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Dundee and Vryheid Branch
Formerly this branch terminated at the coal-fields, seven-and-a-half miles from the junction. It has now been extended to Vryheid (60 miles from Glencoe). The line as far as Dundee does not boast of any scenic beauty and is fairly level.
The Borough of Dundee is situated very picturesquely on the Biggarsberg Range, at an elevation of 4,100 feet above sea level, and 237 miles by rail from Durban, and about 80 miles from the border at Charlestown.
The Town is very prettily located, being built on gentle sloping ground and surrounded with high hills, viz. : Indumeni about 6,000 feet high, Impati 5,260, and Talana 4,500. The latter hill being the scene of the first engagement during the late Boer War ; this fact alone should make this part of Natal of considerable interest to visitors.
The affairs of the Borough are controlled by a Mayor and Corporation, who take care that the townspeople are supplied with the purest water, of which there is an abundant supply from the neighbouring hills. The magnificent reservoir supplying the water being situated on the " Impati," which is a short and pleasant walk from the Borough.
The Corporation have an efficient police force, and an excellent sanitary service.
The main streets in the centre of the Town are kerbed and channelled, but some of the other streets are only supplied with ordinary gravelled footpaths and guttering. Trees are also planted in several of the large streets, as well as in the two public parks, in one of which — viz., King Edward's Park — are situated the usual playing grounds, where cricket, football, hockey, tennis, etc., are indulged in. The sports' ground is also placed in King Edward's Park, and here the old-established Dundee Annual Sports are held.
The inhabitants of the Borough number about 3,000, of which about 1,500 are Europeans, and the remainder Natives and Indians.
There are three first-class hotels in the Borough, with the usual complement of conveniencies for travellers such as carriages, horses, etc.
The Town also contains some very handsome shops, whose windows display all the most up-to-date assortment of goods, and the streets are lit up with electric light.
Dundee is also fortunate in having two hospitals, one for Europeans and another for natives, and it is a regretable fact that chiefly owing to the approximity of the mines they are kept well employed.
Several denominational churches exist, whose buildings in most instances are handsome structures. The Anglican Church contains some handsome murial tablets, notably a large brass one, on which is recorded the names