SOUTH AFRICAN CAPITAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 1 November 1924, Page 10

SOUTH AFRICAN CAPITAL.

A VISIT TO PRETORIA. KRUGER’S COTTAGE. Like a fairy palace, on a plateau more than half-way up a kopje, - stand the Union Buildings, housing the Central Administration of half a continent arid forming the main feature of South Africa’s Federal capital. Two arid a half millions of Money have been expended upon these magnificent buildings. Far beneath, and a mjle aWay, the city of Petoria is spread oh either side of the Aapies river. A series of Wide terraces forms a worthy approach to the rnain buildings, connected by an amphitheatre. The crescent points are marked _ with domed towers* each surmounted by a huge bronze statue of Atlas holding aloft a globe, which seems to touch the sky. The .vast roof, picturesquely covered with RoMan tiles, is sb near the elements that it has been foiirid necessary to place lightning conductors every 6ft. The construction has been carried out with African materials -yWhite stone, granite, marbles arid timbers froth the forests of Rhodesia. As cine Wanders through the ( colonnades, loggias, auditorium, arid fountain courts, one indeed lives iri the splendour arid magnificence of ancient Rome. Even the are riot far away, for 600 native convicts are at work daily tending the fairy gardens, palm avenues, lawns arid ‘ artificial ponds. The absence of ornamentation is striking, for the design relies almost entirely upon simolicity and noble proportions.

As I stood lookirig westward from the pavilion to the long line of blue and distant kdpjes, studded with rich colours like jewels in an emerald eea, a sigh escaped for my native Australia arid her nebulous Canberra. When it is considered that 20 years ago Pretoria was a dorp (village), and this magnificent structure was begun in i9lo, the noticeable pride of the city people is easily justified. One feels, rather than sees, the wonder of it all, for without doubt the whole scheme is a noble conception, and takes its place amongst the finest things in the world. Reluctantly the classic surroundings are left, and One passes along an avenue of spreading Ceringa frees, which have almost met overhead in an arC u -f°R a S e - From a perch under each tree gorgeous parrots are screammg. Our quest is a very rare animal, one ® the few black leopards iri the world. With hatred, ferocity, and bitter resentment in eyes of pale emerald green, round as a full moon, she lies motionless, forepaws stretched out—a magnificent creature of jet black satin without spot or blemish. A rising cloud of steam attracts attention 1 and reveals a large rhinoceros asleep on a mud bank, “sizzling”! under the fierce sun The growl *of hear, the cry of jackal, and the song of birds greet our departure. Just outside the city of Petoria is What was the home of General Kruger. The front is quite in its original state, although portion of the cottage is now used as a hdlpital. One of the large rooms contains 300 glass cases of artificial flowers and loving messages in Dutch sent at his death by numerous admirers. Standing in one corner is Hmger’s white mai’ble headstone. Photographs of hie funeral and a portrait of “Oom (Uncle) Paul” with his wife m their young days hang on the walls.

Over the mantelpiece is a lsrg© and curious canvas in oils. In the foreground the painter has depicted a crowd of Boers on the veldt. Men, women, and children are waving hats, caps, and hands to the head and shoulders of Kruger as his bust ascends to heaven, where angels are shown waiting to crown his arrival with a laurel wreath. If the artist has achieved in that face, with its small, cunning eyes, bushy head, and red fringe of beard, the Teal Paul Kruger, one feels surorised that the old general is not drawn descending instead of ascending. Yet. as with most of the Boers, the Bible was his only literature, and I am informed that even his conversations were largely made up of Scriptural quotations—or misquotations quite as often. Years ago Queen Victoria sent two Hons carved from white stone as a gift to Kruger. The lions were purposely dumped on the veldt and lost. Kruger hated anvthing British. However, today on either side of the three steps leading from his cottage on the etoep (verandah) stand those same two British lions.