BMS/HWL/63/24

Letter from M.H. Rix in South Africa. Describes his life as a farmer.

22 Jul 1926

From: 1926 To: 1926

Is in charge of a large estate. 'White labour ... scanty and of no real quality just round here. And the natives, well the least said about them the better' Refers to the people preferring to work on the mines and on the big estates rather than cultivating their own land and living on their reserves. 'Consequently they are, on the whole a lying, stealing no good crowd all round.' Mentions C.A. Howitt, and old Bedford Modern School boy who lives nearby, and is now retired after an adventurous life in central Africa. His sister, Mrs Carter lives in Silver Street, Bedford. Met an Old Bedford Modernian called Wilson when prospecting in Canada in 1920. Hopes soon to move to the Northern Transvaal 'where I will be among more home born people. Down here they are mostly descendants of the 1820 settlers.' 'If any boy is leaving School and wants to come out here to go farmimg I should say stay at home or go to Canada.' Discusses farming in South Africa; the weather, crops, soil, pests etc.. in some detail.

item

Rix, M.H.,
Howitt, C.A.,
Carter,
Wilson

Bedford Modern School, general correspondence, South Africa, farmers, Canada, Transvaal