IN DARKEST AFRICA

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2202, 15 July 1914, Page 2

IN DARKEST AFRICA

LECTURE BY MR, CRAWFORD, F.R.G.S. . Yesterday afternoon tlic Grand Opera Houso was filled when Mr. Dan Crawford, F.R.G.S., tlic African missionary, explorer; and author of "Thinking Black," gave- a lecture to women upon ."Woman iu South Africa."'. The Mayoress, Mrs. J ". P. Luke, occupied tho chair. ' Mr. Crawford is refreshingly unconventional "as a lecturer, and intensely interesting. Yesterday he did not attempt anything like- a studied consecuv tivo'account, of tho African woman, but by tltio striking anecdotes ho told, Us hearers could deduct for themselves what ho'wished to drive home to them. Vivid pictures were drawn of tho darkness amidst which ho worked, of faith which any of the Christian martyrs of old might hard been proud to possess, and of heroism that met death and torture"unafraid, and although most of his stories were more or less studies of tragedies, unexpected gleams of humour would suddenly. crop out that relieved the'tension of feeling which ■undoubtedly crept over those ■who heard him.' He began by'•saying- that the African womaii in tho wilds was not the "hag" which she had often been painted by travellers. and explorers, but instead she was a being ftill to the brim of sentiment', and who, when she lost anyone sho deeply loved, would throw her own life away in grief and despair. In Africa as iu the civilised world woman wore the same smile, still sobbed the same sobs of grief, was stiil governed by tho same old feelings. It was a mistake to suppose that in Africa a woman was tho chattel of nian. She had rebelled against "man the master" and had. refused to bo his dupe and slave any longer. There the biggest Suffragette Club in the world had been formed to fight against man's domination; To fight against tho tragedies that so frequently occurred in the polygamous marriages that had been contracted, tragic endings to one ■ or other or some of the five or six lyives which n, man might possess, tho women of the- country went into a committee to consider -ways and means/ and formed themselves .into this. club.. Whenever suspicious, circumstances attended the death of a wifo the club inquired into the circumstances, and if they were of the opinion that her husband was guilty of, her death, he was imprisoned for ten, days, starved, and .in all sorts of wavs his goods were extorfcd from him. In addition he was made to do all the work that sho had had to do. lii every way husbands were made to feel that it would be -well for them to keep their wives alive as long as possible. Tho system apparently worked' Tor v. success-. .fuiiyl ,■: .■ w • | ..: ■:- SUPERFLUOUS HA lE, Mrs. Hullcn, Bouloott Street, has received the following testimonial, which has-been abbreviated:—"l have much pleasure in recommending your "Rusnia' for the removal of superfluous hair. Having been treated, per medium of eloc : trolysis, also depilatories, rat great ci'ipenso, without; receiving, -any ' reliof, I am gratefully thankful to you for your treatment of my case. Since undergoing your treatment I am pleased to state that not only has yoiir remedy rumoVed all traces of superfluous hair, but in addition has improved the complexion wonderfully. -(Signed) Joan Lang." .Original, cony of abovesatjcbe-sfWiHftt my.address,; Mrs. Hullen, Boulcott Stroßt, '•.'• '•'.-■' ;■•, -. ■ ;•../, . ,';',•. .; cure for the moynl of,, superfluous,: hair. ;. This .canonly bn performed by an. expert. Consult Mr«. . Haybittle, long' and favourably known for all treatments. No, £(i 8 Lanibton Quay (over Orr. chemist). Telephone 1594.—Advt. «»■