I cannot leave this rich and unhappy Akankon mine without a few reflections; it so admirably solves the problem 'how _not_ to do it.' The concession was negotiated in 1878. In April 1881 Cameron proceeded to open operations, accompanied by the grantee and four Englishmen, engineers and miners. He was, however, restricted to giving advice, and was not permitted to command. The results, as we have seen, were a round shaft made square and a cross-cut which cut nothing. As little more appeared likely to be done, and harmony was not the order of the day, my companion sent the party home in June 1881, and followed it himself shortly afterwards. Since that time the Company has been spending much money and making _nil_. The council-room has been a barren battle-field over a choice of superintendents and the properest kind of machinery, London-work being pitted, for 'palm-oil' in commission-shape, against provincial work. And at the moment I write (May 1, 1882), when 7,000_l_. have been spent or wasted, the shares, 10_s._ in the pound paid up, may be bought for a quarter. I can only hope that Mr. Amondsen, who met me at Axim, may follow my suggestions and send home alluvial gold. Cameron's most sensible advice concerning the local establishment required for Akankon was as follows:-- He laid down the total expenditure at 21,000_l_. per annum, including expenses in England. This sum would work 100 tons per diem with 350 hands (each at 1_s_. hire and 3_d_. subsistence-money) and sixteen cooks and servants. The staff would consist of six officers. The manager should draw 800_l_. (not 1,200_l_.), and the surgeon, absolutely necessary in case of accidents, 450_l_. with rations. This is the pay of Government, which does not allow subsistence. The reduction-officer and the book-keeper are rated at 500_l_., and the superintendent of works and the head-miner each at 240_l_. The pay of carpenters and other mechanics, who should know how to make small castings, would range from 180_l_. to 150_l_. The first native clerk and the store-keeper would be paid 100_l_.; the time-keeper, with three assistants, 70_l_. and 65_l_. The manager requires office, sitting-room, and bedroom, and the medico a dispensary; the other four would have separate sleeping-places and a common parlour. Each room would have its small German stove for burning mangrove-fuel; and a fire-engine should be handy on every establishment. All the white employes would mess together, unless it be found advisable to make two divisions. The house would be of the usual pitch-pine boarding on piles, like those of Lagos, omitting the common passage or gallery, which threatens uncleanness; and the rooms might be made gay with pictures and coloured prints. The natives would build bamboo-huts.