A critical study of the evidence of Andries Stockenstrom before the Aborigines Committee in 1835, viewed in the light of his statements and policies before 1935
- Authors: Urie, J M
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Stockenstrom, Andries, 1792-1864 , Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- History -- 19th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2617 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013416
- Description: In recent years, increasing interest has been taken in the career of Andries Stockenstrom. Detailed study of his policy as Landdrost of Graaff-Reinet , as Commissioner-General of the Eastern Districts, and as Lieutenant-Governor, has brought about a realization of the soundness and value of much of his work. This appreciation of the sterling qualities of Stockenstrom's character- despite his undoubtedly difficult temperament - has led to the tacit assumption that the accusations which were levelled against him, and the odium in which he was held in Albany, after his evidence before the Aborigines Committee 1835 -1836, were largely the result of unfortunate newspaper propaganda. That evidence, it is implied - coming as it did at a time when public opinion was peculiarly sensitive to criticism - was in fact, not as black as it had been painted. Yet the events of the period between the Commissioner-Generalship and the Lieutenant- Governorship have not only coloured the judgment upon Stockenstrom of almost every writer on South African history, but so influenced contemporary public opinion as to materially impair the efficiency of his Lieutenant-Governorship. In writing this thesis, it has heen my purpose to make a detailed study of such material as is available for the period 1833-1836, and to endeavour, by an analysis of the evidence more particularly in the light of the years before 1833, to set this significant period in Stockenstrom' s career in its right perspective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953
- Authors: Urie, J M
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Stockenstrom, Andries, 1792-1864 , Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- History -- 19th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2617 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013416
- Description: In recent years, increasing interest has been taken in the career of Andries Stockenstrom. Detailed study of his policy as Landdrost of Graaff-Reinet , as Commissioner-General of the Eastern Districts, and as Lieutenant-Governor, has brought about a realization of the soundness and value of much of his work. This appreciation of the sterling qualities of Stockenstrom's character- despite his undoubtedly difficult temperament - has led to the tacit assumption that the accusations which were levelled against him, and the odium in which he was held in Albany, after his evidence before the Aborigines Committee 1835 -1836, were largely the result of unfortunate newspaper propaganda. That evidence, it is implied - coming as it did at a time when public opinion was peculiarly sensitive to criticism - was in fact, not as black as it had been painted. Yet the events of the period between the Commissioner-Generalship and the Lieutenant- Governorship have not only coloured the judgment upon Stockenstrom of almost every writer on South African history, but so influenced contemporary public opinion as to materially impair the efficiency of his Lieutenant-Governorship. In writing this thesis, it has heen my purpose to make a detailed study of such material as is available for the period 1833-1836, and to endeavour, by an analysis of the evidence more particularly in the light of the years before 1833, to set this significant period in Stockenstrom' s career in its right perspective.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953
A preliminary investigation of the ecology of the Larger Kleinmond River Estuary, Bathurst District
- Brown, Alexander Claude, 1931-2005
- Authors: Brown, Alexander Claude, 1931-2005
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Kleinemonde River Estuary (South Africa) , Estuaries -- South Africa , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5904 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014611
- Description: Introduction. On the coast of the Bathurst Division, Eastern Cape Province, some 42 miles south- east of Grahamstown, lie two estuaries opening within a few yards of one another. These are known as the Kleinemonde. This paper embodies the results of an ecological survey of the fauna of the Larger Kleinmond Estuary. The chief concern has been the aquatic fauna but animals living along the banks have also been dealt with as far as possible, as have the birds. This is the second of South Africa's blind estuaries to be studied, the Klein River, Hermanus, having been investigated in 1947-49 by workers from the University of Cape Town. Though common in South Africa, blind estuaries are rare in parts of the world such as Europe, and present an almost entirely new field of research for the ecologist. It is hoped, therefore, that the investigation of the Kleinmond Estuary and a comparison with the results obtained from the Klein River, Hermanus, will add to our knowledge of this subject and be of service to future investigators. The history of the Kleimnond River is worthy of mention, for the lagoon was not always blind and shallow. The early maps of the 1820 settlers show the river as a navigable stream; sailing vessels anchored out at sea and sent lighters up what was then known as the Lydendoch River to collect fresh meat. The area at the mouth of the river was called Port Jessie. In these early days the region abounded with game. Hippo and elephant were common. the former inhabiting deep pools in the upper reaches of the river; pools which have since completely silted up. Constant ploughing of the slopes adjoining the river has caused vast amounts of soil to be washed by rains into the stream, and today what was within living memory a deep, clear stream is a shallow, blind and muddy river, a reflection of man's destructive methods of farming. These changes must have had a far-reaching effect on the fauna of the estuary; an effect about which we can, alas, only speculate. It is perhaps significant that though rich in numbers, the fauna is poor in species, tunicates and echinoderms being apparently entirely absent. The work involved in this survey was undertaken between September 1952 and November 1953, under the direction of Professor J . Omer-Cooper of Rhodes University, frequent and regular visits being made to the estuary. The entire month of February, 1953, was spent on the shore of the lagoon, so that animals could be observed over a continuous period. The starting date of the survey was particularly fortunate, as on September 28th, 1952, the river came down in flood and broke through the sand-bar separating the lagoon from the sea. The work thus began at a definite point in the estuarine cycle, the importance of which it is hoped to show.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953
- Authors: Brown, Alexander Claude, 1931-2005
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Kleinemonde River Estuary (South Africa) , Estuaries -- South Africa , Estuarine ecology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5904 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014611
- Description: Introduction. On the coast of the Bathurst Division, Eastern Cape Province, some 42 miles south- east of Grahamstown, lie two estuaries opening within a few yards of one another. These are known as the Kleinemonde. This paper embodies the results of an ecological survey of the fauna of the Larger Kleinmond Estuary. The chief concern has been the aquatic fauna but animals living along the banks have also been dealt with as far as possible, as have the birds. This is the second of South Africa's blind estuaries to be studied, the Klein River, Hermanus, having been investigated in 1947-49 by workers from the University of Cape Town. Though common in South Africa, blind estuaries are rare in parts of the world such as Europe, and present an almost entirely new field of research for the ecologist. It is hoped, therefore, that the investigation of the Kleinmond Estuary and a comparison with the results obtained from the Klein River, Hermanus, will add to our knowledge of this subject and be of service to future investigators. The history of the Kleimnond River is worthy of mention, for the lagoon was not always blind and shallow. The early maps of the 1820 settlers show the river as a navigable stream; sailing vessels anchored out at sea and sent lighters up what was then known as the Lydendoch River to collect fresh meat. The area at the mouth of the river was called Port Jessie. In these early days the region abounded with game. Hippo and elephant were common. the former inhabiting deep pools in the upper reaches of the river; pools which have since completely silted up. Constant ploughing of the slopes adjoining the river has caused vast amounts of soil to be washed by rains into the stream, and today what was within living memory a deep, clear stream is a shallow, blind and muddy river, a reflection of man's destructive methods of farming. These changes must have had a far-reaching effect on the fauna of the estuary; an effect about which we can, alas, only speculate. It is perhaps significant that though rich in numbers, the fauna is poor in species, tunicates and echinoderms being apparently entirely absent. The work involved in this survey was undertaken between September 1952 and November 1953, under the direction of Professor J . Omer-Cooper of Rhodes University, frequent and regular visits being made to the estuary. The entire month of February, 1953, was spent on the shore of the lagoon, so that animals could be observed over a continuous period. The starting date of the survey was particularly fortunate, as on September 28th, 1952, the river came down in flood and broke through the sand-bar separating the lagoon from the sea. The work thus began at a definite point in the estuarine cycle, the importance of which it is hoped to show.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953
Die evolusie van nedersetting in die Sondagsriviervallei
- Authors: Potgieter, J M
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Land settlement -- South Africa -- Sundays River Valley , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Sundays River Valley , Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Sundays River Valley
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4875 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013041
- Description: Soos die titel aandui is hierdie verhandeling 'n volledige en noukeurige oorsig van die evolusie (ontwikkeling) van blanke nedersetting in die Sondagsriviervallei. Dis die eerste poging wat aangewend is om die ontwikkeling op alle gebiede van die grondlegging af tot op die huidige datum teen 'n geskiedkundige agtergrond te skilder. Maar dwarsdaur is daar getrag om 'n duidelike begrip van die interaksie van natuur en mens te handhaaf.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953
- Authors: Potgieter, J M
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Land settlement -- South Africa -- Sundays River Valley , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Sundays River Valley , Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Sundays River Valley
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4875 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013041
- Description: Soos die titel aandui is hierdie verhandeling 'n volledige en noukeurige oorsig van die evolusie (ontwikkeling) van blanke nedersetting in die Sondagsriviervallei. Dis die eerste poging wat aangewend is om die ontwikkeling op alle gebiede van die grondlegging af tot op die huidige datum teen 'n geskiedkundige agtergrond te skilder. Maar dwarsdaur is daar getrag om 'n duidelike begrip van die interaksie van natuur en mens te handhaaf.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953
Studies in chromium complexes
- Authors: Friend, Maurice Temple
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Complex ions , Chromium
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4474 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011892 , Complex ions , Chromium
- Description: In this work physical and analytical methods have been used to investigate the potassium salts of certain dioxalato chromium (III) complexes. The solid potassium salts of the trioxalatochromiate and the cis and trans dioxalatodiaquochromiates together with a salt corresponding to potassium dioxalatosulphatoaquochromiate were prepared. The mono- and dihydroxo derivatives of the cis and trans dioxalatochromiates were also obtained in aqueous solution. The methods of preparation and analysis used are described. Spectrophotometric absorption curves obtained on solutions of these salts using a Beckman Spectrophotometer are in agreement with results of previous workers, and the new absorption curve obtained from a solution of the solid cis dioxalatodiaquochromia salt shows that it is pure and gives additional proof of the completeness of the trans - cis isomerisation. Summary, p. i.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953
- Authors: Friend, Maurice Temple
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Complex ions , Chromium
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4474 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011892 , Complex ions , Chromium
- Description: In this work physical and analytical methods have been used to investigate the potassium salts of certain dioxalato chromium (III) complexes. The solid potassium salts of the trioxalatochromiate and the cis and trans dioxalatodiaquochromiates together with a salt corresponding to potassium dioxalatosulphatoaquochromiate were prepared. The mono- and dihydroxo derivatives of the cis and trans dioxalatochromiates were also obtained in aqueous solution. The methods of preparation and analysis used are described. Spectrophotometric absorption curves obtained on solutions of these salts using a Beckman Spectrophotometer are in agreement with results of previous workers, and the new absorption curve obtained from a solution of the solid cis dioxalatodiaquochromia salt shows that it is pure and gives additional proof of the completeness of the trans - cis isomerisation. Summary, p. i.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953
Studies in chromium complexes
- Authors: Cooper, Desmond Rudolph
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Chromium , Complex ions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4523 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014707
- Description: The chemistry of co-ordination compounds in general has played an important role in the development of the modern theory of valency, but the properties of complex salts between chromium and organic compounds containing carboxyl and amino- groups are of additional interest because of their bearing on the theory of certain technological processes such as chromium plating and, in particular, chrome-tanning. Owing to the rapid development of valence theory over the last two decades the technological chemist finds himself at a disadvantage vis-a-vis his academic counterpart in attempting to interpret the results of researches relating to these compounds as he must rely on the less powerful "classical" approach to his problems. Hence the need was felt for a brief survey of modern concepts of valency in terms of wave mechanics. For a more extended study the reader may consult the appropriate references and text books.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953
- Authors: Cooper, Desmond Rudolph
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Chromium , Complex ions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4523 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014707
- Description: The chemistry of co-ordination compounds in general has played an important role in the development of the modern theory of valency, but the properties of complex salts between chromium and organic compounds containing carboxyl and amino- groups are of additional interest because of their bearing on the theory of certain technological processes such as chromium plating and, in particular, chrome-tanning. Owing to the rapid development of valence theory over the last two decades the technological chemist finds himself at a disadvantage vis-a-vis his academic counterpart in attempting to interpret the results of researches relating to these compounds as he must rely on the less powerful "classical" approach to his problems. Hence the need was felt for a brief survey of modern concepts of valency in terms of wave mechanics. For a more extended study the reader may consult the appropriate references and text books.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953
Studies on Paragus (Diptera, Syrphidae)
- Authors: Stuckenberg, B R
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Syrphidae , Diptera
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5887 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013321
- Description: As several new species are described in this thesis its full value can only be realised by its publication, and it has therefore been prepared with that end in view. The subject matter is divided into two parts, each of which has been treated quite independently of the other. Both parts are presented here in the form in which they have been offered for publication. The first paper consists of a systematic study of a complex of species within the genus Paragus. It includes descriptions of four new species, a new subspecies, an allotype, and redescriptions of two incompletely defined species. This paper has been offered for publication in the Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London. The second part consists of a study of all the Ethiopian species of Paragus except those covered by the first paper. It includes the definition of a new subgenus, and descriptions of two new species and three allotypes. It has been sent for publication in the "Revue Zoologie et Botanique de Africaine" at the invitation of Dr. P. Basilewsky of the Musee du Congo Belge, Tervuren.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953
- Authors: Stuckenberg, B R
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Syrphidae , Diptera
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5887 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013321
- Description: As several new species are described in this thesis its full value can only be realised by its publication, and it has therefore been prepared with that end in view. The subject matter is divided into two parts, each of which has been treated quite independently of the other. Both parts are presented here in the form in which they have been offered for publication. The first paper consists of a systematic study of a complex of species within the genus Paragus. It includes descriptions of four new species, a new subspecies, an allotype, and redescriptions of two incompletely defined species. This paper has been offered for publication in the Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London. The second part consists of a study of all the Ethiopian species of Paragus except those covered by the first paper. It includes the definition of a new subgenus, and descriptions of two new species and three allotypes. It has been sent for publication in the "Revue Zoologie et Botanique de Africaine" at the invitation of Dr. P. Basilewsky of the Musee du Congo Belge, Tervuren.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953
The chemistry of the wattle tannins
- Authors: Roux, David Gerhardus
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Tannin plants , Tannins , Wattles (Plants)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4492 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013098
- Description: Four species of acacia of Auatralian origin are associated with the wattle industry in South Africa. Black wattle, Acacia mollissima willd., is the most important of these and is today almost exclusively cultivated. The tree grows successfully only in a limited area of rich soil and high rainfall and is easily affected by adverse conditions caused by insect pests, frost damage and drought. Expansion of the area under cultivation is therefore, not feasible, although the world demand for vegetable extracts far exceeds the available supply. The remaining species such as green (Acacia decurrrens willd.) and silver wattles (Acacia dealbata Link.) possess many desirable characteristics which resist such adverse factors. Their barks, however, give reddish extracts, which are considered unsuitable for tannery usage because of the red colour they impart to the leather. Hybridisation studies, involving the crossing of green and silver wattle with the black, and aimed at produc1ng progenies containing many of the desirable characterlstics of the parent plants, are thus a natural result and have been in progress for a considerable period. Summary, p. i.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953
- Authors: Roux, David Gerhardus
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Tannin plants , Tannins , Wattles (Plants)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4492 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013098
- Description: Four species of acacia of Auatralian origin are associated with the wattle industry in South Africa. Black wattle, Acacia mollissima willd., is the most important of these and is today almost exclusively cultivated. The tree grows successfully only in a limited area of rich soil and high rainfall and is easily affected by adverse conditions caused by insect pests, frost damage and drought. Expansion of the area under cultivation is therefore, not feasible, although the world demand for vegetable extracts far exceeds the available supply. The remaining species such as green (Acacia decurrrens willd.) and silver wattles (Acacia dealbata Link.) possess many desirable characteristics which resist such adverse factors. Their barks, however, give reddish extracts, which are considered unsuitable for tannery usage because of the red colour they impart to the leather. Hybridisation studies, involving the crossing of green and silver wattle with the black, and aimed at produc1ng progenies containing many of the desirable characterlstics of the parent plants, are thus a natural result and have been in progress for a considerable period. Summary, p. i.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953
The petrology of the Khale dolerite sheet
- Authors: Eales, Hugh V
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Petrology -- Botswana , Diabase -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5076 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014853
- Description: In the hills and in the plain of the Khale area are exposed two sheets of quartz-dolerite, the upper sheet being locally mushroom-shaped. The rock corresponds loosely with the Downes mountain type of dolorite, and contains numerous horizons of coarse-grained dolorite-pegmatite. The plagioclase felspars are described with special reference to the variation of grain-size, the features of zoned crystals, and the possible causes of a peculiar brown clouding in the basic zones of the crystals. Phenocrysts of augite and pigeonite, as well as plagioclase are recorded in the chilled contact rock. The micrometric data indicate that the mineral composition of the specimens is largely governed by the oxidation state of the iron, and that the Soret effect has caused the marginal rock to be enriched in basic elements. Hydrothermal veinlets composed largely of chlorite occur in both the dolorite and the country rock, and evidence suggests that veins of both residual material and mobilised granite occur in the upper finer-grained dolorite.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953
- Authors: Eales, Hugh V
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Petrology -- Botswana , Diabase -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5076 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014853
- Description: In the hills and in the plain of the Khale area are exposed two sheets of quartz-dolerite, the upper sheet being locally mushroom-shaped. The rock corresponds loosely with the Downes mountain type of dolorite, and contains numerous horizons of coarse-grained dolorite-pegmatite. The plagioclase felspars are described with special reference to the variation of grain-size, the features of zoned crystals, and the possible causes of a peculiar brown clouding in the basic zones of the crystals. Phenocrysts of augite and pigeonite, as well as plagioclase are recorded in the chilled contact rock. The micrometric data indicate that the mineral composition of the specimens is largely governed by the oxidation state of the iron, and that the Soret effect has caused the marginal rock to be enriched in basic elements. Hydrothermal veinlets composed largely of chlorite occur in both the dolorite and the country rock, and evidence suggests that veins of both residual material and mobilised granite occur in the upper finer-grained dolorite.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953
The response of pure organic crystals to ionising radiations
- Authors: King, J W
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Inorganic scintillators , Crystals
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5529 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012641 , Inorganic scintillators , Crystals
- Description: The introduction contains introductory remarks on scintillation counters together with a brief description of the exciton theory believed to be the means of primary energy migration within organic crystals. Part I contains a review of the data published on the reletive responses of different organic crystals and the attempted correlations of these results with the molecular structures of the different phosphors. From data which may be accepted as being both reliable and suitable for comparison it is concluded that theories involving correlations between phosphor efficiencies and molecular structures may be tested only if the efficiency data has (i) been extrapolated to give results for crystals of very small thickness and {ii) been obtained at very low temperatures. Part II contains accurate calculations based on the exciton theory proposed by Birks (1951 ) to account for the response of crystals to different types of ionising radiations. Satisfactory agreement is obta1ned with all the avalable experimental data in the literature. In part III an account is given of the response of organic crystals observed by the author for low-energy ⋉particles, and of the similar behaviour found by Taylor et al, (1951 ) for low-energy electrons. A possible extension of the theory described in part II, allowing for the escape of excitons through the crystal surface is given accounting for this behaviour. An exciton mean free path in anthracene, terphenyl and stilbene of about 3 - 7/u is obtained. Results were obtained with strong ⋉-particle sources which could not be explained. in terms ot normal response of the phosphor used. This effect was inventigatea as described in part IV, and it is shown that photons are produced in air, glass and quartz when these materials are irradiated by ⋉particles. This luminescence was probably responsible for the "scintillations" which Richards and Cole (1951) have ascribed to thin films of various materials. Problems requiring further investigation are indicated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953
- Authors: King, J W
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Inorganic scintillators , Crystals
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5529 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012641 , Inorganic scintillators , Crystals
- Description: The introduction contains introductory remarks on scintillation counters together with a brief description of the exciton theory believed to be the means of primary energy migration within organic crystals. Part I contains a review of the data published on the reletive responses of different organic crystals and the attempted correlations of these results with the molecular structures of the different phosphors. From data which may be accepted as being both reliable and suitable for comparison it is concluded that theories involving correlations between phosphor efficiencies and molecular structures may be tested only if the efficiency data has (i) been extrapolated to give results for crystals of very small thickness and {ii) been obtained at very low temperatures. Part II contains accurate calculations based on the exciton theory proposed by Birks (1951 ) to account for the response of crystals to different types of ionising radiations. Satisfactory agreement is obta1ned with all the avalable experimental data in the literature. In part III an account is given of the response of organic crystals observed by the author for low-energy ⋉particles, and of the similar behaviour found by Taylor et al, (1951 ) for low-energy electrons. A possible extension of the theory described in part II, allowing for the escape of excitons through the crystal surface is given accounting for this behaviour. An exciton mean free path in anthracene, terphenyl and stilbene of about 3 - 7/u is obtained. Results were obtained with strong ⋉-particle sources which could not be explained. in terms ot normal response of the phosphor used. This effect was inventigatea as described in part IV, and it is shown that photons are produced in air, glass and quartz when these materials are irradiated by ⋉particles. This luminescence was probably responsible for the "scintillations" which Richards and Cole (1951) have ascribed to thin films of various materials. Problems requiring further investigation are indicated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1953
A preliminary investigation of the structure of green wattle tannin (acacia decurrens willd)
- Authors: Glueck, Leonard David
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Tannins , Tannin plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4475 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011988 , Tannins , Tannin plants
- Description: Green wattle tannin extracts were separated by lead salt precipitation into a phenolic tannin fraction and a nontannin fraction. The combustion analysis of the tannin fraction corresponded to an empirical formula C₁₅H₁₄O₆. Methoxy and acetyl values showed four oxygens were hydroxy groups while the residual oxygens could either be ether linked or carbonyl groups. Diazomethane methylation produced a white product of high methoxyl value which indicated that the four hydroxyl groups were phenolic. Chromatography of the lead salt purified tannin showed an indistinct non-fluorescent trail. Ether extraction of the tannin removed the associated Phenolic bodies. The ethereal extract unlike black wattle extracts contained no fisetin and evaporation of the ethereal solutions yielded a gummy non-crystalline residue. Alkaline fusion of the purified tannin produced for the first tlme a variety of acidic and phenolic compounds i.e. resorcinol, pyrogaloll, phloroglucinol β-resorcylic acid, gallic acid and protocatechuic acid. From the high yields of resorcinol (6%) and gallic acid (3%), these units appear to predominate. These degradation productions, coupled with the analytical figures, indicate a possible C₁₅ unit with resorcinol and pyrogallol nuclei as a basis. The non-tannin fraction failed to reveal any compound which might cause the excessive redness in green wattle extracts. Chromatography of this non-tannin fraction showed the presence of sucrose.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1952
- Authors: Glueck, Leonard David
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Tannins , Tannin plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4475 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011988 , Tannins , Tannin plants
- Description: Green wattle tannin extracts were separated by lead salt precipitation into a phenolic tannin fraction and a nontannin fraction. The combustion analysis of the tannin fraction corresponded to an empirical formula C₁₅H₁₄O₆. Methoxy and acetyl values showed four oxygens were hydroxy groups while the residual oxygens could either be ether linked or carbonyl groups. Diazomethane methylation produced a white product of high methoxyl value which indicated that the four hydroxyl groups were phenolic. Chromatography of the lead salt purified tannin showed an indistinct non-fluorescent trail. Ether extraction of the tannin removed the associated Phenolic bodies. The ethereal extract unlike black wattle extracts contained no fisetin and evaporation of the ethereal solutions yielded a gummy non-crystalline residue. Alkaline fusion of the purified tannin produced for the first tlme a variety of acidic and phenolic compounds i.e. resorcinol, pyrogaloll, phloroglucinol β-resorcylic acid, gallic acid and protocatechuic acid. From the high yields of resorcinol (6%) and gallic acid (3%), these units appear to predominate. These degradation productions, coupled with the analytical figures, indicate a possible C₁₅ unit with resorcinol and pyrogallol nuclei as a basis. The non-tannin fraction failed to reveal any compound which might cause the excessive redness in green wattle extracts. Chromatography of this non-tannin fraction showed the presence of sucrose.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1952
A study of cation exchange in South African soils
- Authors: Du Toit, A A
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Soil chemistry , Ion exchange
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4462 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011506 , Soil chemistry , Ion exchange
- Description: The colloidal fraction is the vital part of a soil. These extremely minute particles determine the nature of the soil and are mainly responsible for its many and varied functions. The most important of these functions is perhaps the ability of the colloids to adsorb and exchange cations, the elements so essential to all organisms as building materials. When pure water is passed through a non-saline. soil, the leachate will contain very few dissolved cations. If, on the other hand, an electrolyte such as a weak solution of sodiun chloride, is passed through the same soil, the leachate will contain considerable quantities of calcium, magnesium and potassiun chlorides as well as much of the original sodium chloride. The number of equivalents of the cations collected will be approximately the same as the number of equivalents of sodium ions added. Sodium ions have displaced some of the calcian, magnesium and potassium ions from the soil. This phenomenon is known as cation exchange. Intro., p. 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1952
- Authors: Du Toit, A A
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Soil chemistry , Ion exchange
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4462 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011506 , Soil chemistry , Ion exchange
- Description: The colloidal fraction is the vital part of a soil. These extremely minute particles determine the nature of the soil and are mainly responsible for its many and varied functions. The most important of these functions is perhaps the ability of the colloids to adsorb and exchange cations, the elements so essential to all organisms as building materials. When pure water is passed through a non-saline. soil, the leachate will contain very few dissolved cations. If, on the other hand, an electrolyte such as a weak solution of sodiun chloride, is passed through the same soil, the leachate will contain considerable quantities of calcium, magnesium and potassiun chlorides as well as much of the original sodium chloride. The number of equivalents of the cations collected will be approximately the same as the number of equivalents of sodium ions added. Sodium ions have displaced some of the calcian, magnesium and potassium ions from the soil. This phenomenon is known as cation exchange. Intro., p. 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1952
An historical survey of the Bethelsdorp station of the London Missionary Society, from its inception, and until the death of Doctor van der Kemp, in 1811
- Authors: Briggs, D Roy
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: London Missionary Society -- History , Bethelsdorp (South Africa) -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1290 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014609
- Description: In South Africa the small town or hamlet, nestling - as is so often the case - at the foot of a mountain, frequently proclaims its identity to the traveller by inscribing its name in great, white-washed letters of stone upon the side of the hill. If this were the case with Bethelsdorp, the temptation would be to write on those bare, rocky hills, that form the back-drop for the drama a century and a half have seen on its stage, the one word, "Ichabod." For the glory has departed. And some would even question whether any of its days had been glorious. Around this small outpost of Christendom have centred, from its earliest beginnings, both praise and contumely. It is the purpose of this investigation to attempt to judge between these opinions, in an attempt to arrive at the truth, by a survey of the years Bethelsdorp enjoyed under the direction of Johannes Theodorus van der Kemp. He has had many critics, many protagonists: perhaps of no other man in the short history of this land has there been such diversity of opinion. Before the judgments of historians and biographers can be assessed, however, the facts of his work must be appreciated, and the effort towards understanding must be preceded by a brief description of the circumstances antecedent to the foundation of that station, which marked the summt of his life and work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1952
- Authors: Briggs, D Roy
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: London Missionary Society -- History , Bethelsdorp (South Africa) -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1290 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014609
- Description: In South Africa the small town or hamlet, nestling - as is so often the case - at the foot of a mountain, frequently proclaims its identity to the traveller by inscribing its name in great, white-washed letters of stone upon the side of the hill. If this were the case with Bethelsdorp, the temptation would be to write on those bare, rocky hills, that form the back-drop for the drama a century and a half have seen on its stage, the one word, "Ichabod." For the glory has departed. And some would even question whether any of its days had been glorious. Around this small outpost of Christendom have centred, from its earliest beginnings, both praise and contumely. It is the purpose of this investigation to attempt to judge between these opinions, in an attempt to arrive at the truth, by a survey of the years Bethelsdorp enjoyed under the direction of Johannes Theodorus van der Kemp. He has had many critics, many protagonists: perhaps of no other man in the short history of this land has there been such diversity of opinion. Before the judgments of historians and biographers can be assessed, however, the facts of his work must be appreciated, and the effort towards understanding must be preceded by a brief description of the circumstances antecedent to the foundation of that station, which marked the summt of his life and work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1952
Attempted synthesis of a [beta] or [gamma] resorcinyl alcohol
- Authors: Ryding, William Wallace
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Alcohol -- Synthesis , Resorcinol
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014134
- Description: The ultimate objective of this research is the elucidation of the mechanism of the resorcinol-formaldehyde condensation. Whilst a vast literature has been built up about the phenol- formaldehyde condensation, that of resorcinol has received but scant attention, probably because the high reactivity of resorcinol rendered the following of the condensation extremely difficult. The earliest observation concerning the resorcinol-formaldehyde condensation was due to Baeyer who, in 1872, condensed resorcinol with various aldehydes. When the aldehyde was relatively inactive crystalline compounds were obtalned but with acetaldehyde or formaldehyde a resinous product resulted. In 1892 Caro condensed an excess ot resorcinol with formaldehyde in the presence of dilute hydrochloric acid; the product obtained recrystallised from alcohol as white microsoopic crystals, decomposed without melting at 250° and was stated to be bis (2- 4 dihydroxyphenyl) methane ... In decidlng upon the most suitable lines of attack it would seem that a survey of the literature relating to the phenol-formaldehyde concentration which might be expected to be closely related to that of resorcinol, would be of value. Summary of p. 1-5
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1952
- Authors: Ryding, William Wallace
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Alcohol -- Synthesis , Resorcinol
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014134
- Description: The ultimate objective of this research is the elucidation of the mechanism of the resorcinol-formaldehyde condensation. Whilst a vast literature has been built up about the phenol- formaldehyde condensation, that of resorcinol has received but scant attention, probably because the high reactivity of resorcinol rendered the following of the condensation extremely difficult. The earliest observation concerning the resorcinol-formaldehyde condensation was due to Baeyer who, in 1872, condensed resorcinol with various aldehydes. When the aldehyde was relatively inactive crystalline compounds were obtalned but with acetaldehyde or formaldehyde a resinous product resulted. In 1892 Caro condensed an excess ot resorcinol with formaldehyde in the presence of dilute hydrochloric acid; the product obtained recrystallised from alcohol as white microsoopic crystals, decomposed without melting at 250° and was stated to be bis (2- 4 dihydroxyphenyl) methane ... In decidlng upon the most suitable lines of attack it would seem that a survey of the literature relating to the phenol-formaldehyde concentration which might be expected to be closely related to that of resorcinol, would be of value. Summary of p. 1-5
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1952
German immigration to the Cape, with special reference to (a) the German military settlers of 1857; and (b) the German immigrants of 1858
- Authors: Schnell, E L G
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Germans -- South Africa -- Cape of Good Hope , Immigrants -- South Africa -- Cape of Good Hope , Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) -- History , Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2613 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013168
- Description: South Africa is a multi-racial society in more than one sense. There are the broad divisions of Colour, but in addition there are further divisions within each group. The European section is mostly of Dutch and British origin, but there are important other strains, notably the French and the German. The history of the Dutch and British sections has been written, and that of the French too, but the story of the German element is still incomplete. Preface.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1952
- Authors: Schnell, E L G
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Germans -- South Africa -- Cape of Good Hope , Immigrants -- South Africa -- Cape of Good Hope , Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) -- History , Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2613 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013168
- Description: South Africa is a multi-racial society in more than one sense. There are the broad divisions of Colour, but in addition there are further divisions within each group. The European section is mostly of Dutch and British origin, but there are important other strains, notably the French and the German. The history of the Dutch and British sections has been written, and that of the French too, but the story of the German element is still incomplete. Preface.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1952
Investigation leading to a process for the synthesis of hydrogen sulphide from sulphur and certain lubricating oils derived from petroleum
- Authors: Schauder, H
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Hydrogen sulfide
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4499 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013160
- Description: The primary object of the present study was to provide a process adaptable to prevailing South African conditions, for the manufacture of hydrogen sulphide. Such a process would also be suitable for use in other countries where the gas is not obtainable naturally or from refinery operations or as a by-product from other industries. Early in the study it was found that the literature embodying prior work was very scattered in character and had to be sought in many different fields of research. It was therefore decided to make the record of prior work as comprehensive as possible so as to provide, at the same time, a starting point tor future workers on related subjects. Intro., p. 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1952
- Authors: Schauder, H
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Hydrogen sulfide
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4499 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013160
- Description: The primary object of the present study was to provide a process adaptable to prevailing South African conditions, for the manufacture of hydrogen sulphide. Such a process would also be suitable for use in other countries where the gas is not obtainable naturally or from refinery operations or as a by-product from other industries. Early in the study it was found that the literature embodying prior work was very scattered in character and had to be sought in many different fields of research. It was therefore decided to make the record of prior work as comprehensive as possible so as to provide, at the same time, a starting point tor future workers on related subjects. Intro., p. 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1952
Some comparative studies of the fauna in soils developed under natural forest, pine and bluegum
- Watts, John Christopher David
- Authors: Watts, John Christopher David
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Soil science , Forest ecology , Soil animals
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5895 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013423
- Description: [From Introduction] It has been said that, "If a nation saves its trees, the trees will save the nation." The truth of this assertion is apparent in many parts of the world today. In South Africa, fires and demands in the past for timber have led to extensive depletion of the Natural Forests. In many cases, natural revegetation has been slow to develop and deterioration of the soil has resulted. The desire to replace the tree cover and at the same time to meet an increasing internal demand for timber, has led to widespread planting of Pine and Bluegum. It is probable that more trees have now been planted than were destroyed in the past. The silviculturist however, who develops a pure stand on land which previously supported the mixed stand, should anticipate a change in soil properties as a natural accompaniment of such an undertaking. The nature of this change is the primum mobile of the present comparative study. The forest soils studied were taken in the Cape Province in the following areas:- Grahamstown; Amatola Mountains, District Alice; Witte-els-Bosch, District Humansdorp, during the course of a year. The physical and chemical properties, and the faunal composition of the soil samples were examined in relation to the different tree covers. Because of the necessity of taking large numbers of samples and thorough examination of these to arrive at a definite conclusion, the work is necessarily incomplete. It is felt however that the results obtained justify a further study of this aspect of soil biology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1952
- Authors: Watts, John Christopher David
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Soil science , Forest ecology , Soil animals
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5895 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013423
- Description: [From Introduction] It has been said that, "If a nation saves its trees, the trees will save the nation." The truth of this assertion is apparent in many parts of the world today. In South Africa, fires and demands in the past for timber have led to extensive depletion of the Natural Forests. In many cases, natural revegetation has been slow to develop and deterioration of the soil has resulted. The desire to replace the tree cover and at the same time to meet an increasing internal demand for timber, has led to widespread planting of Pine and Bluegum. It is probable that more trees have now been planted than were destroyed in the past. The silviculturist however, who develops a pure stand on land which previously supported the mixed stand, should anticipate a change in soil properties as a natural accompaniment of such an undertaking. The nature of this change is the primum mobile of the present comparative study. The forest soils studied were taken in the Cape Province in the following areas:- Grahamstown; Amatola Mountains, District Alice; Witte-els-Bosch, District Humansdorp, during the course of a year. The physical and chemical properties, and the faunal composition of the soil samples were examined in relation to the different tree covers. Because of the necessity of taking large numbers of samples and thorough examination of these to arrive at a definite conclusion, the work is necessarily incomplete. It is felt however that the results obtained justify a further study of this aspect of soil biology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1952
The distribution, importance and biology of the important cotton pests of Moc̦ambique
- Da Silva Barbosa, António Jorge
- Authors: Da Silva Barbosa, António Jorge
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Cotton -- Diseases and pests -- Moc̦ambique
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5844 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010977 , Cotton -- Diseases and pests -- Moc̦ambique
- Description: Up to the second half of the eighteenth century the most important fibres in the world were wool, flax and silk. But the Industrial Revolution in England, together with the invention of the Cotton gin by Whitney in 1793, soon gave cotton the first place amongst all the important fibers in world's textile industry. Although some attempts were made, both in Angola and Mozambique to cultivate cotton since remote days -- as far back as the American Civil War, when market prices suffered an important rise no serious efforts were made to grow this crop before the proclamation of the Portuguese Republic in 1910, when some definite legislation was passed to encourage the development of this culture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1952
- Authors: Da Silva Barbosa, António Jorge
- Date: 1952
- Subjects: Cotton -- Diseases and pests -- Moc̦ambique
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5844 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010977 , Cotton -- Diseases and pests -- Moc̦ambique
- Description: Up to the second half of the eighteenth century the most important fibres in the world were wool, flax and silk. But the Industrial Revolution in England, together with the invention of the Cotton gin by Whitney in 1793, soon gave cotton the first place amongst all the important fibers in world's textile industry. Although some attempts were made, both in Angola and Mozambique to cultivate cotton since remote days -- as far back as the American Civil War, when market prices suffered an important rise no serious efforts were made to grow this crop before the proclamation of the Portuguese Republic in 1910, when some definite legislation was passed to encourage the development of this culture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1952
A critical study of assessments made during a trial interview situation
- Authors: Pons, A L
- Date: 1951
- Subjects: Interviewing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3226 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013040
- Description: At the end of 1948 the National Institute for Personnel Research (N.I.P.R.) organised a series of testing procedures for the selection of administrative trainees for a large industrial organisation. The fruitful results obtained by the British War Office and the Civil Service selection Boards in the application of approved techniques for similar purposes supplied the basis on which the battery of tests was constructed. While having regard for this established approach as well as the controlling influence imposed by the stipulations of the contract, the N.I.P.R. was able to devise a battery which provided scope for its specific interest in research. Intro., p. 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1951
- Authors: Pons, A L
- Date: 1951
- Subjects: Interviewing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3226 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013040
- Description: At the end of 1948 the National Institute for Personnel Research (N.I.P.R.) organised a series of testing procedures for the selection of administrative trainees for a large industrial organisation. The fruitful results obtained by the British War Office and the Civil Service selection Boards in the application of approved techniques for similar purposes supplied the basis on which the battery of tests was constructed. While having regard for this established approach as well as the controlling influence imposed by the stipulations of the contract, the N.I.P.R. was able to devise a battery which provided scope for its specific interest in research. Intro., p. 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1951
A socio-economic study of East London, Cape Province, with special reference to the non-European peoples
- Authors: Bettison, D G
- Date: 1951
- Subjects: East London (South Africa) -- Social conditions , East London (South Africa) -- Economic conditions , Rural-urban migration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3387 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013496
- Description: From Forward: The development of gold mines in the Orange Free State is likely to be to modern East London what Kaffir Wars were to old East London. "The Fighting Port", as it is commonly called, is the nearest harbour to these mines and is linked by good rail, road and air facilities. A wide variety of industry is already established. Development is likely to be rapid. At present the City contains over 80,000 persons, and with the addition of peri-urban suburbs has doubled its population in just over fifteen years. In the past is has claimed to be the healthiest holiday resort in the Union. This year a City-wide campaign has been organised to fight tuberculosis, as the City's statistics indicate that it has one of the highest rates of anywhere in the world. Within twelve years two government sided commissions of enquiry have sat in the City and reported on the administration and living conditions of the city's African populaton. Extremely strong adjectives have been used to describe, and drastic recommendations made to improve the socio-economic and general conditions of the African people. Under the holiday atmosphere of the City lies a very serious, complex, and potentially dangerous human problem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1951
- Authors: Bettison, D G
- Date: 1951
- Subjects: East London (South Africa) -- Social conditions , East London (South Africa) -- Economic conditions , Rural-urban migration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3387 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013496
- Description: From Forward: The development of gold mines in the Orange Free State is likely to be to modern East London what Kaffir Wars were to old East London. "The Fighting Port", as it is commonly called, is the nearest harbour to these mines and is linked by good rail, road and air facilities. A wide variety of industry is already established. Development is likely to be rapid. At present the City contains over 80,000 persons, and with the addition of peri-urban suburbs has doubled its population in just over fifteen years. In the past is has claimed to be the healthiest holiday resort in the Union. This year a City-wide campaign has been organised to fight tuberculosis, as the City's statistics indicate that it has one of the highest rates of anywhere in the world. Within twelve years two government sided commissions of enquiry have sat in the City and reported on the administration and living conditions of the city's African populaton. Extremely strong adjectives have been used to describe, and drastic recommendations made to improve the socio-economic and general conditions of the African people. Under the holiday atmosphere of the City lies a very serious, complex, and potentially dangerous human problem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1951
East London and its geographical setting
- Authors: Moult, Frank Leslie
- Date: 1951
- Subjects: East London (South Africa) -- Geography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:4874 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012908
- Description: Along the South African coast between Cape Town and Durban, a distance of 822 miles, are the two major ports, Port Elizabeth and East London. These two ports, rivals in some ways, have histories that are closely linked. Their harbours have been built at two of the most favourable spots along a coastline poorly endowed with natural harbours. East London, the fourth harbour of the Union of South Africa, is the only river port of any consequence, and had to win the mechanical fight against nature and the fight against prejudice that contended that her position was too close to a troublesome frontier. After a hundred years of growth, East London is a mature town, with the residential and industrial areas clearly defined. Her expansion will be along the lines of planned zoning. (2) Her population in 1950 was 910,195 of which 43,195 were European and 39,698 Native. Besides being a port, East London is a prominent holiday resort and, of recent years, is developing as an industrial town. A striking feature is the clean aspect of the town. Those two "miracles" of South Africa, the discovery of diamonds and the discovery of gold, stimulated the growth of East London; especially the discovery of diamonds since Kimberley was about 450 miles from this, its nearest harbour. But the river mouth at East London had very little natural advantage over the other river mouths along the coast. There was at the Buffalo Mouth no outstanding, decisive merit. In many matters, such as the railway, the bridge, the water supply, there was doubt, uncertainty and bickering, with subsequent decisions to shelve the latter or make use of a temporary expedient, because there were many mediocre alternatives but none which was supremely suitable. In 1852, Bishop Gray wrote, "East London ... .has as few natural advantages as any place I have seen claiming to be a port. I could have walked across the river without getting wet above the knee." Intro., p. i-ii.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1951
- Authors: Moult, Frank Leslie
- Date: 1951
- Subjects: East London (South Africa) -- Geography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:4874 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012908
- Description: Along the South African coast between Cape Town and Durban, a distance of 822 miles, are the two major ports, Port Elizabeth and East London. These two ports, rivals in some ways, have histories that are closely linked. Their harbours have been built at two of the most favourable spots along a coastline poorly endowed with natural harbours. East London, the fourth harbour of the Union of South Africa, is the only river port of any consequence, and had to win the mechanical fight against nature and the fight against prejudice that contended that her position was too close to a troublesome frontier. After a hundred years of growth, East London is a mature town, with the residential and industrial areas clearly defined. Her expansion will be along the lines of planned zoning. (2) Her population in 1950 was 910,195 of which 43,195 were European and 39,698 Native. Besides being a port, East London is a prominent holiday resort and, of recent years, is developing as an industrial town. A striking feature is the clean aspect of the town. Those two "miracles" of South Africa, the discovery of diamonds and the discovery of gold, stimulated the growth of East London; especially the discovery of diamonds since Kimberley was about 450 miles from this, its nearest harbour. But the river mouth at East London had very little natural advantage over the other river mouths along the coast. There was at the Buffalo Mouth no outstanding, decisive merit. In many matters, such as the railway, the bridge, the water supply, there was doubt, uncertainty and bickering, with subsequent decisions to shelve the latter or make use of a temporary expedient, because there were many mediocre alternatives but none which was supremely suitable. In 1852, Bishop Gray wrote, "East London ... .has as few natural advantages as any place I have seen claiming to be a port. I could have walked across the river without getting wet above the knee." Intro., p. i-ii.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1951