Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-08-26
Rotarians Hear
Rev. Robt. Plant
In Interesting Talk

The members Of the Gardiner
Rotary club were treated to a de-
lightful travelogue at their meeting
at the Johnson House, Wednesday
noon, when the Reverend Canon Rob-
ert w. Plant, rector emeritus of
Christ Episcopal church, told in a
most interesting manner Of his re-
cent tour through some of the prin-
cipal cities of South Africa.
The party made their first stop at
Madeira, and Rev. Mr.. Plant took oc-
casion to explode the theory that
most Americans have of the Wild
ness of South Africa. His descrip-
ton of Madeira, Capetown and Cape
Elizabeth proved to his listeners
that that continent was far different
from what it was popularity supposed
to be.
In Madeira the principal industry
is the manufacture of famous wines,
and both men and women are eX-
perts in the making of fine laces
which are sold all over the world.
At the present time modern rail-
! road 1000 miles in length is being
| built between Capetown and Cairo.
this line running through the heart
of the country.
Cape Elizabeth was visited by tn
party. this being the city where
Woodford Plant, the elder son of
Rev. and Mrs. Plant, is located.
The population Of the city is 10000
inhabitants and it is the second lar
gest of the continent. The place has
no natural harbors but engineers are
constructing artificial ports, and
ships from all countries in the world
| may be seen from the city. 1t is one
of the greatest shipping and trade
centers in the world. A large uni
versity comparing favorably in size
and equipment with that of any IN
the United States is being construct
ed there. One feature of the ship
ping industry is that cargos are I'M
loaded directly from the lighters to
! the railroad, eliminating the neces-
sity of transferring the cargo to the
wharf and then to the railroad.
Rev. Mr.. Plant referred especially
to the handsome government build =
ings in African cities. and also to the
public and municipal buildings He
praised their libraries and museums
which are considered among the fin
est in the world. He described the
wonder of Table Mountain just be-
hind the city. This gives the appear
ance Of a table covered with a white
tablecloth when the clouds covered
it's summit. In speaking of the
famed shore drive by the Indian
Ocean he declared that in his opin-
ion 1t could not compare with the
shore line of Maine.
Mr.. Plants talk was one of the
most enjoyable which the club
! members have heard for some time,
and his personal graphic descrip-
tons of famous scenes mad the talk
| of especial interest.
Previous to the main address of
| the meeting, Miss June Meredith,
advance representative of the Red
path Chautauqua, told the members
of some of the work Of the organ
ization. President R. r. Littlef1eld
announced that the club would carry
out plans similar to those of last
year for the transportation of Gar
| diners members of the Maine Three
Quarters Century club at it's meeting
at the State House August 80.
The guests present were Irving
Rouillard, president of the Saratoga
Springs, n. Y, Rotary club, Everett
Perkins, Charles Kinsman and Hen
ry f. Cummings of Augusta.