646 



TEE AGRI CULTUBAL JOUBNAL. 



brought into the District from the Transvaal 

 by Natives, also 1,700 odd shpep belonginst to 

 Mr. H. T. James and Mrs. Pratorius, of the 

 Entonjaneni District. Dysentery has been bad, 

 five deaths having taken place at the Etaleneni 

 Mission Station, and several Natives in this 

 neighbouihood are still suffering. Small Boer 

 patrols are to be seen daily aloEg the border, 

 near the Babanango, but no looting has been 

 done by them during the month 



C. C. FoxON, Magistrate. 



UBOMBO, 6th December.— The mealie crops 

 appear healthy, but are backward and less in 

 quantity than in the last two years. This, how- 

 ever, cannot be attributed to adverse planting 

 conditions, but to the last year's good yield, and 

 its attendant social functions. Some artichokes 

 have been cultivated on the mountain. The 

 cattle on the mountain are free from disease 

 and in good condition. The game in the Dis- 

 trict is being watched for any deaths from rin- 

 derpest ; as yet none have been reported. The 

 Government reward for the destruction of wild 

 dogs, it is to be hoped, will be attended with the 

 production of many scalps, for wild dogs are a 

 most useless evil ; they are as destructive to 

 small game as rinderpest. Last month's rainfall 

 was heavier than the last, being 3'S6. Maximum 

 and miniffum temperature 87 deg and 53 deg. 



J. M. Robertson, Acting Magistrate. 



UMLALAZI, 15th December.— Very hot days 

 have been experienced during the past fortnight, 

 the thermometer rising to over 100 deg. on more 

 than one occasion. After one such day this week 

 a somewhat severe thunderstorm burst, the 

 lightning striking a tree and setting fire to some 

 rubbish, finally entering the ground, leaving a 

 deep perpendicular hole. This hole was shown 

 to me, and is within 20 yards of the house of 

 Mr. G. Gielink, Stock Inspector, near the Mati- 

 kulu River. A fair amount of rain has fallen. 

 Young locusts are hatching out in considerable 



numbers, but I have hopes of destroying many 

 of the swarms by burning the old grass which 

 has been left for this purpose on their breeding 

 grounds. Anthrax has broken out in a herd of 

 cattle in the District, and I regret to say one 

 Native has died, and several others are ill from 

 the effects of eating the meat of the dead 

 animals. This chey persist in doing after 

 repeated warnings, and notwithstanding the fact 

 that last year a woman died in the same kraal 

 and from the same cause. Lungsickness is still 

 in the District, but does not appear to be spread- 

 ing, owing to the admirable quarantine main- 

 tained by the Stock Inspector. 



J, J. Jackson, Magistrate. 



WEENEN, 14th December.— The road be- 

 tween Estcourt and Weenen has been lately 

 chained off, showicg the distance to be about 22 

 miles. That this is correct is stronyly ques- 

 tioned by most of the residents, who are of 

 opinion that a mistake in the measurement has 

 been made. By common repute the distance is 

 about 25 miles, and two or three cyc'ometers 

 have registered it as over 23. But the over- 

 estimation of distance is a common fault, and 

 the official mileage may probibly be taken as 

 correct. This road, by the way, is, in places, in 

 a deplorable condition of disrepair, and it is to 

 be hoped that a gang may soon be detailed off to 

 attend to it. The thermometer has registered 

 over 100 deg. in the shade on several days 

 lately. Another fall of rain would be a welcome 

 relief from this oppressive heat. The Natives of 

 this Division, owing probably to the high wages 

 paid by the military and other < mployers, are in 

 an extraordinarily prosperous condition as re- 

 gards ready money. As an example of this may 

 be mentioned the fact that at a Branch Court 

 held last week at Umhlumba fines amounting to 

 £540 were paid by them. Judging from the 

 readiness with which the various sums were 

 handed in, their exchequers were by no means 

 exhausted by this drain. 



C. G. Jackson, Acting Magistrate. 



Pound Notices. 



THE stock impounded as hereunder 

 will be sold, vinless previously re- 

 leased, on the 15th January next ; — 



New Germany. — Bay mule mare, tread- 

 ing with right hind hoof sideways, no 

 other particular marks or brands, fair in 

 condition. 



Mooi River. — Dark chestnut gelding, 

 long square tail, long hogged mane, both 

 hind and near fore-fetlocks white, large 

 star on forehead, little strip on nose, 

 branded on near hind leg EB. 



Dronk Vlei. — Bay horse, height about 

 14*2, age four years. Indistinct brand on 

 right hip, looks like Cz. 



Acton Homes. — Bay gelding, branded 

 on the right leg GD. Bay mare, branded 

 on the right shoulder P. 



Nqutu. — Two sheep (ewe and lamb), no 

 brands. 



Boston. — Grey mare, square tail, white 

 face, near hind foot white, has bad a sore 

 back. Bay mare, nick in bottom of off 

 ear, with young filly foal, bay. 



