BOERS AT ST. HELENA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 147, 22 June 1901, Page 5 (Supplement)

BOERS AT ST. HELENA.

GOVERNOR DESCRIBES THEIR HAPPY

SURROUNDINGS.

HOW CRONJE LIVES.

Mr R. A. Stenulule, Governor of St. Helena, who has gone to England on three moutlm' slt'k leave, arrived in London recently. "We left Ht. Helena," said Mr Storudalp to n representative of the "Dally Mail," "or. April 10, and were so delayed by head winds that we only arrived In London this morning. Everything is moving on smoothly in the' island. "The most prominent prisoner among the 4(500 Boers who are quartered there Is, of corrse, General Cronje. He occupies a small eight-roomed cottage not far from Government House, and lives there with his wife, grandson, a secretary, and adjutant. His house has a comfortable verandah in front, where he passes most of the duy smoking his pipe. He is in good health nnd seems very contented. He Is not allowed to leave tils home without an escort. Whenever he expresses v desire to go out a carriage and pair, together with an escort, are always sent from Government House. 1 have also offered him the use of saddle horses, but he has only twice availed himself of the privilege.

"On two Sundays In each month he attends the open-air service of the Dutch Reformed Church. He is not at all literary in his tastes, and I think rruds but little. He is never Intruded upon. His secretary, whose name Is Keazer, is a pleasant-faced, thoroughly intelligent man.

THE BOER CAMPS.

"There are two camps for the rank and flic of the Boer prisoners. Broad Bottom, which Is 1500 feet above the level of the sea, accommodates 2000 men, and at Deadwood, 2000 feet above sea level, 2(300 are housed. Both encampments are surrounded by a double line of barbed wire fence, and are guarded by about 1000 men. The prisoners live mostly In huts built by themselves, nnd constructed of empty packing cases and kerosene tins. The only restriction made is that they shall be portable, In order to move from place to place, and arranged in regular lines. The men do their own cooking, nnd are very Ingenious In arranging their huts.

"The rations consist of one pound of fresh meat five days in the week, and a like amount of preserved moat on the other two. They are given one nnd a-qunrter pounds of bread each day, together with vegetables and condiments, sugar, coffee, etc. All the provisions served are of the very best.

"There lias been no sickness among the prisoners. Many of them were suffering from enteric when they arrived, but this was speedily stamped out. There was a severe epidemic of influenza recently.to which many of the islanders succumbed. There were no cases, however, among the Boers.

"The prisoners amuse themselves in many ways. They are very fond of cricket and football. They hnve a recreation hall, in which their musical club frequently gives concerts. They have among them a musical composer named Schumann, who claims to be a collateral descendant of the great composer. He has written a Boer hymn Bince his captivity.

"There are many tradesmen among them, nnd they are constantly encouraged to ply their trades. They carve napkin rings from beef bones, and make fine walking-sticks, for which they are granted material from the Government forests*. We recently had an exhibition of articles manufactured by the prisoners, ond It was highly creditable.

"There nre few relics of the great Napoleon remaining at St. Helena. We have at Government House his bookcase, two cabinets, and pier classes. Some IS months neo Miss Bneley died nt the age of 91 years. She saw the great Emperor lahd, saw his funeral, and witnessed the exhumation of his body.