Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1897-12-31 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

NEWS FROM WEST AFRICA. THE DEATH OF SE. MAXWELL.  _ LIVERPOOL, December 23.—Messrs. Elder, Dempeter, and Co.'s steamer, Bakens, arrived to-day from . the West Coast of Africa with mails and passengers. It was on board tha Bakens that Sir W. Maxwell, Governor of the Gold Coast, died. Sir William was in a very serious condition when he was received on the steamer, and, despite every medical attention, he succumbed on the 14th inst. from bilious remittent fever, followed by extreme exhaustion. During the five months his Excellency was on his mission to the Gold Coast Hinterland he was ill most of the time, but being anxious to finish the work of the mission he would not return to the soast, and this devotion to duty lost hint his life. From information received at Accra it appears Sir William's object was to visit that part of the Gold Coast known as the North-West Territory, and was understood to be in connection with the French movements in that quarter, and also with those of Satuory. The various parts of the North-West Territory were traversed, and during the whole time the mission did not inset with the slightest opposition. The party twice visited Bontuku, chiefly to see if Samory or his followers were there. Bontuku was then occupied by a British force of about 400 men. The mission did not come across any of the French, but heard of them having been seen in several places near, and an intimation had been received from them objecting to the occupation of Bontuku, as the country was claimed as French territory. A reply was sent that the British were merely occupying Bontuku as a cheek to any advance of Samory, but during the whole of the tour none of Satuory's followers were encountered. At Boutuku a number of the Sofa refugees had corns in to escape being sold into slavery by Samory. They reported Satuory was in the Kong country, that is the hinterland of the French ivory coast. The English force was left in Bontuku, but it was thought they would not long remain after Sir William left. It is understood His Excellency had no communication whatever with Sainory either by messenger or letter. The mission twice went through Coomassie, and found the fort there almost completed. Various British military posts had been established iu the Gold Coast Hinterland. All the special service ofti3ers sent out nearly a year ago were reported to be well. About five months ago Sir William sent sixteen Chinese miners to the Gold Coast to test the climate for Chinese labour, and ascertain the prospects of gold miningin the colony. Fourteen of these returned by the 'Bakens. They spoke exceedingly well of gold. mining prospects in the Akira and 'Park wit districts, where they considered the alluvial gold was very I plentiful; but the climate was unsuitable for Chinese labour, though some of the party had died. Tliti considered that, with better travelling facilities to the mining districts, gold-mining prov-eti would be excellent. The Bakens took from Forcados to Old Calabar two wives of the King of Benin to relieve the monotony of his exile in the British Protectorate.—" Reuter."  ' MURDER Of