A BOTHA MONUMENT

Evening Star, Issue 20138, 1 April 1929, Page 5

A BOTHA MONUMENT

UNCLAIMED FOR MONTHS One morning several months ago a. largo equestrian statue, in bronze, of the late General Botha was carefully taken from the mail boat at Cape Town and placed in storage at the Docks, and there it lias remained until this day, said the ‘ Cape Times ’ on January 4. No one has claimed it, or, as lar a.s can bo discovered, .shown the slightest interest in its forlorn condition.

It being obvious that equestrian statues of largo proportions cannot be, left lying about like mere suit cases, a ‘ Cape Times ’ representative set out to discover both the owner of the statue and the explanation of its cavalier treatment, a search which produced amazing results in the way of mystery and comedy, a.s the* writers of film notices would say. The information on which these inquiries were based was that the statue was consigned to Pretoria, but that on account of the large size of the ease it could not be railed, and the local authorities concerned with the despatch of statues were awaiting instructions from some other source of inspiration. It was reasonable to suppose that if anyone was likely to know the ultimate fate of the statue it would bo the Port Goods Superintendent. Rut this official could nut identify it with anybody in particular. All he could explain was that it had been handed over to the Docks authorities on its arrival, with instructions to keep it sate and sound until called tor, so to speak. Thus the genesis of the mystery was in the manner of handing in an umbrella, at the suburban cloak room.

The superintendent recalled that those wishes were expressed by some gentlemen who culled to see him. but whose names ho could nob remember. Who were these mysterious gentlemen? Affairs began to take on an almost sinister aspect. The Goods Superintendent explained that the ease was in perfect order, and could be railed anywhere us soon a.s its owners mado their intentions known. Ho w-as under the impression that the statue was intended for Cape Town.

This promised to narrow- down the search, and a call was made on Mr Bowley, the secretary to the local committee which is concerned with a General Botha memorial for the Capo Province.

Was tho statue his? It was not, said Mr Bowley promptly, and lie, moreover, disclaimed any knowledge of it whatever. The contract for the Cape Province memorial, he added, had not yet been given out. Thoroughly interested himself in the mystery, Mr Bow ley got into touch with tho 'Port Goods Superintendent, who also became infected with astonishment to find that whatever place the statue was intended to adorn it was certainly not Cape Town.

Showing signs of strain by this lime, the superintendent redoubled his efforts when it was gently but firmly pointed out to him that unless that “ mystery ” statue, as it had now become, had dropped from the heavens there must bo someone familiar with its antecedents and destination. Other qjpeiais wore enlisted in the search for a cine, and agitation began to ruble the serenity of routine at the Docks.

t was all of no avail. “ All f can tell you,” said tho superintendent, “ is that a Government representative asked us to keep the case until further orders, lb may bo Pretoria or it may bo lor Capo Town—l do not know. There is no difficulty. It can be railed at any time it is wanted.” So the mystery, as ludicrous a one as could well bo conceived, remains unsolved. It is reasonable to suppose that the statue is intended tor the Transvaal, in which province there is a, committee to provide a General Botha memorial. [Jut before it languishes at tho Docks for another period of months perhaps a voice may issue from some remote fastness and offer an official explanation.