CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 448, 20 November 1875, Page 3

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

(Sydney Herald) We have files from Capetown to the sth of August., Mr Froude is still on his travels. His reception at Mossel Bay was most enthusiastic. He is expected anxiously by the colony of Natal and the two Republics. Affairs at the diamond fields are quiet. The trials proceed very methodically. Aylward, the notorious malcontent and leader of the sedition—a man who brags of his acquaintance with General Cluseret and other spirits of that nature—has been lecturing at Kimberley on " Rebellion " to a large audience. He managed very cleverly not to commit himself in any way. Sir H. Barkly will not return to this colony for some weeks, as he is "arranging" matters at Kimberley. A commodious synagogue is to be built at Kimberley ; £7OO has been already subscribed. The section of the Eastern Province railway from Zwaaitkops to Commando Kraal, thirty-three miles, has been opened with great pomp, in the absence of the Premier or any other officer of State, by Mr Phil pott, C.C. and R.M. This line is being pushed on as rapidly as possible, and a great quantity of material is accumulated at Algoa Bay. Our Customs returns for the year aud a quarter ending the 30th June last si ow a large increase in almost every branch of the jrevenue. There is no return given as to the value of the exported diamonds, which must represent at least a million of money. Some excitement has been caused by the rumor that the Government had called in .about £220,000, which it had lent on interest to the colonial banks, without giving the -notice which had been agreed to. Our excellent banking arrangements have been able ■to prevent any detriment to business by this hasty action. The reported complications in the Treasury have caused a great deal of uneasiness, and a commission is now sitting upon the matter. From the goldfields the news is important and encouraging. Five nuggets, 341 b total weight, have been found in one week. One nugget weighed 151 b. The great drawback to the further development of these fields is the enormous price of provisions The Transvaal Government does not yet seem to recognise the importance or the wealth of this auriferous region. Gold has been struck at Waterfall Creek, and the coming wet season is expected to reveal rich deposits. Cpntracts for making three Government lines of railway have been executed by the Crown agents for Natal and Messrs Jackson and Wythea. The latter's engineer has arrived in Natal. The lines will be 3ft 6in gauge, and fenced where necessary. The routes are Durban to Pietermaritzburg, and from the existing line to Verulam and Isipingo. The permanent way will carry a single track, and the land is to be given by the Government. The work is to be completed in four years, subject to a penalty of £l5O per week. The contract price is

£899.037, not including £12,500 for preliminary out'ay. The Times correspondent of Maritzburg warns his countrymen that the garrison in Natal must be strengthened. There are 350.000 Kaffirs to 17,000 whites, and the Kaffirs are settled in their "lscations," while the whites avo scattered. It is necessary to commence the civilisation of the tribes by placing magistrates over them, and as this will lead to the diminution of the chiefs' power, wr may breakout at any moment. The half-regiment of infantry, therefore, should be increased to a regiment, and supplemented by sotnc batteries of mountain guns. The t.ixes paid by the natives, we may. add, must be increased, if the people are to be induced to cultivate, and altogether the outlook is not without its difficulties. United South Africa ought, however, to be able to support a moderate but moveable force, and we do not see why it should be impossible to employ Kaffir auxiliaries or to grant locations to Kaffirs, upon condition of their supplying a certain number of lads to be disciplined and employed as police on low pay. The Langalibalele affair showed that the tribes are still unprepared to meet troops in the field, the secret of that disastrous business having been fear of the white volunteers.