LIFE IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20184, 12 March 1931, Page 2

LIFE IN SOUTH AFRICA.

COMFORTABLE DOMESTIC CONDITIONS. LITTLE UNEMPLOYMENT. There is little unemployment in South Africa, according to Mrs L. Small, of Johannesburg, who is visiting her brother at New Brighton after an absence from Christchurch of twentyfive years. ' Each town dealt with its own unemployed, and,, at the present time, the few out of work in Johannesburg were engaged in extending the city's sewerage area, said Mrs Small. There was no unemployment levy, and the depression had not affected Africa to the same extent as it had Australia, or even New Zealand. "The women of Johannesburg do very little housework, as Kaffirs, both boys and girls, are kept for this purpose," she said. "I could never come to live in this country," said Mrs Small. "The women here have to work tremendously hard and do lots of work about the home that is done in Africa by Kaffirs. All the larger houses keep 'boys,' who are registered at the policestation and given cards. When you employ them they must produce their cards, and the employer is likewiso given a card which he hands to the Kaffir as a reference when ho leaves. No one is permitted to employ an unregistered ' boy.' "The natives aro no' longer troublesome in Johannesburg, but many of the older houses are still surrounded by high fences—relics of the days when the Kaffirs were of a more rebellious and thieving nature. The Kaffir, too, takes the place of the message boy in the African business world, and builders employ many 'boys' to mix cement, carry wood, and generally assist, with the less responsible jobs." Living Cheaper in Johannesburg. Mrs Small was particularly surprised by the high price of fruit in Christchurch. Grapes, she said, were sold for eight pounds a shilling in Johannesburg, and pineapples at a penny each. Oranges were sold in sacks about the size of sugar-bags, at Is 6d a sack, while many tropical fruits could be had for the asking. Gooseberries, raspberries, and currants, however, were luxuries, as the dry soil was not suited to their cultivation. Apples, too, were not grown extensively in Africa, but were imported in large quantities from Canada. Groceries and draperies were cheaper than in, New Zealand, in spite of the fact that imported goods were railed, from Cape Town, a' 36 hours' journey; but the African freight charges were much lower than those of New Zealand. "Coal costs 18s a ton in Johannes-, burg,'* said Mrs Small, "but meat is dearer than it is in Christcfeureh, due" to the fact that the Witwatersrand is barren for a portion of the year 'and almost incapable of supporting livestock. But wherever one ' goes in Johannesburg there is gold—pictures of gold, displays of gold, talk/ of gold. Along the reef of which' Johannesburg is the axial point dwell 600,000 persons whose lives are intimately bound up with 'the yellow metal which the reef so prodigiously disgorges. Changes in Christchurch. > "Christchurch has changed considerably, all except your railway station," said Mrs Small. "I am impressed with the change in New Brighton. Twentyfive years ago it was a desolate, succession of sandhills, and one of the most depressing places imagmable,' but now it is a well-planned and thriving borough, while )the beautiful gardens do credit to the toilers in that former waste of sand. "Johannesburg Is 6000 ft above sealevel, and with its fine streets and huge buildings it is "Tiard to imagine that l where the city .now stands was, jaß late as 1886, a barren waste. Visitors often j

comment on the number • of ' down-and-outs'in the streets, but, if the city has its seamy side,-it also has a more pleasant picture to show. Johannesburg has turned out more millionaires than almost any other city in the.wfyrld! "Twice a year we go' flown Town, and the return fare for:this twoday journey is only v £s 12s 6d,, travelling in Africa beinjg less expensive than ifi, New Zealand." •Mrs Small came to ; ,the Dominion to 'attend a family reunion in Napier,- but before she had reached there the earthi quake had occurred, and several of her relatives were killed and their homes wrecked. Mrs Small and her daughter leave, for "Wellington on Friday, . cn r ©ute to Sydney, when, - after' a few weeks' stay, they will leave for South i Africa. — r i .1 \ Morning Sickness—Valuable booklet by maternity nu?se, sent 'free, plain, wrapper. Address, Nurse., P. 0.. -Box--1490, Wellington. ' |MISB ..-wv.,' N . . . 4 »./ ,;,« f , ► , ' ,

WEDDINGS. CAMPBELL—HOLMES. A wedding of much interest to Otago and Southland residents, as well as to many friends in Canterbury, was celebrated at St. Andrew's Church yesterday afternoon, when Agnes , Isobel Marion, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Stuart Holmes, Queen street, Dunedin, was married to Eric McKay, only son of the late Mr and Mrs Hugh Campbell, formerly of Owaka, Southland. The church was decorated with blue delphiniums and pink and blue hydrangeas, the Eev. Lawson Robinson performed the ceremony, and Mr R. Lake was organist. The bride, who was escorted by her cousin, Mr C. D. White, Wellington, wore a beautiful long-sleeved frock of palest blue satin, the slightly rucked bodice being trimmed with a berths of lovely white Brussels lace, while the long skirt flared to form a train, which was weighted with large blue flowers, interwoven with true-lovers' knots, embroidered in narrow silver ribbon. Her veil of blue tulle to match her frock was caught with a half-circlet of orange blossom buds finished with tiny posies at the sides, and she carried a shower bouquet of blush pink carnations, pale blue delphiniums and maidenhair fern, tied with pale pink ribbons. The bridesmaids were Miss Joan Reid, of Burnside. Oamaru, the bride's cousin. Miss Kathleen Penny, and Miss Dolly Petre. Miss Reid wore a sleeveless frock and long sleeved coatee of hydrangea blue georgette, and a blue velour hat, edged with crinoline straw, and her shoes matched her fr<sck. She carried a bouquet of cream roses, orchids, and maidenhair fern. Miss Penny and Miss Petre wore sleeveless frocks and coatees of delphinium blue floral georgette, patterned in pink and flame colour, and blue felt hats and shoes to match. Their bouquets, shading from, pale pink to deep flame, repeated the colours in their frocks. The tiny flower-girl. Nola Saunders, the bridegroom's niece, wore a dainty frock of blue georgette, a replica of that worn by the chief bride, and a net cap trimmed with a cluster of delphiniums at each side. She earned a posy of rosebuds and fuchsias.

Mr Jack Ferrier (Tiinaru) was best man, and Messrs J. Lillico (Timaru) and Douglas Cox were , groomsmen. The wedding reception was held at the Winter Garden. Mrs Holmes, the brido's mother, wore a handsome frock of larkspur blue, embossed' chenille georgette, and coat to match with collar and cuffs of soft grey fur. Her hat was of larkspur blue velour, wide at the sides, and finished with an ornament in front, and she carried a bouquet to harmonise. Amongst the guests were ■Mr and Mrs Saunders, the bridegroom's brother-in-la-qr and sistor, and Mrs J. White and Miss Mary White, of Dunedin, the bride's aunt and cousin. t The bride travelled later in a pihart saxj? blue tailored tricoline /suit, cream jumper banded with saxe blue, and a close-fitting little felt hat to match, with, blue satin bow at the back. Mr and Mrs Eric Campbell will make their home in Christchurch.

HOSPITAL LADY VISITORS' ASSOCIATION.

The monthly committee meeting of the Hospital Lady Visitors' Association was. held at the hospital, when there were present Mrs E* G. Hogg (in the chair), Miss R. Muir, Mrs Russell Beals, Mrs Oven, Mrs Stewart, Mrs C. J.. Ward, Fleming, Mrs Wynn'W*Hiama„ Miss Cuthbert. and Mrs Meredith-Kaye. Apologies were received from Miss Julius and-Miss Cardale. - The piinutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Accounts' amounting to £93 4s 6d were passed. ' The Library Sub-Committee reported that in consequence of the appeal for books, made through The Press early in December of-last veitr. the library is well stocked, except for books -of adventure, which" are in great demand. Miss B&rtram reported that 26 patients were busy with occupational work; £2 los 4d had been spent on new material, and the sum of £1 Os 3d had been received for work 'sold. ' During the month of Februarv, 21 patients were sent to the Rhodes Memorial Home for . one week, nine were granted a second week, and two nightdresses were given to a > needy patient. It was suggested that a sale of the patients' work' be held at the _ hospital on March 28th, Mrs Fleming, to take charge', and Mi's Fleming" and Mrs Owen: to have a flower stall. This was i agreed to unanimously.