Edward Arthur Maund

Rhodes had got wind of this and hurriedly sent off his own party consisting of Charles Rudd, Rochfort Maguire and Frank Thompson.

On 30 October 1888, through political subterfuge involving Governor Robinson (later rewarded with a large number of shares in the British South Africa Company) and Sir Sydney Shippard, Rhodes obtained the mineral rights later to be called the Rudd Concession.

Maund disputed the concession and set off for London with two of Lobengula's indunas to see Queen Victoria, report on the trickery perpetrated by Rhodes and ask for her advice and assistance.

[4] Maund and his party returned to Bulawayo, armed with a letter from the Colonial Secretary, Lord Knutsford to Lobengula advising him to be cautious.

The tense situation was relieved by the arrival of Dr. Jameson, news that the charter had been granted and further letters from the Colonial Secretary.

the first board of directors of the British South Africa Company , 1889. Top Row: Horace Farquhar ; Albert Grey ; Alfred Beit . Middle Row: Alexander Duff, 1st Duke of Fife ; C. J. Rhodes (Founder and Managing Director in South Africa); James Hamilton, 2nd Duke of Abercorn . Bottom Row: Lord Gifford, V.C. ; Herbert Canning , (Secretary); George Cawston .