ABSTRACT
Sierra Leone, which, together with the much larger Protectorate in the hinterland, extends over an area of 34,000 square miles, was the first to initiate railway construction in British West Africa. In 1893 the late Mr. Williams Shelford, M. Inst. C.E., dispatched a survey party to examine the country, in order to report to the Crown Agents for the colonies upon the best route for the construction of a railway. It is worked adhesively, and used mostly for passenger-traffic. Southern Nigeria, which has a large and industrious population and great wealth of natural products, has proved to be one of the / most important of the Crown Colonies. Extensive reconnaissance surveys for railways to develop the country were made in 1894–5, and comparative estimates of cost and of probable traffic were made for various alternative schemes, upon which a report was made by Mr. William Shelford.
