SOUTH AFRICAN HAPPENINGS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20508, 26 May 1938, Page 13

SOUTH AFRICAN HAPPENINGS

OAPrrowN’s nkw harbour BEGINNING OF WORK To mark the Inauguration of work on Capetown's new harbour, a §pectaeular display of Illuminations was arranged for May 10. The whole area to be covered by the works was out- | lined by electric lights In such a way as to give a comprehensive impression of the magnitude of the scheme. The proceedings were opened by the Prime Minister, General Hertzog. He was aboard the dredger which began the work of reclaiming nearly 400 acres of land from the sea. With the first scoop he pressed a button which switched on three miles of lights outlining the whole of the new harbour area. BIAMESE TWINB BORN AMONG TRIPLETS “Siamese twins” were among the triplets born to a native woman, Selima Mkula, on the farm Sanddrift near Harrismith. All the children died shortly after birth. According to Mr P. Filmalter, who occupies the farm, one of the triplets was an abnormally large child, weighing at least 14lb, while the other two, who were linked together, weighed less than 51b- Only certain portions of their bodies were joined together. ELEPHANT INVAOERB THE BORDER GROSSED Large numbers of elephants have crossed the l nion-Portuguese border east of Messina into the Transvaal. Mr Jack Pienaar, a well-known elephant hunter, has just returned from that area and reported the presence of several large herds of elephants. He states that the elephants have not only destroyed native lands but have also been invading native villages tramping down everything in their way. REBUILDING A CITY AMBITIOUS SCHEME FOR DURBAN An ambitious town-planning scheme for Durban, estimated to cost £25u,00d, which will remodel the centre of the city and drive a new main road through the shopping centre, is under consideration by the City Council. The scheme involves the pulling down of some of Durban’s biggest shops, and it is suggested that these properties should be bought by the council and the sites resold after the street alterations have been made.

At the moment Durban's shopping centre is concentrated In two long parallel streets, and it Is proposed to extend it by cutting a new cross street between them. This would, of course, provide a larger area of street frontage in the centre of the city.

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As for the farmers, they were still waiting for a real and effective solution of their problems. Gigantic sums may have been expended on them, but it could not be regarded as rehabilitation for the farming community when by far the greatest part of this money went Into the pockets of those who least reeded it.

Dr. Maian put forward a frankly reactionary policy in the dealings of white South Africa, with the natives, declaring himself in favour of stopping 'the present wholesale buying of land by the State for natives.”