IsiXhosa Intellectual Traditions (IsiXIT) Digital Archive

[BY OUR CORRESPONDENT.] James Brister, Esq., the ex-Mayor of Port Elizabeth, had an interview with the residents of the Location on Wednesday evening, the 26th August, about the above matter. The meeting was held in the Edwards Memorial Church. The Rev. James Pritchard—the pastor of that church—said, in opening the meeting, that he regretted the unavoidable absence of Mr. Savage (of Savage and Hill.) who should have been there with Mr. Brister, and that he was sorry that many Natives were prevented by the weather from attending. He called upon Mr. Brister to address the meeting. Mr. Wauchope acted as interpreter. Mr. Brister gave a short but interesting sketch of exhibitions in England ana America. He was present at the first ex¬hibition which was held in London in 1851, and at a later one held in America —in Philadelphia. He pointed out the good results for which exhibitions were noted. One result was that the minds of men were turned from thinking about war and applied to industrial pursuits; and whilst known industries were stimu¬lated and improved, fresh industries generally sprang from these exhibitions, and thus employment given to tlve employed, and famine and vagrancy th H degree checked. He hoped that similar results may follow the Exhibition to be held in Port Elizabeth this year. There was one aspect of this Exhibition which made him attach special Importance to it ???? opportunity it afforded the Natives Of the Eastern Prince of show¬ing to the world what they are able to do He was aware that many Natives could make baskets and other useful and orna¬mental articles of that kind with rushes, osiers, monkey-rope, and wood. These would be quite welcome at the Exhibition. The only difficulty he could see in their case was how to procure the necessary material, as none grew in this district. He would, however, see that a plan was devised to meet the difficulty. The Gov¬ernment was prepared to reduce the rail¬way fare for visitors to about 5s. for 100 miles doublejourney, while the exhibitors could be conveyed free of charge with their exhibits. Mr. Brister concluded by asking those present to make this gener¬ally known, and inform their friends up- country and ask them to send down articles for the Exhibition. The goods would be sold and the makers may get orders for more goods. He should be sorry if this Exhibition would be for things made by Europeans alone. He was certain that one good article made by a Native would go a long way in altering the erroneous opinions which some Euro¬peans entertain towards the Natives as a people. He was glad to have learned from a telegram from Lovedale that day that a large quantity of exhibits by Native makers would be sent in from that Insti- tution. It was arranged to hold another meeting on the 3rd September by the Natives alone to consider certain proposals, when the final resolutions will be submitted to the Exhibition Committee.