HOME INDUSTRIES IN THE TRANSVAAL - AND ORANGE RIVER COLONY.
Sin,—I think your readers may be interested to hear of an experiment now being made in the conquered territories in South Africa to improve the condition of the inhabitants by introducing small home manufactures. The first thought of the promoters of this scheme was to start with lace-making, a plan suggested by the success of the lace industry in Venice and Ireland. The ladies who undertook this work studied the art in the places above-mentioned, and hope eventually to introduce it in the Transvaal and the Orange River Colony. London firms encourage the experiment. But the. art of wool-weaving more naturally connects itself with those Colonies, as the wool on the Boers' sheep can be made available for the purpose, and the tradition of utilising the dyes in the veld is a very old one among the Boers. A school of six girls established at Phillipolis, in the Orange River Colony, has rapidly grown to twenty-five. Many more are ready to come in if more spinning-wheels can be provided. The Boer girls are quick at learning, and the men have tried their hand at making the spinning-wheels. These latter, however, are as yet quite rude ; and any friends who can help by sending out wheels are urged to do so. A second centre has been formed at Langlaagte, not far from Johannesburg, and many orders for socks made by the workers in this school have been obtained in Johannesburg itself.. Expressions of sympathy for the work come from all quarters. In a short time more money will be needed for the training of new teachers, and, as I said before, spinning-wheels and-knitting- machines will be welcome. Many of your readers will be interested to hear that a granddaughter of John Bright is among the teachers. All subscriptions should be sent to Miss Ivy Pretious, 299 King's Road, Chelsea; who is the above has been accomplished since February of this year. [We are delighted to hear of this good work, and trust that it will receive ample support. There is, we are certain, but one wish in this country, and that is to make the two
new Colonies and all their inhabitants, Boer and British, free and prosperous members of the British Empire.—ED. Spectator.]
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