South Africa.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7399, 15 September 1902, Page 2

South Africa.

'Present and Future.

Mr E. L Hams, who is on a visit to C'iiristeJiurch, after a residence of ten yrars in South A Erica, says that, having lived ir that country, he will not rest content in any other, liven the charm of New Zealand's famous climate an-.l natural beauty is not sufficient to entic him from the country of gold and diamonds. "Money," he says," •'is a« plentiful as anyone could desire." JoI annesburg is a wonderful place now, with its 170,000 inhabitants. It will be much more wonderful in five yosiri' time, with its half a million Before the war the output of gold from tha city was about 400,000 ounces a month,' but who will say what the output will be after a few more years have passed. Johannesburg is «oing to be the cento* of the great country, and some immense fortunes will be made there by and by. Besides the gold, there are the coalfields at Lydenburg, which will bo opened up soon, a>id will yield a plentiful supply. At Kimberley, on the other side, the diamond mines are now in full swing, and round the city there are the river diggings, where sometimes very yaluable stones are found, though this has been called " the po^r field," as practicaHy the only capital needed is sufficient to pay for the small license fee charged fso one can calculate the immensity of the prospects before the country. I have lived there for ten years. I have been in almost all parts, from Rhodesia to the Cape, and would not return to reside iv New Zealand for anything.

•' I think that many oi the stones published in regard to the cost of living in South Africa are much exaggerated. In Durban 1 have lived at first-class hotels for from 12s 6a to los a day. Prices in Johannesburg are higher thin in other parts, but they are in an abnormal condition, owing to the permit system, which is still retained. This means that nothing can be sent forward without a permit from the military authorities, and it is impossible to get goods straight from the vessel's side. There is no re.sen why, when things reach their normal level again, living in Johannesburg should not be as cheap as in almost any other city m the world. All the manual lahour, of course, is done by the natives, and there ia still a keen demand for all sorts of skilled labour, at prices ranging from 25s to 30s a day in Johannesburg, and from 18s to £1 a day in Durban and other cities Eight through the country, I find, there is an. exceptional demand for tailors. Before I left South Africa I was asked to arrange for as many New Zealand tailors as I could secure at £3 a week. So long as a man is steady, earnest and ready to take up anything that comes to his hand, his success in South Africa is assured. That is my opinion, based on what J. liavo seen during my ten years' residence. On the other hand, it is a dreadful place for the man who begins to go to the dogs. Once down, Ins chance of rising again is not worth having.' People seem to be too intent noon makfng nrmey to stoou to help those who have fallea in the race. It is the optimistic, self-reliant, versatile, go-a-head man who commands success over there, and I don't see how he can miss it."

In reply to questions in regard to the consumption of New Zeiland produce in South Africa, Mr Harris said that New Zealand was not known on tho markets This colony's produce was consumed but it was all known as Australian, whether frozen meat, grain, poultry, or dairy produce. He thinks that there should be a splendid opening for this colony's goods, as the requirements of tho country are sure to increase oy leaps and bounds, lie is not quite so decided iv opinion]in respect to tho agricultural and pastoral prospects of South vfriea, though ho has seen some very fine grazing land in BeehuinHlund

and other district.",- an-.t fiocd graincrowing hind in the Orange Kivor Color.v.

Jlr ILutu 13 ra.;ui;cr for Messrs U.v.mio and Co., mill hn his headqairters ut Durban Business sites in that town seem to have risen to high prices For a frontage of less tl^aa eleven feet he pays £05 a month, and says that a business mm, to get a good position in the main street, must pay about £lOQ per month. Peoplo there think that from 12 to 15 per cent on their money is a fair return. Loans cunnot be obtained at less than 8 per cent. The banks will not give any interest on fixed deposits, and the principal banks will hare nothing to do with small accounts. He finds that jS'cw Zealanders and Australians Ret on very well though, the latter are inclined to boast of their own country, and to say, " We did things this way in Australia," forgetting that they are in South Africa, not the Commonwealth. The visitor has had some unique experiences during his journeyings, as ho was one of those who were shut up in Kimberley when 't was besieged. He says that so far as he can see, the Boers, as a race, aro now quite subdued, and are not likely to cause any more trouble.