CHAPTER IX 



THE POOR AND THE LAND 



In this chapter I shall tell the story of the origin 

 of the Kakamas labour colony, situated on both 

 sides of the Orange River, in the twin districts 

 of Kenhardt and Gordonia, and distant 180 

 miles from the railhead at Prieska. Some 

 twelve years ago a certain clergyman of the 

 Dutch Reformed Church, the Rev. B. P. J. 

 Marchand, of Wellington, became filled with the 

 desire to do something towards the regenera- 

 tion of that class now widely known as the 

 " poor whites." Accordingly, he visited several 

 labour colonies in Germany, and on his return 

 recommended that something similar should 

 be done without delay in South Africa. The 

 Senate of the Church directed Mr Schroder, 

 then missionary at Upington, to look out for a 

 suitable site for the proposed settlement. He 

 reported that at Kakamas there was a large 

 tract of land which could be laid under water. 

 This site was selected. Some farms were 

 obtained free from the Government, others 



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