TIIE CENTENARY OF SOUTH AFRICA. [To THE EDITOR OF THE
"SPECTATOR.") SIR ,—Steps are being taken at Grahamstown, Cape of Good Hope, and other centres to celebrate the centenary of the arrival from the United Kingdom of the notable band of British Settlers Who; taking their courage in both hands, faced a long voyage to an unknown country to settle there and found their homes far from the land of their birth impelled by a determination-to better their own prospects and those of the children who should -come after them. Notwithstanding many climatic trials and devastations of theirhomes and properties on three occasions by invasions from adjoiningnative tribes, then in a state of independence, these noble-hearted men and women and their children "made good" and successfully founded the prosperity in the old Cape Colony of that part popularly known as the Eastern Districts. In so doing they did not neglect the call to them for the spread of civilization and Christianity among those who had been their foes, and to-day the native people of the Eastern Districts and the Transkeian Territories acknowledge their indebtedness to the churches which had spiritual charge of the settlers, especially the one presided over by the Rev. William Shaw, who, with prophetic vision, established a chain of Mission Stations beginning with the Gaika tribes near the Fish River and ending on the borders of Natal.
At a Conferense of descendants of the settlers of 1820 held at Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, on July 23rd, 1919, it was' decided that the following objects should be supported as e fitting memorial to the British men and women who landed in South Africa in 1820, and whose influence and labours have done so much to advance the prosperity of the land of their adoption : (1) Immigration; (2) Settlers' Hospital; (3) Structural Memorial and Museum; (4) Scholarships. Descendants of the British settlers of 1820 are now to be found throughout the Union of South Africa and Rhodesia. There are some who have even gone to other Dominions, or have returned to the United Kingdom. These, as well as others acquainted with the history of South Africa I desire to approach through the medium of your widely read paper. South Africa is still urgently in need of the right class of immigrant, and, as will be seen. immigration is one of the schemes we have in view. A central Committee presided over by the Mayor of the city, Mr. C. W. Whiteside, is at work at Grahamstown, and in Cape Town a subsidiary Committee has been formed in co-operation with the main Comniittee at Grahamstown. Contributions and com- munications can be addressed either to Mr. A. Eames-Perkins, 6 Church Square, Cape Town, lion. Secretary Cape Town Centre; or to Captain I. de M. Overbeek, M-C., Grahamstown. I may add that genealogical records are being framed of all descendants of the British 1820 settlers who can be traced, and forms to be filled in will be sent to any descendants desiring to 6 Church Square, Cape Town, February 9th.
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