Tuesday 3 October 1871

BIRTH at Port Elizabeth on the 29th September 1871, the wife of Mr. J.W. ASHBURNHAM of a daughter.

DIED on the 16th August 1871, at 13 Leinster Gardens, Bayswater, London, John Owen SMITH, in the 67th year of his age.

THE LATE MR. JOHN OWEN SMITH
From the London Colonial News of Aug 25.
There are very few of the readers of the London Colonial News who will not regret to hear of the death of Mr. John Owen SMITH, which took place at Leinster Gardens on the 16th August. His death was sudden, and reached the ears of his friends almost before the announcement of his illness. On the 4th instant deceased was wonderfully well. He took leave of his daughter, Mrs. Archdeacon BADNALL and family, who left in the Carolina on the 7th instant. And for several days after this he was able to get about, though he had spoke of feeling symptoms of one of those attacks which had of late been rather frequent, and which, he was fully aware, might at any time prove fatal. The immediate cause of death was erysipelas, aggravated by several minor complaints. We insert below a tribute to the deceased by the Rev. W.B. BOYCE; their intercourse dates a long way back, and was continued, except with interruptions caused by distance, up to the time of his death.
The late Mr. SMITH was born in Scarborough in 1804. He went to the Cape in 1819 with his uncle Capt. SMITH; he was then but a lad, and settled in Cape Town. On arriving at the age of seventeen, he pushed his way to the Frontier, where his subsequent career as one of the most successful merchants in Port Elizabeth is well known. The funeral took place on Saturday the 19th inst, the remains being buried at Kensal Green, followed by a number of relations and genuine friends. If there is any comfort derived by bereaved families from the sympathy of friends, the widow and her children will, we are sure, receive many proofs, both in England and from the Cape, that the late Mr. SMITH was greatly and widely respected, and that a very large circle unite with them in mourning his death at a not very advanced age.
A touching incident is connected with the funeral. On the same day, and in the same tomb, the only child, a fine girl, of Mrs. COURTENAY (daughter of the late Mr. SMITH), was buried. She too was well and hearty on board the Carolina in the farewell taking, but shortly afterwards sickened of scarlet fever, and died.
Mr. BOYCE writes:
1 My personal relations with him commenced in 1830, when I landed in the Usk in Algoa Bay, with Mr. and Mrs. PALMER, on our way to Graham’s Town. He was then residing in a neat cottage (one of the best houses in Algoa Bay at that time|) and had only recently commenced business. He kindly assisted us in our luggage, wagons &c, and an acquaintance commenced which lasted through life. I found him to be a wonderful exception to the generality of the then population of Port Elizabeth – educated, intelligent and inquiring. Books were not so common then as now, and in reference to them we had sympathies in common. A few which I had at hand were left with him, and for a brief period such interchanges continued until his direct communication with England enabled him to procure all the literature he required. At that time he was inclined towards scepticism, but the perusal of “Lives of Converts from Infidelity”, 2 vols., from Constable’s Miscellany, awakened a new train of thought, and being followed by the study of sundry works, which to many are deemed dry, he became a firm believer in the truths of Revelation. My next personal intercourse with him was when he paid a visit to Graham’s Town. Again I saw him in 1834, when on my way to England to marry, and in 1835 on my return to the colony with my wife, aunt and cousins. In 1843, when returning to England with my wife, four children and a nurse, he being then with his family in the country, placed his large mansion in Port Elizabeth at our disposal, and his housekeeper, under his directions, found us with every comfort and luxury during the more than two weeks we were detained waiting for the Cape steamer which took us on to Cape Town. I never experienced such kindness in my life, and it was enhanced by the fact that Mr. SMITH was unconnected with the religious body and society to which I belong. Soon after, in 1843, or early in 1844, he was in England, and came out of his way to see me at Bolton-le-Moor, spending a night with us, and sleeping on the sofa in my study. When I took leave of him at the railway it seemed as if the last link between me and my African friends was severed; and, though not very sensitive, I could not help a good cry. On my return to England in 1856 from Australia our intercourse was renewed; he used generally to call at the Mission House and sit from thirty minutes to three quarters of an hour, more or less, giving me the South African news and discussing the leading economical and religious questions of the day.
2. In his intellectual character there was observable the rare power of at once passing through and over all mere subsidiary points, and seizing upon the great point at issue. He was impatient of all illusions of sentiment, of old prejudices, of local feeling &c, and went at once to the thing itself, to ascertain from a rigorous analysis what it was. He was as suspicious of his own preconceptions as of those of others, and hence, in most cases, his conclusions correspond with the facts of the case. A clearer head, and a sounder judgment on all matters under his notice, no man ever possessed.
3. As a merchant he was the soul of honour – his word his bond – abhorring all trickery and finesse; once deceived as to his views of character, it was difficult to find the opportunity of deceiving him again. If he lost money through misfortune of his debtor, no man more willing to assist again, if assured of the honesty and average ability of the man. With strong opinions and genuine hatred of dishonesty, and of many things which are miscalled “sharp practice”, I never knew that he revenged himself upon those who had injured him, though in the course of his life most of them came under his power; on the contrary, many who had tried to injure him partook of his generous kindness. He would relieve where he would not trust.
4. In his social affections, as well as in his religious feelings, there was, I imagine, very little of the mere emotional; the well was deep, and did not bubble up to the surface. All his life he had been thrown upon himself. In Algoa Bay he had few equals with whom he could associate to any profit, and when he came to London his character had become a fixity, and perhaps there is nothing in the general character of even London society to attract a man of his mental make. He lived a life of over self-consciousness, his brain always at work discussing all the new problems, social, scientific and theological, of the day, and in his own way coming to common sense conclusions, rather ahead of the magazine and newspaper representations of public opinion, and, I think, far sounder.
In him I have lost my oldest friend in South Africa (as I knew him a few weeks before I had seen Mr. SHAW). My only old South African friends are Mr. GODLONTON and Mr. COCK, and perhaps the old elephant hunter Mr. DRIVER survives – a rough diamond. All the riches of the jewellery and gold of the north will not make up to the Cape Colony for the loss of the moral worth and energy of the better part of the settlers of 1820. With some exceptions their descendants are not fully equal to them. This, however, may be an old man’s prejudice. I know but little of the new generation, and I may have generalised too hastily.

FATAL AFFRAY AT CLANWILLIAM
A correspondent writes to us from this village under date 25th Sept.:-
A fatal accident, resulting from the impulse of passion, has created great sensation among the family and friends of the victim, Mr. Jan Harmse NIEUWHOUDT. The latter and his stepson, P. SMIT, had not been living on amicable terms at their place of residence, “Kafir Kraal”, in this district, and this bad feeling came to a crisis about ten or twelve days ago. A quarrel ensued, when NIEUWHOUDT, it is said, struck SMIT with a stone on the back of the head, and while SMIT was recovering, and, it is also said, about to return blow for blow, NIEUWHOUDT struck him a second time with the butt end of a gun. This blow was given upon the head, and with such violence as to break the gun, which was loaded, and to cause its discharge – the contents entering the body of NIEUWHOUDT and causing his death soon after. SMIT, although now out of danger, is still in a precarious state from the wounds on his head; while it is feared that the feelings of the different members of the family towards each other will not be improved by the lamentable termination of the recent quarrel between two of their number. – Standard.

Friday 6 October 1871

BIRTH at Pietermaritzburg, Natal, on 18th September, the wife of the Rev. John SMITH A.M. of a daughter.

BIRTH, October 3rd, at Port Elizabeth, Mrs. George ARMSTRONG of a daughter.

Friday 13 October 1871

BIRTH, October 9, Mrs. Septimus JONES of a son.

DIED at Cape Town on the 30th September 1871, Matilda ONIONS (born LOCKHART), beloved wife of G.W. ONIONS Esq.

LUCKY BAYONIAN
We are glad to hear that Mr. Alexander CLARK, of this town, has been successful in unearthing a diamond of 40 carats, besides several smaller gems. Mr. CLARK was for some years in charge of the North End Park, and was one of the most deserving servants in the employ of the Town Council.

Tuesday 17 October 1871

GORDON – CHURTON
Married on the 22nd August at St.John’s Church, Chester, by the Rev. W.B. Marsden, vicar, assisted by the Rev. Hugh Falloon, incumbent of St.Paul’s, Boughton, Thomas Jarron GORDON Esq., Writer to Her Majesty’s Signet, Edinburgh, to Caroline Elizabeth, only daughter of Henry CHURTON Esq., of West Mount, Boughton, Coroner of South Cheshire.

DREADFUL ACCIDENT IN HOWISON’S POORT
Considerable excitement was created here yesterday by the receipt of the intelligence that on the previous day the Graham’s Town passenger-cart had been swept down the Palmiet River, and that the three passengers and the horses were drowned, and a large amount of gold which was in charge of one of the passengers was lost. Mr. A.J. MACDONALD had received a telegram to this effect, and from him we ascertained that the intelligence was only too true. We have been able to gather the following particulars. In consequence of the heavy rain which fell on Thursday and Friday last, the passenger-cart for Graham’s Town did not start on Saturday till eight o’clock. There were three passengers – Mr. Thos. LANGFORD and Mr. SHACKLETON, manager of Mr. BENJAMIN’s wool-washing establishment, Howison’s Poort, and his son, besides the driver. How far they got that night we do not know for certainty, but we presume they stayed at the Nazaar, as the fatal accident occurred on Sunday morning. The Palmiet River is the small stream which runs through Howison’s Poort, and the scene of the accident was at the drift above the krantz, where formerly was a convict station, and a few hundred yard’s below a blacksmith’s shop. The stream flows over a sort of causeway at this point, and then descends rapidly over several ledges of rocks. We have not heard the particulars, and shall anxiously wait for further information. All we know is that the cart was carried away and the passengers drowned. The driver, it is said, escaped. Mr. LANGFORD, who was returning home from a short visit to Port Elizabeth, was taking with him a package of specie from the Standard Bank, containing 10,000 sovereigns, of which 5,000 were for the Eastern Province Bank, and the remainder for the Fort Beaufort and Victoria Bank. This, too, was swept away, but, being packed in two strong wooden boxes, will most probably be recovered. As soon as intelligence of the sad catastrophe reached Graham’s Town a number of the Mounted Police were dispatched to the spot to render such assistance as they could. At the time we write we have not heard that either the bodies or the treasure had been recovered, but further particulars may reach us before we go to press. This is the most appalling accident of the kind that has occurred for some time, and has cast a gloom over the community. Mr. LANGFORD, as partner of the firm of BLAINE & Co, Graham’s Town, was widely known and universally respected.

DEATH OF MR. JOSEPH MOSENTHAL
We regret to have to add to the list of Cape merchants who have been taken from us this year the name of Mr. Joseph MOSENTHAL, who died on the 5th September, at his residence, St.Germain, Laurie Park, Sydenham. He did not feel seriously ill until Friday the 1st inst, and on the following Tuesday, after some hours of unconsciousness, he quietly breathed his last. He leaves behind him a sorrowing family (a widow and nine children) , and a large circle of relatives and friends. Deceased was in his 59th year. He was widely known throughout the Cape Colony, and as widely respected. Those who knew him immediately saw in him much to love and admire. No one could possess a kindlier nature – his hand was always ready to help those who needed it, even though the needy one was a comparative stranger. An incident in connexion with the commemoration of his silver wedding day, some time ago in London, gives proof of the general esteem felt for him by his friends. On that occasion he gave a breakfast in London, and received on the morning of the day from his friends presents to the value of over three thousand pounds. The Cape Colony owes much to his enterprise. He arrived in the colony in 1834, and in 1836 established himself in business in Cape Town, from whence he made trading trips periodically. These were very successful, and in 1840 he returned to Europe for the purpose of making arrangements to extend his commercial operations. His first was to take his brother, Mr. Adolph MOSENTHAL, into partnership, and both returned to the colony in 1841, when deceased established himself in Port Elizabeth, and his brother in Graaff-Reinet. Their activity and intelligence soon obtained for them a firm footing in those places, and from thence they established branches in most of the upcountry towns, and secured a very large portion of the trade of the colony. Deceased returned to England in 1856, and established a business in London, with a view of giving increased efficiency to his colonial operations. He paid one visit to the colony since then, and the colonists gave proof of their esteem by electing him a member of the Legislative Council. In politics he was as earnest as in business: in fact, whatsoever his hands found to do, h did it with his might. He was always alive to the interests of the colony, and was never so absorbed in his efforts for self as to forget the claims which the land of his adoption had upon his time, talents and wealth. He did much in the way of importing valuable stock from abroad, and made great efforts to improve the growth of wool. Mr. MOSENTHAL was the first importer of Angora goats, and spent large sums of money on this enterprise, when there was no chance of any return. The colony is scarcely yet reaping the advantages of this new industry, but long after all the precious stones of the Vaal are exhumed and forgotten, the name of Joseph MOSENTHAL, the first importer of Angora sheep, will be remembered. His remains were buried at Highgate Cemetery on Saturday 9th inst.
London Colonial News, Sept. 11.

Friday 20 October 1871

BIRTH at Uitenhage on Saturday October 7, Mrs. Augustus WALTON of a daughter.

DIED at Uitenhage on Sunday 15th October, Elizabeth, beloved wife of Augustus WALTON, aged 30 years and 11 months.

Tuesday 24 October 1871

DIED at Nazaar Hotel, near Graham’s Town, October 21 1871, Mr. William BIRT, of Port Elizabeth, aged 69 years and 5 months.

OBITUARY
Much surprise and regret were caused on Saturday last by the receipt of the intelligence that Mr. William BIRT, of the firm Birt & Nephew, had died suddenly at the Nazaar. Mr. BIRT had been travelling for his health, and had been in a weak state for some time, but no serious apprehensions were entertained respecting him. Some weeks ago he determined upon taking a journey for the benefit of his health, and proceeded to Somerset, and remained at Glen Avon with his old esteemed friends, Mr. and Mrs. C.L. STRETCH, for nearly a fortnight. He then left for Bedford and Lyndock, where he met his brother, Rev. R. BIRT, and proceeded with him to Peelton, near King William’s Town, which place he left on the 9th inst for Grahams Town, where he was detained for some days by the heavy rains. The weather clearing up, he started for home on Tuesday last, and reaching the Nazaar Hotel found the Bushman’s River was full. He remained at that very superior road-side hotel, kept by Mr. and Mrs. S. JOHNSON. On Friday morning he was seized with a fit of apoplexy, and, in spite of every attention paid to him by those at the hotel, breathed his last on Saturday morning – Dr. ATHERSTONE, of Graham’s Town, being with him for several hours previous. His nephew, Mr. George BIRT, left for the Nazaar early on Saturday morning by passenger-cart, and at Riet Vley received the sad intelligence of his uncle’s death. Arrangements for conveying the mortal remains having been made in Graham’s Town, they arrived here on Sunday night. The funeral took place yesterday and was attended by a large number of sorrowing friends. Mr. BIRT had been in business here for upwards of twenty years, and was widely known and much respected. He was a hale and hearty man, and no one who knew him suspected that his end was so near. The news of his death caused a general expression of deep-felt sorrow. On Saturday and yesterday flags at the merchants’ stores were hoisted ay half-mast as a mark of respect for the deceased, and several shops and stores were partially closed.

Friday 27 October 1871

DIED at Port Elizabeth on the 25th instant, of disease of the heart, John Douglas DE FENZI Esq., late Captain in the German Legion.

Tuesday 31 October 1871

BIRTH on the 29th instant, the wife of Mr. B. KROMM of a son.

DIED on the 29th instant, Bertha, the beloved wife of B. KROMM, aged 34 years and 8 months.

DIED at De Beer’s, Diamond-fields, on the 28th September last, Mr. Thomas BRUNKARD, of Port Elizabeth, aged 40 years.

BIRTHS AND DEATHS
BIRTHS
ARMSTRONG, Mrs. G., on the 3rd inst, at Port Elizabeth, of a daughter.
ASHBURNHAM, Mrs. J.W., on the 29th ult, at Port Elizabeth, of a daughter.
JONES, Mrs. Septimus, on the 9th inst, at Port Elizabeth, of a son.
KROMM, Mrs. B., on the 29th inst, at Port Elizabeth, of a son.
SMITH, Mrs. E.B., on the 15th inst, at Port Elizabeth, of a daughter.
WALTON, Mrs. A., on the 7th inst, of a daughter.
DEATHS
BIRT, Mr. W., on the 21st inst, at the Nazaar, aged 69 years and 5 months.
BRUNKARD, Mr. T., on the 28th ult, at De Beer’s, Diamond-Fields, aged 40 years.
FENZI, Mr. J. De, on the 25th inst, at Port Elizabeth.
KROMM, Mrs. B., on the 29th inst, at Port Elizabeth, aged 34 years and 8 months.
ONIONS, Mrs. G.W., on the 30th ult, at Cape Town.
WALTON, Mrs. A., on the 15th inst, at Uitenhage, aged 30 years and 11 months.

DECEASE OF CHAS. SCANLEN ESQ.
It is our melancholy duty to record the decease on Wednesday night, about twelve o’clock, of Charles SCANLEN Esq., of Cradock, after a long and painful illness. To the old residents of Cradock, many of whom are now scattered far and wide, we are sure this news will be s sad blow; they will recall to mind his numerous acts of kindness, and with that brotherly feeling, engendered by years of struggle in those troublous times when the Eastern Province was almost a wilderness, they will regret his loss deeply. As our Representative in Parliament, in the Divisional Council, in the Municipality, and in many other ways, he did his duty fearlessly and with ability; and judging him by his works, we believe his place will not easily be filled. – Register.

Friday 3 November 1871

CHRISTENING at St.Mary’s, Port Elizabeth, this day, 31st October 1871, by the Rev. E. Pickering, a daughter of Alfred EBDEN Esq., baptized Constance Mary.

FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
Mr. E.A. JANISCH, of Cape Town, recently lost no less than three children in eight days.

Tuesday 7 November 1871

BIRTH at Port Elizabeth on the 5th instant, Mrs. S.E THEWLIS of a son.

Friday 10 November 1871

DIED on the 7th inst. at the Residence of her Son-in-Law, Dr. COWARD J.P., Middelburg, Elizabeth NORTH, aged 88 years, relict of the late John Exton NORTH Esq., of Leicester, England.

DEATH OF Dr. KOTZE
We (Standard) regret to hear that Dr. KOTZÉ, who, suffering from sun-stroke, was confined at Robben island, from which he was allowed to return to the mainland when it was thought he had recovered, has committed suicide. All the particulars which are known will be found in the following telegram from Caledon:
“Shocking news from Bredasdorp yesterday. The report of a gun was heard in Dr. KOTZÉ’s room, at his lodgings, and, the door having been forced open, the doctor was discovered quite dead. He was quite well up to the day previous to his death.”

Tuesday 14 November 1871

DIED on the 19th September, at Hamburg, Baden, aged 57, Joseph LEVICK Esq., senior partner of the firm of Joseph LEVICK & Co, Port Elizabeth.

CULPABLE HOMICIDE
A soldier of the 32nd Regt., named John BOGGIS, has been committed for trial in King William’s Town, on a charge of causing the death of a comrade named Hubert HYNES, with whom he had a quarrel and a fight.

Friday 17 November 1871

BIRTH at Belle Vue Cottage, Klip Drift, Diamond Fields, on the 4th instant, the wife of Moritz UNGER Esq., Diamond Merchant, of a daughter.

REMOVAL
Mr. J. Thornhill COOK
Architect and Government Land Surveyor
Has removed his Office to the House at the Corner of Main-street and Donkin-street, lately occupied by Dr. LE SUEUR.

Tuesday 21 November 1871

BIRTH at Port Elizabeth on the 16th inst, the wife of Mr. John TILBROOK of a son.

BIRTH at Port Elizabeth on the 19th instant, Mrs. C.W. PEARSON of a son

Tuesday 28 November 1871

DIED, Nov 23, at Fort Beaufort, through injuries received from a fall from his horse, William Henry BIRCH, Nephew to Mr. T. BIRCH, of Port Elizabeth, aged 30 years.

DROWNED at Port Elizabeth on the 26th Nov 1871, James P. GAUGAIN, aged 16 years and 5 months.
The Funeral will take place this afternoon at 4 o’clock.

MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT – TWO LIVES LOST
On Sunday morning, about eleven o’clock, two lads named James GAUGAIN and Thomas WEIR (both apprentices in our office), in company with a Batavian named Theodorus WILLEM, and a coloured man, went to bathe in the Bight. The sea was very rough, and a strong current was running at the time, with the wind off shore. GAUGAIN and WILLEM ventured far out, but the other two prudently struck out for the shore, which they reached with difficulty. Being anxious for the safety of their companions, they raised an alarm, and, after a short delay, a boat belonging to Mr. WATTS was instantly manned and pushed off to the rescue, but, alas, too late. The first they came across was the body of WILLEM, quite dead, and shortly afterwards GAUGAIN was taken from the water, but, though in an exhausted condition, life was not extinct. Dr. KNOWLES was in attendance on the beach, and, on the arrival of the inanimate form of GAUGAIN, applied the usual restoratives, and for over an hour persevered in his exertions to restore animation, but without avail, as the vital spark had fled. GAUGAIN was a bright, intelligent youth of between sixteen and seventeen years of age, and the only son of a widowed mother, whose unfortunate bereavement we sincerely deplore. The funeral of WILLEM took place yesterday afternoon.

Friday 1 December 1871

DIED at her Residence in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, November 30 1871, aged 76 years and 8 months, Frances GEARD, relict of the late Mr. Charles GEARD, formerly of St.Albans, Hertfordshire, England. The funeral will take place this afternoon at 4 o’clock.

BIRTHS AND DEATHS
BIRTHS
PEARSON, Mrs. C.W., on the 19th inst, at Port Elizabeth, of a son.
TILBROOK, Mrs. J., on the 16th inst, at Port Elizabeth, of a son.
THEWLIS, Mrs. T.E., on the 5th inst, at Port Elizabeth, of a son.
UNGER, Mrs. M., on the 4th inst, at Klipdrift, Diamond-fields, of a daughter.
DEATHS
BIRCH, Mr. W.H., on the 23rd inst, at Fort Beaufort, aged 30 years.
GAUGAIN, Mr. J.P., on the 26th inst, at Port Elizabeth, aged 16½ years.
NORTH, Mrs. Elizabeth, on the 7th inst, at Middelburg, aged 88 years.

DEATH OF MR. RICHARD KING
I am sure that many old colonists will be familiar with the name of this Natal hero, who in 1842 made his gallant ride to the Cape, and was the means of sending speedy succour to the beleagared [sic] British troops here. The brave man died on the 10th inst. of epilepsy, at his residence at the Isipingo. He had made preparations to start for the diamond-fields, and was to leave this month. The Town Council of Durban have passed a resolution bearing testimony to the services he rendered to Natal in the time of greatest need, and expressing sympathy with his surviving relatives. In Maritzburg a movement has been set on foot to erect a memorial to his memory. This is what the Mercury says of the fallen hero:-
In Mr. Richard KING, who died at Isipingo, on the 10th inst, Natal has lost one of her earliest and her bravest pioneers. In the year 1842, when the small garrison of British troops and the small community of British settlers stationed in Durban were beleaguered by the Boers, and when no alternative but surrender and starvation stared them in the face if succour did not come, Mr. KING volunteered to ride overland to the Cape frontier with dispatches. Mr. C.C. CATO, our present Port Captain, took him across the bay, and the brave-hearted messenger performed this journey of three hundred miles, through unknown and savage country, in nine days. Reinforcements at once were sent, and the colony was saved. Such an exploit as this links the name of its doer for ever with the history of his country; and although Mr. KING in subsequent years did much good service in other directions, as a citizen and a planter, he will be best known to posterity as the men who then saved Natal. A large attendance at his funeral bore testimony to the thorough respect in which the deceased was widely held.

Tuesday 5 December 1871

BIRTH at Addo Heights on the twenty-sixth day of November 1871, Mrs. John Arthur PULLEN of a son.

DIED at Belsize Park Gardens, London, Alexander Fleming, aged 10 months, youngest Son of D.P. BLAINE.

Friday 8 December 1871

BIRTH at 1 Alfred Terrace on the 6th instant, the wife of the Rev. D.M. WALKER of a daughter.

BIRTH on the 5th instant, prematurely, the wife of Mr. D.F. STEWART of a daughter.

DIED on the 6th instant, Mary Garland, infant daughter of David Ferguson and Frances Mary STEWART.

DIED at Port Elizabeth on the 5th December, Anna Josepha Lane, youngest daughter of Herbert and Janet J.S. LONGLANDS.

Tuesday 12 December 1871

MARRIED at St.Augustine’s, Port Elizabeth, on the 11th December 1871, by the Right Rev. Bishop J.D. Ricards D.D., Mr. M.A. FRAUNDORFER to Miss Philomene SCHUSTER.

DIED at Du Toit’s Pan, Diamond Fields, on 17th November, Mr. Thos. BIRD, aged 53 years, native of Leicester.
Uitenhage, 9th Dec 1871.

A white man was found dead on Monday morning, lg at the back of the King William’s Town gaol. An inquiry is now being made into the circumstances by the Acting Magistrate. [We have just learnt that the body found is that of the Borough Policeman, HAMLIN, who was missing on the day of the last flood, and concerning whose fate nothing certain has hitherto been known. The body was found in a sluit near the river, covered with sand.] – Gazette.

Tuesday 19 December 1871

MARRIED on Monday December 4 1871, at St.George’s Cathedral, by the Rev. T.F. Lightfoot, Mr. George Askew HULL, House Surgeon, Provincial Hospital, to Isabelle Henriette, fourth daughter of J. Connell OGLE Esq., of Kensington, W. London. No cards.

MARRIED, December 7 at Klipdrift, by the Rev. W.A. Robinson, E.S. HANGER Esq., of Bloemfontein, to Sarah, youngest daughter of the late Mr. William GUNN, of Colesberg, Cape Colony.

FATAL ASSAULT
We hear that Andries DU TOIT, son-in-law of Gabriel JACOBS, of Gansvley, district of Victoria, has been murderously assaulted by a Hottentot, his servant. It appears that about three weeks ago, DU TOIT warned the Hottentot not to drive the stock on the water-course; but he disobeyed, and as the latter was walking up to him, the Hottentot stabbed DU TOIT in the thigh and back. The doctor was sent for from Fraserburg, who pronounced the wounds not mortal; but the unfortunate young man died two weeks afterwards. The Hottentot is in gaol awaiting his trial. – Beaufort Courier.

Tuesday 26 December 1871

FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT – BOILER EXPLOSION – THE STOKER KILLED
The following is an extra published by the Uitenhage Times on Saturday morning last:-
Uitenhage Times Office
Saturday morning, Dec 23.
This morning at two o’clock one of the steam boilers at STRATFORD’s (late UPPLEBY’s) wool-washing works exploded. Killing the stoker and seriously injuring a coloured man named GEORGE.
The night party went to work at twelve. CAMPBELL, the stoker, woke up the chief engineer and told him he could get no water into the boiler, although the pump was acting. He returned to the stoke-hole and looked at the fire; was followed by a Kafir named GEORGE, who went down to get a coal to light his pipe. At that moment the explosion took place, blowing the two men quite out of the stoke-hole, tearing up the brickwork, smashing the furnace door &c. Fortunately for the engineer, he did not arrive on the scene till a moment after the explosion. The sight that met him was appalling. Poor CAMPBELL was so scalded that he was hardly recognizable, his flesh hanging in ribbons. He begged hard to be allowed to see his wife, and was sent home, where he died a few hours afterwards. The boy GEORGE is sadly scalded, and lies in a very dangerous state.
The accident is supposed to have arisen from drawing off more steam than the size of the pump would allow, thus exhausting the water faster than the pump could supply it. Two engines were supplied by this one boiler. The rent in the boiler is a large one, extending over two plates.
It is fortunate for Mr. STRATFORD that he has other engines and machinery on the works, and will not be compelled to suspend washing. Mr. STRATFORD is now in the Bay, and has not yet heard of the occurrence.
Poor CAMPBELL leaves a wife and six or seven small children.

Friday 29 December 1871

BIRTH at Port Elizabeth on Christmas Day 1871, the wife of Rev. Thomas GUARD of a son.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS
BIRTHS
PULLEN, Mrs. J.A., at Addo Heights, on the 26th inst, of a son.
STEWART, Mrs. D.F., at Port Elizabeth, on the 5th inst, of a daughter.
WALKER, Mrs. D.M., at Port Elizabeth, on the 6th inst, of a daughter.
MARRIAGES
FRAUNDORFER, Mr. M.A., at Port Elizabeth, on the 11th inst, to Miss Philomene SCHUSTER.
HANGER, Mr. E.S, at Klipdrift, on the 7th inst, to Miss Sarah GUNN.
HULL, Mr. G.A., at Cape Town, on the 4th inst, to Miss Isabel Henriette OGLE.
DEATHS
BIRCH, Mr. W.H., at Fort Beaufort, on the 23rd ult, aged 30 years.
BIRD, Mr. T., at Du Toit’s Pan, on the 17th ult, aged 53 years.
LONGLANDS, Anne Josepha Lane, at Port Elizabeth, on the 5th inst.
STEWART, Mary Garland, at Port Elizabeth, on the 6th inst.