A South African Landmark.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 5 August 1912, Page 4

A South African Landmark.

Discussion is taking placc as to the future use to which the old Law Courts in Capteown are to be put as soon as they are vacanted for the now buildings, which arc Hearing completion. Municipal reformers would doubtless he glad to see the old pile, impressive even in its simplicity, entirely cleared away so as to give a more imposing approach to the Parliament Buildings. But to the archaeologist, the removal would be regretted. As far back as 1726, Valentijn in his "Old and New East India,'' speaks of "flic large flat-roofed slave lodge, one storey high," in which during his visit to the, Cape, ABOUT 600 SLAVES were housed under the superintendance of a "Mandover," and who were employed in the garden and elsewhere. This lodge was undoubtedly amongst the first establishments of the Dutch East India Company upon the formation of the «ettlement. The Company exercising the exclusive right of commerce, chartered: vessels, and as occasion required supplied the lodge with slaves from Madagascar and Mozambique. It was early in the last century that a proposal was made by the then Governor, the Earl of Caledon, to devote tho building to more worthy purposes. He recommended [ that the slaves should bo sold and the proceeds expendid in turning the building for the use of the Administration. The suggestion appears to have been adopted, for in 1810, tho slaves having been reduced in number, were confined to one wing of ohe lodge and the rest of the building was devoted to judicial and' other official purposes. In 1811, the slave quarters were abolished, the slaves who left being removed to a smaller building at ttoo upper end of the gardens. In carrying out some minor alterations in the "building a few years ago some chains and shackles were, unearthed.