3-071-045 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Centre of Kaffirland, [South Africa], 1881. '1. The Parsonage Hut, Umtata. 2. Residence of the Chief Magistrate of Tembuland. 3. St. John's Pro-Cathedral, Umtata. 4. The Umtata Falls...The centre of this region, geographically, is the Umtata station, or town, a village of huts with a few European officials or settlers, on the Umtata river, between the Tembu and the Pondomise districts...We publish four rather interesting views of the Umtata settlement, from photographs by Messrs. Dersley and Morley. One of them represents a modest-looking temporary church...This was opened [in] 1877...The Parsonage Hut...now forms one of a group of buildings,...forming the Central Station of the Diocese of St. John's. In the next Illustration we show the Residence of Major Elliot, C.M.G., the chief magistrate of Tembuland. This is a unique specimen of the developed Kaffir style of architecture, very picturesque and cool, with grounds adjoining...His territory includes some magistracies, with a population of 100,000 natives, besides that of St. John's River in Pondoland. The Umtata Falls are situated about three miles below the village. They are little over 50 feet in height. A piece of level ground below is in great request for picnics and school-feasts'. From "Illustrated London News", 1881.