208 THE BRITISH EMPIHE :— NIGER PROTECTORATE
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NIGER COAST PROTECTORATE.
This important region, which by treaties was placed under British pro- tectorate in 1884, occupies the whole of the coast line between Lagos and Kamerun, excepting that between the Forcados and Brass Rivers, which falls within the Niger Territories. On the N.W. the boundary between the Protectorate and Lagos Colony follows a line commencing on the sea-shore ten miles to the N. W. of the Benin River, and runs parallel to that river until it reaches the Lagos Creek, Thence it follows the boundary of the Benin country, which is included within the Protectorate. The boundary on the west between the Protectorate and that part of the Niger Territories admin- istered by the Royal Niger Company follows the Forcados River up to Gana- gana, then proceeds N.E. for 10 miles and N. for 50 miles. On the east the boundary starts midway between the Nun and Brass mouths of the Niger, and proceeds to Idu on the Oratshi or Engenni River. These boundaries are subject to modification according to local requirements. The boundary between the German Kamerun and the Niger Coast Protectorate proceetls from the head of the Rio del Rey Estuary to the rapids of the Cross River in 9° 8', and thence to a point to the east of Yola on the Benue River. In February, 1897, the Benin country, formerly governed by the Kings of Benin or Addo, was included within the Protectorate, and at the town of Benin there is a British Resident. The whole territory is now between 3,000 and 4,000 square miles in extent, and contains about 400 towns and villages ; but no trustworthy estimate of the population can be formed. In 189 8 the European inhabitants num])ered 206. In 1891 the government was intrusted to an Imperial Commissioner and Consul-General, with ad- ministrative and judicial powers, and the power of imposing taxation. Since then consular administration has been established and consular courts constituted. There arc two military posts, and another two are about to be established in the interior. In each of the 11 districts there is a Native Council consisting of the leading chiefs who .sit at regular intervals and try cases brought before them according to the custom of the country ; there are also about 15 nunor native courts. By this system the authority of the chiefs is recognised and upheld with excellent results. Three missionary societies are at work within the Protectorate, and have established training, industrial, and other schools which, in 1897, received Government grants-
