One of the first concessions granted by the Boer Government after the restoration of the country to them was the liquor monopoly.  Under this grant a factory established within a few miles of Pretoria has the sole right to distil spirits.  Time and very considerable experience are in all countries necessary for the manufacture of good liquor, and the natural conditions are not more favourable to the industry in the Transvaal than elsewhere, consequently the product is not regarded with great favour.  The enterprise, however, is a very prosperous one, being dependent almost entirely upon the sale of liquor to natives.  For a number of years representations were made by the Chamber of Mines on behalf of the industry, by individuals and by public petitions, with the object of controlling the liquor trade and properly enforcing the laws which already existed.  The following terse summary of the evils resulting from this sale of liquor is taken from the report of the Chamber of Mines for 1895.  Unfortunately the remarks apply equally well to-day: 

There is, indeed, no doubt that one of the greatest difficulties with which local employers have to deal is the question of the liquor trade.  In very many cases the liquor supplied to the natives is of the vilest quality, quickly inflaming those who take it to madness, and causing the faction fights which sometimes have fatal results, and always lead to the, at any rate, temporary disablement of some of the combatants, and the damaging of property.  Accidents, too, are often attributable to the effects of drink, and altogether, as stated in the resolutions, a large percentage of the deaths among the natives here is directly due to drink.  In its bearing on the labour question, drink also plays an important part.  The shortness in the supply, as compared with the demand for labour, has been accentuated by it.  Where possible more natives are kept in the compounds than are actually required for the work to be done, to make allowance for those who are disabled by drink.

The granting of licenses to liquor houses was carried to such an extreme that at last the entire community rose against it, and the expression of opinion was so strong that the Government was compelled to make a show of deferring to it.  Involved in the liquor question was the matter of police, and arising out of this, again, was the question of dealing with crime in general, including the gold and amalgam stealing that was known to be carried on on a considerable scale at the expense of the companies.

The Attorney-General, or State Attorney, as he is called in the Transvaal, is the responsible head of the Law Department, and until lately was the departmental head of the police.  The gentleman then occupying the position of State Attorney was peculiarly unfit—­in the midst of that world of unfitness—­for the duties which he was supposed to perform.  He was removed from office, and after considerable negotiation Mr. Esselen was prevailed upon at a great