Tuesday, January 3, 1893

Birth.- At Vaal Krantz, on the 17th Dec. 1892, the wife of J.A. COETZEE, of a Daughter.

Friday, January 6, 1893

Birth.- At Queenstown, on January 2, 1893, Mrs. Robt. H. IMPEY, of a Daughter.

Died.- On the 31st December, at Selwyn Powys, the residence of her father, Margaret C. THOMAS. Aged 35 years and 3 months.
Died.- At Essex Station, Jan. 1st, 1893, Gwendoline Stella, dearly beloved little daughter of Henry McKNEE. Aged two years and seven months.
Died.- On Monday, 2nd January, 1893, Samuel LOCK, of Queenstown, at the age of 59, after a lingering illness, which was bore with Christian patience.

Tennyson Settlement
Onverwacht near Indwe,
Dordrecht, 27th December, 1892.
Sir,- Having noticed a paragraph in your issue of 23rd inst., stating that the Church Army Executive in England purpose sending out some 25 families to Tennyson Settlement and Fair Hope Farm, I think it behoves Government to make some enquiry (1), into the already large sums of money which have been wasted on the former of the places, (2). the utter unsuitability of the land at Tennyson Settlement for agricultural purposes, (3). the enormous and scandalous rent charged by HALSE Bros., (4). how many families have done even moderately well while on Tennyson, (5). the conditions of the various families who have left (at the time of their leaving), (6). how the large amounts of money provided by Lady OSSINGTON and her uncles the Messrs. PHELLIMAN and DENISON have been expended.
Has the cause of pure philanthropy been advanced as Lady OSSINGTON intended it should be? No, and why? Because Mr. Arnold WHITE instead of being advised by those who could and were anxious to assist Lady OSSINGTON's scheme and himself choose to be misled by men who had their view's which time had proved to be the downfall of the original scheme, and the main cause of the House of Commons Committee on Colonisation refusing to receive or listen to any further evidence from Mr. A. WHITE on his attempts at colonisation.
The original rent (or water rate as Mr. WHITE has often termed it) payable to Messrs. HALSE amounted to no less a sum than £437 10s. per annum up till 31st August, 1891, an since then they are entitled to charge £750 per year. The extent of Tennyson is about 3,000 morgen of which 1,250 acres has been marked off into what Messrs. WHITE and HALSE are pleased to term the arable portion, and it is for this that the settlers are charged 7s. or 12s per acre per annum.
Those who know Mr. Arnold WHITE are well aware what a very clever and insinuating talker he is, and how (to use his own expression) he can capture people. I am one of those he captured I must frankly acknowledge, and I was almost made to believe what very generous and philanthropic landlords the Messrs. HALSE were, and how admirable Lady OSSINGTON's money had been and was being expended, but when I had been a sufficiently long time in the Colony to study the relative value and merits of farms in this division I was surprised that a man of Mr. WHITE's undoubted abilities should have been led into making an agreement such as he did, so fatal to the growth of the scheme which he had undertaken to carry out for Lady OSSINGTON. Fatal in this way: With so high a rent a settler's yearly expenses could only be met in an exceptionally good season for the following are the yearly amounts which a settler has to disburse under his agreement, viz.: Rent
£30, interest on say £120 (cost of passage, house, etc., etc.), at 5 per cent per annum £6. Besides this there are groceries, clothing, meal, meat, and fuel, and children's education to be paid for, which for a family of say six souls would cost £60 a year at the very least, and that sum represents a very small amount of clothing and comfort.
You will note that while the promoters of the scheme charge 5 per cent. For the benefits they confer, that Messrs. HALSE's rent charge is about 50 per cent. Per annum on the purchase value of the land which the settlers are bound to occupy to enjoy Lady OSSINGTON's kindness.
I have shown that a settler must make over £90 pound a year at least to pay rent, interest and barely live. What has he to make this out of? His agreement says he may only own 24 sheep and 8 head of cattle besides his 50 acres of arable land!!
I leave it to your readers to make their own calculations; they know the drawbacks of this country that farmers are liable to, also (if I may use the expression) the very occasional booms there are in the different sorts of farm produce. I think that the ordinary rent charge of about 5 per cent. Is as much as farmers can afford to pay and that for farms which have the necessary buildings and kraals. It must be borne in mind that on the portion of Carnavon farm, which constitutes Tennyson over £3,000 has been expended by Mr. Arnold WHITE on Lady OSSINTON's behalf, for the erection of the necessary buildings, fencing, etc., and which would revert to Messrs. HALSE unconditionally should the full rent cease to be paid.
Had the land at Tennyson been suitable for agricultural work and had the settlers been charged a fair rent of say £4 per annum each, I have no doubt that many of those brought out by Mr. Arnonld WHITE at Lady OSSINGTON's expense would be on the place to-day, of if gone would have been enabled to leave honestly having fulfilled what they contracted to do. At present I believe only some six of seven families remain on Tennyson of whom two have nearly always earned their living off the Settlement and one acts as bailiff at a monthly salary sufficient (with what he makes off his land) to maintain his family fairly.
Clearly Tennyson is no success as it is and has been. In its state of wreckage Mr. WHITE with dexterous diplomacy places it at the disposal of the Church Army Executive, whose strength is to be practical farming and piety, both most essential to a scheme of this discription.
Unless the Church Army Executive have been enabled to send out 25 families under vastly different condition from those brought out by Mr. WHITE, do you think it right they should come to face the enevitable poverty and hardships which await them on Tennyson? Much is being said and written just now about the poverty and destitution amongst certain classes of white people in the Colony, and it therefore behoves Government to guard against the spread of such.
Trusting you will find space for this somewhat lengthy letter,
I am, yours faithfully
W. Gordon TURNER

Obituary
We regret to hear of the death of Mr Samuel LOCK, who was well-known in Queenstown and district. He had been a sufferer for about eighteen months, and the last eight months was very painful. The friends wish us to mention the kindness and interest shown Mr LOCK by his medical attendant, Dr. BATCHELOR, and also that of Mrs. George PEACOCK. The funeral took place on Tuesday when the Rev. A. GRAHAM officiated, assisted by Major RAUCH, Captain TUNE of Tarkastad and Captian MARTIN of the Salvation Army. There were upwards of 50 relatives and friends present.

Tuesday, January 10, 1893

Wedding
At East London on Wednesday, by the 28th ult., the wedding of Dr. F.L. COLLIE, of Lady Frere, and Miss K.M. DALLAS, of East London, took place in St. Andrews Church. The Rev. R.H. ABEL officiated, assisted by the Rev. J.T. Ferguson....
The bride was given away by her uncle, Mr. Jas. DALLAS, while Mr. J.L. DALLAS accompanied Dr. COLLIE as bestman...

Friday January 13, 1893.

Birth,- At Queenstown, on the 9th inst., Mrs. A. TYSON, of a Son.

Died.- At Lilly Oak House, Queenstown, on the 10th inst., at the residence of his brother-in-law, Mr James WOOD< David MACVEY, M.A. Head Master of the Airdrie Academy, Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Tuesday January 17, 1893

Tennyson Settlement
(from our own correspondent.)
This much abused hamlet lies about twelve miles from Sterkstroom on the way to Dordrecht, and is prettily situated on a plateau, surrounded by magnificent mountain scenery.
It was founded in 1888 – the means being supplied by the late Lady OSSINGTON and other charitable persons.
Their idea was to found a farm colony, where respectable working men might emigrate. When they had stayed a sufficient time, and re-imbursed the founders for their outlay, it was thought they would spread over the Colony – taking up small farms.
Thus a continuous stream of emigrants would be supplied, with advantage to themselves in increased comfort of living and independence; and to the country by founding a strain of sturdy yeomen farmers. The causes of the failure to achieve these laudable ends are very evident.
The initial expenses were far too great and the early settlers were pampered.
Superintendents were employed at large salaries, who were either incompetent, or had knowledge of English farming only.
The emigrants were not of the farmer class, a very small percentage being agricultural labourers.
A succession of bad seasons, caused by drought, hailstorms, locusts, and severe late frosts.
Everyone knows to what great straits our famers have been put lately owing to the aforementioned misfortunes. When one considers these facts the marvel is: not that the experiment should have been a partial failure; but that any results at all followed. Yet, if one could interview those who, for various reasons, have left the settlement, it is pretty certain that they would declare they are better off than when in the mother country.
The settlement proper contains twenty-five cottages, each with its fifty acre allotment in grant; a school house, church and school-room combined, stables and various outbuilding. There is a fair supply of farm implements, and an abundant flow of water.
It is indeed a pleasant sight to watch the splendid constant stream of water, flowing through the settlement.
Every portion can be irrigated, at the bottom of the arable land is a large dam with thousands of wild fowl on it. For this boon the landlord charges a fixed sum per annum.
But instead of receiving the rate he has very generously taken the losses of the settlers into account; and rarely has one quarter of the rent been paid to Mr. HALSE.
At present there are nine families on the settlement; one of whom is a paid labourer.
There are three families who have been here since the commencement.
They have remained through all the depression, and had the others been of the same stamp there need be no empty cottages at Tennyson to-day.
Two other families came out first, but the men being mechanics thought 15s. a day better than farming. But they found that four or five pounds a month rent for a cottage was too much, and now they are back again.
These men have enough wheat this season to pay their rent twice over, and their mealies, potatoes, forage &c., give promise of a splendid crop.
The heads of two other families are two brothers, and are fine examples of hard working yeoman.
They will reap a hundred bags of wheat and other crops in proportion.
The management of the general working of the settlement is in the hands of a bailiff who earns thirty shillings a week, and the welfare f the place is looked after by Mr. HALSE, who has only lately had power, and under whose able management the affair is being worked at much less expense, and far greater return than under the old régime.
The crops this year are above the average for the district, very few farms have healthier looking mealies, forage and wheat have been a heavy crop, and the potatoes promise well. Take it all in all the present is one of happiness and plenty for the settlers.
The trustees ought to be pleased, as there are at least four hundred and fifty bags of wheat belonging to the settlement and grown on the derelict ground – and the other crops in proportion.
There has been some talk of handing it over to the Church Army.
Why this should be done I cannot conceive. Economically worked, with experience gained by previous failures, the trustees should send out tenants for the vacant houses – either as labourers or yeomen – and under the skilful supervision of Mr. HALSE, who is most anxious to make it a success – Tennyson is likely in a short time to realize the prosperity which the benevolent Lady OSSINGTON so fervently desired.
Should the Army take it over, it is earnestly to be desired that they will avoid the pitfalls their predecessors fell into and disturb existing relations as little as possible.
"Festino lento" should be their motto.
There are already able teachers both spiritual and temporal, and cheap supervision.
All that is necessary is to provide the proper class of people.
The mutter has not been dealt with in a spirit of captious criticism, nor on the other hand with a prepossession in favour of the place.
That money has been lamentably wasted is evident; but, if we ere to go into other emigration schemes we should probably find the same errors.
The settlers of 1820 did not find this country a land of Goschen.
Whilst Government money has not been expended it is hardly the correct thing to criticize with animus the administration of an experiment which, inasmuch as had added to the productions of the country and also to its population, may be regarded with equanimity, if not with approval, by the public at large.

Alleged Murder at Dundee

The year closed at Dundee with what is supsosed to be a deliberate murder of a most shocking and painful nature. It appears that on Friday evening a ball had been held at Coalfields, and, in the early hours, shortly after the dispersal of the dancers, Mr Walter DYMOCK, a well known local merchant was found lying on the ground, quite close to the principal street. He was picked up and conveyed to an adjacent house, where on examination, it was found that he had been shockingly maltreated. On the left temple there was a deep wound, penetrating the brain, and in the abdominal region there were several contused wounds. He lingered on in unconsciousness until Saturday afternoon when he expired. A man named Dubois, a Kafir agent, has been arrested on suspicion of having caused Mr DYMOCK's death. The tragedy is supposed to be the outcome of domestic infelicities, but little will be known until the magisterial inquiry. Mr DYMOCK was buried on Sunday with Masonic honours. – "Natal Echo."

Friday, January 20, 1893

Wedding

St Michael and All Angels Church was the scene of a very pretty wedding on Wednesday last, when the Ven. Archdeacon GRANT united in holy bonds of matrimony Mr. Francis Snowdon FAWKES to Miss READ, "Lotty" daughter of Mr. R. READ, of Queenstown....

More Tennyson
Cala, Xalanga, Tembuland,
Saturday, 14th January, 1893.
Sir,- I have seen in the papers that the Church Army Executive has taken over Tennyson Settlement and Fair Hope Farm from the English Country Colonization Association, commonly known as Mr. Arnold WHITE's immigration scheme, and intends to place twenty-five families on them.
Having also read Mr. H. Gordon TURNER's letter on the subject, warning this body from too rashly entering into a scheme before making definite enquiries with regard to the localities, etc., I am inclined to think that my personal experiences of Tennyson, where I was for some time Superintendent, could afford a few additional reasons why this settlement, at all events, is in no way suitable for an immigration scheme, however perfect the details of the management of the settlement may be.
During my residence on Tennyson I saw two successive grown on it; I am consequently in a position to have some knowledge of the land.
"The greater portion of the land is absolutely worthless to the agriculturist, and is certainly such that no independent farmer would ever put a plough into it."
On some of the land I sowed good wheat, barley and oat seed which grew an inch or two high and then died off entirely owing to the incapability of the soil to support it, in other parts the seeds did not appear through the ground at all owing to the soil being clay, and never in any part of Tennyson have I seen a good or even fair crop of any cereal.
In the winter of 1892 I sowed between 50 and 60 muids of wheat and nearly all on one stretch of land running through five allotments, and could see when the young wheat appeared that, on a large portion of the land in strips and patches, the seed had not even germinated; a large portion was also covered over four inches deep with loose drift sand blown off other allotments, which of course smothered the young wheat, and in other places the wheat died off a few days after appearing in consequence of the sandy nature of the soil on which it was sown. I have since heard that the whole crop has been an entire failure.
One has only to look at the soil, hear the plough running over the sand-stone bed a few inches under the surface of the soil, or take a spade and dig for oneself, to be convinced that the place is absolutely unfit for agriculture, and need not consider the crops grown on it as a proof.
And these are the allotments for which the settlers have to pay an enormous water rate to Messrs. HALSE Bros., besides the interest on other debts to the Association; and therefore I am convinced that the Church Army Executive, before sending out these families and throwing good money after bad, should make a thorough enquiry into this mater of the poverty of the soil, and listen to the unanimous voice of practical farmers living near, who have known Carnarvon Farm since it was Crown Land, or obtain the services and advice of someone of unbiased opinion, who have never seen the Stormberg range.
That the Messrs. HALSE Bros. can obtain a good crop on that part of Carnarvon Retained for their own use, is no proof that the portion on which Tennyson is situated can yield a like good crop, as there can be no doubt that the only part of Carnarvon Farm, which is suitable in any way for agriculture has been retained by the owners for their own cultivation.
Another drawback to the settlers is the fact that the cattle on Tennyson must be fed during the winter months on food grown for the purpose. The land taken up in producing mangolds and turnips might be sown with more marketable crops. Without this care a number of cattle would succumb during the winter through poverty, brought on by the entire lack of winter pasturage, and want of shelter from the prevalent cold winds. There is not so much as a stone, tree of kopje to serve as shelter for the stock.
I hear that Major CLIBBON made a personal inspection of Tennyson Settlement on behalf of General BOOTH's scheme and condemned it at once.
I am yours, etc.,
A.H. CORNISH-BOWDEN.

Tuesday, January 24, 1893

Notice to Creditors and Debtors
Estate of the late Carl Frederick SPANN, of the district of Glen Grey...
BELL & GOLDSCHMIDT,
Attys. For Executrix Dative

Friday January 27, 1893

Birth,- IKIN.- At Prince Alfred Street, 23rd inst., the wife of H.H. IKIN, of a Daughter.

Died.- At Fort Victoria, Mashonaland, on the 21st January, 1893, William James (Buster,) second son of the late Captain M.G. BLYTH, C.M.G., aged 20 years.

Tuesday, January 31, 1893

Drowned
("Cape Mercury.")
A lamentable accident occurred in the Twzenka valley, about fourteen miles from Tsolo Residency, on Wednesday afternoon. Two gentlemen, named George JACKSON and Thomas STEVENS were proceeding from Kokstad to Queen's Town, in a spider drawn by four horses, when a thunderstorm overtook them, accompanied by a tremendous downpour of rain. Very soon small streams were over their banks. While crossing one of them the force of the water wrenched the nave off one of the hind wheels. Both gentlemen got out safely and relieved their horses. Fearing that the spider would be washed down, Mr STEVENSON mounted a horse bareback and rode away for help. While attempting to cross another stream about 200 yards away he was thrown from his horse and carried into the current. A Hottentot boy who accompanied his saw his head and one of his hands for a moment, but says he sank at once.
The deceased, who had been in the Colony over eleven years, was a native of Southampton. He was 32 years of age and unmarried. Some who knew him in Kimberley and Johannesburg will be interested in his sad fate.

Friday, February 3, 1893

Birth.- At Queenstown, on 28th January, the wife of C.H. TIFFEN, of a Daughter.

Friday, February 10, 1893

Tennyson Settlement.
The following letter in reply to the one of Mr TURNER that appeared in our columns some time back, we take from the "Cape Times":-
Sir,- When at Tennyson Settlement on Thursday last, my attention was drawn to the leading article in your issue of the 10th instant, which had previously escaped my notice. The "facts" upon which your remarks are founded appear to have been taken from a letter to the "Frontier Guardian" by Mr HG TURNER but it would have been well to have practiced what you advise the Church Army to do – viz, to ascertain the facts of the case – before writing down the colonization scheme as a failure, and endeavouring to arrest its progress by such sweeping condemnation as the article contains. Mr TURNER's letter was allowed to pass without notice, being merely the malicious utterances of a disappointed man, Mr TURNER having been discharged from the superintendentship of Tennyson at the end of 1891, and more recently from the managership of Fair Hope Farm, belonging to the English County Colonisation Association, owing to incompetence and other failings; but as the article in question is calculated to do serious injury to colonization in South Africa if the statements it contains remain uncontradicted, I must ask you to afford me an opportunity of stating the true facts in regard to the Tennyson Settlement. It may be necessary, in the first place to explain that the object in view when the settlement or colony was established was to introduce agriculturists and their families, who were in a starving condition in England, into this colony, where their condition would be greatly superior to what it is in England. The funds at the disposal of the promoters did not admit of acquiring any large extend of land, so provision could only be made for twenty-five families at a time, but the intention was, as the immigrants bettered themselves, or found employment outside of the settlement to introduce others, and so provide for large numbers. From this point of view the Tennyson Settlement has proved an unqualified success. Thirty-five families have been brought into the Colony. On arrival they were comfortably housed and fed for a time; the first season's crops put each family in possession of a sum of money averaging upwards of £100, no rent being payable for the first year; and so great was the demand for labour of the kind that a large proportion of them were very soon induced to leave the settlement and accept employment, often in lucrative and responsible positions. It can be confidently asserted that in every instance the position of every one of these immigrants is now very much better than it was when in England. Those who elected to remain on the settlement are at the present moment comfortably off and quite contented, if the individual statement of each of them can be accepted as correct. Their position is, shortly as follows: Each family has a cottage, piece of enclosed garden ground, fifty acres of arable land under water, pasturage for a limited number of cattle, horses, and sheep, the use of a scotch cart or wagon, oxen, plough, and other agricultural implements – reaping and thrashing by the most improved by the most improved machines, and milling being also done at low rates as required – the minisiration of a clergyman of the Church of England, schooling for the children by a capable master under Government supervision, and last, but not least, the experienced advice and assistance of the proprietors of the settlement with regard to Colonial farming. For all this the following payments had to be made by each family of the first batch of twenty-five. Three per cent on the outlay of passage money and on £104 cost of house, implements, etc., and £2 per month for schooling, amounting on an average to £4 5s for each family during the first two years. £24 inclusive of everything during next year, and now since having the advantage of railway connection with the whole colony and Transvaal, £37 10s per annum. Last season the settlers suffered, as did the whole of the Esstern Frontier, from the plague of locusts, but harvested sufficient to pay their way. This season the average return of each holder at an allotment is: Between 80 and 90 bags sf wheat, 30 of oats, 25 of barley, 200 of potatoes, 80 of mealies, and 5 of peas, or 175 bags of grain and 200 of potatoes, worth at present rate about £200. While in few cased have the whole of the fifty acres been cultivated, such an extent being more than one man can manage withot assistance. So far from the land at Tennyson being "unsuitable for agricultural work" it would be difficult to find finer crops in any part of the Colony than are now standing, or have just been harvested at Tennyson, and that without manure, or more than very average cultivation. On what was at first supposed to be the poorest land on the settlement, the wheat stands from 3 to 4 feet in height, ears large, and grain well filled out, the return being from twenty-...Perfectly healthy; and the mealies have the dark green colour indicative of a strong healthy crop, other crops being good in proportion. An inspection of the settlement is all that is needed to utterly refute Mr TURNER's calumnious letter, and show how completely the settlement fulfils its object; and if you, Mr Editor, could spare the time to pay it a visit, I predict that you would retract almost every word of the article now under reply. I cannot conclude without adding a few words in defence of the promoter of the scheme and the proprietors of the land. The expense dwelt upon is the cost of enclosing the land, dividing it into suitable paddocks for stock, the erection of a school-house, residence of the superintendent, out-buildings and shed, and twenty-five substantial cottages, and the purchase of oxen and agricultural implements, all having been done in the most economical manner, and confined to what was absolutely necessary. It is true that the land is only held on lease, but the right is perpetual, and while immigration continues, or the settlers choose to remain in occupation, Messrs. HALSE Bros. do not benefit in any way by this necessary outlay. For the rent now paid (two years' use having been given free) Messrs. HALSE give 1,250 acres of cultivated land, and a supply of water sufficient to irrigate the whole of it. This, in a part of the country where crops can only be grown during average years by means of irrigation, is an enormous advantage, and when it is considered that the water comes from reservoirs erected at the cost of many thousands of pounds and that the settlers have a prior right to the water before the proprietors, the question of the amount of rent payable assumes a very different aspect. And on behalf of the English emigrant, I beg emphatically to repudiate the assumption that poverty and hardship, should such unhappily be encountered, will bring him to the condition of the "certain class of white people in the Colony" to which you refer. English energy and perseverance is what this colony most wants among the farming community, and in the Eastern districts, if not in the wholecolony, where thousands of acres of fine land remain uncultivated and steady labour always commands a good return, no Englishman will ever starve. All true friends of the Colony should encourage immigratiou (sic) in every way.
I am &c.,
John Wm. BELL,
Managing Director E.C. Colonisation Association,
Queenstown, January 21st.

Friday, February 17, 1893

Entered into rest on the 9th February, 1893, Mary Ann GARDINER, relict of the late A.H. GARDINER, and oldest daughter of the late J.B. TEMLETT, of Alice, Friends at a distance please accept this notice.

Obituary.
Quite a gloom was cast over the town on Tuesday afternoon last when it became known that Mr. H.H.C. BAKER, of the grand old Kaffrarian firm BAKER, KING and Co. had suddenly expired that day in King Williamstown. From letters since received in town it appears that Mr BAKER was in his office attending to business, as was his wont, and whes in conversation with Mr VAN REENEN andother gentleman he suddenly passed away. Mr BAKER had suffered from heart disease for some time and his end though terribly sudden was not altogether unexpected, his medical advisers had frequently tried to persuade him to retire, but the old gentleman took too keen an interest in the welfare of his firm to give up business. A firm, the foundation of which he had laid in King some thirty years back and which now ranks as one of the first in South Africa. He was a shrewd business man, very popular in the commercial world, of a kindly and liberal disposition, always ready to lend a helping hand above all a man of sterling integrity, a citizen of whom King was rightly proud. Mr BAKER also took a great interest in all matters connected with sport. The Border Rugby Football Union were fortunate in being able to call him their first President, the fine Challenge Cup now held by the "Swifts F.C." was presented by him. Mr BAKER was twice married, he leaves a widow and six children to mourn his untimely end. To the widow and bereaved family we tender our sincerest sympathy in their trouble.

Letters to the Editor.
(Free to all on their own responsibility.)

Tennyson Settlement.
Onverwacht, Indwe,
Feb. 11th, 1893.
Sir – Having noticed letters from HALSE Bros. and Mr J.W. BELL, in the issue of the "Cape Times" of the 1st inst., I would wish to answer some of their statements.
In the first place HALSE Bros. state that "they took steps which led to my summary dismissal from the post of Superintendent of Tennyson." This statement is absolutely untrue: the fact of underhand dealing, interference, and the impossibility of making Tennyson a financial success for the E.C.C. Association, under the original agreement entered into between Mr. A. WHITE and HALSE Bros. I sent in my resignation on Aug. 28th, 1891. By terms of my agreement I was bound to give twelve months notice in writing. My resignation was accepted by the Board in London, but caused considerable surprise to Mr WHITE and all others concerned. I hold letters from Mr. J.W. BELL and others expressing their very great regret at the step I took and urging me to reconsider my action. Owing to my receiving these letters I expressed a desire to be retained as Manager of Fair Hope, but declining to have anything whatever to do further with the working of Tennyson Settlement. When Mr BELL arrived from England in January of 1892, I requested him to relieve me at once from the position of Superintendent of Tennyson Settlement, this he agreed to do on my assuring him that Mr CORNISH-BOWDEN (who was then my assistant) was capable of carrying out his orders. At the same time Mr BELL expressed it as his opinion, that if I gave up the management of Tennyson Settlement, it was not likely that the Board in London would retain my services as Manager of Fair Hope. It was therefore somewhat of a surprise when a few weeks later, I received through Mr. BELL an offer to remain at "Fair Hope as Manager for one year certain after the expiration of the notice I had given, this offer I accepted, and in a few weeks more came a letter from London telling me that the Board would not retain my services after the 28th August, 1892, the date on which the notice I had given them expired. Clearly their offer to me to remain at Fair Hope was a mere trap, and while granting that I was then discharged from Fair Hope, I thing I have proved that I was not in any way a dismissed servant from Tennyson and the means which were adopted to bring about my dismissal from Fair Hope do not redound to the credit of those concerned.
My original appointment of "Bailiff of Tennyson" was given to me by the Viscountess OSSINGTON in person, and I was sent out to South Africa wholely and solely by her, much against Mr WHITE's wishes, as he desired that he alone should have the choosing and appointing of all officers in connection with the Settlement.
My character is well known in Wodehouse district, and I have the honour to belong to its various public bodies and Associations, in none of which are the HALSE Bros. names to be found as members, their characters are thoroughly known, understood, and appreciated accordingly.
The statements made by me and corroborated by Mr CORNISH-BOWDEN, have not been in any way refuted by the letters under reply, in fact those letters go far to prove that this year is one of the occasional booms mentioned by me in the letter Messrs HALSE and BELL refer to, and I maintain that Tennyson Settlement lands are utterly unsuited for the carrying on of agricultural pursuits to a profit, taking one year with another, this season has been the finest experienced for very many years by farmers in these districts.
Mr BELL states that the funds at the disposal of the promoters did not admit of acquiring any large extend of land. The statement is absurd, as the sums which have been expended on Tennyson Settlement alone, irrespective of the cost of bringing families, would have been more than enough to have purchased a thoroughly good and large estate.
There is one statement made by Mr BELL which, to say the least of it is misleading, ??: "The large reservoirs built by the Messrs HALSE, to the water which the settlers have a prior right." These reservoirs were not built so much to benefit Tennyson Settlement as to hold a supply of water for the working of HALSE Bros large new flour mills, the settlers merely having the overflow water from the mill.
According to Mr BELL's statement the settlers are asked to pay 3p.c. per annum for the benefits conferred by Lady OSSINTON's money, which are: -
1. Erection of houses.
2. Fences.
3. Making water furrows.
4. Purchase of working oxen.
5. Plows, gear.
6. Scotch carts, wagon.
7. Reaping and binding machine.
8. Six months rations and chaplain, while they are bound to pay HALSE Bros. 50 p.c. per annum on the purchase value of their allotment for the privilege of occupying same and leading water to irrigate them, and if the improved thrashing machine and mill belonging to HALSE Bros are made use of, the Settlers have to pay 1s per bag thrashing and 1s 3d per 100lbs for milling.
With regard to the first two years in which no rent was charged, the reasons can be best given by HALSE Bros. and the Settlers of those years.
I have no desire to make personal attacks but when attacked in so vicious and impertinent a manner as I have now been, I claim the right to defend myself and I should be glad to meet HALSE Bros. and Mr BELL at Tennyson in the presence of a commission of independent and practical farmers and the various statements made by me could be thoroughly sifted and the public made aware whether these statements are false and absurd or whether what I have said is correct.
Had the HALSE Bros. co-operated with Lady OSSINGTON, charging only the normal rent of the district and providing suitable land throughout, all men in South Africa and England would look up to them as "patriotic philanthropists, as men who were most active well wishers for colonization and Tennyson would have more sides to its unqualified success than one.
I am, yours, etc.,
H. Gordon TURNER.
P.S. – There are other statements made by HALSE Bros. and Mr BELL which are altogether too garbled, vulgar and petty to take the least notice of.
H.G.T.

Tuesday, February 21, 1893

DIED,- At Queenstown, on 18th Feb, James G. BREMNER, of Stirling, Scotland, aged 72 years and 4 months. – Deeply regretted.

Death of Mr J.G. BREMNER.
The sad news that Mr J.G. BREMNER had passed away spread rapidly on Saturday afternoon. The sad event took place at his residence in Livingstone-road. The old gentleman had been ailing for some time, the infirmities of old age were beginning to tell on him, and in the night from Friday to Saturday he took a turn for the worse and very alarming symptoms showed themselves. Dr. WATSON did all that medical aid could do for him, and it was on his representation that Mr W BREMNER was wired for from East London. The old gentlemen lingered on during the day mostly unconscious and expired at about 4 p.m. Mr BREMNER came to this country from Scotland in 1852 and started his Colonial career in Grahamstown, after many ups and downs he finally emigrated to Queenstown early in the sixties, and started the well-known firm here that bears his name. Ill health some years back induced him to retire from business and leave the interests of the firm in the hands
of his sons. From then up to the time of his death he lived a quite retired life. He always took a keen interest in the affairs of the town of his adoption, he repeatedly served the interests of his fellow-citizens on the Town Council, he was always known, liked, and admired for his hones straightforward outspoken language on all matters of public concern. The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, ...

Tuesday March 14, 1893

MARRIED,- At St. Marks Mission Church, on March 1st, by the Venerable Archdean COAKES, Alexander ST. CLAIR to Annie Reed, second daughter of the late Hugh BISSET, Bridge Farm.

Friday March 17, 1893

DIED,- On the 10th March, Hannah E. ALBERRY, aged 30 years.
Miss WINCHCOMBE wishes to express her thanks to Dr. BATCHELOR and to other friends for their kindness and sympathy.

DIED,- At Indwe Poort, on the 13th March, Ernest Walter, beloved son of T.A. and M.A. TRENNERY, aged 1 year and 3 months.
For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Tuesday March 21, 1893

BIRTH,- At "Penrose Cottage," Cala, on the 14th instant, the wife of Gilbert HALL, of a Son.

DIED,- At Cyphergat, on the 11th March, 1893, Eliza Ann, the beloved wife of Joseph A. JUBBER, aged 30 years, 5 months and 5 days. Friends at a distance please accept this notice.

Friday, March 24, 1893

OBITUARY.
The following paragraph will give our townsmen an idea of the esteem Mr. MACVEY was held in by the inhabitants of his native town, it must b gratifying to Mr. James WOOD the deceased's brother-in-law, to know that everything was done for Mr. MACVEY that was possible under the circumstances.
News has reached Airdrie says the "Ratbridge Express" of the death, at Queenstown, Cape Colony, of Mr. David MACVEY, M.A., headmaster of Airdrie Academy. The sad event took place on the 10th January, at the house of his brother-in-law, Mr. James WOOD. Mr. MACVEY, it will be remembered, had been in indifferent health for several months past, and was allowed leave of absence by the School Board in the hope that his health would improve. After an unavailing sojourn at Rothesay Hydropathic, he decided to try the voyage to South Africa, but by a letter to the Clerk of the School Board, received the other day, it would appear that the heat he experienced on the outward journey had been too much for him, and he was on landing at Queenstown, laid down with pleurisy. After much suffering he appears to have succumbed to that trouble. Mr. MACVEY's worth as a teacher was greatly valued in Airdrie, and many young men now in prosperous positions in various parts of the world doubtless feel their indebtedness to his tuition. He became headmaster at the Academy before that school was taken over by the School Board from the Airdrie House trustees, shortly after 1875, and he has continued till his last illness to do splendid work in that capacity.

Tuesday March 28, 1893

BIRTH,- On the 25th March, at the Wesleyan Grammar School, Queenstown, the wife of the Rev. Charles K. HODGES, of a Son.

BIRTH,- At Queenstown on March 16th, the wife of C.B. SYDSERFF, of a Son.

DIED,- At Queenstown, on March 21st, Nora Wood, the beloved wife of C.B. SYDSERFF, aged 27 years.
"And her end was peace."

Friday, March 31, 1893

OBITUARY
On Tuesday morning the sad news that Mr T. HOGAN, known to almost every Queenstownian as Corpl. HOGAN, had suddenly expired, rapidly spread over the town. Corpl. HOGAN came to this country as an army man, and it is now many years ago that he settled in Queesntown. He was for a long time in the service of the Divisional Council, and then for several years he occupied the post of Corpl. Of the Municipal Police, which post he left about a year ago to again take up an appointment under the Divisional Council, and it is only a little over a week that indifferent health – he was suffering from heart disease – caused him to retire altogether. The poor old man after a stroll on Tuesday morning, called at his son-in-law's, Mr COX, Joubert-street, no sooner had he entered the room, then he dropped onto the couch, and with the words, "Oh, I am going," expired. He was a straightforward, honest man, who served the town of his adoption well. He
leaves six grown up children to mourn their loss. He was buried on Wednesday afternoon with military honours, the Q.R.V. paying the respect due to a departed comrade.

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