IsiXhosa Intellectual Traditions (IsiXIT) Digital Archive

[FROM OUR NATIVE CORRESPONDENT.] October 20, 1885. No sooner had the meeting convened at the Indwe Poort dispersed, than the long, and eagerly expected 'spies' ar¬rived from the Qumbu.just in times to catch Mr. Frost. It will be remembered that it was through their not having arrived that no progress was made in the business of the day if we mistake not. The report they made on the merits of that country was in most glowing terms; hence re-cruits were not wanting for joining the party bound for the Qumbu, even among those who at first refused point-blank to go. This of course was promising. The migration to e Bohbhosi (as some in ridicule choose to call the land) is the talk of the dAy, and the following may amuse readers of the Imvo which were notes of a report of the country overheard in a conversation between two parties— ' As a grain producing country, it is un¬surpassed ; in the stock line, heifers of a year and half would calve, and it was not an unknown fact for cows to calve twice in one and the same year!! and the most extraordinary part of it was that the dug reached the ground!!! ' hence the appe- lation ironically applied to the Qumbu ' Bhonxambele,' this latter portion of this report is.new. The Guba Basin appears at preset to be the focus at which all attention is being concentrated, and it has received a second visit from Mr. Frost. This gentleman by kind words and forebearance tried to show the residents that it is to their advantage to remove, and that in the end they will have to move. But no words would convince the natives, they had given out their wish against removal and by that they abode,—tor three years only did they seem to enjoy rest, they were tired of wandering from place to place* they even stated that on their being located in their present places in 1882 they were promised permanent rest. They could not see their way to removing, and were not prepared to do so. One headman in the Guba has gone to see whether he with certain of his followers will bd able to fix his eye upon a spot to which he may migrate with the natives on his farm. He refused on two former occasions, but when it was pointed out to him that he had to take one of two courses, either to go to Qumbu or shift to Exonxa, he chose on trying the former. All along the fact of their not being com-pelled to remove has been drummed into their heads—but the light in which they looked upon this statement does not appear to be one and the same with that which is being worked. They are made to understand that although they may not be compelled to migrate to Qumbu, they will be compelled to shift to another part of the District of Glen Grey ; this is of course an exposition they never dreamt of—and it is a question as to whether even among the more intelligent this view was taken of the matter. A great deal depends on what success the headman above mentioned meets with. In any case the people located in the Guba Basin must shift—Government is prepared to compensate for seed sown as well as for labour spent in the cultivated lands. This is no time for making comments, later on may be more suitable in the meanwhile confidence may be placed in the Government, and also in Mr. Frost the official deputed to accomplish this not altogether pleasant duty. Prudence, forebearance, discretion and justice will all in the end meet with the reward they deserve.