THE CURSE OF BIG GAME.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR:1 SIR,—It would be very interesting to have the opinion of the authorities upon the connection between tsetse and the buffalo, and also the larger antelopes. The opinion most generally held by those who have handled cattle in fly countries is, I think, that cattle only do well when the game is gone. As to the Elephant Marsh in particular, it is a ques- tion which can only be decided by those having local know- ledge. At present, owing to the sanctuary, waggons cannot be taken through it, with the result that crops take a year to get home owing to transport difficulties,—a serious matter for planters, who pay 12 per cent. on their overdrafts. It is also strange, but true, that rice is brought from Rangoon to the Zambesi, though only want of population prevents it from being extensively cultivated in the marsh. Such a reserve is nothing if not perpetual, but to perpetuate it is to confess that the Government do not expect the country ever to become even partially civilised, and that, what is more, they do not care. As to the vigorous young Englishman—I felt sure he would appear in the discussion—for whose pleasure, supported presumably by a Government salary, the game is to be preserved, it must be remembered that there are many Englishmen and Scotsmen in the country who are neither so vigorous nor so young as they were when they came into it, and who are very anxious to make that modest competence which may enable them to retire to a less trying climate ; and they, with a full knowledge of the conditions, are unanimous in their opinion that the Elephant Marsh Sanctuary is mis- placed. If I might venture a suggestion to the globe- trotting game-shooter, it would be that he, being opulent, should start a fund for the compensation of the suffering agriculturist in the countries he shoots over, just as fox-
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