The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-10-24
PONDOLAND.
Description of District Lying Due South
of Natal.

description OF District Lying Due South
of Natal.
Pondoland is fertile district north
east of the Transkei, and lying due
south of Natal. 1t is now under the
protectorate of Cape Colony. The
reasons for this new protectorate are
obvious. In the first place, by estab-
fishing it. we have completed the half
circle of British colony which now ex-
tends in unbroken succession between
Cape Town and Natal. thus making us
virtual protectors of the whole seaboard
and ports between those two points In
the second place, we have kept out
other nations-the Germans and the
Dutch, for instance-who have for some
time cast longing eye upon the fertile
plains of Pondoland.
The present Chief Paramount-that is
the style and title of the King of the
Pondos-is Umquikela, q, small but
well-made man of about fifty wears of
age. He. looks somewhat older, but
this is probably on account of the shocks
that he periodically gives to his consti-
tuition by drinking to excess. This
monarch has lately issued a proclama-
ton, which came into force in October
of last year. by which he has decreed
that all transport between the port Of
st. Johns River and the interior should
pay prohib tory tax of ESQ wagon.
This was doubtless in retaliation for the
previous annexation of the port of st.
Johns River, in 1888, contrary to I'm
quikela's wishes, and in defiance of
treaty made in 1874 with his predeees-
sor, Fakar. The effect of this procla-
nation has been TO. stop the importa-
ton of goods at st. John River settle
ment, which extends for about twenty
miles on the northeast bank Of
st. Johns River. The Pondos are a
rich nation so far as cattle is con-
cerned, and their country allows them
to grow mealies and corn and tobacco
in profusion without much trouble and
labor. Pondoland is very mountainous,
and at the same time extremely well
watered. The sea shore is covered with
brush and forest. The principal trade
of the country enters Pondoland across
the River Umtumvuna from Natal, or
by way of Umtata from King Williams
Town through Tembuland, which lies
immed ately southeast The exports of
Pondoland are principally hides, horn
and cattle. The traders of the country
have been hitherto outlaws and other
adventurous persons who have chosen
to reside beyond British jurisdiction. In |
many cases they have exercised wise
discretion.
The Pondo men lead very lazy lives.
They scarcely ever do any work. They |
leave to the women the cultivation Of |
the mealie gardens and the hewing of |
.sf A.
boys they leave the herding of the cat
tie. 1t is difficult to say what they do |
but lie, and thieve. and cheat and in |
sufficiently formidable numbers (ren-
dering resistance impossible) attack a
store. carry off the goods Of the unhap- |
py storekeeper. and murder him if he |
protests too vehemently at the loss of
his blankets and rum. They are an
amiable race altogether. Pondoland |
contains plants of valuable med
icinal properties, and the num-
Der of poisons in the country is
very large. The Pondo does not
scruple to make use of the latter when
ever occasion requires an Objectionable
person to be quietly removed The |
grass, or'veldt of the country is as q
rule, too rich for sheep but is admira-
bly, suited to cattle and horses. which
are very numerous. There are very /
few Beers, ii any, in the country, most
of the traders being British or Griqua
half-castes. Umluikela, who Is half
his time fuddled with drink, has lost his
in fluence with the rest of the chiefs il
the country. Tribal wars are frequent. [
and the power of the Paramount
Chief Is but very partially recognized,
even in his own neighborhood. Justice
is consequently perfectly out Of the
question, there being no ono to admin
ister 1T, and no one to execute It. Ter.
London Globe.