and intimates. The "vultures" have brought riches, industry, and
civilisation into a wild and uncivilised country. The simile of the bird
of prey is more applicable to the Boer than to the Uitlander.




CHAPTER X.

FINANCIAL POLICY OF THE BOERS[14]


1.--_Receipt of the Boer Exchequer._

Like every true aristocrat, the Boer has always had a horror of paying
taxes; he only approves of taxes paid by others.

At the time of the annexation of the Transvaal by England in 1877, the
Government was being crushed by debt, the burghers resolutely refusing
to pay their taxes.

Some order was brought into the finances by England; but the Boer revolt
in December, 1880, was caused by the determination of Colonel Owen
Lanyon, the English Resident, to seize the bullocks and wagons of
recalcitrant tax-payers.

The Transvaal Government obtained the Convention of 1881. In 1883, the
budget showed £143,000 revenue, and £184,000 expenditure. From April
1st, 1884, to March 31st, 1885, the revenue rose to £161,000, the
expenditure remained at £184,000.