TALE OF A TROWEL.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1934, Page 9 (Supplement)

TALE OF A TROWEL.

CEMENTING FRIENDSHIP. Prince George, who has been visiting South Africa, had a happy inspiration just before he left. The High Commissioner was showing him the silver trowel with which President Kruger laid the foundation-stone of the town hall at Pretoria some 40 years ago. He had borrowed it from a lady whose husband had been Director of the Australian Medical Forces and had acquired it for his collection of relics. In a flash Prince George realised what a gracious act it would be to present this trowel to the town of Pretoria, for Pretoria is named after Martfrinius Pretorius, the first President of the South African Republic founded in 1856. Like Kruger, Pretorius was a leader of the . Boer revolt against British annexation in 1880, and died a very old man in 1901. Such a gift would be one more act of reconciliation, of which there have been many in recent months. So the Prince promptly purchased Kruger’s silver trowel and has now crowned a visit which in itself has cemented the friendship between South Africa and the Crown.