THE COLONY OF NATAL AND ITS PRINCIPAL TOWNS.
By S. N. H.
Natal, in the southeastern part of South Africa, became an independent colony last year, although it has been under the control of the English 52 years. The colony is 919 miles from Cape of Good Hope, 390 from Algoa Bay, on the east coast, and 233 from East London. Its area is but 20,460 square miles, less than one-tenth the size of Cape Colony. It was first discovered Christmas day, 1497, by Vasco de Gama, the celebrated Portuguese explorer, whilst visiting the coasts of South Africa with a squadron of three small vessels on his way to India, and he gave to it the name it has since borne, in honor of the nativity of the Saviour. It was finally taken by the Boers, but in 1893 there was a formal submission of the Boers and assumption by Great Britain. At first it was under Cape Colony, but this did not give satisfaction, and it became a separate government in 1848. The population, according to census of 1891, was 555,947. Of these 42,759 were whites. There were 43,070 East Indians, of whom 30,000 were free, and the others were indentured, being imported as laborers. The aboriginal tribes are now given as 469,747 souls. The whites engaged in agricultural pursuits number 3,325, and those following various trades, 6,628. The city of Durban is the only seaport of Natal, and a place of great commercial importance. The entrance to the harbor is called the Bluff Channel, which has a shifting bar of sand. The largest vessels do not venture to cross this bar, although great efforts have been put forth to make it safe. The town of Durban spreads over the flats around the bay, a distance of three or four miles, and then stretches up a wooded height called “The Berea,” which rises three or four hundred feet above the sea level. Berea is the residence part of Durban, and is delightfully situated. The town itself is one of the brightest and prettiest in South Africa. The population numbers 27,492, including the10Asiatic and native servants. To the American visitor this colony presents greater attractions than Cape Colony. Pietermaritzburg is the capital and seat of government. It lies 54 miles from Durban. Its population in 1892 was 17,286, comprising 9,986 Europeans. The country being comparatively new, the European population are few in proportion to the natives. The people are social and more hospitable than in the larger cities of Cape Colony. The other towns are small, but the English are numerous enough in every place to have a government. As there is protection given to the natives in this colony, and surrounding tribes often oppress one another, Natal becomes an asylum for the oppressed by other tribes. The educational advantages are as good as in any of the colonies, and each government makes especial efforts to give all an opportunity in this line, although it is not compulsory. The growth of this colony has been slow but gradual. There is no portion of South Africa where the English are not found. Natal had the honor of first introducing the iron horse, which was prior to 1860, but not until 1880 was there a railway to the capital. The remarkable development of the gold fields in the South African republic drew from this colony largely the European element. The climate is not to be relied upon to give assurance to crop raisers. The lands are usually classed as coast lands, midlands, and uplands. The first does not extend more than eight or ten miles from the sea. Here it is from seven to eight hundred feet above the sea level. This is the semi-tropical belt, where the air is humid and warm, debilitating to the invalid in the summer, but invigorating in the winter. The products are sugar, tea, coffee, arrowroot, and fruits, such as mangoes, pineapples in abundance, bananas, oranges, and lemons, which grow in rich profusion. Sugar manufacturing is carried on to quite an extent. There are 36 sugar mills now in active operation, which yield from two to five hundred tons per annum each, and about half a dozen have a much larger capacity. The aggregate output of sugar in 1891–92 was 18,000 tons. The Indian corn furnishes two crops a year; one is harvested in August, and the other in January. The midlands extend back 25 miles farther, and have an altitude of nine hundred to three thousand feet. This is not very productive; on the highest portions, corn, hay, and potatoes are usually good. In the summer season hailstorms are an unpleasant feature in the midland and upland districts. The uplands are still farther back, with an altitude of three to five thousand feet. The country presents inducements for those who would put up fruits in cans, and furnish them to other portions of South Africa, where now they are imported from England and other countries. Schools for children and high schools are encouraged by the government, as also mission schools for the natives in different parts of the colony. Industrial training is also provided for, and defined as “teaching of grades of agriculture, or some productive labor that would enable the student to earn a living.” In a country like this, with missionaries and educators from all parts of the world, with such a variety of people to deal with, every system of education finds place in some way. There is quite a difference in the dispositions of the natives to be instructed. The Kaffirs are considered superior to the Hottentots and the Bushmen. The Zulu is a fine specimen of humanity physically, but not as attractive as some others. The Basutos are more steady and plodding in their educational pursuits than either of the other tribes. Among themselves they have a government, although simple. There is a regular gradation of authority from the head of the family to the head of the kraal, or village, who is responsible for the collective families therein, and up to the chief, who, with his counselors, adjudicates all matters between individuals and tribes. Their system of law takes cognizance of crimes, enforces civil rights and obligations, provides for the validity of marriages, and secures property to the rightful owner, according to well-defined rules. Superstition, however, enters into all the affairs of life, and forms part of their laws and religious customs. Families settling in these countries, and manifesting the Spirit of Christ, could have a wonderful influence over the people. There are open doors in every land and community whereby to reach every class of individuals with the truth.