IN OLD NATAL

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 111, 13 May 1933, Page 19

IN OLD NATAL

TOUR THROUGH PROVINCE

OLD "VOOR-TREKKERS "

(Specially Written for "The Post.") JOHANNESBURG, March 10. The general idea of the country iv South. Africa, after the summer months is that it is a somewhat burnt-up place, suffering from, drought, but this is not correct, at least of Natal.. A. tour through the Province discloses hills and dales of wonderful greenness, the more surprising because, during the whole journey from Durban to Piotermaritzburg, only once was water sighted—a small waterfall, on a river which is 'conserved into a large reser-. voir. As far as the eye could see on either side there- wero immense tracts of flattish . country, jvaterless throughout. The greenness was accounted for by recent rain. As the land is hot, it forms a "forcing house" and the gra^ appears immediately. "FULL. QT HISTORICAL INTEREST." "Maritzburg," as it is usually called, is an.exceptionally pretty town,, full of historical interest. The influence of the "v.oor-trekkers," or early Dutch settlers is seen everywhere. There are monuments, and houses built in Dutch architectural style, and a wonderfully interesting museum, which is placed in the' earliest Dutch church, restored and made suitable for the purpose. In 41113 fine collection there can. be traced a good deal of the lives and struggles of the strong-minded Dutchmen and obedient wives who braved so many dangers in the new colonisation.. An old cart, used as a trailer to carry all the family goods, centres all, with heavily built boxes around, and with wooden tireless wheels. Seeing the country, it is realised that the discomforts of bumping .along, tracklessly, into the unknown must have been terrible. There arc old Dutch pictures, samplers, clocks, china "in glass and jewellery of old-world make that must have been the loved household treasures of many a Dutch lady, and the wonder is; that they ever managed to bring such 'things into the wilderness. REMARKABLE NEEDLEWORK. The needlework was more impressive, and even the modern girl, who works so daintily and charming, could learn something from the. lovely handworked wedding veils, the stitching on the frocks of baby clothes—perfect on either side —and the marvellous waistcoats, made for smart young men or old veterans who liked to look their best at church or at any permissible entertainments. The bonnets or "eappies" were, perhaps, the most surprising. These were, often interlined with colour, and piped around the face, and as no cord was available in those days the industrious ladies made it with unravelled material worked up into cord. These also are perfect on both sides. Part of the town museum is specially interesting to visitor's as there is a splendid collection of stuffed animals, graceful deer, elands, koodoos in others, giraffes, elephants, and lions,, all treated by an expert who loved animals and managed to give the most wonderful and varied "expressions" to the exhibits. :• "THE WORLD'S VIEW."* A drive of some miles through charming suburbs, with many gardens and homes (Dutch style being largely used) ■is to a height where the visitor is shown "The World's View." It is well-named, as the remarkably clear African air makes it possible to see for many miles, and flat-topped frowning mountains, which are such a feature of Africa, are ,seen in the distance, with fields of "mealies," bananas, sugar canes, and vines, all green and lovely, alternated with roads or tracks of the rust-red earth which is so characteristic of the landscapes. There does not appear to be-any yellow clay as. in New Zealand; it is nil in brick-tones. The wild flowers would need a chapter to themselves. It is odd to see the African" marigolds, which are grown with so much care in other countries, as weeds everywhere, torn up and thrown away with contumely! There are peculiar insect-catching cacti and other flowers, surely provided by a kindly Providence, as it is a remarkable country for ''creatures'' of many weird shapes, and sometimes of objectionable habits. Some of the cacti grow like little 'castles or "Stonehenges," and are most interesting. Native portulaea■like flowers are of infinite varity and exquisite colour, and in the 'tame" flowers, frangipanni and gardenias are among the beautifully scented ones. Hibiscus and bougainvillea arc evorywhere in great beauty, eannas also making a vivid rainbow-tinted show in public and private gardens. All these, and many other beauties have been already seen, although the socalled "garden district" of South Africa has not been visited. This is an immense pleasure to come. A VERY ACTIVE ROTARY. Maritzburg, like Durban and other cities, has a very active Rotary, which welcomes visitors, and' shows them delightful attention, and also specialises in assistance to young people in poor .or . undesirable circumstances. There does not appear to be any special record of the many good deeds done, but they are many and in widely-spread directions. One particularly interesting to a visitor who has always strongly objected to the unkind and humiliating name "Home of the Aged Needy" which has disfigured a Wellington charity, is the "Home of Rest," a place for poor old folks of both sexes, who live out their lives there in a garden .and homo of sensiblo arrangement and beauty. This is a place of special interest to Rotarians, and they are responsible in Dui'ban for a "Home for Boys" placed on a hillside in a charming situation and view, where a good ehanee is given to many young ones. The womenkind are immensely active in many directions, having a Plunketlike society for mothers and infants, and many others for older children and young people. The matter of maternal mortality is a close concern of the National Council of Women, as the record of the union is not as good as that of New Zealand and other countries. The members were greatly interested and approving of the successful effort of New Zealand women in endowing a Chair of Obstetrics at Otago University for the special study of women's ailments, and it is hoped that something may bo done later on similar lines.—M.H.C.