History of the Colony of Natal; South Africa. To which is added an appendix, containing a brief history of the Orange River Sovereignty and of the Various Races inhabiting it, etc

Front matter

AU amerc LrtiiD. 2Z, Piterrui stct fcj 1. TIEW OT? TfATAlL, BAIT, IliOM TlflDE BTEMIEA. . HISTORY 'IK THE COLONY OF NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA. to which is added, AN APPENDIX, containing A BRIE? HISTORY OF THE ORANGE-RIVER SOVEREIGNTY AND OF THE VARIOUS RACES INHABITING IT, THE GREAT LAKE N'GAMI, COjVIMANDOES OF THE DUTCH BOERS, &c, &c. BY THE REV. WILLIAM C. HOLDEN, UPWARDS OP FIFTEEN YEARS A RESIDENT IN THE COLONY. WITH THREE MAPS, AND NINETEEN ILLUSTRATIONS ON WOOD AND STONE. LONDON: ALEXANDER HEYLIN, 28, PATERNOSTER-ROW. GRAHAM'S-TOWN : — GODLONTON, WHITE, AND CO. CAPE-TOWN .— A. S. ROBERTSON. NATAL:— J. CULLING WORTH, D' URBAN; J. ARCHBELL, PIETERMARITZBURG. MDCCCLV. ERED AT STATIONERS'-HALL.] LONDON : PRINTED BY WILLIAM NICHOLS, SS LONDON WALL.

Preface

BY THE EDITOR. At the conclusion of this "History," (pp. 332-334,) the lender will find the substance of Mr. Holden's Preface; and will admire it for the modesty, frankness, and sincerity which breathes in every sentence. In the commencement of the first chapter, also, he has briefly given Ms reasons why a first undertaking of this kind, imperfect as it is, ought to be received with favour able indulgence. As he thought that "some one should engage in the attempt" without delay, "and leave to future topo graphers to communicate the results of their researches in a more comprehensive History;" he has, at considerable risk, labour, and expense, embarked in the enterprise himself, and commits its merits and its failings, alike, to the kindness of his friend's, and the lenity of his censors. Being the first description of the Colony of Natal on an extended plan, it will be deemed worthy of much commendation for its suggestions and aspirations, though, in common with all new undertakings, it does not pretend to be faultless in its execution.

But Mr. Holden might, on another account, prefer still stronger claims to the forbearance of critics. This " History" was finished at the close of 1852, and transmitted for pubbcation to one of his friends in London, who communicated with him on the sub ject ; and, after a lapse of some months, I was induced, in the summer of 1853, to superintend the volume while passing through the press, and to incorporate all the additional information which the author might subsequently transmit. The composition had advanced beyond the tenth sheet, and a good part of it was printed off, when, at the end of 1853, I received advice that Mr. Holden had hastily composed a small work on the Orange-Eiver Sovereignty, the abandonment of which by the British Govern ment was then in contemplation. In it he had adduced the strongest arguments of those who were opposed to the abandonment of British control over that important territory; aud it «.b his wish that it should form an Appendix to the "History," and a

PREFACE.

. should also be published as a separate pamphlet, if it arrived in sufficient time to aid the appeal of the able Deputation from the Colony, that was sent to avert what was then generally viewed as an impending calamity. The manuscript was unfortunately detained several months at Algoa, Bay, and did not reach London till late in the Spring of 1854, when its publication as a pamphlet could have been of no service to those who had arrived to oppose the intended withdrawal of British rule and occupancy. The debate on the subject was commenced and concluded, May 29th, 1854; and the Orange-River Sovereignty was again left to care for itself. I then proceeded, according to instructions, to arrange all the materials available for the Appendix; but I was prevented from fulfilling my purpose by a severe attack of illness, from which I have but lately recovered.

Having applied myself again to the task, I find such an accumulation of events, between 1853 and the commencement of 1855, as have seldom been recorded in the annals of a rising community. The principal of these I have enumerated in my "Concluding Observations;" (p. 456 ;) and many of them were so important as to demand a considerable modification and abridgment of the materials which I had previously received and prepared. These mortifying, yet unavoidable, hindrances have prevented the earlier appearance of the book, though they have probably contributed to the greater completeness of certain portions, and have afforded me an opportunity of glancing at some of the most recent occurrences in those distant regions ; the communication with which seems still to be very slow and unsatisfactory, when compared with some of our older and more populous colonies.

Among other matters which have, on this account, received a larger share of elucidation, is that of the Dutch Boers. Many of them had shown a violent antipathy against all British rule and interference ; for which, it cannot be denied, they had strong ground in our fitful conduct towards them, when endeavouring to find a resting-place for the soles of their feet ; and, having, after long wanderings, migrated beyond the Vaal River, they formed a new and extensive settlement under the name of the Trans-Vaal Republic. Mr. Holden has evinced much candour and fairness in describing their principles, habits, and actions, in pp. 77, 7s, aud in various parts of the Appendix, especially pp. 380-391. But

PREFACE.

. V several of their own dispatches and official documents having lately appeared in the colonial journals, and been transferred, with strong tokens of approbation, to the columns of some most influential newspapers in this country, I have, as became an Englishman and a Christian, expressed, in language which cannot be mistaken, my extreme detestation of their cruel and dastardly conduct towards the natives, and have warned them of the disastrous consequences to themselves which such reprehensible proceedings invariably produce. The reader will find those remarks at the close of the Appendix. For them the author is not responsible; but their publication seemed needful, when such important changes in the whole administration of British authority in the South- African provinces are in a state of hopeful progress.

The numerous engravings and maps which accompany the letter-press descriptions, are explanatory of the subjects which they severally represent. The two engravings on wood, on pages 67 and 71, will enable the reader to form a faint idea of the manner in which Kafir wars were formerly conducted, and of those nimble and undaunted skirmishers with whom our brave and well-appointed army, under the lamented Sir George Cath cart, had more recently to contend. These half-civilized men have, of late years, been rendered far more formidable, from the immense quantities of rifles with which they have furnished themselves, and in the use of which they have become very expert. The author had prepared for publication another work, highly illustrative of Some of the topics discussed in this " History," which ought to have been its companion.

But he considers it more prudent to defer its appearance, till he has ascertained the degree of encouragement which this earlier production will obtain. That book will give a complete accoiuit of the Natal and Zulu Kafirs; their origin, history, language, customs, &c. Its title and contents will be found on the last leaf of the present volume. THE EDITOR. May \Mh, 1855. CONTENTS.

. PACE. BRIEF HISTORY OP THE ORANGE-RIVER SOVEREIGNTY, SOUTH AFRICA 337 GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF THE SOVEREIGNTY 338 NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS OP THE SOVEREIGNTY 339 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE VARIOUS RACES INHABITING THIS REGION ... 341

Introduction

OP BRITISH CONTROL g 346 MODE IN WHICH BRITISH RULE WAS ADMINISTERED 347 PERMISSION TO THE DUTCH BOERS TO ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT FORM OF REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT NORTH OP THE VAAL RIVER. 350 ASSUMPTION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE ORANGE-RIVER SOVEREIGNTY BY THE BRITISH MINISTRY 351 REGULATIONS FOR THE FUTURE GOVERNMENT OP THE SOVEREIGNTY BEYOND THE ORANGE RIVER 351 REASONS ADDUCED BY RESIDENTS WHY THE BRITISH SHOULD RETAIN THE GOVERNMENT OP THE SOVEREIGNTY 354 OPINIONS OP THE BRITISH MINISTRY WHEN ASSUMING THE GOVERN- MENT OF THE SOVEREIGNTY 361 A CALM DISCUSSION CONCERNING THE RETENTIOsN OR THE ABANDON- MENT OF THE ORANGE-RIVER SOVEREIGNTY 362 SUGGESTIONS IN SUPPORT OP OUR RETAINING POSSESSION OP THE ORANGE-RIVER SOVEREIGNTY 367 CONDUCT OP THE ENGLISH SETTLERS DEPENDED 371 MISCONCEPTIONS ENTERTAINED IN ENGLAND CONCERNING THE NATIVE TRIBES „ 373 A COMMANDO OF DUTCH BOERS AGAINST SECHELI, A KAFIR CHIEF ... 380 RENEWAL OP THE SYSTEM OF SLAVERY BY THE BOERS 388 DEATH OF COMMANDANT A. W. J. PRETORIUS 392 ABANDONMENT OP THE SOVEREIGNTY 394 ATTEMPT TO REVERSE THE ORDERS FOR ABANDONMENT 399 SUPPOSED FAVOURABLE RESULTS OP THE ABANDONMENT 405 THE GREAT LAKE N'GAMI 412 AN ACCOUNT OP THE DAMARA COUNTRY 436 DR. LIVINGSTONE'S FURTHER DISCOVERIES IN THESE REGIONS 438 COPPER MINING OPERATIONS IN NAMAQUA-LAND 439 ANOTHER COMMANDO OP THE DUTCH BOERS AGAINST THE KAFIRS ... 442 STRICTURES ON COMMANDOES OF THIS DESCRIPTION 446 A LESS REPREHENSIBLE AND MORE EFFECTUAL COMMANDO 453 CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS CONTENTS.

VIII MAPS. PAGF. MAP OF THE COLONY OF NATAL, FROM THE UMZIMVUBU RIVER TO POINT durnpord At the end of the Volume To face 464 SKETCH OF THE BRITISH COLONIES IN SOUTH AFRICA s 337 SKETCH OF THE SOVEREIGNTY BEYOND THE ORANGE RIVER „ 344 ILLUSTRATIONS ON WOOD AND STONE. i. view of natal bay, from the berea Facing the Title-page. II. CHART OF PORT NATAL 1 III. THE BACK BEACH. THE MAYFLOWER CROSSING THE BAR 10 IV. SKETCH OF THE UMGENI WATERFALL, ABOVE PIETERMARITZBURG 25 V. THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE NATAL KAFIRS, UNDER JOHN CANE, AND THE ZULUS, ON THE TUGELA RIVER 67 VI. DEATH OP JOHN CANE AND ROBERT BIGGAR, AT THE BATTLE ON THE TUGELA 71 VII. VIEW OF THE KRAAL, OR CAPITAL, OF THE KAFIR CHIEF DINGAAN ... 85 VIII. THE BRITISH CAMP, HASTILY FORMED, NEAR CONGELLA 108 IX. THE BRITISH CAMP, REGULARLY FORMED, ON THE ROAD TO UMGENI... 109 X. THE MAZEPPA LEAVING NATAL, TO OBTAIN REINFORCEMENTS 130 XI.

KOPFYAN, A KAFIR CHIEF, HIS PRINCIPAL WIPE, AND ADONIS HIS INDUNA 176 XII. THE MAB.KET SQUARE, D'URBAN, NATAL 242 XIII. LANDING OP BRITISH TROOPS FROM THE SOUTHAMPTON 135 X'-r. VIEW OF VERULAM, ON THE RIVER UMHLOTI ; 247 XV. THE UMGENI RIVER, AS SEEN FROM MR. MOREWOOD's DRIFT 250 XVI. SKETCH OF MR. MOREWOOD's ESTATE, NEAR VERULAM ' 291 XVII. CUTTING THE SUGAR-CANE ON MR. MOREWOOD's ESTATE 293 XVIII. SUGAR MANUFACTORY ON MR. MOREWOOD'S ESTATE 296 XIX. VIEW OP THE HOUSE AND LOCATION OF MESSRS. J. HAiLETT AND H. DIXON, SITUATE ON THE GREAT UMHLANGA RIVER HISTORY OF NATAL.

Chapter I. Description Of Natal, The Bay, And The Adjacent Country

The description of Natal, which promises to become one of the most important of the colonial possessions of Great Britain in South Africa, must necessarily be brief and imperfect, in conse quence of its having been only very recently recognised as a British dependency, the scattered state of its population, the few and incomplete surveys of some parts of the coast and of the interior, and, generally, in consecpience of the paucity of appropriate and available materials. Some one, however, it is thought, should engage in the attempt; leaving future topographers, when they obtain more ample information, to communicate the results of their researches in a more correct description and a more comprehen sive history. With this apology for undertaking to write on the " cradling " of a nation, now in its infancy, and in consideration of the favourable opportunities which I have enjoyed of obtaining information, I may venture to adopt the 'words of Cicero, with a sHght alteration in the name of the subject : " Non alienumfuit [miAi] de Natalis quasi incunahulis dieere."

To any intelligent man who casts his eye over a map of the world, the great advantages of situation which Natal possesses will be at once apparent. Inhabiting a region remarkably tem perate, the settlers will soon be induced to direct their energies to pursuits more congenial to some of them than the cultivation of the soil, and the skilful exploration of its riches. Do any of these enterprising men wish to enter into profitable commercial relations with the East Indies ? they have a fine prospect before B HISTORY OF NATAL. [CHAP. them; for, on passing over the northern part of the Indian Ocean, they enjoy the privilege of trading with Madagascar, Sumatra, Borneo, and other large and fruitful islands, and of ultimately taking a part in the lucrative and increasing traffic connected with India and China.

Do they wish to proceed to those rich and fruitful Colonies of Australasia, to offer their more useful and necessary produce in exchange for gold and other metals which are now obtained there in lavish abundance ? they have only to sail over the southern portion of the same great ocean, with scarcely an intervening island to divert them from a direct course; and they find themselves in a friendly Colony, peopled by their own countrymen, a great portion of which lies nearly within the same degrees of latitude as Natal, and in which commercial skill and energy are sure to obtain their reward. When an end shall be put, on the part of the mother country, to that vacillating and theoretic system of colonial legislation, which has hitherto been the bane of this and of others of the British dependencies ; and when Natal shall be not only suffered, but likewise encouraged, to develop/ her varied and valuable resources ; then we may expect her to take a high position among the most productive and commercial communities.

This bright era is now dawning ; and will soon communicate that security to the possessors of the soil, and that confidence to the mercantile interest, from the want of which both of them have lately been in a languishing condition. Erom this general and more formal introduction, we descend to the humble task of delineating Natal, its numerous appliances and advantages, and its fair and legitimate prospects. In the present Chapter and in that which succeeds it, the reader will find as ample an account of this new Colony, as under existing circumstances can be expected. After the voyager to Natal has traversed the mighty ocean for three weary months, he feels a sudden thrill go through his frame on hearing the joyful exclamation, "Land 01" A thousand exciting thoughts and feelings rush through his soul whilst he hastens with his fellows on deck, to hear the mate ask the man aloft, " Wltere ?

" when no sooner is tl^e answer given, than all simultaneously rush to the point of observation ; and a motley, a GENERAL DESCRIPTION. anxious company are seen stretching the organs of vision, until in the far distant horizon appears an object like a dim dark line, if they are coming from the southward, extending into the Indian Ocean, or like a small island, if coming from the north-eastward. That dim line enlarges, and becomes better defined, the nearer you approach : it is the Bluff of Natal! Such a description of the Natal Bay, and of the adjacent country, as will convey a correct idea to the distant stranger and to the newly-arrived emigrant, has never yet been given. In order to supply this desideratum, I have procured drawings and charts from the best artists on the spot; and gentlemen of experience and ability have kindly communicated to me the results of their knowledge and skill, (among whom the harbour master must be specially mentioned,) that nothing may be lack ing to render the volume as complete as possible ; and I trust that these specimens of artistic ability, with the brief observa tions made upon them, will supply all the information which the reader may desire.

The drawings and charts, embracing the latest observations and discoveries, having been prepared expressly for this work with the greatest care and labour, they may be consulted with perfect confidence, and relied upon as correct. The writer owes a debt of gratitude to the accomplished gentlemen who have so promptly responded to his call, and who have furnished him with materials on various subjects which, from the nature of the case, it was beyond the range of his ability to supply ; and he takes the present opportunity of thanking them for their generous services. D'Urban, the port town of Natal, is situated on the north side of the Bay ; and behind it, at about a distance of two miles and a half, is a range of hills known as the Berea, formerly occupied by Captain Gardiner, from the site of whose intended house our view of the Bay is taken.

The engraving placed as a frontispiece to this volume, shows at once one part of the town, the lower part of the Bay, with one of the islands partially exhibited, and the tongue of land stretch ing down to the Point, covered with ever-green trees. It likewise delineates the crescent towards the sea, and marks the inland bank on the border of the Bay. B % [chap. HISTORY OF NATAL. The greater part of the town and the upper part of the Bay are excluded from view by the hills and trees on the right, to give which would have involved the necessity of confusion in the rest, and would have prevented a just idea of the parts described. The Bluff in bold grandeur rises in front to an altitude of two hundred and fifty feet, covered with trees and under-wood in per petual green, to the water's edge ; and, striking out to the eastward, is commissioned to say to the IndianJ Ocean, "Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further."

On the point of this headland a light-house is built, and a flag-staff erected. By the light of the one, the care-worn and anxious mariner may be warned of proximate danger, and, in the darkest night, conducted to a safe anchorage : by the other he may converse with those who are in charge, in the alphabet of colours, and obtain information essential to the right direction of his vessel, upon the observance of which depends his own safety and that of others. The lamps for the beacon have not yet arrived from England. They will be placed in such a position that a vessel, when steering for the anchorage, must anchor immediately she shuts-in the sight. On the extreme left of the drawing is depicted a ship lying at anchor in the roadstead, the depth of water and distance from1 land being accurately laid down in the Chart, page 1.

Inside the Bay, the vessels are seen lying safely at anchor ; and it is gratify ing to observe with what perfect composure they seem to treat the raging of the most violent storms, defying their fury, and gently bending, as if in dutiful compliment to the terrible artillery of Heaven. Here they can be brought to within a few yards of the landing-place, making the discharge of cargoes a com paratively small item of labour and expense. With but little outlay, a jetty might be constructed, so as to render the use of boats needless ; and doubtless, as it is the interest of the landing agents to have such an accommodation, they will shortly procure its erection. In the Bay a few sailing-boats are shown. Sometimes ten or twenty of these small craft are seen at once, spreading thentiny sails to the wind, and moving as if by magic upon the water's surface.

Some of the gentlemen (not of the turf) take greater pleasure in sailing lifeless boats than in riding fiery steeds; and I GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 5 they occasionally try the relative merits of their small craft by what is laconically called " racing," when the winner comes off with considerable eclat. The Bluff and the Island are the resort of pleasure-parties on festal and bridal occasions, when the members of a newly formed band of interesting young men try their musical skill, inviting the echo of the water, or the bank of the Bluff, to give effect to their instrumental performances. It rarely happens that an accident occurs, except when the hat of a careless fellow or a conceited wag is blown off; or when, by the capsizing of his boat, he gets a good ducking, by which his courage is cooled, and he is reduced a few inches lower in self-esteem, — a result of no small benefit.

This general good fortune, however, has made some parties presumptuous, and recently led to a catastrophe of a distressing nature. The queen's birthday this year (1852) was very stormy, in which a strange coincidence was perceptible between it and the same day ten years ago, when the elements of war were raging ; showing us that, without the strife of man, human beings may be hurried into eternity when they least expect it. A storm arose, a strong wind blowing from the westward ; notwithstanding which, several parties crossed in boats to the Bluff in the morning ; and, in the evening, when returning, one of the boats had no sooner come from under the shelter of the high land than, receiving the full force of the gale, she capsized, and plunged the passengers into the water. By great exertions they got upon the boat again, as it lay keel upwards; but, from the power of the wind above and the force of the current below, she again turned over, when all of them were a second time plunged into deep water.

Three of them sank to rise no more alive : these were two interesting females, and a coloured man who had exerted himself to save them. The husband of one of the females was rescued with the greatest difficulty, through the care of a gracious Providence, being almost spent when taken up by those sent to his rescue. Some other parties were also in imminent jeopardy of being carried out to sea, never to return home. This painful event spread an air of sadness over our small community, and will probably read a lesson of caution to all for the future, and thus be productive of beneficial results. [CHAP. 6 HISTORY OF NATAL. The Bay, as shown in the engraving, is at highwater-mark ; being then five miles long, and three broad. The tide rises five and a half feet at spring tides, which occur at the full and the dead of the moon ; so that when the tide fills the Bay, it is a magnificent sheet of water, being in reality an inland lake, skirted with mangrove and other trees to the water's edge, which afford a rich and varied aspect.

As these trees are never divested of their foliage, they exhibit in winter, as well as in summer, the same unvarying freshness and verdure. At high water the small boats emerge from their hiding-places, and are seen sailing in all directions, giving animation to the beautiful and placid expanse. At low water a large part of the Bay is laid bare, as seen in the Chart ; thus allowing waggons to pass along the sands without difficulty, excepting in those parts where the channels are marked. It will be evident to every observer, that the body of water flow ing into the Bay at high tide, and on the turn issuing out of it, must be enormous ; the channel for which is very narrow, close under the Bluff, and consequently causes the immense fluid mass to rush in and out with great violence. Under the skilful management of an experienced engineer, this rapid transit of the tidal waters, in conjunction with the fresh water to be brought into it from the neighbouring streams, might be advantageously employed to remove the accumulation of sand which constitutes the Bar, and eventually to effect its disappearance.

The reader will find, at the commencement of this Chapter, an accurate Chart of the Bay and of the country immediately adjacent ; in which the depth of water is given in different places, and the particulars embraced are reduced to measurement, on a scale of five-eighths of an inch to the mde. Having given a general outline, I may now detail some of the particulars connected with the interesting objects which it embraces. In this Chart the anchorage in the roadstead outside is distinctly and accurately laid down, with the exact position in which vessels should lie : the variations of the needle are also marked, which at this point are probably as great as in any part of the world. The anchorage in the roadstead is perfectly safe whilst the wind is from the south-west; vessels may bring up in ten and a half fathoms' water, the Bluff bearing south-west two miles. y 7 GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Large vessels making Natal with the wind strong from the eastward, should keep under sail until communication is obtained by signal from the flag-staff on the Bluff : Marryatt's signals are to be used. The Cape Natal Bluff can be seen for more than sixteen miles from seaward; and vessels are recommended to signalize immediately when they come in sight, and to keep well to the eastward, as there is at all times a strong westerly current, by which vessels often get to leeward of the port, and are drifted down as far as St. John's, while not paying proper attention to the course of the current. An instance of this has just occurred in the case of the " Gitana," which made the anchorage, but was afterwards drifted down, and for a fortnight was not seen or heard of, and fears were entertained that she was lost.

But, nearly a month after she had first spoken the port, she made an entrance. It is the opinion of experienced nautical men, that if proper care is taken, there never need be a wreck at Natal ; except that sometimes an accident will occur which no human prudence can foresee, and no care prevent. In all other cases, the sea-room is so ample, and the anchorage so good, that vessels may easily get out. But if the wind is strong from the eastward or north east, it is better either to get under weigh, or to slip the anchor, not attempting to ride out the storm, (unless the tackling be very good and plenty of cable be given,) as the anchor will either drag or the cable break, by which time the vessel is probably too far toward the shore to escape. This was the case with the " Minerva." She had dragged her anchor some distance before it was detected, it being in the night, and she being too near in shore ; and when the crew tried to get her out, she was driven on the ledge of rocks at the Bluff Point.

But it is thought by some who are well qualified to form a judgment, that the " Minerva " did not drag her anchor, but parted, and let go another, and, before it would hold, she was too close in-shore. If these precautions be observed, the roadstead of Natal will be found to be incomparably safer than either Table Bay, or Algoa Bay, or the Mouth of the Buffalo. It may not be out of place here to state, that the harbour master, Captain Bell, is a thoroughly efficient officer, whose judgment may always be followed with safety. The pilots, like- HISTORY OF NATAL. [CHAP. wise, are sober, honest, skilful men, who may be trusted either to bring vessels in, or to take them out. On referring to the Chart, the letter A is placed on the summit of the Bluff : it shows the position of the light-house and flag staff, which are well displayed in the drawing of the vessel crossing the Bar.

(Wood-cut, No. III., page 10.) The Bluff is a bold promontory, two hundred and thirty feet high, stretching some distance into the Indian Ocean, as though on purpose to make a channel, under its lee bank, for the passage of ships and commerce with the natives. On the western bank the breakers roll with tremendous fury. After a strong gale has continued some days, the sea comes up from the vast Indian Ocean wrought up to tempest, and, leviathan-like, breaks upon the rocks, foaming and roaring, as if in holloT? groans. It was here that the ill-fated vessel, the " Minerva," was ..-recked ; aud the writer of these pages looked on with intense and gainful interest, whilst the passengers were landed, who were nearly three hundred in number. The Bar, in No. III., is a sand-bank thrown up by the sea breaking on one side, and sent back again by the tide ebbing on the other.

This also is distinctly marked in the Chart with the name written across it. This is, and has been, in truth, a great barrier to the prosperity of Natal. It is there shown to be nine feet at low water ; but instances have occurred since the place was occupied by the English, when, for weeks together, it was not as deep at high water, and vessels inside have been effectually locked in, and others outside have been completely excluded. Long and bitter complaints have been raised against government for not having attempted to improve this dangerous entrance. Some wattle-work has been lately constructed, and is still in progress ; but the general impression is, that it is either entirely useless or inadequate to meet the difficulty. In order that something more effectual may be done, an ordinance is now proposed to be passed for the formation of a committee or corporation, to devise and adopt the best plans for the removal of this inconvenience.

Whilst, on the one hand, suitable works are required to confine the water to one channel, so as to sweep away the sand by the force of the outward current, it is, on the other hand, extremely desirable to bring the Umgeni river from the north-east, and the Umlazi river from the south west, into the Bay. This might be done, without any enormous outlay, by bringing these tributary streams, in well-constructed channels, along the marshes which are shown in the Chart, and over which they have probably flowed at some former period. It is especially desirable that the Umgeni should be thus brought out with as bttle delay as possible, as there is a strong stream of water flowing down that river at all times. The large body of water thus brought into the Bay, when forced out at ebb tide through a confined channel, would drive away the mass of sand which might have accumulated on the Bar outside.