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acre up to 1,000 acre blocks, part of which can be irrigated from the Inkonza River, which flows through. Mealies or maize is the principal product of this part. Cattle, sheep, pigs, etc., do exceedingly well.

RIVERSIDE. — The train runs along a flat for some distance, where there are Ç Aiutude - - 3384 feet. ^ high mountains on either side, until passing over the

1 Distance '_: 178 miles - I bridge at the Umzimkulu River, it enters deep cuttings

and emerges again.

The Ingagane bridge is thus spanned, and the train reaches MALENGE station, about twelve miles beyond the border into the Cape Province.

The Stuartstown Railway

This branch was built to serve Alexandra County and lxopo Division.

Before departing from the standard gauge of South Africa, the Government had surveys made for the larger railway, but the cost was found to be prohibitive owing to the rough country, so that the narrow gauge was found to be the only alternative to no railway.

It was decided to give the narrow gauge system every trial, so a really high-class railway has been built, in all essential respects equal to the best standard gauge branches in Natal, but with the narrower gauge. This has been achieved at a capital cost of £308,427, or £3,178 per mile.

The length of the branch is 97 miles. It leaves Esperanza station on the Umzinto Branch, and strikes directly inland rising all the way (chiefly on the maximum grade of 1 in 33 compensated) to Donnybrook station on the Natal- Cape line.

The scenery is delightful and very varied, and all the wonderful variety of Natal, and its climate, etc., is encountered during its comparatively short ride, as the rise is from 170 feet above the sea to no less than 4,700 feet.

The only place of importance on the route is STUARTSTOWN (lxopo), which is the seat of magistracy for the division, having a population of 300, accommodated by several stores, butcheries, hotels, and trades : possessing also various societies and athletic clubs. There are a number of buildings, including a church, school, and hospital. It is a prosperous village, serving as the market town for a large agricultural district which is well-watered, most of the upper reaches and sources of the Natal rivers being found here.

The products which the line has been built to transport are as varied as its height and climate, as they include everything grown in Natal, but chiefly wattle bark, maize, wool, and live-stock.

The country is so rough that development was not possible without a railway which for some years is unlikely to pay its way, but even in the short time since the latter was opened for traffic (June, 1908) a distinct improvement is noticeable.