A Country Of Surprises

While there is little doubt that with proper development of its agricultural and pastoral resources South África eould be made practically self-supporting, the successf ui development of these industries depends nevertheless upon the creation of local markets through the stimulus given by minLng operataoDs, saya the North American. Keview. With the exception of mininy of gold, diamonds and coal there have been no considerable exploitations of its mineral resources. Coal fortunately exists in many parts of the country, and it has been estimated that the knowncoal iields represent an area of 56,000 square miles, which is equal in extent to the state of Iowa. There exist in some parts of the country large deposits of iron contiguous to the coal fields. But as yet the economie conditions have not favored the developmentof that industry. Lead, silver, cinnabar, tin and other metáis are also found in many Xarts of the country, but have not been remuneratively worked. Among the Jüining countries of Soutii África the Transvaal is faeile princeps, and is in all probability destined to maintain its paramount positioni, though, as is well küown, South África is "a countrj' of surprises," a,nd it is possible, of course, though not probable, that within its great extent other equally important districts may be discovered.