THE NATIVES IN THE LARGER TOWNS. 597 



( 

 LOCATTONS. 



In the Cape Province tlie locations, in which a maximum of 

 comfort and consideration is provided, are those at Capetown 

 and Port Elizabeth, which were estabhshed not out of Municipal 

 funds, but by Government under the Native Reserve Locations 

 Act. Similarly in Natal, the most successful location is that in 

 Durban, where the Town Council has been able to build exten- 

 sively from the profits derived from the monopoly for the sale of 

 Native ibeer. 



In the sino^le men's quarters, built at a cost of i.^3,000, each 

 Native is provided with a separate bed, and a generally improved 

 order of living is pointed out to him. The supervision, main- 

 tained without the aid O'f a single policeman, teaches habits of 

 cleanliness and gives a stimulus to the observance of punctuality, 

 good order and good conduct among the inmates of the quarters, 

 and eliminates gambling and vice. A large steam disinfector is 

 used to cleanse and disinfect all beds, blankets and wearing 

 apparel at regular intervals. 



At the married Natives' quarters no tenants are admitted 

 except those of certified good character, and the result has been 

 satisfactory. The tenants keep their cottages in scrupulously 

 clean condition, and there is no appearance whatsoever of the 

 customary untidiness and neglect which characterised most \o^i- 

 tion dwellings. The 60 cottages were built at a cost of i 12,000. 



The Native women's hostel, which provides sleepinfy accom- 

 modation for Native women visiting the town, or for those whose 

 employers have no suitable quarters for them, is extensively made 

 use of. It is under the supervision of a European matron, who 

 has two Native women as assistants. 



Native Opinion. 



At first a campaign of misrepresentation by the Native Press 

 deterred the Natives from going to live in the location, but now 

 the best elements of the Native community are being" drawn to 

 the settlement, and the tenants appear contented and readily 

 respond to efforts made for their well-being. Natives from other 

 parts of South Africa are alwavs favourably impressed by the 

 conditions in the location, and in this connection the followir'^ 

 remarks are quoted from a letter written by the Rev. Edward 

 Motsamai. of Maseru, who spent a few days at the single men's 

 quarters : — 



. . . . I am confident that T am not wrong in asserting that the 

 Native location of Durban, so well furnished with modern accommodations, 

 such as shower baths, electric light, etc., is the first of its kind, in fact 

 there is nothing of the sort in Basutoland ; nor have I ever heard of a 

 similar thing in all South Africa. The department seems to have left 

 nothing untried that would contribute to the comfort and happiness of 

 our Native people in the location. 



The Native Market raised up by the department is actually a marvel ; 

 no one can eo there without being struck by the clever way in which it is 

 managed. There the Natives are accorded the full liberty to sell and do 

 all they like without hindrance, without being ousted by their superior 

 neighbours — the white people. 



