The Conquest of the Desert 



were purchased, and in the year 1897 the first 

 settlers arrived. 



But it is best to learn the history of this 

 wonderful colony from the lips of those who are 

 engaged in the great work. In his hospitable 

 home the able and scholarly superintendent of 

 the settlement, Rev. J. G. de Bruyn, was kind 

 enough to answer my many questions. 

 " How many families are here now ? " 

 " Four hundred. You will be surprised to 

 learn that there are over 3000 souls in this 

 settlement. We have 5000 acres under the 

 furrow. The area of the whole settlement 

 comprises roughly 150,000 morgen. We have 

 one church and eight schools, with 700 children. 

 Our settlers come from all over South Africa. 

 Before being admitted to Kakamas they require 

 to possess a certificate of good character and of 

 poverty. Many more applications are received 

 than we can deal with. When a settler arrives 

 we set him to work on the canal, for which work 

 he is paid four shillings per day. All furrows must 

 be cleaned out at least twice a year, and every 

 man is compelled to do his share of this work." 

 " What is the size of each holding ? " 

 " Every settler at Kakamas can obtain an 

 erf. An erf consists of six morgen, which can 



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