The Monticellonian., 1919-01-03

the weld. Probably some e0 years ago the site was occupied only by q large farmstead which increased its size and importance with the rise of the next generation of the Marals family. Some one hit on the spot as good stand for native store, the predicant was given a piece of land for a church which could be the center Of religious life for district covering many miles, says the Christian Sci ence Monitor.
 Twenty years ago the s. A. k. (South African Government Railways) ran line through on its way to tap a more important center and set up Halt" which by this time has grown into Il little wood and iron station where the traveller bound for Rooidorp finds himself at six in the morning. after having journeyed all through the night. Quite early the preceding eve ming he leaves the mountains and for hours traverSes the open weld, the high Karee-flat. dreary and covered with scrub and cactus, with rarely any sign of habitation.
 The traveller will find the usual rural collection of carts and convey ances of all types standing at the station outspan, from the ubiquitous Ford to the Old-World OK wagon with it's 14 steers, beside which slept its native driver with his sjambok (whip) of rhinoceros hide He had most prob ably been there for some hours, for it is not easy to time an arrival of such a team The train may be two hours late, but no one appears 10 care in this land where time seems to be so cheap.
 Houses All Bungalows.
 In these towns practically all the houses are of the bungalow type and land ls cheap. Each house has large garden. sometimes large enough to be called farm in most countries. The climate has called for two impor- taHt medificatieRs-the lofty roof and the broad stoep. As we wander round the town We quickly observe the im- portant part this wide veranda plays in the everyday life of the inhabitants. It is the reception room for casual call CTS. loom Jan can keep an interest. ed eye on the doings of his neighbors and exchange the news of the day with all and sundry who have driven in from the outlying farms.
 
 The towns central outspan. which generally speaking corresponds to the market squares of towns elsewhere, is particularly interesting at nacht- maal. This quarterly communion serv- ice justifies what is often wearisome journey. The trek wagon is hauled out. from II to l6 oxen are inspanned, and the whole family chambers up and makes itself comfortable under tent. Full provisions are taken and gener- ally gift in kind for the predicant.
 As one wanders round the outspan he will see one of the most heteroge- neous collections of humanity and it's trappings. In the far corner is q typical group, q wagon drawn up, the oxen away grazing, the Zulu servants tending the fire, preparing a meal or doing to perfection what a Kaffir can do almost from birth-nothing-he does 1t more thoroughly than anyone else on the face of the earth. He finds complete contentment in sun- basking. Sitting under the tent on the wagon is the major portion of the family, while underneath are the youngsters. Drawn up in lines are other miscellaneous vehicles. The whole scene, were the town buildings removed, would recall scenes from the time of the voortrekers.
 Four Important Buildings.
 There are four buildings of impor-