From South Africa to N.Z.

Southern Cross, Volume 12, Issue 43, 21 January 1905, Page 9

From South Africa to N.Z.

(By E. G. East.)

It is sometime since I wrote you last, but you know the reason, so 1 need not go into that, but will slip right away into things more interesting.

We left Durban on 25th Nov,, and by breakfast were fully forty miles on towards Capetown. Our good ship Mdtiades seemed to defy the waves between those ports, so that by 7 am. on the 28th we had run the gauntlet of the Cape Customs, were safe in our boarding house,. and enjoying a good breakfast on shore. After breakfast four of us who had chummed up together (as we were all bound for Australia) set out to do Capetown for all it was worth with the time'at our disposal. Our first, visit was to the Shipping Co.’s office to secure tickets, and, if possible, a four-berth cabin for ourselves, and lucky for us we did make that our first place, or we should have had a few more days to stay in that ancient, dirty town, as the demand for passages astonished everyone of us. We cleared with our tickets to make room for others who felt inclined to try, only to be disappointed.

Our next visit was to tlie trams, which we found did not nearly compare with the Durban cars for cleanliness and comfort. The fares are quite as cheap, but the road or track itself is in a very bad state of repair, for when riding on the top one has to hold on very tight to maintain their gravity. ‘ Only athletes on top ’ should be their rule. Splendid views are obtainable on any route taken, especially that to camp bay, where mixed bathing is indulged in by the residents, but of course under cover of a fine building. No men are allowed in unless accompanied by a

lady. On our return to town we cora- , pleted the circuit of what is known as the Lion’s Head. As none of us were able to visit the mixed bathing party we enjoyed a good dip in Mother Ocean, and returned home as hungry as hunters. In the afternoon we visited all the parks that we could find. The most noticeable feature was the great number of oak trees that must have stood for from 50 to 150 years at least. The famous Hew Zealand cabbage tree is also very prominent; it was just bursting into flower. The parks, like the buildings, look as if they had seen many years come and go. While rambling about Capetown one comes across places almost identical with the lowest dens or slums of the worst parts of old England. I thought Durban was no criterion for any town as to population, but I dare not mention Capetown, as the thought makes even poor me shudder.

In the evening we walked about town, and came into some queer places, one of which caused the four of us to be on our guard, for blacks, half-castes, Indians, and Cape boys were fighting and howling in right good style. The police, we were told, dare not put in an appearance, so we decided to retire also.

The next day we decided to go and see Cecil Rhodes’s place at Groote Schour, Rondebosch, and'were amply rewarded for our ride. While there I sat on one of the many seats provided, while my companions roamed about admiring the lions and kangaroos, and wondered if ever such a great schemer lived before or would ever live again. I thought of the risks he ran and the dodges he took part in, even to the last great act of Princess Radzewell* I reflected how the man hid the truth, and the public praised him. Poor Princess ! A muchinjured lady. After some considerable time ray mates returned, but so deep had I grown on the great man that I did not heed them for some time, but their constant talk and laughter brought my thoughts back to their requirements. They were anxious to get some silver leaves from the estate, but a short look round soon banished that idea, as it was forbidden to take any from the property, even though we saw them growing there. Our next idea was to go through the building, as we had beenjinforraed that it was open to the public. We approached the mansion and rang the bell, the door being opened by the caretaker, and when we announced our desire in a polite way we were informed that at present it was impossible, as the Great Jameson had taken up his residence, there. We did not ask any questions, as we were only Australians, and we were not sure of our ground as to how such people stood at the Gape, or we might have gained our point, the great Dr Jameson notwithstanding. However, we decided to retiie, and as we did so, each picked up a fir-cone as a memento of Groote Schour.

(To be continued)