HISTORIC Ladys/ai T h
CHAPTER IX
RI OR to the siege, which commenced on the '2nd November, 1899, Ladysmith was practically unheard of outside South Africa, but during its 120 days of bombardment it was the very centre of interest and anxious concern in the eyes of the British Empire. However, it may be of interest to refer to its earlier history and to portray, as briefly as possible, in what way it has gradually risen to become the third largest town of the Province, and an important railway centre. The township was established in 1851, and is situated on the Klip River, being surrounded by an irregular circle of hills 30 miles from the Drakensberg. It is named after the wife of Sir Harry Smith, Bart., the then Governor of the Cape. The municipal borough which was formed in 1899 embraces part of the parliamentary constituency of the Klip River division, which is represented by one member for the Union Parliament, and one representative for the Provincial Council. It is situated 189:1 miles from Durban port, 290 miles from Johannesburg, and 36 miles from the Free State boundary. Its first Local
Board met in 1882, and by a deed of grant, dated the 9th of May of that year, a piece of ground containing 16,887 acres, 1 rood, 29 perches, was ceded and transferred to the Board and its successors in office, in trust for the inhabitants and owners of property.
The then Governor of the Colony, Sir H. E. Bulwer, shortly afterwards