The times., 1901-06-09
BoERs AT ST. HELENA.
The Islands Governor Describes
Their Present Surroundings.
(FTom the London Daily MatL)


r. a. Sterndale, Governor of st. Helena,
is in England on three months sick leave.
I'VE left st. Helena" said Mr.. Stern
dale "on April TO- and were so delayed
by head winds that we only arrived al IN
London this morning. Everything is NOV
ing smoothly in the island.
The most prominent prisoner among
the 4600 Beers who are quartered there
is of course General Cronje. he occu-
pies q small eight-room cottage not far
from Government House, and lives there
with his wife, grandson, secretary, ana
adjutant. His house has comfortable
veranda in front, where he passes most
of the day smoking his pipe. He is IN
good health and seems very contented.
He is not allowed to leave his home Win
out an escort. Whenever he expresses a
desire to go out carriage and pair, to-
gether with an escort, are always sent
from Government House. l have also OF
fered him the use of saddle horses, Dut
he has only twice availed himself OF the
ION two Sundays in each month he at
tends the open-air service of the Dutch
Reformed Church. He Is not az all hter-
airy in his tastes, and think reads Dul
little. He is never intruded upon his
secretary, whose name is KeaZer, is
pleasant-faced, thoroughly intelligent
man.
file of the Boer prisoners. Broad Bot
tom, which is 1,500 feet above the Level or
the sea, accommodates 1000 men, ana AZ
DE1QWOOQ. E,DUN IeeL dDuNt BED itNtAs -rvv1
are housed. Both encampments are sur
rounded by a double line of barbed wire
fence, and are guarded by about LOCO men.
The prisoners live mostly in hutS built
by themselves, and constructed of empty
packing cases and kerosene tins. The
only restriction made is that they shall
be portable, in order to move from place
to place, and arranged in regular lines.
The men do their own cooking, and are
very ingenious in arranging their huts.
"The rations consist of one pound OF
fresh meat five days in the week, ana q
like amount OF preserved meat on the 9TH
er two. They are given IA pounds or
bread each day, together with vegetables
and condiments, sugar, cOnee, etc All tne
provisions served are of the very best.
There has been no sickness among the
prisoners Many of them were suffering
from enteric when they arrived, but this
was speedily stamped out There was a
severe epidemic of Influenza recently, to
which many of the islanders succumbed
There were no cases, however, among the
Beers.
many ways. They are very fond of crick-
ct and football. They have a recreation
hall. in which their musical club frequent
ly gives concerts. They have among them
n musical composer named Schumann,
who claims to be a collateral descendant
of the great composer. He has written a
BOer hymn since his captivity.
"There are many tradesmen among
them, ard they are constantly encOurag-
ed to ply their trades, They carve nap
kin rings from beef bones, and make
fine walking sticks. for which they are
granted material from the Government
| forests. We recently had an exhibition of
articles manufactured by the prisoners,
and it was highly credtable.
There are few relics of the great Ma
poleOn remaining at st. Helena. We have
at Government House his bookcase. two
cabinets, and pier glasses. Some eighteen
months ago Miss Bailey died at the age
of ninety-one years. She saw the great
Emperor land, saw his funeral. and wit
messed the elimination of his body.