212 . OSTRICH-FARMING IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



a mistake by doing so, as the man is generally a worth- 

 less character that no amount of thrashing will ever 

 improve, and is one the master had much better be 

 rid of, and whose summary dismissal would have a 

 good effect upon the others ; whilst by thrashing him 

 the master is very apt to get a bad name, and the others 

 inwardly resent it, though they may not show it. The 

 only occasion on which a master should ever thrash a 

 native servant is when he is thoroughly insolent ; but if 

 a master guards his own conduct carefully, such occa- 

 sions will be very rare: for although he may not know 

 it at the time, he will generally find that the man had 

 been drinking, and it would have been policy on the 

 part of the master not to have noticed it. 



Natives often work exceedingly well under a white 

 man to lead them, but it must be leading, not driving. 

 The difficulty is for the farmer to get such a man, 

 whilst to put two or three natives at a job far away 

 from the homestead, where they will not be watched, is 

 nearly tantamount to throwing away their day's labour. 

 There seems to be something wanting in the native 

 character which prevents him going steadily on when 

 left to his own resources. We see it, not only wath the 

 ordinary labourer, but with the mechanic, trained at the 

 missionary or other institution, where, whilst under a 

 white foreman, his work might be equal to that of any 



