OUR SOUTH AFRICAN LETTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2546, 31 December 1902, Page 26

OUR SOUTH AFRICAN LETTER.

(From Otjb Own Corbespoxdent.)

JOHANNESBURG, October 30

The projected visit of Mr Chamberlain to South Africa is- the topic of the" hour on the Rand;- If- heed were given to the outpourings one- has-t<> listen- to " between "the chains" it might Le supposed tne destinies ©f not only the conquered territory but all British South African possessions were bound up in the Witwntersrand reef. The Stock Exchange people would appear to think ihe Colonial Secretary is leaving England for the sole purpose of ascertaining what' would be a fair assessment to place on the gold industry as contribution to the •war debt. Mr Chamberlain can be trusted to fully acquaint himself on mining, matters from a local standpoint, but he will have «sven greater concerns to arrest his attention during his stay in this country. No tloubfc it is very desirable that the mining groups should know exactly "where they are " as regards taxation ; at the same time, the idea that a certain levy would mean th* killing of the mining industry, and such another lesser tax would seriously liamper operations, is all moonshine. The gold will continue to be harvested whatever reasonable burden of taxation is placed on the reef, and there was never a suggestion of asking for an undue contribution. The share of the profits that will be divided among the big mining houses is of cour=e bound up in the taxation that will bo assessed. These house? gathered in the shekels in no stinted manner prior to the •war, and seem greedy to have them pour in> even " more abundantly hereafter. The mines can and should undoubtedly bear a ve^y considerable portion of the increased national" debt. The mining people have for months been in a fever of unrest to "know the worst," as it is put. They will, it appears, have to possess their souls in patience, for it is now perfectly clear tliat until "Mr Chamberlain, a^ter having gained fuller knowledge from personal investigation, has had time to place his views before <the Cabinet will the Imperial Government pronouncement in retrard to Transvaal taxation be made. Speaking about the unrest among the mining magnates. Lord Milner, in his latest deliverance, said : "It seems to me that the question of taxation is just one of those matter 6—l6 — I should not say the same of all matter? — in which you can afford to have very great confidence in the generosity and jrood sens© of the British people. Even if thore were not, as it appears to mo, an absence in the trablic •statements of responsible statesmen of anything really calculated to create alarm, I am not one of those who think it wise to look beneath the plain sense of declarations of that character for some occult meaning or tricky dodge I take them in their plain sense, and, lookine at them in that way. it appears to me that we are face to face with declarations that the resources of this country, enhanced— mind you, enhanced, and greatly enhanced— by Imperial credit, are to be devoted in the first instance to the development of the country itself. And though it is certainly expected, and in my judgment reasonably exnected, that in the event of great resulting prosperity we ehould make some contribution from our abundance to -the *clief of those through whose pr.dt sacrifices and present generosity that prosperity will bo largely due— (applause)^— there is nevertheless no intention" to place any .burden upon this polony which should prevent or even 'delay the progress of the country. Since in any case an immediate contribution is not expected of us. I can see ?ome advantages in tim<> being pive-n to have the subject "anti'iated — time *""

broader views, more perfect information, and a better mutual understanding. I know — and I wish to speak of that opinion with rcspect—lhat it is held by many good judges that uncertainty on this point hampers industry and enterprise, and is responsible for the present comparative stagnation. But surely, gentlemen, there are other obvious, much more obvious, much more notent rea=on3 for that stagnation. They are all, I believe firmly, removable ; they will all disappear, if not all at once, and when we do see the end of them, and the industry of this country, and especially of this olacp, has resumed its old projjortions—l will not say assumed tho^e much larger proportions which we confidently expect for it; — when that time comes I am perfectly certain we f-'hall hear very little of this question which hao. to my mind, assumed an exaggerated importance, because it was sprung upon us at the very moment when we were in doleful dump* through other and graver re-a.-ons. What is to my mind the great, salient, and the most encouraging feature of the late controversy is that expenditure for development now occupies the first place."

The effect of the ordinance admitting foodstuffs free of duty to the Tranpvaal has not been so far felt in the cost of living. The Customs concessions are naturally a \ery substantial g?in, but until the question of railway rates is taken in hand the root of the matter cannot be got at. With the pressure on the lines for militaiy services being gradually relaxed we may hope for increased facilities in the delivery of goods, the handling of which in small quantities lias made for adding to the price to consumer^.' Promise is now made that tho whole matter of freights will bo zone into without loss of time, the ramifications of divided control, according to the authorities, alone mterfeiing with the speedy adjustment of cheaper transit.

Building is going on apace in .Tohannef!burtr. In the city proper one of the old landmarks — " the corner house," where the firm of Eckstein, controllers of more than one mining group, carried on business, and where the foundations of several immenso fortunes were laid — lias been entirely demolished. It ia to be replaced by an up-to-date structure of nine .stories. The Natal Bank is having a fine habitation elected, and now it fi announced that tXe^ c it w marked out by the late Barney Barnato for a huge theatre — great cranes showing the work had been initiated— is to be utilised for the rearing of a modern hotel to cost £300,000. A new Stock Exchange, and a theatre, m which Australian managers have an mteiest, are also about to be gone on with. In the suburbs dwelling* arc being built as fast as material can be obtained, which. :s: s not fast The Municipal Council is going to take a hand in endea\ouring to meet the demand for houses. Ihe plans for over 300 municipal cottages have been passed, and these when built are to be let on easy terms, employee-: having the first chance of po?se?sion.

At Durban the building trade 1= very bruk. The port town may, indeed, be baid to be profiting by the. descent on South Africa as much as any other centre. There are many handsome structures along the Esplanade, and to the.-c is to be added one to put in the shade all other-. This is the Bachelors' Club. It will be a four storey building, with a flat roof, where smoking, billiard, and reading room- will be located.

The series of devastating storms has drawn pointed attention to the inadequacy of lifesaving apparatus at our different porU. The Port Natal authorities are taking steps to better affairs there by the erection of a chain of rocket stations along the coast Each of the stations will be furnished with three sets of rocket apparatus, the one at the terminus of West street hawng six ecU The port of Natal will then bo furnished with sufficient appliances to deal siniul tajueously with 15 distressed vessels.

Earl Grey, who is one of the Rhodes trustees, is "at present on a visit to South Africa. The noble lord, at a meeting at Capetown, stated that the Lord IVL.jor of London intended shortly to i»sue an appeal for subscriptions for a national memorial to Rhodes, to be erected on Table Mountain. The Capetown meeting resolved to join with the London committee, and to merge the South African fund into the Lord Mayor's.

The revived report circulated in New Zealand that your Premier was merely returning to the colony to fix up affairs before coming to these paita was duly cabled and chronicled here. The New Zealand "colony" on the Rand discredited the latest as they did the fir«t report ; and now that Mr Setlclon has himself repudiated tho notion, the Johannesburg papers aie unkind enough to offer thanks that he is not to be among the invading for«\ A New Zealander. writing to the Transvaal Loader, suggests that a baronetcy should be conferred on the light lion, jpntleman, and that he should be appointed High Commis&ionev of the Pacific.

The death is announced of Chris Botha, who during the latter part of the war acted as assistant commandant-general of the Boer forces. He was a younger brother of the Boer commander-in-chiof, Louis Botha, and. like him, was all through the campaign recogniscel as one of the most skilful and enlightened leaders on the enemy's picle. I met the deceased general at Durban a few month* back. A more cordial, kindly disposed man it would ha%e been difficult to find. He was only ill a short time, going into hospital at Kok=tad to be operated on fov pcrityphhtis abscess. From the operation he never rallied, and died on the 27th October.

The visit of the Australian cricketers created extraordinary interest in Johannesburg. The two matches play on the Wanderers' Ground drew record attendances, and the whole of the guaranteed amount of £2000 for -the South African tour was more than made up by the six days' gate. The capita] display made by the players from the veldt stimulated the crowd. The draw that resulted from the first game, with the South Africans in the completed innings scoring more than the vinitors, gave hope to the local entlni'-iaßts of beating the all-conquering 1 team in the return match. But, as a leading member of the Austialian Kle\en said to inc. "they lrad not come to South Africa to be taken down " Few of the Australians played in anything like form, yet they pulled oft the second match easily enough.

No fewer than ?i\ mounted Volunteer corps are being foimed on tlif Rand. And the establishment provides for as many purely foot regiment*. K\ cry encouragement is bemg given to tlu>-e who have carried arms to keep up thi'ir soldiering. With the material at hand the Transvaal Volunteers «hould bp an efficient and tplendid body of men. The capitation grant will be: — For an efficient mounted soldier. £6 per annum ; for an efficient infantiy soldier. £5 per annum. In addition, allowances will be given at the late of £18 per annum for a lioise being the bona fide property of the Volunteei, ar.d regularly u-ed and ridden by him, and at the rate of £2 per aniuim for a bicycle. Any Volunteer, in order to obtain the grant, must, unless he has served for six montlife m the field with his own arm during the war, or has been for two years an efficient member of a recognised fighting unit, pass a recruit'o course in drill and musketry, and ir addition mu?t pa c s a trained soldier's cour.-e in mvw-ketiy and do ceitain dulls and ;.tttMid camp of exrr-oi-e. The Government will, in addition to the capitation grant and allowances, keep up .i permanent staff for each regiment, and the necessary (superintending s-taff, will issue fiee of cost all service clothing and accoutre merits, etc.. a= a fiivt i« s ue to the oorp^ up to >ts fuU fctrensih, and will fiec

ammunition up to a limit of 200 rounds per head for the number of Volunteers. Government will in addition contribute a certain amount for the necessary permanent establishment for the camp of exercise. Volunteers will be granted the following privileges: — They will be exempt from p"oll tax and from service on juries, and, when in uniform, will, on a pass signed by their immediate commanding officer, be entitled to travel at half rates on the Government lailways. Government will make certain arrangements by which the bulk of Jhe mounted Volunteers who live at or near towns will be able to obtain the forage rations for their horses at reasonable rates.

Among those that took part in the rush to the Pietersburg diggings were ex-Otago residents in Messrs Lilliecrona and Simmers. They have not yet returned to civilisation, but the former writes very encouragingly of the prospects of the district. He describes it as a wonderful country, extremely rich in gold-bearing reef, with a mineral belt some 100 miles in length and 10 to 12 miles wide, and gives as his opinion that when railway communication is obtained " the Rand itself will not be in it, with the Murchison." The reef he describes r.s a we-11-defin&tf, large body of ore, giving splendid prospects and occasionally showing visible. He states he has examined the rivers with reference to dredging, but lips fornd nothing payable as yet. although he to think he may have better success as regards this ill the upper reaches.

Lord Milner is determined to make himself thoroughly acquainted with the country. He is at present away on a tour through the Ea-tern Transvaal, and intends penetrating into ths wilds of the Ermelo district, v. here Mr A. J. Parsons is parcelling out land for p special

Judging by the copious downpours of rain we haie had in the past counlo of weeks, the rainy season may bo f-a;d to have set in. The wet has come earlier than usual this year. It i« very welcome, and already the veldt is putting on its green coat.

Mr Arthur H. Buchanan, representing the New Zealand I/o^n and Mercantile Aeencv Company, is a )cccnt avrival on the Band from Wellington.

Mrs George Hutchison and three daughters left Johannesburg on the 21 %t inst. to ioin the mail steamer Walm°r Cn<-tle at Durban. Tlieir visit to Eng'and will extend over a year.

I/ieutennnf--co!c i T'l Arthur Bauchop is li\ing cjuieilv v 'tli fri«r>cls nt .Teffestown, Johannesburg. A.s h>- himself express it, lie is merely " 'na v k.in<r time " at present. He is rastine Lis eves "Rliodesiaward*. Mr Harold Batgpr who vis oaptain in the Seventh New Zealand Retriment, and who returned h*re froi" the colony fome three •.vr'ks back, i=. li'-A hie brotlmv officer, taking things »rr-i'v for a time. His movement? are iindTiclpd.

Mr Merle Pnnor. 'son of tlie lote Hon. A. .T. Bonar ITokitilca, reached the "Rsnid from England early in I 1 « rrmv' 1 ! «rrl '^i secured a berth in the Deeds Registration Office. Pretoria. In flip <=ame ofllec Ik Mr C. Frceth, from WeHinyton. p'vl Mr Bourne, from Tirrqrn. All three held commissions in Neu - Zealand rcfin""nt r .