The Rexer guns.—"This arm," says McKenzie, "gave most satisfactory results. Handiness and portability in rough country are its chief advantages. It does not afford a large target for the enemy, as is the case with the Maxim. No cases of jamming occurred. The number of spare parts to be carried is few. On more than one occasion, the gun was caught up by the gunner and used from the shoulder when, owing to scrub and long grass, the tripod could not be used. The present equipment for carrying the gun is not satisfactory.... Every squadron of mounted men and company of infantry should have three of these guns."
Branding of loot stock.—"It is imperative that all captured stock should be at once branded with a distinctive mark. A responsible officer with each column should be detailed for this purpose."
Miscellaneous.—No epidemic or cases of serious illness occurred. The organization of the medical department was so carefully planned and carried out that only four died from disease out of over 9,000 men in the field.
"Generally speaking, veterinary surgeons had more animals to look after per man than it was possible to deal with."
"The establishment of a field bakery and consequent supply of fresh bread was an excellent innovation."
Sufficient transport was always available, although at times the demands were very heavy.
The making of roads through all inaccessible parts of the Colony would appear to be necessary. The want of these was felt along both sides of the Tugela. A belt of country, some five miles wide on either side, needs attention, though that is by no means the only region in Natal that is difficult of access. Only narrow and inexpensive roads are required. These, in time of peace, would be of assistance to the inhabitants in facilitating conveyance of produce to available markets, and generally developing the locations.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The lesson to be learned from the poll tax is, of course, that no taxation should be imposed on Natives without previously consulting them in some way or another. It is, however, unnecessary to obtain the views of more than a few of the leading and most influential advisers. These would speedily reveal the attitude likely to be taken up by the majority towards any such proposal.
The advisability of securing uniformity when promulgating measures closely affecting the Natives is so obvious as to call for no special comment.