Report by J. Conacher upon the Distribution of Oversea Traffic Between the South African Railways and Upon Certain Other Matters Relating Thereto.

[SOUTH AFRICA. Conacher, J(ohn?)].

Published by Pretoria, Government Printing and Stationery Office, 1908.

About this Item

Folio (33.3 x 21 cm.), original blue printed wrappers (faded, chipping). Scattered light spotting. In good to very good condition. 36, 138 pp., with numerous tables, including 5 folding tables paginated with the text. *** FIRST and ONLY EDITION. On his visit to South Africa in February and March, 1908, Conacher was charged by the Cape Government, the Natal Government, and the Railway Committee of the C.S.A.R. to gather and analyze information on railway traffic to the interior from ports in Cape Colony, Natal and Lourenço Marques to the Transvaal and the Orange River Colony. He was to study how it was affected by port and harbor facilities, whether the railways would function more efficiently under a single administration, whether rates were in line with expenses, and how statistics on the railways could most efficiently be compiled. For that purpose, he was given full access to all railway records and officials, and he traveled on nearly all the lines as well as meeting many of those in charge of shipping goods. The numerous tables contain statistics on goods shipped, costs, income and expenses.This work was printed the year before an important convention was signed between Mozambique and the Transvaal. It was presumably intended to assist the British in their negotiations. Conacher was told not to concern himself with political affairs. The author is probably the same John Conacher who figured prominently among British railway men. In 1891 he was appointed General Manager on the National British Railway, but was eventually forced to resign due to the Machiavellian manoeuvres of the N.B.R. Board.*** NUC: DLC, NN, ICJ. Seller Inventory # 36848

Bibliographic Details

Title: Report by J. Conacher upon the Distribution ...

Publisher: Pretoria, Government Printing and Stationery Office, 1908.

Binding: Soft cover

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

Edition: 1st Edition