1899.] Africa. — Natal. — Finances. [371
began on November 7, and was continued for many weeks, while skirmishes and sorties were frequent. On Novembei 23 the Boers made an attack on Otto's Kopje Mine, but were repulsed with considerable loss. Mr. Cecil Rhodes was among the people shut up in Kimberley, and did much in aid of the besieged by his resourceful efforts. Colonel Kekewich, in command, reported the capture of a laager to the west of Kimberley on November 28, and searchlight communication was kept up with the troops at Modder River. Not less than 1,000 shells had been fired by the Boers before December 1, and the garrison had fired 400 in return.
Field-Marshal Lord Roberts was appointed to be com- mander-in-chief of the British forces, and left London for South Africa on December 23. Lord Kitchener joined him, as his chief-of-staff, at Gibraltar— coming in all haste from Khartoum. Sir Redvers Buller remained in command of the Natal army, and Sir Charles Warren led the Fifth Division under him. A sixth division was to be commanded by Major- General Kelly-Kenny. A seventh and an eighth division were mobilised, and before the New Year Imperial Yeomanry Volunteers and Militia were all joining for the defence of British rights in South Africa.
The imports into Cape Colony in 1899 amounted to 19,207,5492., against 16,682,438*. in the year before. Exports for the year were 23,333,6002., compared with 25,318,701/. in the previous year. The rebate trade ended at the beginning of the war.
III. NATAL.
Natal. — A magnificent statue of Queen Victoria, by W. Thornycroft, B.A., erected by the Corporation of Durban, was unveiled on April 19 by the Governor, Sir W. Hely-Hutchinson.
The Natal Parliament opened on May 11. The Governor spoke of the very satisfactory state of affairs in the colony, and said that the revenue for the current year would considerably exceed the estimates.
The figures of the Natal Budget showed that the imports into the colony during 1898 decreased in value to 5,323,2162. and that the exports increased to 2,184,6672. The exports of Natal produce to Cape Colony during the first quarter of 1899 amounted in value to 54,7202. against 1,4812. in the correspond- ing quarter of 1898. It was estimated that the balance of revenue over expenditure in the current financial year would amount to 150,0002. and the cash balance to 730,0002. The railway receipts during the past year were 1,070,0002., being 70,0002. in excess of the estimate. The Customs revenue amounted to 440,0002., being about 80,0002. over the estimate. The ordinary revenue during the next financial year was esti- mated at 2,099,8552. and the expenditure at 2,073,3322. The expenditure from the Loan Fund was set down at 1,011,2252.
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