Pi iiiii! kii iili i II liii! iliiiiiiiliii iHiiiili SN UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBR^^^^^ ^^CDO ,- T-T-'* CNJOOCO <^ THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES tx. \^\ \^\ ct sup'' ;l'v .■■:.■! 1 ^f^ ;^'V'^nr- \^> — -i 4 j^"^ W W ^ ilA. &\ m ^=ri^ ^C-^i ^ ^7*=^ ^ ' Vt^ 1 ^Nrr^ NATALIA: A CONDENSED HISTORY OF THE EXPLORATION AND COLONISATION OF NATAL AND ZULULAND, FROM THH EARLIEST TIMES TO THE PRESENT DAY. BY • J. FORSYTH IX(;RA^I. Author of "The Land of (lolJ. Diamonds and Ivory": "The Story of a Gold Concession": "The Poems of a i^ioiieer": "The Colony c)f Natal," &c., &c., &c. i^Lni.isHF.n n\ HARX'EY, GREENACRE c^- CO- PORTLAND HOUSE, BASINC-.HALL STREET, LONDON, EC; ALSO AT DTK'BAN, JOH ANNKSIllRC, f'KETORIA, HARUERTON, KOKSTADT, LADVSMITH. DLMIKE, M ARITZBIRC. VRVHI-.IO, WAKKERSTROOM, AM) KRICERSDORP, SOUTH AFRICA. . /// llhistriitidiis, ftr., nil' ( '(i/ii/iiiilit. I'( iiiiis.tldn la rcjiniihicr niii/ /mrtinii i,j' tlii-s Murk iiiiixt lie nhtuund trciii the l^iililislicis. NATAL, THE UNEXPLORED. VIRGIN sea, unsoiled and free, Where never ship hath been ; An azure sea, whose purity By man hath ne'er been seen. A mystic strand, where dimlv stand The unexplored hills, Where droopin<:( palms, all gracefully, O'erarch the nameless rills. A lonely land, a lonely land, A wild, untrodden shore. Where, thundering in their ceaseless rage, The ocean forces roar. Where, like cascades, midst forest glades. The wild clematis blooms ; Where tangled limbs of giant trees S\va\- to the wayward tropic breeze, And whispering soft, in chorus chime, The glories of wild Afric's clime, J. F. I. 1236553 ■ W here tans'eil limbs ol giant trees Sway to the wayward tropic breeze.' Preface. The present \(>lume, published in celebration of Natal's Fourth Centenary, claims to be but a sketch history of the discovery and development of the Colony. In preparinf^ it, considerable attention has been driven to the stirring events of earlier times. The author has endeavoured, in the first part, to brin<,^ out in bold relief, not only the darin^f and dauntless behaviour of the sailor explorers, whose misfortunes in many instances have resulted in benefit to the land, but to show that almost from the beginnin.t;- of authentic history, the English and Dutch have stood shoulder to shoulder in that grand struggle of civilisation against barliarism which has culminated in the firm establishment of the Colony as it stands to-day. Both b)- pen and camera, the progress of the country has been carefully followed, step by step, and in presenting the work to the world, the publishers, Messrs. Harvey, Greenacre & Co., feel confident that a close perusal of its contents cannot but result in a deep conviction that the time draws near when, by assimilation, the kindred White races of South Africa will, in the natural course of events, become welded together into a Power PREFACE. which will he not only a j^lory to the Motherland, but a safeguard to that peace which is so essential to the prosperity of a new land and a new people. In conclusion, the author would beg to tender his hearty thanks to Mr. C. J. Povall, of Durban, who, from his long and intimate acquaintanceship with the early histor}' of the Colony, has been able to materially assist him; and also to Mr. Harold Duncum, of Maritzburg, who has in various ways rendered considerable assistance in the preparation of this work. Where such a mass of authorities have been consulted, it is well-nigh impossible to acknowledge each one separately, but those which have been most frequently referred to are "Bird's Annals of Natal," Holden's History, Russell's "Natal: The Land and its Story," and the recently published Official Handbook of the Colony. Of the Artist's work, it is but fair to mention that while most of the pictures are by the Author, some few have gratuitously assisted him in obtaining scenes which he was unable, through pressure of official duties, to produce for himself. Natal, 315/ May, 1897. J- ^^ I- Index to Illustrations. -•i-oso-e*- Name of Picture. Page. Rulers of South Africa ... ... .. ii. Forest Scene ... ..." ... ... vi. Tutjela Falls, Colenso ... ... ... xvi. Medallion Portrait of Vasco cia Gania ... ... ... ... ... 4 Picture of Da Gama's Galley ... ... 4 River Scene, Natal ... ... ... 6 Group of Old Colonists of Natal .. ... 14 Key to same ... ... ... ... 15 Wa}4gons Trekkins." ... ... . . 17 View on Tutiela RivLM- ... ... .., 20 Forest Scene on present site /)f Durban ... , ... ... ... 23 View on Intiobcvu River, Natal ... ... 2fi Horse Tail 1-alls. Natal 30 Elephant charuin.i> ... ... ... 32 Portrait of Sir Theophilus Shepst' me ... 37 Portrait of Sir George Grey ... ... 40 River Scene, Natal ... ... ... 43 Umsindusi River ... ... .. ... 4(i Departure of Sir Benjamin l-'inc fi-om Natal — Durban's Fai-ewell ... ... 48 Portrait of Sir (jaiMict W'olseley... ... 48 .\ktist. .Various . Iniiram Ingram Kisch Murray. .1. H. .Ingram . Ingram . Ingram . Ingram .Baines, T. , Ingram .Hlliott & Fry . Ingram ..\llcrston . .NUn'ray .Hlliott c'v Frv Name of Picture. First through Train between Dui-ban and Maritzburg H.M.S. "Raleigh" landing Sir Garnet Wolseley at Durban ... Portrait of Lord Chelmsford Isandhlwana Battle Field. Zululand Majuba Mountain and Military Cemetery where General Colley is buried Portrait of Sir Charles Mitchell Portrait of Sir Evelyn Wood Portrait of Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson Portrait of Sir John Robinson ... Opening of Parliament. .Maritzburg, by Sir Evelyn Wood Cascades on Umgeni River Group of Artillery and Infantry X'olun teer Officers of Durban Group of Cavalry Volunteer Officers ... Wreck on Back Beach. Durban ... Ri\er Scene on L'mbilo ... In the Bluff Bush, near Durban.. Sir Walter Peace, Agent-General /or Natal ■■ \'iew on .Wooi River, Natal .\GE. Artist. 49 ...Murray 50 ...Baines, T. 51 . .Murrav 54 ....Murray 58 ...Elliott &;Fry 58 ...Elliott & Fry (51 . . . Robertson 63 ...Caney 65 ...Murray 67 ...Allerston 71 ...Kisch 72 ..Kisch 73 ...Ingram 74 ...Allerston 77 ...Ingram SO ...H. Hallier 84 ...Murrav INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS. Name of Picture. .Map of Natal Hluffand Back Beach, Durban ... View of Point and .Addin,t;ton from Bluff, 1867 View cf Point and Addington from Bluff, 1897 Steamers at Wharf, Durban Steamers Coaling at Durban St. Paul's Wharf, Durban West Street, Durban West Street, Durban, 1858 West Street, Durban, 1898 Gardiner Street, Durban ... Town Hall and Band Stand, Durban ... Roman Catholic Chapel, Durban View in Town Gardens, Durban... Banyan Tree, West End Park, Durban... View on Krantz Kloof River Inkutu River, near Pinetown Krantz Kloof, near Pinetown Krantz Kloof River, near Pinetown Lion's River Cascade Central Railway Station, Maritzburg ... Statue of Sir Theophilus Shcp.stone Church Street, Maritzburg Government House, Maritzburg... Church Street, Maritzburg, 1867 Church Street, .Maritzburg, 1897 General Post Office and Court House, Maritzburg Page. 87 91 94 Artlst. , Ingram . Ingram ..Murray 95 ...Middlebrook 97 ..Ingram 99 ..Ingram 101 . . 1 ngram 103 ..Caney 106 — 107 — 109 .. Ingram 111 ..Murray 113 ..Ingram 115 . . Ferneyhough 117 .. Ingram 119 ..Ingram 121 ..Ingram 123 ..Ingram 125 ..Ingram 127 ..Ferneyhough 129 ...Murray 131 ..Murray 133 ...Murray 135 ...Murray 138 . ...Murray 139 . ...Murray 141 . . . Ingr-am N.'^ME OF Picture. Legislative Assembly Buildings, .Maritz- burg Interior of St. Saviour's Cathedral, .Maritz- hi>i'J4 Town Hall, Maritzburg ... Commercial Road, Maritzburg ... Howick Falls, Umgeni River Cascades on Umgeni Rapids on Umgeni... Tugela Falls, Natal River Scene, Natal Cutting Sugar Cane Sugar Factory Tea Plantation (Africa cultivated) The Wilds of Tugela (Africa uncultivated) Banana Plantation Quarrying Marble ... Opening a Gold Reef Gold Digger's Hut... Natives Building a Hut . . Native Hut and Grain Hou;;e Interior of Native Chieftain'h Hut Native Chief and War Party Natives Dressing Hair and Talking Snuff Natives Braying a Hide ... ';... Native Milking a Cow ... ].. Natives .Making Fire by Abrasioi\ Domestic Scene at Native Kraal Tugela Falls, Colenso Native Reflections ... ..; Page. Artist. 143 ..Ingram 145 ...Murray 147 ..Murray 149 ...Ingram 151 ...Ingram 153 ..Allerston 155 ...Ingram 157 . .. Ingram 159 ....Murray 161 ...Murray 163 ....Murray 166 ...Murray 167 ...Ingram 169 ...Murray 171 ...Ingram 173 ... Ingram 175 ...Ingram 177 ...F'cnieyhough 179 . . . Ferneyhough 181 ...Ferneyhough 183 ...Murray 185 ...Murray 187 . . . Ferneyhough 189 ...Ferneyhough 191 ...Ferneyhough 193 . ...Murray 195 ...Ingram 197 . .. Ingram Table of Contents. CHAPTER I. Thk Ko.manck of Early History — From tSOO b.c. tu 1845 a.d. The Circumna\ioati<)n of Africa— Hanno's Xoyage— The Century of Wonders— The Voyage of Da Gama— The Discovery of Natal— The Dutch at Table Bay— Shipwrecks— The English and Dutch— Reported Purchase of Natal by the Dutch— Delagoa Bay— Arrival of the English at Port Natal— Chaka— Native Traditions— The Boer Exodus from the Cape— Adventures of the Trekkers— Death of Retief— The Mission of Boshoff- Overthrow of Dingaan— Anglo-Dutch War- Battle of Congella— Recapture of Natal by the English— Arrival of Cloete— Land Rights— Arrival of Governor West Pages 1 to 33 CHAPTER II. The Evolution of thf. Colony — From 1845 to 1893. The Rule of Governor West — Demands of Land Owners — Difficulties of Native Government — Establishment of Native Locations — Sir Harry Smith's Mission — Malcontents — Re-arrangement of Land Claims — Revolt — Arrival at Port Natal of British Settlers — Arrival of Sir Benjamin Pine — Sir George Grey's Mission — The Royal Charter — Agricultural Institutions — Legislative Council — Troubles in Zuluiand — War — Introduction of Indian Immigrants — Diamonds — Coronation of Cetewayo — Langalebele Rebellion — Wolseley's Policy — Railways — Zulu War — Boer War — Restoration of Cetewayo — His Death — Dinizulu — HisOverthrow — Trade Depression — Gold Discoveries — Gold Output and Value — Diversion of Trade — Railway Progress — Prosperity Pages 35 to 59 CHAPTER 111. .\atai, of thf; Present — From 1893 to 1897. Self Government Sir John Robinson's Labours — The New Constitution — List of Past Governors — Divisions of Colony — Climates — Settlements — Boundaries of Counties — South African Journals — Education — X'olunteers — Police — Public Debt — Public Works— Trade — Productions — Area under Cultivation — Stock — Conclusion ... ... Pages 63 to 81 APPENDIX. List of Emigrant Vessels. Dates of arrival and number of Immigrants landed in Natal between 1848 and 1851 ... Page 85 Tugela Falls, Colenso .j^ N A T A L I A . K5X. CHAPTER I. The Romance of Early History. From 600 b.c. to 1845 ^■^^■ AR back in the dim perspective of time, about 600 years before the dawning of the Christian era, when Pharoah Necho reigned in Egypt, and the world was young, a certain daring Phoenician Mariner did a wondrous thing. By the command of his Monarcli, he, with a fleet of small galleys, passed out of the Red Sea, and, heading to the southward, sailed along the then unexplored coast of Africa. Day in, day out, for twelve weary months, with neither compass nor chart to guide them, the dauntless pioneers sailed on, through fog and storm, over the unknown seas ; girdled by mysteries and encompassed by terrors. Landing at one place, they sowed seed, matured, and reaped a harvest, and then sailed on again for two years more, when, to their joy and bewilder- ment, they sighted the famous " Pillars of Hercules," now known as Gibraltar, and so won back, with storm-beaten sliips, to their familiar Nile, and told the wonders they had seen. W'licn describing their vovage, the mariners recounted lu>w, on passing round the southern point of .Vfrica, the sun, which had all along risen on their left, and set on their right, became 2 NATALIA. suddenly reversed. Thev were openlv disbelieved, as travellers are oftentimes wont to be ; and vet to us of later da3-s, who read the account, the fact of their having recorded it serves as a proof that thev actuallv did perform the then wondrous feat of circumnavigating Africa. Herodotus, the historian, however, in his Histor}', when dealing with the voyage, alter recording how the ships came home with " rich stores of gold, ivor)-, and feathers," appears to lose heart over the sun story, and openly doubts the truth of the statement. To the voyage of these daring "toilers of the sea" must be traced the germs from which have sprung the civilisation which South Africa now enjoys. For nearly a thousand years but little more was done in the way of exploring Africa, and it was left for the Carthaginians to make the next attempt beyond the Herculean Straits. A fleet under the command of Hanno proceeded towards the south ; hugging the west coast as near as possible, where they noted and described certain geographical features which have since proved to be correct ; they further discovered various species of baboons, and l)v their descriptions of them gave rise to the fabled Satyrs. With these few traces of ancient knowledge the world had to be content until the dawning of that pregnant period of histor}', the 15th centur\-. To that momentous epoch we must trace not onl\- the beginning of .systematic exploration, but also the rise of P3uropean literature. It v/as then that the first printed book saw the light; it was then that those giants of NATALIA. 3 art — Michael Angelo, Rafaelle, and Titian — with their ma^nc wands, brought painting and sculpture of the new order into being ; navigation became a science, the mariner's compass was discovered, and the mysteries of the earth began to be revealed. Bartholomew Diaz, supported by King John II. of Portugal, set sail on the Tagus in i486, on a grand expedition of discovery; a passion for which had then set in. In the course of that voyage he rounded the Cape without knowing it, and, on a small island in Algoa Bay, on the 14th September of that year, erected a stone cross, and gave the place the name of Santa Cruz, w^hich it bears to this day. His men, however, were mutinous and forced him to return to Portugal. On the homeward voyage, amidst baffling winds and storm wraith, he sighted the now famous " Cape," and named it " Cabo Tormentoso," afterwards changed by King Jcjhn to "Cabo de Buena Esperanza " ("the Cape of Good Hope"), on account of the hopes he entertained (and which were shortly to be realised) of discovering a passage round it by sea to the East Indies. Diaz was never destined to see the spot again, for on attempting to round it some years later he was drowned, and Table Mountain became at once " his trophy and his tomb." This was a period of maritime discovery, to which subsequent ages have been greatly indebted, for it prepared the way for that ever swelling tide of commerce and colonisation which has proved such a source of prosperity and strength to all the colonising nations of the world. Ten years after the discovery by Diaz, a second expedition of small and fragile vessels was fitted out by Portugal, and placed under the command of Vasco da Gama, who, on the 8th July, 1497, sailed from Lisbon, amidst national demonstrations of joy, being animated NATALIA. as well by religious zeal as commercial enterprise, for besides extending the discoveries of the route to the East, there was a for the spread of Christianity. On that day the busy streets ing multitudes, for the brave King about to come forth from the Palace conquering Admiral, \'asco da Gama, about to go forth in their three small " God and Portuiial." manifest desire to open up new fields of Lisbon were all athnmg with wait- jNIanuel, in his robes of state, was and solemnlv bid God-speed to his and his band of 150 men, who were ships to win wealth and glory for On the Broad Tagus hard by, with their ensigns trailing on the breeze, lav the vessels, with cables short-tripped, and waiting sails. Amidst the solemn chanting of the priests and the deep-toned ^, ,^, ^^^ voices of the multitude. Da Gama took from the King's own hand the to plant, amongst other places, on What mattered the unknown the storm, held swav? What mattered **% Koval Standard, which he wasde.stined ^j[^ tlie Headland of Natal. VASCO DA GAMA'S GALLEV. seas, where Adamastor, the spirit of the surf-beaten coast, where monsters, terrible to behold, had their dwellings — where unicorns and ravening beasts, dwarfs and Amazons, stood in waiting hosts ? Wliat mattered the terrors and perils of the unknown to these mariners, filled, as they were, with the love of conquest ? Their sacred Standard would be protected 1)_\ the Saints, and all must Ijow before it. . And so the galleons went forth on their (juest — three tinv specks upon the ocean — followed NATALIA. 5 by fervent prayers and tear-dimmed eyes. Who could have told in those days of the marvellous effect their voyage would have on humanity ? They went forth to seek riches which they never found. They were destined, as we now know, to win to the very threshold of the world's treasure house of gold and diamonds, and yet never to touch it. Space forbids a chronicle of their adventurous voyage, suffice to say, that, overcoming all obstacles and daring all dangers, they rounded the Cape on the nth November, and burst into the almost virgin Indian Ocean. After four weary months of battling with storm and tempest, they reached the shores of the Cape, and continuing their voyage were driven by violent storms further and further eastward, until on the world's great Natal Day, Christmas of 1497, the_y sighted another haven, appropriately naming it Port Natal. From Da Gama's account of the Bay of Natal, it would appear that 400 years ago the Umgeni River flowed into it, for he states distinctly that near the head waters a large river, which he named " The River of Natal," was visible from his anchorage, which was probablv in the jiresent Bluff Channel. On such an occasion as is now commemorated it is but natural that the mind should cast back to that eventful day. We can imagine the sunlit Bay, placid in its primeval Ijeautv, the way-worn mariners, good Catholics that they were, holding High Mass on the Bluff strand, while over their heads floated in the breeze the glorious standard which then ruled the seas. One can appreciate the feelings with which the sea-wearv mariners hailed the beautv NATALIA. of the place which is now (lur heritage ; and, although the power of Portugal has in a sense passed away, it is but right that we should in these modern times pay a tribute of honour to the dauntless mariners who wrenched aside the veil of mystery, and gave to the world the "Land of the Nativity "—fair Natal ! Although to Portugal is due the credit for leading the van of commerce with India, and for the re-discovery of South Africa, small effort was made by it to secure permanent advantage from tlu enterprise of its explorers, or to develop the resources of the newly-discovered lands, and so, for a hundred years or more, no progress was made in that direction. river scene, natal. Dutch, French, and English ships followed the Portuguese to India, making the Cape a regular port of call ; and later on these three great nations joined hands in building up a new Empire — two of them at least impressing their national characteristics upon Colonial life and institutions so deeply and broadly that they now seem to be indelible— but much as one iidmires the sturdy stock of immigrants from Holland and France, it must be confessed that the warmest place in our esteem is reserved for our fell(jw-countr\-mc'n, by whose industr_\-, cnttTprise, and capacity this country has developed so rapidl\- during the present century. NATALIA. 7 It is, therefore, tittin,^ that something more than passing reference should be made to the great influx of British settlers in 1820. Following the Governor's recommendations, the British Parliament voted ;^50,ooo towards emigration to the Cape, which provided for the requirements of 5,000 persons who were chosen out of 90,000 applicants ; and between March 3rd, 1820, and May 2nd, 1821, these 5,000 immigrants arrived in twent\-six vessels, landing chiefly at Port Elizabeth; 3,800 of them settling near Grahamstown, in the Albany District, and hence known to Histor}' as the Albany Settlers. It has been fittingly said of these sturdy pioneers, that the Eastern Province is their monument, and it is gratifying to our national pride to find what heroic men these fathers of colonisation reallv were. Drawn from the respectable middle class, they brought with them — not wealth, lor they were for the most part poor indeed — but they lirought, and developed, and transmitted, personal qualities, valour, self-reliance, indomitable energy, inflexible rectitude, true nobility of character, of which their descendants may well be proud ; nor should we fail to recognise the influence of Christian Missions upon Colonial life and character — ministers of religion were to be found amongst the earliest immigrants, men who hazarded their lives for the sake of the Gospel — following their hol\- vocations with fidelity and devotion ; sharing the hardships, privations and perils of the early pioneers — such privations and perils as we little dream of. Having thus briefly outlined the events which led to the discovery and colonisation ot the Cape, we will now turn our attention more particularly to Xatal, and endeavour to describe how 8 NATALIA. it has risen, stage by stage, to a Colony well worthy to rank as one of the brightest gems in Britain's Imperial diadem. The next interesting event which comes within the scope of this work is the wreck of the " Stavenisse," which led to the very first attempt at the colonisation of Natal. There is considerable temptation at this stage to deal in minute detail with the adventures of the distressed mariners, who, in their endeavours to open up new ports and trade centres, were continually suffering shipwreck and privation, and it is mainl}- owing to stray parties of castaways that we are indebted for several hundred years for any knowledge whatever of the South-East Coast of Africa. While the crew of the " Stavenisse " were making the best of their forlorn condition at a point on the coast about 70 English miles south of Port Natal, there were others at that place itself in equally grievous plight ; for even thus early in the history of Natal, the Dutch and English were destined to co-operate for their mutual benefit and sustenance. For nine months the English castaway sailors had lived at the Bay of Natal, and during that time had managed to establish friendly relations with the Native tribes and chieftains. With their superior knowledge of the country, they aided the Dutch mariners who returned with them to their camp, where, after a period of rest, they set to work on the construction of a vessel seaworthy enough to carry them safely to the Cape. Certain of their number, however, had stra\cd, and the various search expeditions sent after them from the Cape did much to make known to the world thr general features of the NATALIA. 9 country. Meanwhile, the small parties of Europeans who were living in the territory were <(raduall\- acquirinij; an acc]uaintanceship with it and its aboriginal tribes. The knowledge thus gained made the authorities at the Cape desirous of acquiring, as an addition to their possessions in Africa, the harbour of Natal, and some of the surrounding country ; and on the 24th May, i6go, Commander Van der Stell reported to the Council of XVII. that the purchase of the port and its environs had been effected. But neither the Commander nor his successors made any serious endeavour to establish a port or trading depot in the newly acejuired territory. In a precis of information relating to Natal, on the preparation of which not a little care must have been expended, it is stated that Natal was occupied bv the Dutch from 1721 to 1729. The statement is quite incorrect. In a despatch dated 23rd December, 1719, the Council of XVII. had indeed directed that if trade could be profitably carried on here, a station with a few officers should be established ; but, deterred probably by the difficultv of entering the Port of Natal, and attracted by the superiority of Delagoa Bay as a harbour, it was at the latter place that commerce was attempted, and at first not without some success, but the unhealthiness of Delagoa, and the great mortality among the adventurers, so discouraged the Dutch, that the enterprise was abandoned, and never again undertaken. There is nothing to show that Natal was visited by a ship of any nation during the period of the occupation of Delagoa Bay by the Dutch. The narrative of the wreck of the " Naarstigheid," in 1759, the sailors of which vessel attempted to travel to the Cape, but, after proceeding as far as the country of the Abatembu (Tongaland), returned to Delagoa, can leave little doubt that for more than a generation no white man had been seen in any part of Natal. lo NATALIA. After the establishment at Delagoa Bay had been broken up (iitli June, 1730), the Dutch ships ceasing to follow the line of coast to the N.E., the history of Xatal is no longer to be derived from the Cape records of that period, or the writings of vovagers. But from a date that may be fixed with much probability within a period of not more than twenty years later — 1750 — important events tliat caused great commotion and much change in the condition of the population, and the local position of very many Native tribes, are known in detail. In order to indicate the sources of this historical knowledge, it is necessary to look somewhat in advance, and for a while to swerve from a regular order of date. Soon after the year 1820, two or three of the English then settled on the Eastern frontier were attracted towards Natal, chiefly bv the love of adventure. Their accounts of the country, and especially of the abuntlance of ivory procurable there, excited a sjiirit of enterprise among a few at the Cape, who became in very deed the ])ioneers of colonisation in this country. Of this number were Lieutenant Farewell, T^ieutL-nant King, Mr. Isaacs, Mr. Ilenrv I'\nn, and others, who regarded the neighbourhood of the Bav as the jilace of their habitation, but spent most of their time in elephant hunting or in trading for ivor\-, and were thus in constant intercourse with the Natives ; and had frecjuent access to Chaka, the Zulu King. It was indispensable to the handful of Englishmen that they should learn something of the Kaffir language, and that some of them should understand it correctly, and speak it fluently. There were many aged Natives who, from personal experience and knowledge, were able to relate all important occurrences of fifty, and even sixty years, before thi' date of 1S24; and ihiir narrati\-es have been reduced to writing, and are recorded. Even antecedent to 1770 the traditional accounts vary but little, and are (]uite deserving of a place in this historw They show that tlir tribal NATALIA. II quarrels, which up to a comparatively recent period had led to assaults rather than battles, and were not followed up with any view to conquest, gradually gave rise to more regular warfare, to organised forces, and the claim of submission from the concjuered. Under the iron rule of Chaka, who has been aptly named the " Napoleon of Africa," military organisation attained a high pitch of perfection. With his magnificently organised armies he pitilessly swept the country, whose history at that time, were it written fully, would consist of revolting accounts of aggression, devastation, and massacre. Merciless as a beast of prey, he swept down on the devoted tribes of Natal, and b}' spear and fire established a veritable reign of terror. As the result of such violence, very many of the Natives never ventured to resist, Init regarded it as most fortunate if thev were permitted to bow under the yoke, and own no ruler but Chaka. The Zulu tribe grew into a nation within the limits of Zululand ; but to all, except the herdsmen of the Royal cattle, it was forbidden to dwell in any part of the country between the Tugela and the Umzimvubu. This depopulation of Natal was destined to become, a few years later, the direct cause of its being sought as a settlement by the African Dutch, and eventually bv British Colonists ; the remnants of the aboriginal inhabitants did not return to it until the land had passed into the possession of the white race. After the date of March, 1S24, for a period ot nearl}' fourteen vears, reliable accounts of matters relating to Natal become year bv year more numerous. At first, the writings of Lieutenant King, Mr. Isaacs, and Mr. P^ynn ; a little later, those of Captain Gardiner, the American Mission- aries, and the Rev. Mr. Owen, of the Church Missionary Society, aflforded ample detail of the habits and condition of the Natives, and of the occurrences at the close of Chaka's reign, and during nearly the whole of that of Dingaan. c 2 z c o o (J o a 3 o u •o t^-3 P^^ 9 ■f. ■A o -^ O -1 D ^^ :30i o 2 : o I. c : :_ : =0 9 : 'S : t. "^ in . o = = ■ O £ - ;-•' ■ > , : : : : : :3 JOS' ■ : : :-5 ttS ;i:.t: . . . -Oc— UCS*^ i_ o o J ' -* ^-r^'^ t^^ f^O'^^^-^'^o>^^^o~'^f^-^^^^':oo^o^';^'^'^-^'n^^^ £ t: NATALIA. 17 In 1837 commenced the great exodus of African Dutch from the Cape Colony, of whom the greater number came into Natal. It is, however, beside our purpose to revive the grievances of those times, which had become intolerable to men cradled in freedom, and at all hazards they deter- mined to "trek" to regions beyond. To those whose habits and pursuits bind them to fixed localities and small holdings, it is comparatively easy to take root in the soil. but with the Dutch it was far otherwise. From remote ancestors they inherited the roving disposition which has become abnor- mally developed in South Africa, owing to their manner of life and environment. " Trekking " was, therefore, quite congenial ; placing them in the forefront as pioneers, but involving terrible educational and social drawbacks. It should be borne in mind that they have been a pastoral people from generation to generation. Holding large grants of land of from 6,000 to 20,000 acres, live stock became their chief care, to the utter neglect of agriculture ; they neither improved the land nor built substantial permanent dwellings; migrating with their herds as changing seasons required, in times of drought, travelling even beyond the Orange and Vaal Rivers, where they took possession of unoccupied lands, retaining, however, their holdings and homes in the Cape Colony. Such were the existmg conditions when the great exodus commenced under Hendrick Potgieter, with WAGGONS TRKKKING. i8 NATALIA. whom 200 compatriots k-lt the Cape Coh^ny, followed shortK' afterwards by others; their numbers rapidly increasing until considerably over 5,000 crossed the Orange River ; the famous but ill-fated Pict Rcticf becoming head of the party, supported l)y Pieter Uys, (icrt Maritz — after whom we have " Pietermaritzburg " — Jacobus Uys, Noolmaan, Potgieter, and man\ others whose names are intimately associated with South African history. Of matters relating to the Native races, the sources of information have been to some extent indicated, and to these must be added the evidence of elderly Natives, taken b\' direction of Governor Sir John Scott, relative to the condition of the tribes before and during the reign of Chaka ; "The Early History of the Zulus," a paper contributed bv Sir Theophilus Shepstone to the "Journal of the Society of Arts ; " and "The Incidents of Travel and Residence in Natal," by Adulphe Delegorgue. Thus, thougli the Natives could of themselves do nothing to save their histor\- from ol)livion, it has, in fact, been done for them liy others, of whom several were men oi culture and fair judgment, whose writings were, for the greater part, well known and easilv procurable. .\s regards the record of the views of the British Government, and of KnglishnK'n generally, much facilit\' is afforded for reference. The I'ress, books of travel, and local journals have placed on record numerous accounts of occurrences in South Africa, in llie aspect in which they presented themselves to the English at the time. These have been largelv made use of in the compilation of this work, and an earnest effort has been made to arrive at as near an impartial account as is possible in the limited space available. Where the intert'sts of so many factions cross and re-cross each other, forming oftentimes a veritable lab}rinth of contradictory statements, it is no easy task for the historian to unraNcl thi' tangled threads of events, each one of which has a bearing and a counter-bearing on the other, and each one NATALIA. 19 setting, as it were, fresh springs in motion, which act in such a variety of ways as to raise a thousand conflicting theories as to the motives and schemes ot the actors in the drama. Tlie African Roers, especially during the first three years after their emigration, had scanty means of informing even their friends in the Cape Colony of what befell them in Natal, still less of recording their sufferings, their dangers and their persevering efforts to prosper in the land of their adoption. The Press did not exist among them ; very few of the emigrants were capable of either reading or writing; and living as they did, with no shelter but their waggons and tents, obliged to be unceasingly vigilant for fear of surprise by a relentless enemy, and to spend most of their time in procuring game for their sustenance, even the qualified few had little opportunity for committing to writing the hurried notes of daily experiences. Their first great disaster was the murder, b\- Dingaan, of Retief and his attendants (sixty Boers and about forty Hottentot or other .servants). One only escaped to tell the tale of the atrocity, but it was perpetrated within a short distance from the abode of the missionar\" (the Rev. Mr. Owen). He and liis interpreter, William Wood, witnessed the scene, and both have described it circumstantiallv. Shortly alter occurred the night attack by the Zulus on the Boers, between the Tugela and Bushman's River, resulting in the massacre of great numbers, who, being surprised in their beds, had no time to arm themselves. This tragic event gave to the district the name of Weenen, or Weeping. Some who escaped, having gone in haste to the more distant tents which had not yet been attacked, hurriedly organised a defence, and their enemies were driven off and pursued D 2 20 NATALIA. with great slaughter. Several Boers were then sent to their countr3'men beyond the Drakensberg and within the borders of the Cape Colony to seek assistance. The story of the disasters was at once widely circulated, and found its way into the newspapers at the Cape. In April of 1838, another severe engagement with one of Dingaan's armies took place, in which the Boers lost Pieter Uys, one of their leaders, and though they had to retire, such an impression had been made upon the Zulus as caused them to realise their inability to cope with men possessed of firearms. fc^ "T^iife^ VIEW ON TUGELA RIVER. No sooner had the Boers regained confidence than they gave due attention to the settlement of the country and the regulation of public affairs. They resolved that they should be governed by an elective body, the Volksraad, or Council of the People. The Cape Govern- ment, fearing that any disturbance in Natal might re-act injuriously on their eastern frontier, sent a small force in December, 1838, to occupy the Port of Natal and its neighbourhood. It was almost avowedly a corps of observation only, and was withdrawn at the end of 1839. Meanwhile suspicion and dislike of British interference called forth an a])le exposition (February 17th, 1839) by Mr. Boshofif, of the justifying causes of the migration, and later in the same year a strenuous protest from the \'olksraad against th(! migration of English into Natal. NATALIA. 21 The troops havin<( left the country, no time was lost by the Boers in preparing for a final expedition against the Zulu King. They had a powerful inducement to take immediate action, for Panda, fearing assassination at the dictate of Dingaan, had (September, 1839) fled south of the Tugela with a very numerous following. He had an interview with the \'olksraad on 15th October, and in the same month a deputation was sent to arrange terms with him and to recognise him as reigning Prince of the emigrant Zulus. He furnished a powerful contingent to the forces of Pretorius, under whom the campaign in January and February, 1840, was brought to a successful issue. Dingaan was wholly defeated and driven from his country. Panda's contingent consisted of 4,000 Natives. The Boer force did not exceed 400 men ; but even that was a considerable muster, in proportion to the number oi immigrants then in Xatal. A period of tranquility ensued, and occupation and tillage of the soil were undertaken somewhat actively. The Volksraad wrote to the Governor of the Cape expressing their desire that their independence should be recognised, and assuring him of their peaceful views in regard to Native races. Conscious of their strength, they determined to seek redress for real or imaginary wrongs from Ncapayi, a Native Chief, South of Natal, and they also entered into negotiations with Faku. Ncapayi was defeated without any serious difficulty, and reprisals were exacted from him for alleged depredations. The view that this aggression on Ncapayi had not been justified was urged on the authorities at Grahamstown, but the knowledge of the fact that the emigrants had been engaged in hostilities and negotiations at no great distance from Kaffraria, again aroused suspicions and uneasiness at the Cape, and it was determined to re-occupy Natal. On the 14th January, 1841, the Volksraad had once more claimed from Governor Napier the recognition of their independence ; and this having been refused by the Home Government, and communicated to the President, he informed the Governor (nth October, 1841) that the emigrants were firmly resolved not to renounce their independence, and 22 NATALIA. would not admit a I'lritisli force into the country. It is probable; that in this bold defiance they were influenci-d by a hojie that Holland would intervene in their behalf. l)esi,i;nini;- men, interested in trade between that country and Natal, had assured them that sympathy in their cause was universal amon.n the Dutch ; and later in the year a pamphlet, printed at Amsterdam in .\u,<;ust, 1S41, appealin<;- somewhat passionately to the feelings of the Dutch nation, and dwelling on the wrongs and sufferings of the emigrant Boers, was in the hands of all the leading men among the latter, who rushed to the conclusion that such an appeal must be effectual, and over-rating the power of Holland to assist them. They knew, from their publication at the Cape, the proceedings of the Legislative Council there, and the views entertained as to Natal, and on the 21st February, 1842, the President and Volksraad addressed to Sir G. Napier a statement in great detail of their reasons for leaving the parent colon}-, of their misfortunes and sufferings, and of their resolution not to be again under the yoke of Cireat Britain. Xotwitstanding their expressed determination not to yield, the}- took no active measures to check the advance of troops, which marched from the camp at the Umgazi, and reached the site of the town f>f D'Urban early in May, 1842. A deputation of Boers had met the commanding officer (Captain Smith) at the Umbilo, a few miles from D' Urban, and had jilaced in his hands a protest against an}- occupation by the British Government, but no show of resistance had been made. Captain Smith encamped his men at D'Urban, and fortified his position. The Boers gradually mustered in considerable force at the Congella, and had the British commander not been bound down b}- j-iis orders — to suffer almost anything rather than to proceed to extremities — he might easil}- have crushed the commando in the carlv stages of its formation. He was obliged b}- those orders to wait for an actual act of aggression, and for fifteen days to endure the sight of an enem}- raising a force and establishii-ig entrenchments within range of his <7uns. NATALIA. 23 This forbearance was construed In- the Boers into fear, and speedily brouj^ht matters to a painful issue. On Monday, 23rd May, the first aggressive act (which consisted of seizing about si\t\' oxen belonging to the British) was committed by the enemy. On this. Captain Smith opened fire on them with one i8-pounder which he had just made shift to mcjunt on its carriage. The following excerpts from Captain Smith's despatch will sufficiently describe the battle of Congella, which took place on the night of the 23rd May, 1842: — " It is with feelings of deep regret I have the honcjur to communicate to you the disastrous result ot an attack made bv the force under mv command on the emigrant farmers congregated at the Congella camp at tliis place. I have taken every step possible to avoid hostilities with these misguided people, but have failed, and, on their assuming the offensive, have, after mature ctmsidera- tion, marclied ujion and attacked their camp at Congella. As the road leading to thi Congella lies for the most part through thick bush, I thought it best to cross the sands at low water, in order to avoid attacks, until within a short distance of the encnix's cam]), b'itting a howitzer, therefore, into a boat under the sujierintendence of Lieut. Wyatt, of the Royal Artillery, and leaving it under the charge of a sergeant of the same corps, I FOREST SCENE ON PRESENT SITE OK DCRBAN. ('ave mm ( lirections to drop down the 24 NATALIA. Channel to within 500 yards of Congella, and to wait for the troops in order that they might form under its fire, aided by two 6-pounders, which accompanied the force I took witli mc. This force consisted of i subaltern and 17 privates of the Royal Artillery ; i subaltern, I sergeant, and 7 privates Royal Sappers ; 2 captains, 2 subalterns, 5 sergeants, and 100 rank and file 27th Regiment, and 2 mounted orderlies of the Cape Rifles. Having previousl}- sent a picket out to feel the skirts of the wood in front of our position, I put the whole jx'irty in motion at 11 p.m. (it being a bright, moonlight night), and arrived without molestation within nearly 800 vards of the place I proposed to attack. To my great mortification, I found that the boat had not got down the Channel according to my instructions ; l)ut as I considered it imprudent to await the chance of her arrival, I was forced to make the attack without the valuable assistance a discharge of shells and shot from the howitzer would have afforded me. " Giving the order to advance, therefore, the troops had just moved to where the termination of a range of mangrove bush opened on a level space in front of the Congella, when a heavy and well-directed fire from the bush was poured on them ; upon which they immediately formed and commenced to fire in return, while the two 6-pounders were loading. Unfortunately, one of the draught oxen being shot, caused some interruption ; l)ut this being soon got over, a destructive fire from the guns silenced for awhile that of our opponents ; several more of the oxen being wounded, escaped from their trektows, and rushed amongst the troops, thus causing some delay in reloading and some confusion in the ranks. This circumstance, added to the partial and at length total silence of the guns, being taken advantage of by the Boers, they again opened a heav}' fire (their long pieces carrying much farther than an ordinar}- musket), resulting in severe loss to the troops. Finding, therefore, that 1 was not likely to accomplish the object for which I liad juit the detachment in motion, and that the men were falling fast, I thought it expedient to retire, which the rapid rising of the tide rendered somewhat difficult. NATALIA. 25 " The troops, however, reached the camp about two (Vclock in the morning, in tolerable order, leaving behind them, I regret to say, the guns, which the death of the oxen rendered it impossible to move. " Thinking it probable this partial success of the farmers might induce them to make an immediate attack on the camp, I made such preparations as I thought necessary, and found my suspicions realised shortly afterwards ; a large body of them opening a heavy fire from three sides at once. This was met by a spirited resistance on our part, but it was not until about three hours afterwards that they were finally repulsed, with a loss which has never been ascertained." Among tlie many matters connected with the subject of this report, which awakens the deepest regret, is the death of Lieutenant Wyatt, of the Royal Artillery, who was killed early in the action ; Captain Lonsdale and Captain Tunnard being severely wounded. The whole of the next day no hostile movement was made by the enemy, but Captain Smith states that they treated such of the wounded as iell into their hands with great humanity. These, with the bodies of those who fell, were sent into camp in the course of the afternoon, and on the 25th the sad duty of interring the remains was performed at what is now known as the Military Cemetery, where their graves may be seen to this day. On the following day the Point fell into the hands of the Boers, when two persons were killed, two wounded, and several civilians made prisoners ; in all, thirty-four soldiers fell at Congella and at The Point. The names of the civilians captured were Messrs. G. C. Cato, Beningfield, Ogle, Toohey, Douglas, Armstrong, Hogg, and McCabe. These were sent to Maritzburg in chains, and in the daytime were publicly exhibited in stocks. E 26 NATALIA. iryj)-. Captain Smith and his devoted httle band were now besieged in the camp, with prospects as poor, and hopes as forlorn as ever feU to the lot of mortals, but there is a courage and power of endurance in British soldiers which is truly astonishing; for even when these determined men were reduced to a diet of horse-Hesh, crows and stirrup leathers, they never once wavered in their determination to hold out to the bitter end. In this dire extremity Captain Smith applied to Mr. Cato (who had meanwhile managed to procure his freedom), to provide him with means for forwarding, overland, to the Cape, his despatches for relief. On this difficult but urgent mission Mr. Richard King volunteered to go, and the following interesting story of the escape and journey told by a native eve-witness and partaker in it, which is culled from the Natal (iovern- ment Gazette of May 25th, 1897, will be reatl with especial interest. VIEW ON INGOBEVU RI\EK. NATAL. STATEMP:XT of UNDONGENI KA XOKI, chief UMBOTSWA (\idk CO. IS?). I was born in Zululand, and am descended horn Senzangukona, the founder of the Zulu dynasty. I came to Natal with my paternal uncles during the feud between Mpandi and Dingana, and settled under Chief Xabatshe of the Cele tribe, being then under the age of puberty. At that time I remember Ogle and a white NATALIA. 27 man, whom the Natives called Usingeunga, Cato, D. King, Joe Cato ; these people resided at the Bay, and this was before the advent of the British troops. After the Boers seized the cattle of Chief Ncapayi, and had taken Fodi prisoner, the English troops came up under the command of Captain Smith, and Dick King came as far as the Umzmikulu River, and helped to transport them to Durban. I was employed by "Dick" at that time. We joined Smith's waggons, and accompanied them to the Umhlatuzana, where a temporary camp was pitched. Dick King went on to the Bay. Soon after this the troops moved up to and erected the fort which is at present occupied by the troops at Durban. During the construction of this camp, a dispute arose between the Boers and the English about the grazing of the military transport cattle, and from this hostilities arose, culminating in the Congella fight, and the besieging of the fort. I was with "Dick" at the Point, and I remember Captain Smith coming and having a consultation with the white men there, and the result was that Dick King came to me and said: •' 1 want you to accompany me to go and get help from the English at the Cape. No one else will volunteer." I at first demurred, saying there were other and older men than 1 who should go ; but " Dick " said, " I select you," and then I agreed. After this, two horses were secretly brought down from the Camp by night to where we were waiting ready to cross in a boat. One horse was white and the other a bay. We entered the boat and the horses made 10 swim, and we began to cross. As we reached mid-stream I saw a white man rush out from the buildings occupied by Cato and run towards the water, pursued by some Boers, and as this man swam off to the ship anchored in mid-channel he was shot by these Boers. This man, I afterwards heard, was Charles Adams' father. After landing us, the boat returned back to the ship. " Dick " and I then mounted our horses — I riding the bay — but there were no stirrups to the saddle ; we rode on till daylight and then concealed our horses in the bush at the Illovu. I changed my clothes and started otf to Ogle's place, some distance off', to seek for food. While the food was being cooked, I joined the other Native lads and began to play. While thus occupied, a Dutchman came up and he recognised me, and he said, " Are you not Undongeni." I said, "Yes." He then said, "Your master, Dick King, is dead; do you know of this?" I said, " No, It is some time since I left him." He continued, " We killed him yesterday." I believe the Dutch when they shot Charlie Adams' father believed they had killed " Dick." This Dutchman and his comrades passed on to the Umkomazi to close and guard the drifts and to patrol the district. I returned to "Dick" with the food, and we remained there till dark and then continued our journey, not daring to travel in the daytime, fearing the Natives might report to the Boers. We crossed the Umkomazi at a drift above the present one. From this point we saw no more Dutchmen, and rode by day as well as through the night. On crossing the St. John's, we proceeded on one day's journey to a small river called the Umgazi; here we found a camp with English troops. Here "Dick" obtained a new mount, I still ridmg tlie bay horse, and we went on, reaching a place called the Mawangana. Here I told " Dick " that I was knocked up and could go no further. " Dick " said, " I will ask the missionary (there being a mission station there) to give me a man to guide me ; you will go back to the camp and wait till you see a ship E 2 28 NATALIA. pass." I did so, and stayed at the Camp two days, when a ship passed. I thereupon accompanied a Native despatch runner, who carried despatches from this Camp to Captain Smith at the Bay. On arriving at the Isipingo, I saw a large ship off Durban. From Isipingo I went for a short \ isit home, and on again going to look for " Dick," I found that the Dutch were retreating inland, and Durban in the hands of the English. I proceeded to the Point and found " Dick," and the military officers seemed glad to see me, and gave me many a threepenny and sixpenny piece because I had accompanied " Dick " for help. Subsequent to all this I left and returned home and married. I have now one wife living out of three wives, and my kraal consists of this woman's hut and my married son's hut. I am not a rich man, having under ten head of cattle and two goats. I have five unmarried daughters. I hold the position of an Official Witness, and can claim fifteen cattle for each girl. Hitherto I ha\e never made it known to the Government that I accompanied Di'ck King on his ride for succour. Witness: UNDONGENI, his X mark. (Signed) S. Harrison. (Signed) R. H. BEACHCROFT, March 25th, 1897. Magistrate. The licrculean task was successfully performed in ten da3s. It was necessary to swim many of the rivers, so that, taking the whole journey into account, it is one of the most heroic performances ever recorded in the pages of history. The Governor at the Cape promptly responded to the call for succour, and in thirty-one days " H.M.S. Southampton " arrived at the roadstead. During this interval the Boers made manv determined hut futile attacks upon the camp, in the course of one of which 122 rounds of shot, together witli an incessant fire of musketry, were poured into it. The practice fnjm the F"ort is reported to have been exceedingly good, and resulted ultimately in silencing the Boer Artillery. On the arrival of the "Southampton" on tlie 25th June, she found the schooner "Crouch," with Captain Durnford, of the 27th Regiment, and a detachment of 100 men, with two small howitzers and some stores which had been despatched from Algoa Bay on the NATALIA. 29 loth inst. by Colonel Hare. Captain Durnford reported that the insurgent Boers had refused him all communication with Captain Smith, and further, that the Bluff, Point, and Addington were garrisoned by Boers. Signal guns and rockets were at once fired from the frigate to inform Captain Smith of her arrival. At two o'clock on the 26th inst., the "Southampton" was in position to cover the landing of the troops. It was found that the boats could only take 85 men at a time, so the detachment was landed on the Bluff beach, just inside the bar. Meanwhile the " Crouch," a launch armed with a carronade, and a barge, were to proceed direct into the harbour, land, and capture the port. A fresh breeze, fortunately, sprang up at the time, and the " Crouch," with the boats in tow, crossed the bar at three o'clock, landing in the vicinity of the spot where the base of the northern pier now is. They commenced their attack under a heavy cross fire from the Bluff on one side, and the sand dunes on the other. Major D'Urban, who led the storming party, immediately tore down the insurgent colours. The Boers at once abandoned their strong position and took refuge in the thick bush, from whence thev kept up a hot fire. It is estimated there were 350 of them. Having thus seized the port, and landed the men, the troops were formed ; Captain Durnford scouring the back beach bush, whilst Major D'Urban, taking the left-hand side along the harbour beach, swept that portion of the district which is now covered by The Point and Addington. In this order they advanced across the present site of Durban, and at four o'clock, guided b}' the reports of Captain Smith's heavy gun, they relieved that gallant officer at four o'clock on the same day. The Boer village of Congella was ne.xt captured, while they themselves began, through their leaders, to make submission. A letter from Pretorius, their Commandant, was received, asking Colonel Cloetc to meet and confer with him, at a jtoint between Congella and 3° NA.TALIA. Capt.-iin Smith's camp HORSK TAIL 1-AI.I.S, N'ATAI.. Tin's offer was declined by the British on the ground that no negotiations would be carried out without a previous declaration of submission to Her Majesty. No oflicial rejilv was given to this letter, but fifteen insurgents came in at once and took the oath of allegiance. On the 28th, 2gth and 30th, while endeavouring to land stores from the frigate, the boats were upset, one man of the 25th Regiment was drowned, the whole of the provisions and 18,000 rounds of ammuni- tion were destroyed. On the 4th July, Pretorius wrote to sav that he had called upon His Majesty the King of the Nether- lands for protection, and that lie had every right to expect that his cause would he supported in Europe Meanwhile, the Natives, bearing in mind the ilUtreatment they had received, and taking advantage dl the presence of the English, began to make fierce nnslaughts on the Boers. This, however, was speedily stopped, and the Boers fell back to a jiosition about fifteen mile.s from Maritzburg. On the 21st inst., hostilities ceased, submissi(jn having been made by the Boers. The submission, however, was far from being absolute, antl within the next twelve nhmths a marked spirit of disaffection, amounting almost to active resistance, animated many of them. NATALIA. 31 The tendency to revolt was kept alive liy the delay of the Hume Government in deciding on the relation in which the country was to stand to the Cape Colony, or to the Empire, and the form of Government to be adopted ; and, when these points had been decided, 1)V the still longer delay in appointing the officers required to control the population, and for the conduct of public business. Captain (now Major) Smith remained in command of the troops quartered in the neighbourhood of the harbour, and cjuite secluded from the interior of the countr}-. He was entrusted with an ill-defined power of forbidding acts to which the British Government were known to be averse ; but he was wholly without machinery for governing. The Volksraad were allowed to regulate the civil, the judicial, and generally the internal affairs of their countrymen. The Commandant, Major Smith, kept a watchful eye on the occurrences of the period, and took care to obtain all necessary information, which he transmitted to the Governor at Cape Town. If on any occasion he thought it right to interfere, he placed himself in communication with the members of the Volksraad, and the correspondence sets forth the arguments on either side in any debatable matter. The first step towards a termination of this confused and unprogressive condition of affairs was the appointment of Mr. Henry Cloete as Her Majesty's Commissioner in Natal. He was sent to explain to the emigrants the intentions of the Crown as to the future tenure of the countrv, and the terms to be conceded to them in regard to land grants, and to civil and other institutions ; military protection being guaranteed by Great Britain. For some months before his arrival, disaffected Boers had been intriguing with their fellows beyond the Drakensberg, urging them to come to their assistance. Mr. Cloete landed on 5th June, 1843. The Volksraad did not meet to hear or consider his message until 7th August ; and the Commissioner states that at that time there were, within the precincts of Pietermaritzburg, no less than six or seven hundred armed men who had recently come over the mountains. 32 NATALIA. The excitement was great, but the Volksraad firmly withstood the pressure brouglit to bear upon them. Prudent counsels prevailed, and the abettors of strife withdrew be\(>nd the limits of Natal. The terms of the proclamation of 12th May, 1843, were accej^ted ; and the Commissioner proceeded with the task of defining, classifying and registering land claims, inspecting the interior of the district, and visiting Zululand. With these objects, his stay in Natal was protracted to April of the year 1844. His presence had been a pledge to the inhabitants that something was being done in their interests. After his departure the stagnation in the political con- depressing. Titles to land a difficulty as to the transfer sion. Nearly all the Boers pursuits ; none knew to what registered would be ultimate!} gent or more largely interested more tolerant of delay, being England would be carried out, intervene. But, among the was again, though not actively, when the periodical election of ELEPHANT CHARGING. dition of the country was very could not be issued; there was of land actuallv in posses- were dependent upon pastoral extent the land that had been granted. The more intelli- among them were also the certain that the purposes of whatever lapse of time might more impatient, disaffection at work. In November, 1844, the Volksraad took place, the newly-chosen members refused the oath of allegiance to the yueen, and if the former members had not consented to retain office, very hurtful complications might have arisen. Complaint by the Volksraad that the delay in organising a regular Government was ver}- injurious, elicited little more than an answer that it was unavoidable. Some of the Boers left the territory to join their fiiends beyond the Berg; some even had it in view to arrange with the Portuguese for the possession of the land in the tracts west of Delagoa Bay. But NATALIA. 33 gradually, and at long intervals, events occurred — the nomination In" Government of salaried missionaries, to instruct the Natives ; the erection of Fort Napier at Pietermaritzburg ; the appointment of a Surveyor-General for Natal — which conclusively showed England's determination to retain a firm hold on the country. Governor West landed at Durban in December, 1845, and Xatal became, in fact as well as in name, a British Colony. CHAPTER II. The Evolution of the Colony. Fro.m 1845 TO 1893. N the preceding chapter we have endeavoured to deal with the events which led from the very earliest discovery of South Africa to that period w^hen modern history commences, so far as the Colony of Natal is concerned. The period of romance and adventure has passed away with the ivory hunters and the big game, so that in this, the second part of the history, the reader must expect to find only a record of progress: but what a record it is! To the early Colonist it appears to be well-nigh incredible that the land of mystery and bloodshed, of intrigue and unrest, could, within so few years, become firmly established, both as regards its commercial, political and social institutions ; and above all, that it should, during the very recent events of history, have held the balance, in a great measure, of peace and goodwill among the nations and tribes of South Africa. It cannot be doubted that both the British Government and the Cape Authorities were anxious at this time to give Natal an enlightened, liberal, and efficient Government. For F 2 36 NATALIA. this purpose, persons of acknowledged skill and abilit}- in matters Colonial were appointed. Lieutenant-Governor West, formerly Resident Magistrate at Grahamstown, no sooner assumed the reins of office than he proceeded to settle property rights regarding land grants and claims. The demands of the leading Boers were so extravagant that they could not be entertained. Claimants of land were divided into two classes. In the first class were placed those who were occupying farms at the time of Mr. Cloete's registration. The second class comprised those who had been in occupation of the land within twelve months preceding the registration, but who, from some reason or other, had been obliged to (juit it. F'arms of 6,000 acres were to be given to the first class, and 2,000 acres to the second class, l)oth at a nominal price. Building sites were also given in the towns of Maritzburg, Durban, and Weenen to such persons as claimed them. This liberal settlement by no means gave satisfaction : the farmers considering that the British Government had broken faith with them. Accordingly another exodus of Boers took place, and continued throughout the years 1846-7. Some crossed the Berg to the Orange River Sovereignty, and others made for the present uplands of the Colony, then regarded as the wilds. In addition to their land grievances, the}' considered they had two other causes of complaint — i.e., their \'olksraad had been abolished ; and the Natives were closely protected by the British. This latter complaint is capable of being misunderstood in these modern times, but we must remember that the Boers had just come through a terrible experience ; the sanguinary deeds of Weenen were still Iresli in their minds, and who dare blame them for cherishing feelings of natural resentment ? Governor West, having as far as he could settled the land claims, then turned his attention to the burning question of Native Government and locations. Justice recjuired that the aboriginal NATALIA. 37 population, then numbering about 100,000, should be protected and secured in their land rights. In 1846, Governor West appointed a Commission to arrange the extent and locality of Native settlements. The Commissicjn consisted of Mr. Theophilus Shepstone, Dr. Stanger, Lieutenant (iil)b, R.E., Dr. Adams, and Mr. Lindle}- (of the American Mission). Large tracts of land were selected by these gentlemen, and the Natives I moved into them. Each location was suitable for the support of about 12,000 people, and was the property, during the pleasure of the Crown, of the tribe collectively. Officers were required to administer these lands and to rule the people, but here the Home Government blundered, as authoritx' to provide mone\- for the payment for such Magistrates or ()\erseers was refused. The Natives accordingly were allowed to govern themselves under their own barbarous laws, where the dictum of an " eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth " prevailed. The only civilising influence brought to bear upon them was that of the Missionaries. The farmers, who still remained in Natal, regarded the permanent settlement of the Natives in locations with un- measured indignation : for were not these same Natives the actual murderers of their kith and kin ? and here the British were pampering and protecting them. Of a truth, it is not hard to enter into and sympathise with them, how- ever wrong they might have been. Before finallv resolving to abandon Natal, the Boers elected to lav their grievances before the Governor of tlie Cape Colony. Andries Pretorius was selected as their delegate. Towards the close of 1847 he rode across the Berg and on to Grahamstown, where Sir Henry Pottinger, the new Governor of the Cape, was then stationed. His Excellency refused to see him. Pretorius presented his case in writing, and was informed that Sir Henry was on the eve of departure for England, and would leave all such matters to be dealt with SIR THEOPHILIS SHEPSTONE. 38 NATALIA. by his successor. Enraged and aggrieved, Pretorius rode back, and immediately on his return, preparations were made for a general exodus from. Natal. Sir Harry Smith, the new Governor of the Cape, meanwhile arrived at that place, and at once set out on a grand tour through the Orange River Sovereignty and Natal. Near the Tugela he found hundreds of Dutch people, under Pretorius, waiting to cross the river, which was then in flood. They were off to seek homes in the far wilds. Were it possible in these pages to enlarge on this subject, a moving record of their hardships and adventures could be detailed. Suffering terrific privations, driven unjustly, as they believed, from the homes they had won and made, what wonder is it that, with their limited vision, they were bitter against those whom they regarded as their oppressors ? Sir Harrv soon recognised the comparative justice of some of their grievances, and calling the leaders together, urged them to reconsider their plans. He formed another Commission on the land question, and included Pretorius in it. Farms of 6,000 acres were increased to 8,000 ; protection against the Kaffirs was assured ; police corps were formed to check stock robberies ; and many other reforms were promised. Some few farmers took advantage of the improved state of affairs, and settled down again on their lands, where they, or their sons, reside to this day. Great results were expected from Sir Harry Smith's tour, and peace and contentment, it was hoped, would result from it. Leaving the camp at Tugela, he rode to Maritzburg and Durban, where he earned well-deserved golden opinions. On his return to Cape Town by sea he learnt that no sooner was his back turned than the malcontents, headed by Andries Pretorius, who had never forgiven the English, had crossed the Drakensberg into the Orange River Sovereignty, and were there busily engaged in stirring up strife. Meanwhile, Natal, with a small but settled population, had set out on what appeared to be a steady and peaceable agricultural and pastoral career. NATALIA. 39 In the year 1848 various schemes were set afoot for the introduction of suitable Enghsh settlers. The best known of these was that associated with the name of Mr. Byrne, who had come to an arrangement with the Government, that for ten pounds each adult immigrant should receive a free passage to Natal, and from twenty to fifty acres of land on arrival. During the years 1848-9-50-51, vessels with about 4,600 immigrants arrived at the port. A list of these, together with the date of their arrival, and the number of immigrants each bore, will be found in the appendix. One of them, the " Minerva," carrying 276 passengers, came ashore near the Bluff, and as a consequence, many of Natal's most respected Colonists of to-day (Christmas, 1897) received a most unceremonious introduction to the land of their adoption. But it mattered little in those days whether the settlers were tumbled headlong ashore or landed dry-shod, the same hardships awaited all alike. Tents, sheds and wattle-and-daub huts were the recognised abodes of the time, and gentle and simple alike shared in the universal privation. Here it was that the true pioneering courage of the Anglo-Saxon race stood the wanderers in good stead. Husbands, with gently-nurtured wives and families of young and tender children, had to face the inevitable, and out of the raw material at hand, not onh- live but create their homes. That they sur- vived the ordeal was wonderful enough, but still more so is the measure of success which has crowned the labours of all who had the courage to fight the terrible uphill battle of those early days. The villages of \'erulam, Richmond, Byrne Town, and York were settled by these pioneers, as well as by those who came by the " King William," tlie " .\liwal," and the " Edward." Governor West died in 1S49, and was succeeded by Mr. (afterwards Sir) Benjamin Pine, after whom I'inetowii is named. This officer considered that Natal, with a pojuilation of 40 NATALIA. 8,000 Europeans, was entitled to a representative form of Government, and he submitted his views to Sir George Grey, then Governor of the Cape. The result was that Sir George visited Natal in 1855 for the purpose of forming his own opinion on the subject. This proved * to be a favourable one, and His Excellency accordingly recommended that a representative Council should be granted to Natal. A new epoch now began to dawn. Increased avenues of trade and commerce were opened up across the Berg, transport riding became a regular industry, and provided remunerative occupation tor the bulk of the youth and manhood of the Colony. The cultiva- tion of sugar was undertaken by settlers on the coast lands, and the result, despite many vicissitudes, has been eminently satisfactory. Coffee and cotton were both attempted, but failed, not on account of the unsuitability of the country, but owing to the lack of experience ot siK GEORGE GREY, those who undcrtook the industries. Photo by'\ [Elliott £- Fry. In 1850 Durban had a white population of 500, and Alaritzlnug of 1,500, exclusive ot the Garrison. In 1853 Corporations were established in both towns; Mr. David Buchanan being the first Mayor of Maritzburg, and Mr. G. C. Cato of Durban. Educational establishments were created in the two towns, as well as in the smaller villages, both by the Government and by various religious bodies. The Dutch Reformed Church and the Weslcyan Missionar}- Society were the pioneers of religion. Between 1850 and 1856 the Roman Catholics, the Presbyterians, and the Congregationalists followed. In 1850 the Church of England became established, when NATALIA. 41 St. Paul'.s Church in Durban was built, the first clerf,fyman being the Rev. (afterwards the Venerable Archdeacon) Lloyd. In 1854 Bishop Colenso, whose name is now of world-wide fame, was created Natal's first Bishop. A proof of the energy of the now established Cokmy, at this period, is to be found in the inauguration of institutions and societies, such as the Natal Bank, the Natal Society, Sporting Clubs, Literary Institutions, Agricultural Shows, and Benevolent Societies. The Press became thoroughly established by the appearance, first of the " Natalier " in 1S45, then the " Patriot," and afterwards, in 1847, the " Natal Witness," and in 1853 the ■' Natal Mercury," the two latter of which have, according to their lights, endeavoured ever since to give expression to public opinion, and to defend public rights. In 1856 a Royal Charter Avas issued, constituting Natal a distinct Colony from the Cape, and creating a Legislative Council, consisting of 16 members : 12 elective and 4 non-elective. These latter were the Colonial Secretary, the Treasurer, the Attorney-General, and the Secretary for Native Affairs. On the 24th of March, 1857, the new Council was opened in a building (now removed) at the corner of Longmarket Street and Chapel Street, the Hon. Donald Moodie being the first Speaker. Since then, numerous changes have taken place, and, in the year 1893, responsible Government was granted to the Colony. Before that notable epoch can be dealt with, however, there is much to be recorded of vital import to the life of Natal. Owing possibly to over- speculation by men of unstable means, a terrible period of depression set in, and for well-nigh a decade, hung like a pall of despondenc}' over the devoted settlers ; trade fell off, the transport, or carrying business, became almost a thing of the past, cattle diseases swept the country, G 42 NATALIA. carrying ruin with them ; while the powerful Zulu nation across the northern border of the Colony became restive throu<,di internecine jealousies. This unrest reacted so powerfully on the Colon)^ that it is impossible here to pass it over without mention, although the events about to be recorded happened beyond the confines of Natal. Panda, the reigning King of the Zulus, was a peace-loving man, and had faithfullv carried out the treaty of friendship which Mr. Cloete made with him on behalf of the Natal Colonists. During his reign of thirty-two years no raids across the Tugela River had disturl)ed the peace of Natal. The Zulu military system, originated by Chaka, was continued, but not used aggressively, as far as the whites were concerned ; but, as often happens, the sons did not take after the father, and the latter 3-ears of the good old King were embittered by their jealousies and quarrels. Cetywayo, the eldest born, was of a haughty disposition ; his tastes were warlike, and in his earlier years he manifested much of the military genius of his uncle, the conquering Chaka. Cetywayo suspected his father, the King, of favouring the pretensions of his 3-ounger brother, Umbulazi, and so gathered together the young men of the tribe, who looked to him as the Chief destined to restore the glory of Chaka. Umbulazi also had his following of warriors. For some years the jealousy went on with little m(n"e than an occasional fight. Panda, who was incapacitated from all active life by reason of his great obesity, was utterlv unable to control his unruly sons, whose feud grew in intensity as time w-ent on, and at length it culminated in war, and the armies of the two brothers met on the jilains of Matikulu, where a terrible battle w-as fought. The army of Umbulazi took flight, evidently intending to seek refuge in Natal, but the broad Tugela barred their way, when, turning at bay, they fought again ; a dreadful slaughter ensued. Umbulazi himself was slain, and his army scattered or drowned in the tiooded river. NATALIA. 43 For weeks afterwards, the dead bodies of Zulu warriors, who had been swept out to sea, were washed up by the surf along the coast of Natal. This removed all doubt as to the future of Zululand. The power of Cetywayo daily increased, his father became a mere puppet in his hands, and ultimately abdicated in his favour. Masipula became the Prime Minister, under the new rule, and Panda, fearing Cetywayo's jealousy, sent his two remaining sons for refuge to Natal. Isikoti is since dead, and Inkunga, at the present time, is a ' tributary chief under the British Flag in Natal. In 1 85 1 Mr. Theo. Shepstone visited Zululand, for the purpose of setting at rest certain fears entertained bv the Zulus, that the British meant to overthrow Cety- wayo, and instead place one of the refugee chieftains on the throne. The result of Mr. Shepstone's visit was that matters apparentlv settled down in Zululand. KiVER SCENE, NATAL. In i860 Natal was honoured with a visit from the second son of Her Majesty the Queen. His Ro}al Highness Prince .Alfred spent two months in South Africa, accompanied b_\- Sir George Grey. At bcuh Maritzburg and Durban the townspeople accorded him a right royal welcome. Amongst other functions, the Prince laid the toundation-stone of the Maritzburtr Town H: G 2 44 NATALIA. No-man's land, now named Alfred County, was in 1866 annexed to Natal, and named in honour of the Prince's visit. The year of the Royal visit was marked b\' two other important movements, — i.e., a railway was laid between the Point and Durban, and a regular post-ehaise began to run weekly between the seaport and the Capital. This little line of railway deserves more than a passing mention, and Natal has every reason to be proud of it, for it was the very first line laid down on the African Continent, between the land of the Pharoahs and Table ^fountain. One of the grave disabilities which hampered the agriculturists of Natal almut this period, was the unreliability of the Native labour market. The aborigines were nut of the labouring class ; from time immemorial they had followed the chase, or warfare, forcing their women to labour for their few simple wants. Now and then, when desirous of acciuiring a few geegaws, or to accumulate enough money to purchase another wife, the men would consent to labour, but there was no reliance to be placed on them. In consequence, many planters who had crops to reap were ruined, and others crippled, to the serious detriment of Colonial industries. This, added to the trade and general depression already mentioned, was rapidly sapping the enterprise of the settlers, when indentured Indians (or Coolies) were introduced. These practically saved the agricultural interests, and as long as they remained indentured, were an undoubted blessing to the land ; but when their term of service ran out and they began to set up as hawkers, shopkeepers, etc., they soon became a serious evil. Still the depression continued ; through the years 1S65-6-7 the privations of the poorer classes were often-times very severe. NATALIA. 45 In 1867 Diamonds were discovered by a trader named O'Reilly, while on his way from the Orange Free State to Colesburg in the Hopetown district of Griqualand West. In 1869 a man named Van Niekerk discovered that a Hottentot had a gem in his possession, and purchased it from him for ;/^400 ; this proved to be the afterwards world famous " Star of South Africa." It weighed 83J carats, and was shortly afterwards sold for ^^25,000, and is now owned by the Countess of Dudley. The effect of such a discovery on the depressed finances of the colonists of Natal can be better imagined than described ; nearly every able-bodied man, who could by any means raise sufficient money to make for this wonderful treasure place, did so, and in the year 1870 ten thousand men from all parts <-)f South Africa, in thirty or tort\- camps, were dotted along the banks of the river Vaal. The yield of diamonds has been immense. From Kimberley alone 3J tons weight of gems, with a value of over 20 millions sterling, have been obtained. This sum may be more than trebled, if the produce of all the other mines and stray finds be included. To return to Natal: Colonel Maclean succeeded Mr. Scott as Lieutenant-Go\ernor in 1864. Owing to ill-health he retired, and his place was taken by Colonel (afterwards General) Sir J. J. Bissett, who acted until Governor Keate took the oaths of office in 1867. In 1S72, Mr. Keate was succeeded b\- Mr. (afterwards Sir Anthony) ]\Iusgrave. Sir Benjamin Pine returned in 1873, and liegan his second term of office. In 1872 King Panda, of Zululand, died, and towards the beginning of 1873 'Slv. Shepstone was recjuested by the Zulus to go to them, and assist in the official installation of Cetywayo as Kin''. 46 NATALIA. In August of the year 1875, escorted by 100 volunteers, with two field guns, which field guns were commanded by the present Prime Minister of Natal, and with 300 Natives, ]\Ir. Shepstone proceeded to the Royal kraal of the King, on the Umfolosi River, where the ct)ronation took place. Cetywayo was now recognised as King by the English on certain conditions, the tendency of which was to prevent the reckless shedding of blood. The King sub- scribed to these conditions, l)ut, as events proved, was unable or unwilling to abide b\' them. Al)out this time the tribe of Amahlubi, under Chief Langalebele, broke into revolt. This Tribe had long been of considerable note amongst the Tribes of South Africa. When the Zulus were an obscure people, the Amahlubi were the most jiowcrful Tribe in the country; formerly they were located in the district lying between Ta-ba-mhlope and Giant's Castle, but as the land held by uMsiNDLsi KivEK. -^ ^^,^g jygtly clalmcd by its Dutch owners, the Government moved the Natives and their Chief further along the Berg, to a jxiint near the sources of the Bushman's River. This was one of the causes of their discontent. The inordinate ambition of the Chief fanned the Hames of rebellion, and as he was supposed to NATALIA. 47 possess certain supernatural powers, as diviner and rainmaker, he soon recused his Tribe to revolt. Many of the warriors on the Diamond Fields had there become possessed of guns. As the possession of firearms in Natal is forbidden to Natives, unless duly registered, the Government demanded that they should be brought to the Magistrate's office for that purpose. The demand w^as not complied with. The Chief himself was then summoned to aj^pear at Maritzburg before the Secretary for Native Affairs, but this order was also disobeyed. Twice was the summons made, and twice disregarded. Accordingly, a force of 200 regular soldiers, 300 volunteers, and 6,000 Natives, with two field guns, were on the 29th of October, 1873, sent out to enforce obedience. Sir Benjamin Pine, the Governor, and Mr. Theophilus Shepstone, accompanied the column to Hlatikulu, whence detachments were sent out to surround the location. The Tribe was called upon to surrender within three days. Meanwhile the Chief had escaped into Basutoland. Colonel Durnford, accompanied by a patrol party of 2,-j Carbineers, scaled the Berg by Giant's Castle, but they were several hours too late ; the Pass was filled with fugitives, who poured in a volley on the party of volunteers, three of whom fell, viz., R. H. Erskine, Edwin Bond, and C. E. Potterill, while two loyal Natives named Kambulc and Katuna also fell, and were buried on the spot. The pursuit was now in deadly earnest, and in a few days the Chief and nine of his sons and Indunas were arrested and brought to Maritzburg. Meanwhile the territory was overrun by volunteers, and 5,000 head of cattle captured. The Chief was banished for life, and various sentences passed on those with him. As the result of this Native rebellion a High Court was established for Natives, and additional Magistrates placed throughout the locations. When Sir Ik'njamin Pine went to England in 1S75, Sir Garnet (now Lord) W'olseley was 48 NATALIA. despatched to act as Governor. He was accompanied Iiy Colonel Colley, of unfortunate memory, Major (now General) Butler, and others. Sir Garnet's mission was an important one for the Colony, for his duty was to report on the condition of the Natives, and the relations subsisting between them and the Europeans ; he was also empowered to amend the Government of the country by the increase of the Executive in the Legisla- tive Council, which was to be done by the [^ appointment of certain Government nomi- r nees. NotwithstandinL; the misrepresentations which had been made at Home with respect to tlie treatment of the Natives by Whites, he felt constrained to report that the A b o V i g i n e s were well and justly treated ; that they were prosperous and happ\-, and that the\ were on the best of terms with their rulers. Sir Garnet passed a law l)y which the Le"islati\e Council was .*.. ". SIK OAK.NET WOLSliLEV. made to consist of five Executive officers, eight nominee members, and ruoioin] {FJiwiic-Fr,. fifteen elective members. This law remained in force for five years, i.e., until iS8o, wlun the UEPARTIRE OF SIR BENJA^n^• PINE FROM NATAL. NATALIA. 49 Charter of 1869 was restored. After a sojourn of five months in Xata!, Sir Garnet, in August, 1875, returned to England, and Sir Henry Buhver arrived as Lieutenant-Governor. •^ On the 1st January, 1876, Sir Henry Buhver turned the first sod of the Durban- Maritzburg Railway line, Mr. B. \V. Greenacre being Mayor of Durban. For some considerable time the people of Natal had been anxious to secure some more expeditious method of transport and communication than the slow lumbering ox-waggon. The little line which connected the Point with Durban, and had been extended to the Umgeni River, was purchased from the company by the Government for ^^^40,000. A loan of one million two hundred thousand pounds was raised, and the work of extension completed. At the end of i885 the line was extended to Ladysmith, and, during 1895, was connected with Johannesburg and Pretoria, the results of which have abundantly justified the expenditure, for since then Natal's trade has increa.sed by leaps and bounds. FIRST THROUGH TRAIN BETWEEN DURBAN ANU MARITZBURG. During 1876 matters in the South African Republic became troublesome. With an 50 NATALIA. empty Treasury, limited trade resources, and an unspeculative and non-progressive population, the countr\- had for some time been drifting steadily towards bankruptcy. Fearing that the general welfare of South Africa would be disturbed, the Imperial authorities resolved to despatch Sir Theo. Shepstone, as an Imperial Agent, to confer with the Boer Government, and to look into matters generally. He found the Treasury depleted. The burghers had lost confidence in their rulers, and so, with the consent of the people, the British flag was hoisted on the 12th of April, 1877, and the Transvaal came under the rule of the (Jueen. H.M.S. "RALEIGH" LANDING SIR GAK.NliT \\l )I.SKLEV AT MIKUAN. whole matter was referred to Sir Bartle b'rere Sir Theophilus Shepstone continued to administer the Government until March, 1879, w4ien he returned to Natal, and Sir C_)wen Lanyon was ajijx minted to the Administratorsliip, which proved to be most unfortunate. Meanwhile Cetywavo, King of the Zulus, who had a disjiute of long standing with the Trans\'aal, began to make extrava- gant claims to territor\- in that countrw The.se were not entertained, and the then Governor of the Cape, and High NATALIA. 51 Commissioner for South Africa. This officer, in 1879, in a memorandum dated Januar\% reviewed the situation, and charged the Zulu Kinj; with havin<; broken the promises made on the occasion of his coronation, together with many other offences against peace, law and order. These charges culminated in an Ultimatum, demanding that a British Resident should be received by the Zulus ; that the army should be disbanded ; that the coronation promises should lie observed ; that Christian missionaries should be admitted to the countrv ; that no life should be forfeited without trial at law; and that war should only be made by the Zulus with .a^^ ^^^'^ consent of the Resident, to be appointed. The King was ^IpH^B^. allowed thirty davs in which to decide on his course. During the lew months pre- of grace, Cetywayo made prepara- authorities. The Colonial Volun- loyal tribes were formed into took the supreme command. The numb'ered 6,600, 1,400 of which ceding and throughout the month tions for war as also did the Imperial teers w^ere turned out, natives of regiments, and Lord Chelmsford total field force of Europeans were mounted. Natal was stirred to its depths by the excitement of the times. There was not a town or ^''"'^" ^m-i m''1"i village in the whole country that had not poured out its youth and manhood to join in the great struggle of civilisation against barbarism. At the expiration of the thirty days' grace, the King failed to C(;mply with the terms .... and war was declared. 52 NATALIA. On the loth of January, 1879, I\Ir. John Dunn, a noted figure in Zululand, and for many years the King's adviser, abandoned the cause of the Zulus, and joined the British, with a following of about 2,000 warriors. Want of space forbids a detailed account of the war that followed, or of the battles which were fought ; suffice to sav, that on the 22nd of January, one of the in- vading columns received a serious check at Isandhlwana, where many Natal volunteers laid down their lives for their Queen and Country. It is told that on the battle field their bodies were found close together, where evidentl}' in the supreme moment of death they had not forgotten their allegiance to each other, or to their gallant officer. Captain George Shepstone, who fell with them. At Ulundi the Zulu power was — - ' ( rushed, and CetywaN'o became a fugitive; isANDHLWAN.. BATTLE,-iELD, ;;uLULAND. capturcd shortly afterwards and banished. During this war the Prince Imperial of France, a gallant officer of Artillery, who was serving under the British flag as a volunteer, met his death during a surprise attack. In 1880, his widowed mother, the Empress Eugenie, came to Natal on a NATALIA. 53 pilgrimage to the scene of her son's death, and was everywhere received with profound sympath}'. We have now arrived at a most unhappy period in the history of South Africa, and although Natal took no part in the events about to be recorded, they acted so powerfully on her affairs as to call for especial mention in these pages. It has alread\- been shown how, in 1S77, Sir Theo. Shepstone, acting — not as a Colonist, but — as an Imperial Official, annexed the South African Republic to the British Crown, with, be it remembered, the full consent of such o^ the burghers as were consulted. The rule of England was welcomed b\' the Dutch in the days of their helpless poverty, but when, owing to the infusion of British capital, the clouds of depression had passed away, to be replaced 1))' comparative affluence and comfort, discontent at British rule was expressed. There can be no question that had Sir Theo. Shepstone remained as Adminis- trator, peace would have been maintained, and the country firmly settled. His successor. Sir Owen Lanyon, an Imperial officer, was quite ignorant of Boer character, and soon became estranged from the people. He refused them the representation to which they considered themselves entitled, and in many other ways gave cause tor irritation and complaint. This culminated in Mr. Paul Kruger and Dr. Jorissen visiting England to protest. Their mission failed, and returning to the Transvaal, the}- set about preparations for declaring their independence. 54 NATALIA. On the i6tli December, xcSSo, this declaration was made, and their fla^^ lioisted in defiance. As in the case of the Zulu war, it is unnecessary, in these pages, to chronicle all the events which led to the restoration of the Republican form of Government in the Transvaal. Three of the main battles, i.e., Laing's Nek, Ingogo, and Majuba, were fought on Natal soil, and General Colley, the Governor of Natal, fell in action, on Majuba Mountain, on Sunday, the 27th February, 1881. The Anglo-Boer war was never popular with the Colonists ; they felt that the (juarrcl was none of theirs ; that it lay entirely between the Imperial Government and the Boers them- selves, and as a consequence, owing to the fellow feeling of settler for settler, the Colonial forces took no part whatever in the struggle. A change of Ministry in England led to a change of Colonial policy, and on the 23rd of March, 188 1, a treaty of peace was signed at O'Neil's farm, and '^ independence was granted to the Boers. The next historical event which may be chronicled, is the restoration ol Cety- wayo, on the 2gth January, i88j. Again Sir Theo. Shepstone officiated, and in the presence of 5,000 Zulu chiefs and MAJUBA MOUNTAIN AND MlLlTAkV CKMbit.K'l , WHI-.Rli GENERAL COLLEY IS liL'RIED. NATALIA. 55 warriors, the Kin.i,^ was restored, to rule over a curtailed area, and with limited powers. His reign was but of short duration, for his pitiless foes, amongst his own family and people, made determined attacks upon hirn, and ultimately forced him to take refuge in the Inkandhla Forest, where he lived for a time in hiding. He then returned to Eshowe, where, shortly afterwards, he suddenly expired, whether by the aid of poison or natural causes has never been determined. Dinizulu, his son, was then acknowledged and proclaimed by the Usutu party, but his reign was short and troubled. The party opposed to the house of Cetywayo, led by Usibepu, again took the field, and the unhappv King soon found himself unable to cope with his adversaries. In his day of distress he called in the aid of certain Boer adventurers, who completel}- overthrew his assailants. Dinizulu then found himself face to face with a difficulty, which ultimately proved his ruin. In return for their services, the adventurers claimed a tract of territory measuring alK)ut 8,000 square miles. In his endeavours to evade the settlement of this claim Dinizulu was overthrown and became an outcast, while the Boers, under Mr. Lucas Meyer, seized the territor}- and declared it an independent Republic, which was shortly afterwards incorporated with the South African Republic. Owing to the troubled state of Zululand, the remaining portion of that country was annexed by the British in May, 1887, with the full consent of the Zulu people, and it is more than probable that, early in i8g8, it will be incorporated with Natal, and so will pass away one of the last footholds of independent barbarism in South Africa. 56 NATALIA. For a year after the restoration of the Transvaal, that C()untr\- wms ruled by a triuniMrate, and then Mr. Paul Kru.i^er was elected President, and General Joubcrt, Commandant General, but the troubles of the country were not over, for the Native tribes in the western portions of the State broke into revolt after revolt ; the Treasury was well nigh depleted owing to the heavy military expenditure ; this, coupled with the mismanagement of the Government, again brought the land well-nigh into bankruptcy, when one of those wonderful deliverances for which South Africa is noted took place. Gold was discovered, not merely in paying (|uantities, l)ut beyond the wildest expectations even of the most sanguine. In 1884, the discovery of Moodie's and De Kaap Gold Fields caused a similar rush to that which took place in connection with the diamond finds. The town of Barberton sprang into existence, and in a few months, not only was the Republican Treasury overflowing, but the unemployed from Natal and elsewhere found ample scope for their energies and enterprise. Two years later, the Witwatersrand Fit-lds were discovered, and so the tide of prosperity set in. The first eager rush over, fortunes were made and lost in a dav, and the penniless of one week was the millionaire of the next ; a natural reaction set in, and records of failures and suicides filled the columns of the local papers. Very soon, however, affairs found their true level by steady and well-directed work ; by the investment of vast sums of European capital, and the employment of the best skilled labour, NATALIA. 57 the industry became what it is to-day, one of the wonders of the world. An estimate of the value to South Africa of the Transvaal Gold Fields may be formed from the following table ol progressive outputs from the vears i8S8 to i8g6 inclusive 230,189 ounces. 369,551 494,810 729,233 1,210,865 1,478,477 2,024,012 2,277,892 2,280,356 Total for 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 .... 1894 1895 .... 1896 11,096,285 ounces at £}, 17s. 6d. per ounce=^42,9g8,i04 ys. 6d. This table, it should be borne in mind, although an official record, does not represent the actual output ; for recent events have gone to prove that vast quantities of amalgam have been stolen, estimated at about one-tenth of the total output. The production of gold in such quantities of course carries with it increased trade in nearly every avenue of commerce. The city of Johannesburg is an evidence of this. In the midst of a barren and almost waterless district, this splendid town has sprung into existence • 58 NATALIA. its broad streets, electric lighted and beautiful, form in themselves a sight well worthy of the wealth that lies hidden under foot. For some time prior to the completion of the Natal system of railways, from the Port to Johannesburg, the Cape Colony had succeeded m diverting a considerable amount of the carrying trade from the Port of Durban, but the moment the Natal direct line '. was completed, the geographical advan- tages of the Colony began to tell, and as a consequence the Colony soon enjoyed a fair share of the general prosperity. This increased trade and activity was not onlv due to the extension of the railway, for not content with having achieved that great work, the Govern- ment of the country ceaselessly en- deavoured to overcome the disabilities of the Port of Natal, by removing as far as possible the bar of sand which ^^^ ^^^.^^^,^. ^^.^,^^ had always blocked the entrance to ri,oi„by\ Eiaoti .■ Fry the harbour, and their persistent efforts have at last been crowned with comparative success. SIR CHARLES .MITCHELL. Plwlobyl \FJUoit&Fry After the death of Sir George CoUey, Sir Evelyn Wood was for some time Adminis- trator of the Government, Colonel (afterwards Sir Charles) Mitchell succeeding him. In 1S82 Sir Henry Bulwer returned with the full rank of Go\crnor, and remained in office tor three NATALIA. 59 years. Colonel Sir Charles Mitchell then acted as Administrator, pending the arrival of Sir Arthur Havclock, who took office in 1886, and remained until 1889, when Sir Charles Mitchell was appointed Governor, and remained until 1893. The Hon. Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson succeeded him under the Charter of Responsible Government, which was promulgated on the 20th July, 1893. \ a CHAPTE]^ III. Natal of the Present. stage From 1893 to 1897. HE conclu.sion of the last Chapter brings our history to that interesting wlien, emerging from the direct control of the mother- land, the Colony becomes self-governing and self- reliant. No light task faced the Colonists when they undertook the grave responsibility of building up a nation on the very fringe of civilization. With a population of 45,000 Europeans, and an Indian popula- tion equal in number to themselves, and an aboriginal one of at least 500,000, in a country whose resources were undeveloped, it does not require a vivid imagination to realise the gravity of the situation. But the dauntless champion of the new form of Government, Sir John Robinson, had as legislator, journalist, and colonist, a proper — and as events have proved — a just appreciation of the inborn courage and ability of those amongst wh(jm his lot was cast. Persistently he strove to rouse that spirit of political activity which is es.sential to Party Government. His THK HUN. .SIK J. KOBlNSC).\. K.C.M.G. .Vc. 64 NATALIA. task at first was no li,q;ht one, for the tendency of Colonial life is distinctly to parochialise the people. With his small part\-, he faced the electorate, and at length won his point. On the 20th Julv, iHgS, Natal was constituted a self-governing colony, with Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament, and, as was quite fitting, he was called upon by the Governor to form and preside over the First Ministr}-. The Legislative Council, as the Upper House is termed, consists of eleven members chosen by the Governor in Council. Five of these members must behmg to Durban, \'ictoria, Alexandra, and Alfred Counties, and three to W'eenen and Klip River Counties ; three to Pietermaritzburg and Umvoti Counties. Not more than two members may be chosen from the same^ countv. The Governor appoints one of the eleven members as President of the Council. The Lower House, or Legislative Assembly, consists of })j members, chosen by election of the people. Anv person who is a qualified elector may become a member of the Legislative Assembly. Electors are men over twenty-one years of age, who possess property to the value of y'50, or who rent property of not less than £10 per annum. Lodgers who have resided for three years in the Colonv, and have incomes of rot less than £q('> per year, are also qualified electors. Every Legislative Assembly exists for four years. All Bills dealing with the revenue or expenditure of the Colony must originate in the Legislative Assembly. The Upper House may accept or reject any Financial Bill passed 1)\' the Legislative Assembly, but may not alter it. A sum not exceeding £,2i,']00 is payable yearly to the Imperial Ciovernmcnt by the Colony. ^10,000 of this amount are set apart for the promotion of the welfare and education of the NATALIA. 65 natives. The rest is devoted to the payment of official salaries and pensions. The Governor names such offices as he thinks fit, not being more than six in number, to be Political Offices. The Governor further appoints Ministers to hold these offices during Her Majesty's pleasure, or until the Ministry ceases to command a majority of supporters in the Parliament. Every Minister must be a member of the Legislative Council, or of the Legislative Assembly, but not more than two Ministers may be members of the Legislative Council. A Minister may sit and speak in both Houses, but he may vote only in the House of which he is a member. Five officers formed the First Cabinet, as follows : — First, Premier, Colonial Secretarv and Minister • of Education ; second, Attorney-General ; third, Colonial Treasurer ; fourth. Secretary for Native Affairs; fifth, Minister of Lands and Works. The first Ministr\- under Natal's new form of government was the Hon. Sir John Robinson, K.C.M.G., M.L.A., Premier, Colonial Secretary, and Minister of Education ; The Hon. Mr. Harry Escombe^ Q.C., M.L.A., Attorney-General ; The Hon. Mr. G. M. Sutton, M.L.C., Colonial Trea- surer; The Hon. Mr. F. K. Moor, M.L.A., Secretary for Native Affairs ; and the Hon. Mr. T. K. Murray, M.L.A., Minister of Lands and Works. openim, oi- parliament, m.\ritzburg, by sir evelvn wn The Hon. Mr. J. T. I'olkinghornc was appointed President of the Legislative Council, 66 NATALIA. and the Hon. Mr. H. E. Stainbank was elected the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Mr. (now Sir) Walter Peace, K.C.M.G., for many years Emigration Agent in London for the colony, was appointed Agent-General. Those who contemplate settling in Natal would do well to make a point of calling on him prior to their departure from England. Being himself a Colonist of man}- years' standing, and having a large experience of the country, a few words of advice from him might save much inconvenience. The Hon. Sir Walter Francis Hely-Hutchinson, K.C.M.G., assumed the office of Governor in 1893, and was the first representative of Her Majesty appointed to Natal under the form of Responsible Government. The fol inving is a complete list of the Governors of Natal since its establishment as a colonv : — Martin West, Lieut. -Governor... Benjamin C. C. Pink, Lieut. -Governor John Scott, Lieut. -Governor J. Maclean, Lieut. -Governor Robert W. Keate, Lieut. -Governor ... Anthony Misgrave, Lieut. -Governor ... Sir Benjamin C. C. Pine, Lieut. -Governor Sir Henry E. Bulwer, Governor 1845 1850 1856 1864 1867 1872 1873 1875 Sir Garnet J. Wolselev, Governor... Sir George Pomeroy Colley, Governor Sir Henry E. Bul%ver, Governor Sir Arthur E. Havelock, Governor... Sir Charles B. H. Mitchim.l, Governor The Hon. Sir Walter F. Hely-Hutchinson, Governor 1880 1880 1882 1886 1889 1893 Natal is divided into eight counties, four on the coast and four inland. Counting from south to north, the coast counties are Alfred, Alexandra, Durban and \'ictoria. Those inland are Pietermaritzburg, Umvoti, Weenen and Klip Rwcv. NATALIA. 67 On the coast the air is, as a rule, humid and warm ; in the midlands it is generally dry and cool ; and in the uplands it may be described as bracing and cold ; all the districts, however, have many weeks during the year of perfect English summer weather. These counties again are divided into districts, each of which is under a magistrate. Alfred County has one village only, named Harding, while Fort Shepstone, a sea-side settlement, is springing up. Near the Umzimkulu, 7,000 acres of land, under the name of Marburg, have been set aside as a settlement. It is occu- pied by thirty Norwegian families. Alex- andra Countv lies between the Lower Umzimkulu and the Lower Umkomaas. It has only one village, named Umzinto. Durban County commences at the Lower Umkomaas, and ends at the Lower Umgeni. It contains one town, Durban, and five villages, Pinetown, Bellair, Umgeni, Isi- pingo, and Sydenham. The borough of Durban covers 6,000 acres of land. Vic- toria County extends from the Umgeni to the Tugela. It has four villages, named Verulam, \'ictoria, Umhali, and Stanger. gp^. fel ^te.*W>gr -y ^I^^^^^^HI )m^ -mm^ CASCADES ON I MGENI RIVER.. Pietermaritzburg County has one town, Pietermaritzburg, and twelve villages, Richmond, Byrne, Stuartstown, Howick, Lidgetton, York, Camperdown, New Hanover, Kirchdorf, Edendalc, K 2 68 NATALIA. Nottingham and Buhver. Umvoti County, which hes between Weenen and \'ictoria Counties, is bounded on the north by the Tugehi River. It lias two important viUages or towns, Greytown about its centre, and Hermannsberg, about fifteen miles to the eastward of Greytown. Weenen County is bounded on the north by the Tugela River, on the east by Umvoti, on the south-east and south by Pietermaritzburg County, and on the south-west by Basutohind. It has four villages, Estcourt, Weenen, Colenso, and W'eston. Klip River County forms the northern apex of the Colony. It is bounded on the east by the Buftalo River and on the west l)y the Drakensberg. Its towns are Ladysmith, Newcastle, Charlestown, Dundee and Pomeroy. These counties and settlements are linked together by over 3,000 miles of highways, and 376^ miles of railway. Telegraph wires connect all the centres of the Colony with each other, and with the rest of South Africa. Two submarine cables afford the means of communication with the outside world. The following lists of South African journals ma)- be of interest, as it goes to prove how thoroughly alive the country is to the value of the Press. South Africa has 104 newspapers, distributed as follows : — Cape Colony, 60 ; South African Republic, 23 ; Natal, 7 ; Rhodesia, 5 ; Orange Free State, 4 ; British Bechuanaland, 2 ; Delagoa Bay, I. (_)t these, 14 are dailies, the South African Republic heading the list with G; Natal coming next with 4; the Cape Colony 3, and the Orange Free State i. Of tri-weeklies there are 8, all in the Cape Colon\-. There are iS bi-weeklies (Ca])e Colony 11, South African Republic 4, Orange Free State 2, and Natal i) ; weeklies, 59 (Cape Colony 35, South African Republic 13, Rhodesia 5, Natal 2, British Bechuanaland 2, Orange Free State i, Delagoa Bay 1); bi- monthlies 3 ; all published in the Cape Colony. In proportion to the European inhabitants, NATALIA. 69 Rhodesia has the most newspapers, and the Orange Free State the least, the latter having only one paper to every 20,000 inhabitants. The Cape Colony and the South African Republic are about equal, having one paper to about every 6,000 inhabitants. Natal, with its four dailies, easily heads the list of daily newspapers in proportion to population, the South African Republic coming next, tlie Free State third, and the Cape Colonv fourth. Coming to the language oi publication, we find that out ol the 104 newspapers published in South Africa, 61, or about 60 per cent., are English, including all the dailies but one (the " Volksstem," which has just commenced its dailv issue). The Cape Colonv has 33 purely English newspapers, the South African Republic 14, Natal 6, Rhodesia 3, British Bechuanaland 2, the Free State 1. Of purely Dutch newspapers there are 17 (or over 16 per cent, of the whole), distributed as follows: — Cape Colony, g; South African Republic, 5; Orange Free State, 2; Natal, I. The bi-lingual papers number 24, viz.. Cape Colony, 17; South African Republic, 5; Orange Free State, i ; Delagoa Bay, i. Of these, one, " Im\o," is published in Kaffir and English, and another, " O Futuro," in Portuguese and English. There is also a German weekly newspaper published in Cape Town. The subject of Education has received constant and unremitting care and attention from Cjovernment. Until the ist Januar\-, 1878, this important deiiartment was untler the immediate control of the Governor in Council, whose chief executive officer was the Superintendent of Education. From that date a Council of Education was appointed, and continued in office for sixteen and a half years. By the promulgation of Law 5, ,1894, the Council was abolished, and the functions of the department vested in a Minister of Education. 70 NATALIA. \\ hen the Council was appointed, the annual attendance of children at all Government and aided schools was J, 500, and the annual expenditure alxnit ^8,800. In 1894 the number of European children re^ailarly attendini,^ schools was 7,139, of wliich 3,876 were l)Ovs, and 3,263 girls. Of the native schools, the attendance was 5,064, and Indians 2,600, while the expenditure '^^'^-'^ ^3i>ooo for Europeans, /^6,ooo for natives, and /^i,8oo for Indians, making a total of ;^38,ooo. At present the chief executive office is held by Mr. Robert Russell, as Superintendent Inspector of Education, assisted by four inspectors and a secretary. A scheme lor aiding farmhouse schools was established in 1887. In the following year there was only one examination centre. In i88g there were thirteen centres, with a total of 133 pupils, and in 1894 there were seventy centres and 1,141 pupils. A sum of ^3 is paid to parents on behalf of every child who resides at least five miles from a Government or aided school, and is found on examination to have been properly taught during the preceding twelve months. Examination centres are formed at any place where no fewer than ten children can be got together. The Superintendent Inspector reports that the system is working well. In the Colony there are altogether 262 European schools, and 90 for natives. The former comprise 15 CJovernment schools, 45 aided schools, and 202 farmhouse schools. The grants to the native schools during the year 1894 amounted to ^4,440 6s. 6d. The natives themselves spent on the schools a further sum of ^312 18s. 3d., and the missionary institutions contributed, directly, ^^693 igs. NATALIA. 71 There are numerous hi,^h-class educational institutions, such as the colleges at Maritzburg, Weston, Hilton, Hermannsburg, and elsewhere ; while in the two main centres, Maritzburg and Durban, Young Ladies' Collegiate Schools, Academies, Government High and Model Primary Schools, and many other such establishments, most amply provide for the scholastic requirements of the Colony. Natal's Volunteers have a stirring and interesting history, as the forces of the Colony were the first on record throughout the British Empire to take part as regularly appointed troops against an enemy. On more than one occasion they have gained distinction, and are now most markedly efficient in everv particular, both as regards drill, marksman- ship, and every other soldierly requirement. Colonel J. G. Dartnell, C.M.G., late of the 27th Ivegiment, is commandant ; and much of the success which has attended the career of this force is to be attributed to his tact and skill. The total strength of the force is about [,592 men, made up as and Infantry, 454. GROUP OF ARTILLERY AND INFANTRY VOLLNTEER OFFICERS OF DURBAN. follows :— Cavalry, 961 ; Naval \'olunteers, 95 ; Field Artillery, 82 Since the establishment of Responsible Government, a reconstruction of the Police system 72 NATALIA. has been brought about throughout the Colony by the consoHdation of the various forces. Over loo stations have been established in diiierent parts of the country, and the force, as it now stands, is an efficient protection, and at the - ~- same time acts beneficially in the suppres- sion (jf crime. It is under the command ot ^ ^ Colonel Dartnell, as Chief Commissioner, and its strength is as follows : — 23 officers, 52 non-commissioned officers, 550 troopers, 36 Indian constables, 392 native constables, I officer, 2 non-commissioned officers, and 16 men of the Water Police. The existing Public Debt of Natal is -/^8, 060, 354, against which there was, at the end of the financial year (1896), an accumulated sinking fund of j/^245,000. By far the greater part of the first named sum has been expended on Public Works of a reproductive and permanent nature. GROCP OF CAVAIJ«y VOLUNTEER OFl-ICERS. There are 379 miles of line completed within the Colony, and before these pages see the light several branch lines will doubtless be well on the way to completion. The next public work ot great importance in the Colony is that of harbour improvements. These latter works have formed the theme for much controversy, but the fact remains that a comjxirison of the condition of the harbour, as it is to-day, with its facilities ten years ago, will NATALIA. 73 reveal a vast advance. The Colony is now provided with a service of tugs, dredgers, wharfage, and other accommodation of a most efficient description, and it is generall}- admitted bv those connected with shipping, that the facilities afforded for discharging, loading and coaling ships, are not to be surpassed by anv port on the south-cast coast of Africa. Of roads, bridges, and public build- ings, it can be said with truth that the Colony is in no respect behindhand. Con- sidering the size of the country, and the number of its population, it is something to be able to state that, of roads, over 4,000 miles are open and kept in repair. This, in a hilly and mountainous land, is a good record. wreck on back beach, di-rban. Nearly all the important rivers are well and strongly bridged, both for road and rail traffic. Of telegraphs there -are 2,110 miles of wire in constant use. Crown Lands amounting to about 1,380,000 acres, valued at 10/- per acre, still remain in the hands of the Crown. This valuation is decidedly under the mark, as the 1,450,000 acres which have been sold since 1880 have realised a higher average than the upset price of 10/- per acre. Under the heading of Public Buildings, there has been a considerable amount of 74 NATALIA. expenditure in order to provide suitable accommodation for magistrates, post and telegraph offices, and all other necessary (Government buildings. Large areas of the Colony have been alienated from the Government, and are vested in trusts for the natives. These are named Location and Mission Reserve lands. Manv other important assets, either chrectly productive or indirectly bearing on the revenue, might be mentioned, but enough has been outlined to indicate the solid jjosition of the country from a financial point of view. h.NE ON IMBILO. In order to understand the value of the Railway as an earning power, it is necessary to show that in the year i88g, before the Cape system had achieved its connection with the Transvaal trade centres, the earnings, with only 225 miles of line open, were £2,2,7^ i8s. gd. per mile, with an expenditure of £i,2)lA '^^- ^d. per mile, thereby leaving a profit on each mile of £1,0^^ los. id. ; or a grand total of earnings for the year amounting to /^535,26o iBs. gd., with a total profit of ;^235,oi3 8s. gd. This, on an invested capital, then amounting to ^^3, 000, 000 sterling, goes far to prove that the geographical position of Natal constitutes her the most natural and the best trade route to the Transvaal Gold F"ields. NATALIA. 75 Owing to the diversion of trade, caused by the completion of the Cape Railway System, Natal's volume, of trade was greatly decreased, and in 1893, with 379 miles of line open, the earnings were reduced to -^1,044 2s. iid. per mile. It was only owing to prudential management, and rigid economy on the part of the railway authorities, that the Colony was not plunged into additional taxation. t The extent of the economy practised will be understood when it is stated that the expense of working the line was reduced from ^^1,334 8s. 8d. per mile in i88g, to /^686 7s. gd. in 1893 ; and yet a high standard of working capacity was maintained. As stated in a previous chapter, the completion of the line to Johannesburg has entirely re-instated Natal, and at present the volume of her carr3'ing trade has fully justified the expenses incurred in the extension of the line Overberg. The imports for 1896 stand at ^5,437,862, while those for 1895 stood at ^2,469,303. The value of exports for 1896 stand at ^1,785,375, while for 1895 they were /^i, 318, 502. Customs revenue for 1896 was ^'371,181, and for 1895, £'198,295. Raw gold was exported to the value, in 1896, of £^102,624, and in 1895, £^203,623. These returns do not fully represent the total export of Colonial manufactures, as no Blue Book returns are made of articles of local production exported to interior States. Some idea of the value of this trade may be obtained from the fact that during the last six months of one year, 6,624,333 ^^^- of Natal sugar are recorded on the Transvaal Customs' lists. Tea, tanned L 2 76 NATALIA. leather, wood, distilled spirits, and many minor produetions figure largely on the returns ; while the fruit trade is constantly increasing, and now forms an item of considerable importance. Passing from this phase of the subject to that of manufactures, mines, etc.. Natal, considering her area and population, stands out fiirly well. There are in the Colf)ny thirty- nine sugar mills, eleven distilleries, sixty-four grist mills, sixteen saw mills, fifteen arated water factories, nine waggon making establishments, two wood turning machines, fifteen brick-works, one brewery, one arrowroot mill, three tanneries, five preserve factories, two wattle liark cutting machines, four tea factories, one cotton machine, one woollen factory, one rice mill, two iron foundries, twelve coal mines, two lime works, one marble quarry, three wool washing mills, two potteries and tile factories, and one ham and bacon curing factory. Of productions there is a wide range, sufficient indeed to warrant the compilation of a volume to itself. In dealing with this subject it is necessary to bear in mind that the Colonv stands but on the threshold of her store-house. The superficial thinker and writer is too apt to judge of the possibilities of the country's future by its past. This is so manifestly wrong as to require but little comment. Nevertheless, before approaching a theme which is as interesting as it is vital, it is necessary to point out the heav}- disabilities which have had either to be remo\('d or lived down before the resources of the land could be grasped and utilised commercially, b'oi- purposes of mutual protection the bulk of the farmers clustered round the two main towns, while wide stretches of fertile outlaying lands lay fallow. With the limited local consumption and extensive importing facilities, manufactories of raw local material were heavily handicapped. The few who had enterprise sufficient were for the most part not onl) inexperienced, but de\oid of capital. NATALIA. 77 The result was what mi<;ht have been expected. One by one industries were taken up and abandoned from no fault of the country, the productions, or the people. Coffee, arrowroot, eucalyptus oil, tannine;-, and many other industries, were for a time shelved, to be recommenced later on under more favour- able auspices. To-day, some of these abandoned industries are in full swing, but with what difference ? Skilled labour, efficient machinery, increased purchasing power, a peaceably settled country, and a wider field of operations, combined with rapid means of communication provided by the railway system, have placed success within the grasp of those who have sufficient enercrv to attain it. IN THE BLUFF BLSH. NEAR DCRB.-^N. The total amount of land under tillage in the Colony of Natal is somewhat difficult to estimate. As near as can be ascertained, 320,000 acres are more or less productive. This, of course, is exclusive of land used for grazing and wool-producing purposes. Of this total area, the whites cultivate, in a close and systematic manner. Si, 274 acres, while the natives are roughly estimated to till, in a desultory and spasmodic fashion, about 238,726 acres, the most of which is under maize and Kaffir corn. Sugar cane ranks next as a leading crop, 36,000 acres being approximately the amount under cultivation. The total average yield from this, taking all classes of crops into consideration, is one and a quarter tons per acre, 78 NATALIA. approximately. This, with a vaUic of £i^ per ton, is LMjual to an annual sum of ^675,000. The price, of course, fluctuates, but the above may be taken as a fair average. Tea follows, with an acreage of 2,400. The estimated return for the year 1894-5 ^^i" be 800,000 lbs. It should not be forgotten that a large proportion of the acreage described as being under plant is not yet bearing, as the industry is but young. Were the whole area to be picked at once, its yield would be 1,250,000 lbs., which, at the low valuation of 6d. per lb., would give a total sum of ;/^3i,250. A very large area of land has recently been planted with wattle trees, and last year 40,485 packages of bark were exported, with a value of ^^i 2,569. l■^)llowing these, tobacco, cereals, vegetables, and other minor products, are in evidence. Another item of considerable importance is wool, of which there is a large export from Natal, with an annual value of ^400,000 and upwards. Much of this wool, of course, is drawn from interior States ; nevertheless, as a reference to the following stock lists will show. Natal, in jiroportion to her area, has a fair jiroduction. Coal, also, is an item which is rapidly coming to the front as an article of export and local consumption. At the present, from local mines, the annual output is 240,000 tons, or an average of 20,000 tons per month, the greater portion of which is used lor bunkering steamers. Hides and skins constitute a fluctuating, but yet important item. In 1894, 204,092 ox and cow hides left Natal, with a value of ^31,864, while calf, sheep, and goat skins, to the number of 397,506, valued at £i^,S^5i appear in the Export lists. NATALIA. 79 Angora hair forms a large item; 516,054 lbs., valued at ^^23,804, were exported through Natal during the year 1894. Many other productions might be mentioned, but enough has been set down to indicate something of the scope and nature of the Colony's capabilities. In connection with stock it is somewhat difficult to give more than an approximate number. According to the Blue Books the European and Afrikanders of Natal own, of horned cattle, 205,542 ; Angora goats, 66,395 ; ordinary goats, 5,256 ; sheep, 923,977, permanently located in the country; horses, 26,492; pigs, 14,539; mules, 1,486. The Natives of Natal are estimated to own, of horned cattle, 518,578; goats, 280,908; horses, 38,084; pigs, 31,857; sheep, 21,075. Being an agricultural and pastoral race, whose principal articles of diet are Maize, Kaffir corn, milk, and beef, they have considerable annual production to cover local consumption. Much might be written on Natal's undeveloped industries. To skilled handicraftsmen and workers, vast scope is offered in fibre and silk culture alone. No less than four well-known varieties of fibrous plants flourish in the Colony. Of these, sisal hemp promises to become an important article : Cannabis Sativa is the next. This grows wild, and is extensively used by the Natives in the interior for bow strings. Of China grass, there are no less than four useful varieties, which flourish throughout the midlands and uplands. It matures in four months, and yields about thirteen cwt. to the acre. New Zealand flax also grows all over the Colony, yielding long and abundant iiljre. Bearing in mind the wonderful financial revolution which has taken place in the Bahamas 8o NATALIA. bv the culture of sisal alone, it is difficult to understand \vli\ the efforts of that veteran colonist, Dr. P. C. Sutherland, have not, as yet, borne fruit. This gentleman has demonstrated beyond all doubt that fibre can be grown, cleaned, and manufactured at lucrative rates in the Colony, and time after time has exhibited it in its raw and manufactured state. An article of such extensive utilitv as this could not fail, if largely cultivated and worked, to become an important staple in the productions and industries of the country. Owing to the altitudinal and climatic conditions of Natal, there are scores of other articles of use and luxury, which might, and doubtless will, with increased p(_>pulation and wants, be developed with ad\antage in the coming }ears, and will become factors of vast impcirtance in the further development of the country. And now, having outlined the discovery, the rise and progress of Natal, it but remains to pen a few concluding words regarding our fellow Colonists, the Dutch Afrikanders. There are not wanting manv Britons who are slow to respect their conscientious convictions, permitting race prejudice and national jealousy to sway their judg- ment even to the limit of ignoring their heroic struggles for liberty ; but when, in time to come, all that is incidental is forgotten, and the broad facts of history are viewed dispassionately, they will, doubtless, be accorded that just recognition and appreciation to which they are so eminently entitled. Hitherto, these white races have kept severely apart, seldom recognising common interests, and oftentimes, as has been shown, positively hostile. Let it be hojied that in the onward march of Colonial progress, the exclusiveness of race prejudice may be lost in the higher claims and greater good SIR WALTER PE.\CE, K.C.M.G.. Agtnt'Generat for Satal. NATALIA. 8i of the common weal, and that thus the way may be paved for that fusion of the white races in South Africa which has been foreshadowed elsewhere in this work. With respect to the Native tribes, there is much yet to be done, and all who have the welfare of the country at heart would do well to give the question serious consideration. It must be borne in mind that they are around and about us everywhere, and that they are on the increase. It will, therefore, be our duty so to govern, mould, and elevate them, that they shall become in our hands a source of strength and prosperity. This question is no simple one, and it is to be hoped that the Parliaments of South Africa will, in the interests alike of the white man and the black man, enact wise and just laws for the gradual elevation of the coloured races of South Africa, who should be regarded by us as a charge placed upon us by Providence. More especially should these concluding remarks be remembered on such an occasion as the one which this history is written to commemorate. Let it therefore be the prayer of every loyal Colonist, that the prosperity which is now dawning may never be overshadowed by discord amongst those whose privilege it is to work together, to maintain that peace and goodwill which was ordained of old, and which should be ever present in the minds and hearts of all whose lot is cast in Fair Natal ! :iiL ^. 84 View on Mooi River, Natal. Appendix. »-♦-< LIST OF IMMIGRANT VESSELS FROM 1848 to 1851. No. of Name From Arrival Immigrants Beta Bremen (Germans) March 23rd, 1848 189 Sarah Bell .'. London -. Nov. 17th, 1848 13 Gwalior London Dec. 25th, 1848 26 Elizabeth Jane London Feb. 9th. 1849 22 Lalla Rookh London May gth, 1849 24 Wanderer London May 14th, 1849 108 Washington London July iSth, 1849 74 Henry Tanner London Oct. loth, 1849 152 John Gibson London Oct. 27th, 1849 35 Dreadnought London Nov. 2nd, 1849 103 Aliwal London Dec. loth, 1849 104 King William London and Plymouth Jan. 23rd, 1850 188 Ina Glasgow March 8th, 1850 120 Sovereign London and Plymouth March 24th, 1850 195 Edward London and Plymouth May 2nd, 1850 207 Lady Bruce London and Portsmouth May gth, 1850 207 Hebrides London and Plymouth May loth, 1850 129 Herald London and Plymouth May 27th, 1850 48 Conquering Hero Glasgow June 29th, 1850 118 Minerva London July 3rd, 1850 276 Henrietta Liverpool July 5th, 1850 169 Ballengeich London July 26th, 1850 95 Sandwich London July 27th, 1850 12 Henry Warburton Liverpool Sept. 4th, 1850 10 Globe London Sept. 7th, 1850 21 Unicorn Liverpool Sept. 17th, 1S50 258 86 APPENDIX. No. of Name From Arrival Immigrants. Nile London Sept. 25tli, 1850 102 British Tar London and Plymouth Sept. 27th, ICS50 98 Haidee Hull Oct. 7th, 1850 246 Tuscan London Oct. gth, 1850 19 Emily London and Flj-mouth Oct. loth, 1850 177 Choice London Oct. 12th, 1850 43 Devonian Liverpool Oct. 31st, 1850 84 Justina London Nov. loth, 1850 102 Pallas Hull -. Dec. nth, 1850 18 Amazon London Jan. ist, 1851 60 Wilhelmina Liverpool Jan. 8th, 1851 13 Dreadnought London Feb. 17th, 1851 64 Bernard London Feb. i8th, 1851 54 Vixen London March 13th, 1851 10 Ceres London April 2nd, 1851 4 Albinia Glasgow April 28th, 1851 3 John Line London May 3rd, 1851 130 John Bright London May 12th, 1851 55 Bailey London May 13th, 1851 i Lady Sale Glasgow May 14th, 1S51 2 Ceres Liverpool May 21st, 1851 Harlequin London May 26th, 1851 i Jane Green London July gth, 1851 54 Jane Morrice Liverpool July nth, 1851 44 Cheshire Witch London July 28th, 1851 2 Urania Leith Aug. 25th, 1851 4 Borneo London Oct. 2nd, 1851 Bellona Liverpool Oct. 3rd, 1851 33 Isle of Wight Glasgow Oct. 6th, 1851 13 Killermont London Nov. 27th, 1851 2 Devonian Liverpool Dec. 2nd 1851 30 a?^ « nj'jj^'ij^gj^ 3 Q LLUSTRATIONS ©^:^'^i.^'©/|)® -V&' ^^ s ^ Bluff and Back Beach, Durban. 91 . -.*w: - 94 View of Point and Addington from Bluff, 1867. Csiit; View of Point and Addin$i:ton from Bluff, 1897. 95 steamers at Wharf, Durban. 97 Jfe ^ i s '" gWi«!l!HMi!r|I«||flli|l||,;p||||j| steamers Coaling at Durban. 99 M St. Paul's Wharf, Durban. West Street, Durban. 103 io6 West Street, Durban, 1858. West Street, Durban, 1898. 107 (jardiner Street, Durban. J 09 "^ Town Hall and Band Stand, Durban. '#; Q, u U 2 View in Town (iardens, Durban. "5 Banyan Tree, West End Park, Durban. 117 *%< yi^^ a o 75 O V 3 a 5) Church Street, Alarit/burg. 133 I. Oovernment House, Maritzburg. 135 138 Church Street, Maritzbur>j, 1867. -• ; t. 3_ . .- -^^ Church Street, Maritzburg;, i.So7. 139 (ieneral Post Office and Court House, rtlaritzburg. 141 Legislative Assembly Buildings, Maritzburg. M3 Interior of St. Saviour's Cathedral, Maritzburg. 145 Town Hall, Maritzburg. M7 Commercial Road, Maritzburg. 149 Howick Falls, Umgeni Ri\er. 151 u E •3 Rapids on Umgeni. 155 y^ Tugela Falls, Natal. 157 River Scene, Natal. 159 ^.('i^. v'„< , a •J u 75 it C 3 •J Sugar Factory. 163 Tea Plantation (Africa Cultivated). t66 The Wilds of Tugela (Africa L'ncultivated). 167 Banana Plantation. 169 Quarrying Marble. 171 Opening a (iold Reef. »73 w Gold Digger's Hut. '75 ■>A !•>'_'. c«»7» /' Natives Building a Hut. 177 !il^^^ ^;vs^Uprt««3iiii»***R^- Native Hut and Urain House. :.ai«rv 179 Interior of Native Chieftain's; Hut. iSi Native Chief and War Party. 183 Natives Dressing Hair and Taking Snuff. 185 Natives Braying a Hide. 187 Native Milking a Cow. iSg Natives Making Fire by Abrasion. 191 Domestic Scene at Native Kraal. '93 m Tugela Falls, Colenso. 195 Native Reflections. 197 L/ UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 9^8 EiMRi JAN 2 2 1969 24^^61 J 4AN ■- REC'D LD-URL AUG 2 4 1984 * cf mw * # 1 iKg Form L9-25m-7,'63(D8618s8)444 ri 3 1 58 00949 100 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAI. LI AA 001 142 ■':('■ • :i-. ! iil!l *;;;■•: ■ •If. ' I • ' ; 1 '^ . i ^ ■ '