Published by the Harrismith Rotary Club 1982. Softcover of 298 pages. Cover is rubbed and some foxing to inside front and back covers. Previous owners name has bee tippexed out. Pages 192,254 noted on inside back cover presumably for previous owners reference. Apart from the above-mentioned the book itself is in good condition and a mine of information for anyone who has an interest in Harrismith.
Accompanying the book is a page from the Harrismith Chronicle Donderdag 1 Oktober 1981 which carries an article on a cheese and wine party held to celebrate the 90th birthday of the author and the launching of this book.
The contents of the book are as follows
Chapter 1 - Introductory - The surroundings of Harrismith
Petrified trees: Platberg: Passes: Koppies: Kidston Memorial: Rensburg's Kop: Baker's Kop: Afforestation: Caves: Drakensberg Passes: Fossils: Dinosaur: Wild Animals: Flora: Bushmen: Bantu Tribes: Zulu: War: Invasion from the North: Cannibalism: Depopulation.
Chapter ll - The Arrival of The Voortrekkers
Territory not unknown: First Trekkers 1835: Into Natal: At Bingamsberg: Clergy: Visitors to Camp: Retiefklip: Kerkenberg: Return of Cattle: Descent into Natal: First Farmers in the district: Disputes about land and stock: Sir Harry Smith: Attempts to solve grievances: Trekkers in revolt: Plans to found Harrismith
Chapter lll - Harrismiths first Ten Years
The first site: The present site: The old Homestead: Settling down: First Buildings: Wild Animals : Byrne Settlers : Lands Commissions : Speculators: Trade: First Shop: Ministers: School: Growth to 1852 : Raids and boundaries: Independence: Opposition: Financial difficulties and problems: Servants: Tribal Movements: Wetzi: War with Moshesh: President Boshof: Pretorius in favour of Union.
Chapter lV - The Sixties: Wars and Slow Progress
Visit of Prince Alfred: Prince Alfred in Harrismith: Influx of settlers-1860: Increased facilities: Eccentric personalities: Labour problems: Batlokua on the move; the Basuto Danger; war against the Basuto - 1865; Leswana's Revenge on CMT. De Villers; Traders murdered by Leswana; Other Commando's; Bethlehem attacked - 1866; Peace with Molapo and Moshesh; Third Basuto War - 1867; Hardships on Campaign; Bluebacks and Goodfors; Destruction of Game; Conservation Laws; and Postal Arrangements;
Chapter V - The Seventies : Diamonds and Prosperity
Diamonds at Hope Town; transport - riding to Diamond Fields; Shops and Hotels; Farming; Stone Buildings and Stone Cutters; First Churches; Educational Needs attended to; First Inspector; Private Schools; Permanent Doctor; Establishing a library; Societies and Disassociations; Masonic Lodge; New Court House and Sporting Facilties; Local Government; Problems with Town Commonage; First Meeting of Harrismith Municipal Coucil - 1875; Water Supply, President Brand Park, Cemetery; Streets, Roads and Toll Gates.
Chapter Vl - The Eighties : Gold and Railways
Ealry missionaries at Witzieshoek; The Chief's Road; 1880 census; Schools; Disappearance of £5000 in gold; First Banks; The Depression; Piped WAter - 1883; First Town Hall - 1883; New Churches; The Salavation Army; Church Activities; First Newspapers - 1882; Music; Shooting and Debating Societies; Horse Racing, Cricket, Polo, Golf; Financial Problems; Roads, Ponts, Bridges and Ferries; Railways; Gold on the Witwater Strand - 1886; Local Prospecting Companies; Coach services; Extension of railways; New President; Smaller Bridges; Norwegian Enterprise.
Chapter Vll - The Nineties - Hope Deferred
Third census; First location; Steady progress; Churches and Hospital; Education; First Kindergarten; Natal Railway line opened - 1892; No rail link with Freestate or Transvaal; Lack of Common Policy causes problems; Interest in oil; Volenteer fire brigade; Victoria Lake, 1897; School Roll rises; Storage Dams.
Inter Chapter
Of Shoes and ships: The Anglo-Boer War: How Harrismith was affected: Care of the sick and wounded: News of the war: Harrismith Burghers: Platrand: Gen. Prinsloo surrenders1900.: Harrismith occupied: The Concentration camp: Gradual return to normal: Mrs Therons Letter.
Chapter Vlll - The First Decade of The Twentieth Century
Life in occupied Harrismith: Peace of Vereeniging,1902: Steps to restore normality: Back to the land: Afforestation: Rail link with Bethlehem: Native Housing: Coach services: Cantonments on Kings Hill: Water supply improved 1904: Lighting: Need for a hospital: Mew Post office: New Gaol: Municipal services: Harrismith Weekly Chronicle: Miniciapl Income: The Weir: Market hall: New Town hall and Hamilton Bridge: Official opening of town hall.
Chapter Vlll ( B) - The First Decade of TheTwentieth Century
Amenities and necessities and dreams: Museum, 1907: Music, Bands, Concerts: Theatre, Dances: Racing, Gymkhanas: Polo: Shooting: Fishing, hunting, swimming: Picnics: Sport in general: Tennis: Croquet: Bowls: Golf and other activities: Mountain Race: Vrede Square developed 1906: Pres. Brand Park extended: Growth of Churches: Wesley and Church Anglican Church: Prominent Jewish Families: First Hebrew Congregation: The Club, Old and New: Sir Percy Fitzpatrick: Secondary Industries: Creameries: Prospecting for Oil: Further Prospecting: Adendum:
Chapter Vlll (C) The First decade of The Twentieth Century Education and Politics
Eduction Bill 1905: University Tuition: Normal College: Local School Committees: Grievances: First Hostel: Complaints about Standards of Language Teaching: Technical Classes: Politically Disturbed Decade: Freestate Constitution 1906: Education Bill 1908: Medium of Instruction: National Convention 1908: Natural Phenomena: Meterelogical Records 1903: Poor White Problem: Local Labour Force and Grievances: Farm Labour
Chapter lX (A) - 1910 - 1919 : General Progress, Checks and Counter-checks: The Union and Education.
First Union Census - 1911: Death of King Edward VII: Coronation Celebrations: Establishment of Union: Political Parties: First Union Parliament: Provincial Councils: Education: Council Schools Absorbed into Gvt System: Changes in Curricula: Education opportunities: Town Administration and Costs: Cultural Amenities: Alexandra Forest: Provincial Hospital: Garrison Withdrawn: Tourism advocated, various attractions: Gala season 1917 -1918: Businesses and Farming: Produce sales: Churches carry on: Native Land Act, 1913, and complaints: Famous Visitors:
Chapter lX (B) - The Rebellion: Spanish Influenza
The Rebellion, Commdt. Howell succeeds Wessels: Uncertainty about Gen. Wessel's position: Second Commander enters town: Troops from Natal Arrive: Trials and Clemency: Cost of the Rebellion: Local men in other campaigns: Harry Smith War Effort: Drama for Fundraising: Role of Honour: Outbreak of Influenza: List of Fatalities: Aftermath: Peace Celebrations: Distinguished Visitors:
Appendix
Please feel free to ask questions
