St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1905-11-29
Life In the TransVaal.
An Interesting Letter from a Former ST.
JOhnsbury Resident.
EDITOR CALIFORNIAN:

"A AUAAOA ANOA-. - -
JOhnsbnry Resident.
EDITOR CALIFORNIAN:
l wish to thank you very warmly for
sending me your paper all these months
and to tell you that each week my
thoughts are withyou amid the scenes so
well known and so dearly loved. Thetop
les of your ladies clubs and meetings are
frequently suggested for gatherings here
and the museum flower table has aroused
an enthusiasm here in our museum and
in our schools to do likewise. Several
special papers on travel, on Sabbath
school work and on Bible study have
been passed on to friends here and some
OF the agricultural notes have been
adopted by farmer, with success. l
would have written more frequently, but
ever since my return my lite has seemed
very full of events unworthy OF chronicl-
ing, and the history of country in the
throes of reconstruction with terrible
financial depression, and many sad and
unsatisfactory features and varied prob
lens to work out, is not celebrating or
enjoyable.
There are many political disappoint-
ments, as yet. though we are too near the
terrible results OF the war to have cor.
rect perspective, but the business sta
bility, the prosperity anticipated are not
yet ensured. With regard to advance in
methods of irrigation and agriculture,
there have been some forward strides, but
too many novices and too many WIS.,
ionaries have been suddenly let loose,
and time must test many project. So
lar as union Of the races is concerned
there need be little fear. The many mar
riages between Dutch and English, the
agreement with regard to municipal
schemes, and the educational stimulus
given everywhere will tend to join the
formerly separate factions speedily.
The visit of the illustrious members of
the British Association will be long re-
membered, and the energy and expedition
of many noted men and women far past
their prime, showed their enthusiasm
and enjoyment. They were all impressed
with the vast amount of territory to be
reclaimed; with the huge problems
respecting sufficient water supply; with
the high prices of living, and the need of
industries in every colony. The Chinese
and the native problems, too, came in
new guise before them. They all were
anxious to visit the Chinese compounds
and they saw the laborers there well
I'D, with abundant room to sleep and to
exercise, and with every regulation for
safety and comfort. Each one is expect
ed to work on an average of eight hours
day, bu the work is varied, above and
below ground, and they have opportuni-
ties of freedom and learning unknown at
home. Among the $4,000 Chinese now
| u6IC tHClC HSNC UEEu q lew udhSIIONS
characters, but on the whole there has
been less crime and less difficulty than
would have occurred had As 900 British
miners, or $4,000 Australians, or even
Americans been brought over to work
the mines. We all think they have beer
allowed too much liberty in leaving the
mining area and traversing the country
and we trust that atrocious murders
some dozen or more have committed
may lead to more restrictions with re
gard to travelling passes in future, anG
more strict supervision among the super
intendents.
Lord Selborne has shown himself {
wise, careful, sympathetic administra
tor and already has won the hearts o
the Beers in the country districts, who
find bin accessible and kind.
The great need now is some en-
terprise that will revive trade ant
offer scope to the many unemployed
We are hopeful for the future, but in th'
meantime the stagnation of many inter
ests causes unrest and disquietude, anc
we trust that ere long some turn in thu
tide may bring about prosperity to {
land that has been stricken and storm
tossed, not only by wars, but because o
drought, locusts and the cessation o
business enterprise.
MARY w. GRAY.
Pretoria, Oct. %, 1905.