with ground of moderate value the costs would amount to between £10 and £15 per ton of black tin, and present transport charges £27 10s. per ton inclusive.

“Final tests of the flats are capable of being cheaply and quickly carried out by means of trial pits; boring is unnecessary. The probability is that the workable ground will prove to be of too large an area to be included in one mining lease, and that it will be necessary to split the present area into two or more properties.”

New Mining Regulations for Northern Nigeria — THE MINERALS PROCLAMATION, 1910 — THE SCHEDULE — APPENDIX

[Note.—The Proclamation as enacted in the Protectorate differs from this copy in the addition of a clause suspending—as regards licences to mine issued under the previous Proclamation—the operation of Section 26 and Regulation 23 (relating to royalties) until 1st January 1911, to which date the provisions of the “Minerals Proclamation, 1902,” with regard to duty on profits, are kept in force.]

A Proclamation regulating the right to search for minerals and also to dig for, mine, and work minerals, and for other purposes relating thereto.

Be it enacted by the Governor of Northern Nigeria as follows:—

1. This Proclamation may be cited as “The Minerals Proclamation, 1910.”

2. In this Proclamation, unless the context otherwise requires:—

“Person” includes a corporation.

“Holder” of a prospecting right or exclusive licence to prospect means the person to whom such right or licence was granted in the first instance, but in the case of an exclusive licence to prospect includes a person in whom such licence or a part of the rights thereunder has become vested by transfer, assignment, or otherwise.

“Lessee” of a mining lease includes all persons having any right or interest in or under a mining lease, whether by transfer, assignment, or otherwise.

“Treasurer” includes any officer appointed by the Governor to perform any act or duty or to exercise any authority which by this Proclamation may be done by, or is imposed upon, the Treasurer.

“Government Inspector of Mines” includes any officer appointed by the Governor to perform any act or duty or to exercise any act or authority which by this Proclamation may be done by, or is imposed upon, or may be exercised by, the Government Inspector of Mines.

Court.

“Court” means the Supreme Court or any Provincial Court.

“Minerals” means and includes the following as classed hereunder (a), (b), (c), and (d):—

(a) Metalliferous minerals, including antimony, arsenic, bismuth, copper, cobalt, chromium, cadmium, gold, iron, iridium, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, platinum, silver, tin, tungsten, uranium, zinc, and all others of a similar nature to any of them, and all ores or combinations of any of them with each other or with any other substance, excepting only those that occur in the form of precious stones.

(b) Carbonaceous minerals, including anthracite, asphalt, brown coal, bitumen and its compounds, coal, graphite, lignite, and all substances of a like nature to any of them, or combinations of any of them with each other or with any other substance.

(c) Earthy minerals, including asbestos, barytes, clays, gypsum, infusorial earth, sandstone, marble, mica, phosphates, potash, rock salt, soda, sulphur, steatite, slate, talc, and all other substances of a like nature to any of them.

(d) Precious stones, including amber, amethyst, beryl, cat’s eye, chrysolite, diamond, emerald, garnet, opal, ruby, sapphire, turquoise, and all substances of a similar nature to any of them.

3. Nothing in this Proclamation shall prevent any person from quarrying stone for building purposes, or any native of the Protectorate from mining for iron, salt, soda, or potash, except in any area over which a mining lease has been granted.

4.—(1) It shall not be lawful for any person to prospect for minerals without having first obtained a prospecting right or an exclusive licence to prospect in the prescribed form.

(2) An exclusive licence to prospect shall not be granted to any applicant who has not, either by himself or his duly authorised agents, examined the area over which an exclusive licence to prospect is applied for.

(3) It shall be in the discretion of the Governor for good cause to refuse an application for a prospecting right or an exclusive licence to prospect.

5. A prospecting right shall entitle the holder to prospect for any minerals in those parts of the Protectorate which are not included in any exclusive licence to prospect, and which the Governor has not by Government Notice in the Gazette declared to be closed to prospectors.

In the case of a company or corporation employing prospecting engineers or prospectors, each prospecting engineer or prospector shall be required to take out an individual prospecting right.

6. An exclusive licence to prospect shall entitle the holder thereof, and his duly authorised agents, to the sole right of prospecting for minerals within an area not less than one square mile and not more than sixteen square miles in extent, and for a period of one year from the date thereof, subject to renewal in accordance with the prescribed regulations for further terms of one year each, but so as not to exceed a period of three years in the whole.

7. A prospecting right and an exclusive licence to prospect shall, subject to the terms thereof and to the prescribed regulations, entitle the holder thereof to enter upon any land and prospect for minerals, and any person interfering with or obstructing such holder in the exercise of any rights hereby conferred upon him shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding £25 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months.

8. All disputes between holders of exclusive licences to prospect in respect of the exercise of the rights granted by such licences shall be submitted through the Government Inspector of Mines to the Governor for his decision, which shall be final and conclusive between the parties: Provided always that the Governor may in his discretion refer any particular matter in dispute to a court for its decision.

9. Any person prospecting without a prospecting right or licence to prospect shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction before a court be liable to a penalty not exceeding £50 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.

10. A prospecting right shall not be transferable, but an exclusive licence to prospect or any portion of the rights granted under such licence may be transferred with the consent in writing of the Governor, signified by endorsement thereon.

11. In case of any breach by the holder of a prospecting right or exclusive licence to prospect or by any attorney, agent, or employee of such holder, of any of the provisions of this Proclamation or of any rule or regulation made thereunder, the Governor may summarily revoke the said right or licence and thereupon all privileges and rights conferred thereby or enjoyed thereunder shall as from the date of such revocation cease: Provided always that the fact of such revocation shall not in any way affect the liability of such holder, attorney, agent, or employee, in respect of the breach of any provision of this Proclamation or of any such rule or regulation committed by him before such revocation.

12. An exclusive licence to prospect or any portion of the rights granted under such licence may be surrendered at any time after three months’ notice in writing has been given of the intention to surrender: Provided that such surrender shall not affect any liability incurred by the holder before such surrender shall have taken effect.

13.—(1) It shall not be lawful for the Governor to grant a mining lease to any person other than the holder of a prospecting right or an exclusive licence to prospect, nor to any person who cannot show to his satisfaction that he has, either himself or by his duly authorised agent, carried out bonâ fide prospecting operations on the area applied for.

(2) The holder of an exclusive licence to prospect who has fulfilled all the conditions attached thereto shall be entitled to the grant of a mining lease in respect of any portion of the area covered by such licence subject to the conditions relating to the grant of such leases.

14. The Governor may require an applicant for a mining lease to show to his satisfaction that he possesses or commands sufficient working capital to ensure the proper development and working of the mine; and may require any reports on the matter made by competent engineers to be submitted for his information. In the event of such applicant failing to satisfy the Governor as aforesaid, the Governor may refuse the application, but the applicant may renew his application at any time.

15. Any applicant for a mining lease wilfully or recklessly giving false information as to any of the matters in respect of which information is or may be required to be given under this Proclamation shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £50 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.

16.—(1) A mining lease may be granted for any term not exceeding 21 years.

(2) If at the expiration of the term originally granted the lessee or his assigns shall be carrying on work in a normal and business-like manner under the lease, and the lease shall not at that time be liable to be declared void under any of the provisions of this Proclamation, and the lessee or his assigns shall have given to the Government six months’ notice in that behalf, then the lessee or his assigns shall be entitled to obtain a renewal of the lease for a further term not exceeding 21 years, upon the conditions which are then generally applicable to new mining leases.

17. Mining leases shall be of the following kinds, viz.:—

18. The Governor may in any case where he shall deem it necessary, before granting a mining lease, require that the boundaries of the land affected shall be surveyed by a surveyor approved by the Governor, and the cost of such survey shall be paid by the person applying for the lease.

19. In the event of any areas the subject of mining leases or exclusive licences to prospect being found to overlap, the ground in dispute shall be considered as within the area first granted, and no claim, whether for compensation or otherwise, shall be allowed in respect thereof to the lessee or licensee of the area subsequently granted.

20. Every mining lease and every instrument by or under which the rights or any portion thereof granted by such lease shall be transferred or assigned shall be registered as an instrument affecting land under the provisions of the law for the time being in force with regard to the registration of such instruments.

21. Any person digging for, mining, or working any mineral without a mining lease shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable upon conviction thereof to a penalty not exceeding £500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months.

22. The lessee of a mining lease shall be entitled to the use of all water within the area of his lease, but he shall not, without the consent in writing of the Government Inspector of Mines, treat any river or other flowing water or stream in such a manner as to prevent its return to its natural channel before it leaves the said area.

Provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed to affect or prejudice the existing rights of any person to the reasonable use of the water flowing in a natural bed or channel through, or along the margin of, land occupied by him, or naturally deposited within such land.

23. Any person diverting any river, flowing water, or stream without consent as aforesaid, or diverting water in such a manner as to render it unavailable for use by another person legally entitled to the use thereof, shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding £25, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months.

24.—(1) A mining lease shall not of itself confer any rights in or over the surface of the area included in the lease, but if the lessee shall apply to the Governor for a right of occupancy over the whole or any portion of the area included in his lease, and shall show to the satisfaction of the Governor that the exclusive use and enjoyment of the said area or portion thereof is necessary to the full and effective exercise of the rights conferred by the lease, the Governor shall grant a right of occupancy over such area or portion thereof, subject to the provisions of the law for the time being in force with regard to such rights, and to such reservations as he shall think fit to make in respect of any railway, tramway, public road, building, burial-ground, or land appropriated to any public purpose, or land in the legal occupation of any other person.

(2) A right of occupancy granted as aforesaid shall run concurrently with the mining lease, and shall be renewable on application with each renewal of the mining lease, and no rent shall be payable thereunder over and above the rent payable under the mining lease; but compensation shall be payable in respect of any disturbance of native rights.

(3) In the event of any application being received from a third party for any rights in or over the surface of an area included in a mining lease, the Governor shall give notice thereof to the lessee, and if the latter shall within six months of the date of such notice show to the satisfaction of the Governor that the application cannot be granted without loss or damage to him in respect of the rights conferred by the said mining lease, the Governor shall assess reasonable compensation to be paid by the applicant to the lessee as a condition precedent to the grant of the application. If, however, the lessee shall fail to satisfy the Governor as aforesaid, the Governor may thereupon grant the application and no action shall lie in respect of any loss or damage that may ensue in respect thereof.

25. Compensation shall be made to the legal occupier by the holder of a prospecting right or exclusive licence to prospect, and by the lessee of a mining lease other than the holder of a right of occupancy, for all damage done by himself, his agents, or employees, to the surface of any land upon, or under which prospecting or mining operations are being carried on, or to any house or building upon any such land, and the amount of such compensation shall be decided by the Resident of the province in which such land is situated: Provided that if either party is dissatisfied with the decision of such Resident he may within fourteen days appeal to the Governor, who may either decide the matter, in which case such decision shall be final, or refer it to a court for decision.

26. There shall be paid by all holders of mining leases a royalty to the Government on all ores, minerals, and metals won, which royalty shall be at such rate as may be laid down in the regulations made under section 34, and may be collected in the form of an export duty or in such manner and subject to such conditions as may be laid down in such regulations.

27. If the holder of any right acquired under this Proclamation shall consider himself injuriously affected by the mining or prospecting operations of another, he shall report the matter in writing to the Government Inspector of Mines. The Government Inspector of Mines shall forward a copy of the report to all persons concerned, and after due consideration shall give his decision thereon.

Any person may appeal from the decision of the Government Inspector of Mines to the Governor, after first notifying the Government Inspector of Mines of his intention to do so, and stating the grounds of his dissatisfaction. The Government Inspector of Mines shall at once report the matter to the Governor, who may either decide the matter himself, in which case his decision shall be final, or refer it to a court, which, upon such reference, shall decide the matter in dispute as though it came before it in the ordinary course of law.

28. No person entitled or claiming to be entitled to any rights under a prospecting right or an exclusive licence to prospect or under a mining lease shall, in the exercise of any such rights, without the consent in writing of the Governor, disturb or interfere with any railway, tramway, public road or building, burial ground or land appropriated by law to any public purpose, and any person guilty of any such disturbance or interference shall be liable on conviction before a court to a penalty not exceeding £100, and in addition may be ordered by the court to pay the costs of making good any damage caused by him.

29. If there shall be a breach on the part of the lessee of a mining lease of any condition or provision of this Proclamation or of any regulation made thereunder, or of any of the terms of his lease, and if the lessee shall not make good such breach within three months from receiving notice in writing from the Governor so to do, or if the lessee shall wholly discontinue operations under the lease during a continuous period of six months without the consent in writing of the Governor, then the lease may be determined by the Governor without prejudice to any claim against the lessee which shall already have accrued. The decision of the Governor determining the lease shall be sufficiently notified to the lessee by its publication in the Gazette, and shall operate to vest in the Government all the plant, buildings, and other property of the lessee in connection with the land leased without any payment or compensation to the lessee in respect thereof.

30. Any person who shall place or deposit, or be accessory to the placing or depositing of, any metal, ore, or mineral in any spot or place for the purpose of misleading any person as to the nature, quality, or quantity of the mineral naturally occurring at such spot or place, or who shall mingle or cause to be mingled with any sample of metal, mineral, or ore, any valuable metal or any substance whatsoever which will increase the value or in any way change the nature of the said metal, mineral, or ore, with intention to defraud any person, shall be guilty of felony, and shall be liable, on conviction, to a penalty not exceeding £500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.

31. There shall be kept at the principal office within the Protectorate of the lessee of a mining lease or his attorney (1) accurate and regular accounts containing full entries of all minerals raised or got under such lease, together with all such particulars as may be necessary to form an estimate of the quantity and value of such minerals; and (2) correct plans and sections of all mines worked under the rights conferred by his said lease, and of all the workings thereof, and of all veins or lodes which shall have been discovered therein, upon which the extent, position, and actual condition of the works shall at least once in every half year be accurately delineated. The scale of plans and sections shall be, for underground plans 1 in 500 and for surface plans 1 in 5000.

32. No officer, whether civil or military, shall, while in the service of the Government of the Protectorate, acquire or hold any right or interest under any prospecting right, licence to prospect, or mining lease, and any licence or lease purporting to confer any such right or interest on any such officer shall be null and void.

33. The Government Inspector of Mines may at any time enter and inspect any land over which an exclusive licence to prospect or a mining lease has been granted, for the purpose of ascertaining the condition thereof, and may inspect and take copies of or extracts from any books or papers, plans, &c., dealing with the operations of the licensee or lessee, and required by this Proclamation to be kept.

34. The Governor shall have power to make rules and regulations for carrying this proclamation into effect and in particular for all or any of the following matters:—

and may attach to the breach of any such rule or regulation a penalty not exceeding £50 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months for each such breach.

Until further or other provision be made under this section, the rules and regulations set forth in the schedule hereto shall be and remain in force.

35. Nothing in this Proclamation shall be construed to refer to or to sanction the prospecting or mining for mineral oil of any kind.

36. Nothing in this Proclamation shall be construed to affect any rights existing at the date of its commencement.

Rules and Regulations

1.—(1) Any person desiring to obtain a prospecting right shall apply in writing for the same to the Governor through the Secretary to the Administration, and in making such application shall give the following particulars:—

(2) The applicant shall show, if required by the Governor to do so, that he possesses sufficient money or credit to enable him to pay all reasonable travelling and prospecting expenses likely to be incurred in the exercise of the rights conferred by a prospecting right.

2. A prospecting right shall be in Form I. of the Appendix hereto.

3. The fee to be paid for a prospecting right shall be £5, and its duration shall be for one year from the granting of the right.

4. Any person desiring to obtain an exclusive licence to prospect may apply in writing to the Governor through the Secretary to the Administration, and in making such application shall give the following particulars:—

5. Applications under the preceding regulation shall be submitted in duplicate, and one copy shall be filed in the office of the Secretary to the Administration (or at such other place as the Governor may appoint); and the file shall be open to inspection at all reasonable times.

6. The shape of an area over which an exclusive licence to prospect may be granted shall be such that the average width, as determined by dividing the area by the greatest length, is not less than one-third of the greatest length.

7. An exclusive licence to prospect shall be in Form II. of the Appendix hereto.

8. The fee to be paid for an exclusive licence to prospect shall be £5 per square mile or part of a square mile per annum.

9.—(1) The holder of an exclusive licence to prospect shall, under penalty of revocation of such licence under the provisions of section 11 of the Proclamation, during the whole of the period for which such licence is granted, either by himself or his agents, carry on bonâ fide prospecting operations.

(2) The Governor may refuse to renew any exclusive licence if satisfied that bonâ fide prospecting operations have not been carried on.

10. The holder of a prospecting right or an exclusive licence to prospect may in respect of the land subject to his right or licence exercise the following rights for the purpose of prospecting:—

11. A prospecting right, an exclusive licence to prospect, and any licence granted under the provisions of the Proclamation or of these regulations, and a written authority given by the holder of an exclusive licence to any person to prospect upon his area, shall be produced to the Government Inspector of Mines demanding to inspect the same, and any person who shall fail to produce such licence, right, or authority when demanded as aforesaid shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a penalty not exceeding £25.

12. An application for a mining lease shall be made through the Secretary to the Administration and shall contain the following particulars and information:—

13. A mining lease shall be in the Form III., and an assignment thereof in the Form IV. set forth in the Appendix hereto, or as near thereto as circumstances admit.

14. All mining areas shall be bounded by straight lines and vertical planes from the surface boundary lines downwards to an unlimited depth from the surface.

13. Within a period not exceeding twelve months from the date of the commencement of a mining lease there shall be erected by the lessee beacons of a permanent character:—

16. A lessee of a mining lease shall keep his beacons and boundary marks in good condition and repair so that they shall be at all times a reasonable guide for persons desirous of marking out contiguous areas.

17. The lessee of a mining lease shall within twelve months of date of granting of such lease, or within such further time as the Governor by writing under his hand may grant, commence mining operations upon the lands subject to his said lease.

18. The lessee of a mining lease will at all times during the continuance thereof, except during the first twelve months, and unless prevented by any disturbances, or by unavoidable accident, effectually and vigorously work and develop and carry on mining operations on the land subject to the said lease.

19. No mine shall be considered to be effectually or properly worked within the meaning of the preceding regulation unless it can be shown that an expenditure per annum has been incurred in respect of working on the ground of at least £2 per acre in the case of an alluvial, and £100 per claim in the case of a lode mining, lease.

Provided that in the case of contiguous leases held by the same person or corporation, the Governor may, on cause being shown, allow any two or more of the said leases to be regarded as one for the purpose of calculating the expenditure required by this regulation.

20. In any case where tailings or any other products whatever from the operations of mining or metallurgy are being discharged, or about to be discharged, in such a manner as to hinder or injuriously affect any other person in the execution of his legal mining rights, or the future development of mining, it shall be lawful for the Government Inspector of Mines to order the disposal of such products or tailings in some other manner not detrimental to present or future mining.

21. It shall not be lawful for any person to construct underground any magazine for the storage of explosives, or to erect a magazine for such purpose upon the surface of the ground without previously having obtained permission in writing from the Government Inspector of Mines. Any such magazine shall be erected subject to the following conditions:—

22. On or before the 8th of each month, or as soon after as circumstances will permit, every manager or person in charge of mining operations shall lodge with the Government Inspector of Mines a written statement setting forth:—

23.—(1) There shall be payable to the Government by all lessees of mining leases a royalty of £5 per centum upon the value of all metal won.

(2) If such metal or any ore containing metal be exported from the Protectorate, such royalty shall be collected in the form of an export duty payable upon exportation at any customs station in the Protectorate.

(3) The value of such metal shall be deemed to be the actual market price of the metal in the London market on the 1st day of January, April, July, or October next preceding the exportation.

(4) The value of tin ore shall be deemed to be at the rate of 70 per centum of the value of metallic tin computed as aforesaid.

24. Any person wilfully committing a breach of these regulations or refusing to obey an order lawfully given under any of the provisions thereof shall in addition to any liability to forfeiture provided by the Proclamation be liable to a penalty not exceeding £50, or in default to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.

FORM I.

The Minerals Proclamation, 1910 (Northern Nigeria).

Prospecting Right ____, No. ____.

Licence, subject to the provisions of the said Proclamation and of the rules and regulations made thereunder, is hereby granted for twelve months from the date hereof to E. F. [here insert name, address, and description of licensee] to prospect for minerals [or as the case may be] in such parts of the Protectorate as may not from time to time be closed to prospectors by Government Notice in the Gazette.

This ____ day of ____ 19____

(Signed) Governor.

FORM II.

The Minerals Proclamation, 1910 (Northern Nigeria), Exclusive Licence to Prospect. No. ____.

The exclusive right, subject to the provisions of the said Proclamation, and of the rules and regulations made thereunder, for one year from the ____ day of ____ is hereby granted to A. B. [here insert name, address, and description of licensee] to prospect for minerals [or as the case may be] within the following limits [here insert boundaries of area] as the same are delineated on the map attached hereto and coloured.

This ____ day of ____ 19____

(Signed) Governor.

FORM III.

The Minerals Proclamation, 1910 (Northern Nigeria), Mining Lease.

[Insert nature of lease. See s. 17.]

This lease is granted to ____ of ____ for mining purposes upon or under [here describe area with boundaries] as the same is delineated on the map attached hereto for the period of ____ years from the date hereof according to the true intent and meaning of the said Proclamation and subject to the provisions of the said Proclamation or of any Proclamation amending, altering, or repealing the same, and to all such rules and regulations as may from time to time be made under such Proclamation or Proclamations.

Dated this ____ day of ____ 19 ____

(Signed) Governor.

FORM IV.

The Minerals Proclamation, 1910 (Northern Nigeria), Assignment of Mining Lease.

Whereas under the provisions of the above-mentioned Proclamation a lease for mining purposes upon or under [here describe area with boundaries, &c., as in original lease] was on the ____day of ____ 19____, granted to ____ of ____ for a term of ____ years from the date thereof, and duly registered in Vol. ____ page ____ of the register of instruments affecting land. Now these presents witness that in consideration of the sum of ____ the said ____ [lessee] doth hereby assign to ____of ____ all his right title and interest in and under the said lease as from the ____ day of ____ for the remainder of the term thereof.

In witness, &c.

ADVERTISEMENTS

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Gold and Tin Centrifugal Pump Sluicing Plants.

TIN DRESSERS.

Complete Equipments supplied by the
ALLUVIALS MINING MACHINERY CO.,
Ormond House,
63 Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.

Telephone—2020 City.

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Cable Address—“Pass Bristol.” Codes—Lieber’s & A.B.C.

C. PASS & SON, LTD.

BRISTOL, ENGLAND,
ARE
Buyers of Tin Ores and Residues.

Please send Samples or Analyses.

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JOHN HOLT & COMPANY
(LIVERPOOL), LIMITED,
West African Merchants,
COLONIAL HOUSE, WATER STREET,
LIVERPOOL.

Chief Branches in Southern and Northern Nigeria at
Lagos, Warri, Onitsha, Lokoja, Baro, Ibi,
&c. &c.

EUROPEAN PROVISIONS, BEERS, WINES, SPIRITS, TOBACCOS, &c., always in Stock.

Canteen Lists supplied upon application.

Large Assortment of Goods of all kinds suitable for European as well as Native Trade kept in Stock.

RIVER TRANSPORT.

By our River Steamers we undertake the carrying up and down River of goods of every description as well as Tin Ore, and all kinds of Produce, attending to the necessary receiving, storing, and transhipping work connected therewith at reasonable rates of freight and charges. Passengers also carried.

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ROBERTSON & BENSE,
HAMBURG, FERDINANDSTRASSE 25-27,
are Buyers of
TIN ORES
for their own Smelting Works at
TOSTEDT.

SILVER, GOLD, COPPER, ARGENTIF, LEAD ORE,
COPPER MATTE, SILVER SULPHIDES, &c.,
for the
ROYAL PRUSSIAN SMELTING WORKS,
ROYAL SAXON SMELTING WORKS,
at Freiberg, &c.

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SIEGFRIED PELS,
HAMBURG,
26/28, Neuerwall.

SELLING BROKER FOR SEVERAL IMPORTANT COMPANIES AND BANKS

is open to buy

TIN ORE,
WOLFRAM ORE & SCHEELITE.

Correspondence and Consignments Solicited.

Telegraphic Address:—“SIEGPELS, HAMBURG.”

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Marshall, Sons & Co., Ltd.,
GAINSBOROUGH, ENGLAND.
MANUFACTURERS OF

• Portable Engines for all kinds of Fuel.
• Long Stroke Engines (Condensing and Non-condensing).
• Quick Speed Horizontal Engines.
• Vertical Engines.
• Special Engines and Boilers for Oil Well Drilling.
• Britannia Boilers for Colonial use.

Works cover 33 acres, employing over 4800 men.

Over 140,000 Engines, Boilers, &c., made and supplied.

Catalogues free on application.

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Juga (Nigeria)
Tin and Power Company, Ltd.

CAPITAL £275,000.

Divided into 275,000 Shares of £1 each.

Directors.

• Rt. Hon. Sir J. WEST RIDGEWAY (Chairman).
• SEGAR RICHARD BASTARD.
• FRANK NORMAN BEST.
• Sir HORACE C. REGNART, J.P.
• HENRY S. REITLINGER.

Secretary

• NEWMAN OGLE.

OFFICES.

Friars House, New Broad Street, E.C.

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LUCKY CHANCE MINES, LTD.

CAPITAL £75,000.

Divided into 300,000 Shares of 5s. each.

Directors.

• S. R. BASTARD (Chairman).
• F. N. BEST.
• OLIVER WETHERED.

Secretary.

• NEWMAN OGLE.

OFFICES.

Friars House, New Broad Street, E.C.

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The Rein River (Nigeria) Tin
Mining Company, Limited.

CAPITAL £76,000.

Divided into 270,000 Ordinary Shares of 5s. each, and 170,000 Deferred Shares of 1s. each.

Directors.

• S. R. BASTARD (Chairman).
• C. G. LUSH, M.E.
• JULIUS L. F. VOGEL, M.I.E.E., M.I.M.M.
• JOHN WADDINGTON, J.P.

Consulting Engineer.

• C. G. LUSH, M.E.

OFFICES.

Friars House, New Broad Street, E.C.

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Champion Gold Reefs of West Africa, Limited.

CAPITAL £50,000.

Divided into 200,000 Shares of 5s. each.

Directors.

• S. R. BASTARD (Chairman).
• F. N. BEST.
• Sir HORACE C. REGNART.
• JOHN WADDINGTON.

Secretary.

• NEWMAN OGLE.

OFFICES.

Friars House, New Broad Street, E.C.

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NARAGUTA (NIGERIA) TIN MINES,
Limited.

CAPITAL £175,000.

Divided into 175,000 Shares of £1 each.

Directors.

• F. A. BEST.
• H. C. GODFRAY.
• HERBERT MOIR.
• JOHN WADDINGTON.
• H. BOUSQUET.
• H. S. REITLINGER.

Consulting Engineer.

• C. G. LUSH.

Secretary.

• NEWMAN OGLE.

OFFICES.

Friars House, New Broad Street, E.C.

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TIN FIELDS OF NORTHERN
NIGERIA, Limited.

CAPITAL £100,000.

Divided into 100,000 Shares of £1 each.

Directors.

• S. R. BASTARD.
• F. N. BEST.
• C. H. DUDLEY WARD.

Consulting Engineer.

• C. G. LUSH.

Secretary.

• NEWMAN OGLE.

OFFICES.

Friars House, New Broad Street, E.C.

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Cable Addresses: “Ivory,” Liverpool; “Christian,” Onitsha; “Christian,” Forcados; “Christian,” Lokoja.

G. W. CHRISTIAN & CO.

African Merchants,
REVENUE CHAMBERS,
12 Canning Place, LIVERPOOL.

Shippers of High-class Provisions, Cottons, Clothing, Silks, Hardware, Spirits, Salt, and all kinds of Goods suitable for the West African Markets.

Our Principal having had Twenty-four Years’ personal experience in various parts of West Africa, we have the knowledge of the Special Goods required for the various ports. We are prepared to Execute Indents by return for all classes of goods when accompanied by remittances either in Produce, Cash, or approved Bills of Exchange.

Produce Sold on Commission. Absolute satisfaction assured. All Produce held covered under our Marine Policies. Proceeds of Sale dealt with according to instructions.

Travellers to the Tin Mines desiring Provisions or Kit, should call at our Forcados, Onitsha, Idah, and Lokoja Depots.

Camp Equipments, Chop Boxes, &c., may also be obtained from our Liverpool Headquarters.

Agents at
MANCHESTER, HAMBURG, ROTTERDAM, ANTWERP.

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THE
NIGERIAN AGENCY

has been established for the purpose of dealing in Alluvial Tin Properties in Northern Nigeria.

THE
NIGERIAN AGENCY

in addition to being in a position to acquire and work properties itself has been requested by several prominent financiers and Companies to acquire properties on their behalf. Owners and Concessionaires are invited to communicate with

THE
NIGERIAN AGENCY

4 UNION COURT,
OLD BROAD STREET,
LONDON, E.C.

Telegraphic Address—“SPINIFEX, LONDON.”

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A SELECTION OF THE MOST RECENT
MAPS OF WEST AFRICA
Published and Sold by EDWARD STANFORD

WEST AFRICA.

London Atlas Map of West Africa, showing the British Possessions. Scale 94 miles to an inch. In sheet, 3s.; mounted to fold in case, 5s.

SOUTHERN NIGERIA—Central and Eastern Provinces.

Compiled under the authority of H. E. Sir Walter Egerton, K.C.M.G., by Captain W. H. Beverley, Intelligence Officer, Southern Nigeria. Showing roads, native paths, provincial and district headquarters, courts and rest-houses, customs, factories, postal and telegraph offices, mission stations, &c. Scale, 1:500,000 (8 miles to an inch). Two sheets, size 56 by 34 inches. Prices: Coloured sheets, 20s.; mounted to fold in case, 30s.

Enlarged edition of the above map, in black only. Scale, 1:253,440 (4 miles to an inch). Ten sheets, each 30 by 22 inches, 2s. each.

SOUTHERN NIGERIA.

Compiled in the Geographical Section, General Staff. Scale, 1:1,000,000 (16 miles to an inch). In one sheet, 3s.; or mounted to fold in case, 6s. 6d.

An edition of this map can also be supplied with Districts and District headquarters clearly indicated in red.

SKETCH MAP OF NIGERIA, N. & S.

Compiled by the Geographical Section, General Staff. Scale, 1:2,000,000 (32 miles to an inch). In one sheet, 2s.; mounted to fold in case, 4s. 6d.

NORTHERN NIGERIA.

Compiled in the Geographical Section, General Staff. Provincial, district, and tribal names in colour. Scale, 1:2,000,000 (32 miles to an inch). In one sheet, 3s.; mounted to fold in case, 5s. 6d.

An edition of this map orographically coloured can also be supplied at the same prices.

NORTHERN NIGERIA, Political Map of.

Compiled at Intelligence Office, Zungeru. Scale, 1:2,000,000 (about 32 miles to an inch). In one sheet, 2s. 6d.; mounted to fold in case, 4s. 6d.

GOLD COAST, ASHANTI, AND NORTHERN TERRITORIES.

Compiled in the Geographical Section, General Staff. Scale 1:1,000,000 (16 miles to an inch). In 2 sheets, mounted to fold in cloth case, 8s. 6d.

GOLD COAST.

1:125,000 (2 miles to 1 inch). Published under the direction of Major F. G. Guggisberg, R.E., F.R.G.S., Director of Surveys, Gold Coast. Complete in 34 sheets, each 22 by 30 inches, 2s. each; complete set, mounted in cases, 130s. The particular district required should be specified. Index on application.

Stanford’s Catalogue of Maps, Atlases, and Books, New Edition (1910), gratis on application

LONDON: EDWARD STANFORD
12, 13, & 14, LONG ACRE, W.C.
Cartographer to His Majesty the King