ABSTRACT
On the 9th May, 1891, the High Commissioner for South Africa was empowered by Order in Council to provide for the administration of justice, the raising of revenue, and generally for the peace, order and good government of the new settlement. In pursuance of these powers he shortly afterwards issued a proclamation applying the existing body of Cape Colony laws to Mashonaland, and, on the nomination of the Company, appointed a Resident Commissioner for the territory with subordinate magistrates for Tuli, Victoria, Hartley, Salisbury and Umtali. Among the various expeditions which penetrated to Mashonaland in this year were two which are worthy of passing reference because, although vastly dissimilar in purpose, both contributed in some measure to the history of the country. The expedition undertaken by Mr. Bent, who was accompanied by his wife, was supported by liberal subscriptions from the British South Africa Company, the Royal Geographical Society and the British Association for the Advancement of Science.
