FROM SOUTH AFRICAN PAPERS.

Mataura Ensign, 23 July 1914, Page 7

FROM SOUTH AFRICAN PAPERS.

Just before the .opening of the- batth of 'Diamond Hill, in the Boer war, foui soldiers, complete strangers, met rouiK an overturned' keg for. a ihasty meal After t.he meal, says an exchange, ou< ■produced a bad liurin. ivhich .was neat>l\ cut ini four quarters, asul a eomoac teas made that each man should weai the memento on his watch-chain ishouk he survive. The four, who belonged to dnfferont regiments, then went int< action, and from that moment none lizard! anything -of the othei'w trll' a fev' nights ago, when a. farewell dinoier \va: being given to a popular man in Bir minghani, who was going abroad. Thi four than with amazement recognised •each other by l ; h-e p'icies of metal at tar.hecl to tbe.ir watch-guards. In addition to the encouragement given by the U.S.A. Company to intending Rhodesian settlers we find present rtiiidents also make exceptional offers:—"WAXTED, —ln exchange, for two tobacco farms. ATia.randellas: district, a good' secoml-Jjaiidi bicycle, must have strong frame, suitable for long journey, also lamp.—'Ahi.ri,' Marantlellas." TbSs is from the "Wanted" column .of the .'.RlKKksia. Hcra-!d.' The Kaffir, boy had been instructed! by his .mistress to hoe the rose garden. Coming out some time I'ivter die was horrified to find him mercilessly cutting down the bushes. "Why, April," she exclaimed, "thus is not th* t'ime to prune the roses." "Yes, ma'am," was the rr<pJy, "but I .must eut him, off before 1 >vork, .-he tear, my does." ' A strange sight, that of an Indian widing ■do'wa the 'main; .street on an psjtrii hj, has bcew witnessed l several times lately, says the East London. .'Star.dard.' By keeping li'is legs over : the bird's wings, he prevents it from iising them, and 'guides' tho bird by

i.ii rem- round the neck. The rein end >s also used as a. .whip when the animal ■.begins to slow up."—The rider appears to have complete control of liiis mount, (Not long ago a Free .State farmer .lri'ived in Johannesburg with' a large idrove of cattle for sale by auction. The 'oatfc'e realised welt over £6OO. On oom_ pletion of the transaction, the sailer accompanied by a member of ill® auctioneer's staff, went to the bank and cashed the auctioneer's cheque far the amount mentioned. At atwut 7.30 in the evening lie macle his way to Braamfontein railway station, so he said, with the idea; •of arranging about tiie conveyance of ■some fanning implements puriihased that afternoon. In hi-s possession was something .over £6OO im notes and ca>sli. From. Braamiontein the farmer made his way to town, and' while on, his. way, wud .near the market, it is alleged that lie was waylaid, M'itli the usual query of the time or request for a .match, and during the process of lobliging was gently deprived of his senses from behind with a handbag. When' ho came to about am hour or so afterwards it . was to find hjs money missing.