This account of 21 years in Tanganyika deserves a far wider readership than those of
us who believed, as did Lord Curzon, speaking of India, that "our work is righteous'',
and who also worked in the service of overseas territories.
Tim Harris has succeeded in writing far more than a personal reminiscence. He
certainly fulfils his own declared objective - "to counteract the ignorance which ....
prevails as to what colonial administrators did and what their values and standards
were".
Throughout the book Tim's own character comes shining through, although one
can be sure that it was not his intention that this should be the case. Surely he
combined a wealth of practical experience with robust commonsense and moral
courage. It is in some of his more humorous observations that he reveals the extent to
which he was unsparing of himself. If he approached his work with optimism, it was
optimism laced with the necessary degree of humorous cynicism to which the title gives
the clue. He must have had a remarkable ability to get on with people. He can even be
amusing about the pinpricks of bureaucrats who knew far less of local conditions than
he.
Tim is, of course, aware that he is describing events of over 30 years ago. He himself
mentions the danger of presenting "an old-fashioned, paternalistic and authoritarian
approach". But he describes things as they actually were and as they were recognised
and accepted by everyone. True, some incidents may appear shocking to those who
choose to read history backwards, those who would judge past events in the light of the
"correctness" of a later and altogether different age. But even in these cases it should be
observed that apparently severe actions were fully supported by local and respected
authority.
The book commands particular respect not only on its own merits, but also in the
light of the severe physical handicap under which it was written - yet a further example
of Tim's determination. This makes even sadder the author's death before he could
finish it. The final chapter was, in fact, written by his former colleague and friend,
Geoffrey Bullock, and a most interesting and lively chapter it is. But I do feel sure that,
had he lived, Tim would have submitted his whole book to a process of revision and
editing. I have no doubt that this would have eliminated a number of repetitions and perhaps unnecessary detail. Robin would, I am sure, have remained Robin throughout
and not (as so frequently) Robert. Tim would quite definitely have known that the
anonymous chief shown in one of the photographs is Chief Adam Sapi of the famous
Hehe tribe, and, indeed, Tim recounts the fascinating story of the Chief's grandfather's
skull in the course of his narrative. I also think that the surnames of the Provincial
Commissioners under whom Tim served and obviously respected and admired might
be restored to them. There is one exception to this admiration and he, naturally,
remains nameless. An index would also surely have been seen to be a necessity.
These are, however, but small points. They certainly do not detract from the
overriding impression of an outstanding man who clearly loved his work, achieved so
much for the people among whom he was working, and who was sad to leave "because
we loved the country so much". There will be few, if any, comparable accounts which
combine personal memories with the illustration of historical events. I did not know
Tim personally but more and more, as I read his book with huge enjoyment, I regretted
that fact. He may have been fireworks but he most certainly must have been fun.
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