IN SOUTH AFRICA

Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1921, Page 1

IN SOUTH AFRICA

A W.KST COASTER'S LETTER

lii tlu' ebfirse uf an intcivaling .Mr L. Xortluroft. (formerly Editor of tin: West Const ’limes) writes interestingly ns follows: In my last letter I said I would It'll von something a lion t the disturbance in Queenstown district, which resulted in the killin'' of 21)0 natives. whilst a further 100 were wounded. A few years ago an American negro founded n church in the Capo l’rovin-e. which was supposed to he a branch o! a religious corganisatinn in America, and appointed himself as Bishop. He gniilod many adherents in this country, amongst whom was a native, whose English name is Enoch. Sometime afterwards, the American died and the organisation dispersed. Enoch, who had some property lights in o sub-location called Bollheek. which is connected with the Kamnstone location in the Queenstown district, went to liullhnek and took up residence there, lie was joined hy several adherents and disciples and they called themselves the Israelites, Enoch adopting the rote of prophet. They had an annual religious festival which they called the Passover, and this attracted adherents from other parts. Enoch had obtained permission from the Native Alfair.s oflicials to have these people there promising that when the festival was over they would depart to tlwir homes. Tin's promise was ignored. Instead of the natives going away they remained there and others joined them. Ernm time to time, officials interviewed Enoch and lie reiterated his promises and continued to break them. The adherents overflowed I mm the location into the commonage, putting up small lints to live hi and they announced their intention of staying until Jehovah told them to go. In December of last year tile Native Adairs Department decided to register all residents nf Bullhoek with a view tr> deporting those who had no right there. Oflicials wore sent and with them a force of list.) police to iiifuree the law.

The natives who wore aniu'il with as-M-piis' and short swords witu very Irnfiili'iit ami asoiw.-ive. They showed liylit. Tim ciiii'i of the lone was :<>!<! they refused to oive any information as lo tin- residentand if force was 10 lie used they w ere prepared lo meet it with e:j11a! !I. . \ :; '-!it tit'llt Vas pared u ith ** .1 h the • *lOl 1 . :tl aa !• i. •i: I •i. ■•'lii n ill visits to tlu* location hy in.- Magistrate and other otlieials had a- .i j . i They a ere treated with Si e; I, and derision. i-neilly to was (h'eidr d to use e.x----i r. ten no .■ - tires and SI it) |io|ice w ere t idle;., ed andt r LIh■ eoinniaml of the Com-:eis-ie :• r. Colonel Souter. w ho was anijiatiiei hy (ienernl van I,‘Venter, i ft- 111 1 !t■> were i oni|iletely armed and I: ehllised ill the show prolimi 111 ('lleellS■l. VI! and will'll everythin}' was in ~ !iii,-.- mu relied lo the illtllhoek h-ia-

Asnvlny within striking distance tl.<*y d I'jov: .1 iiito four iuiliimns. and word u.».« :)n ii sent- to Knocli to submit and. disperse all of those who mm* ;• i. legally in occupation. Tin* 10~1 \ • dim t r»*l usal. JehovaL-had 1 •» in in '.lav ami they would ny ruii!,mnn;!s but bis. i ■ ; ,p> slowly advanced imlil r. •i’ ;u or 1(H) yards from where a !;irc-c i «,dy of natives, about uOU slrono had aformed into sect ions. Another ■ .«. was sent ami- after sometime returned with the answer that they • aid :i>»i disperse, and they would imi •• .r■ -• ii hw any prisoners. i' ,i 1 i• a nee was continued until •t .i i. : !l vards from tlie opposing body n t ? : , .. natives came out ami iciter"l 1 1*.- prophet s commands. When ;k>.i if ihey intended to they replied ; “That is tor aon to -ay."' A t’ ' ? t • » r advame till within *»l) yards i'i t!ie natives was then made, when v. •: 1 lit on l lie mountain which mS. <: ii'e hvalinit ami the natives , or. with a mad rush. They wire ,ii !:u d v hit r.sM’oais and short. ?-words, but 'u\ few had hroajms. Those who lVl w . n-'iiijian l it to the rush of the A-! -i' - in lafst. Africa, and to the I>t rTln« rush w:t- t* oped within lo) yards i Ihv lj ot :' 1e '• < i.'Y be i He) used, j .V . »U»J •• Whov ol io. d to the me, led on tile , -UiU *ri.i»-,-e will be o.n VIK• if \ •«.* tins affair nod there has be- u an. !: : s .-o--! tui’mversv, asalwavs [;<:) ; n