Location in Flames

Though my co-workers and I were relieved of the charge of the patients, there remained many things arising out of the black plague still to be dealt with.

Although my co-workers and I were no longer responsible for the patients, we still had many things to deal with because of the black plague.

I have referred to the negligence of the Municipality regarding the location. But it was wide awake so far as the health of its white citizens was concerned. It had spent large amounts for the preservation of their health and now it poured forth money like water in order to stamp out the plague. In spite of the many sins of omission and commission against the Indians that I had laid at the door of the Municipality, I could not help commending its solicitude for the white citizens, and I rendered it as much help as I could in its laudable efforts. I have an impression, that if I had withheld my co-operation, the task would have been more difficult for the Municipality, and that it would not have hesitated to use armed force and do its worst.

I have mentioned the Municipality’s neglect of the location. But it was fully alert to the health of its white citizens. It had spent large sums to protect their health. Now it spent money like water to stamp out the plague. I had held the Municipality responsible for many wrongs against Indians, both for what it did and what it failed to do. Even so, I could not help praising its concern for white citizens. I helped the Municipality as much as I could in its admirable efforts. I believe that, if I had withheld my cooperation, the Municipality’s task would have been more difficult. I also believe it would not have hesitated to use armed force and do its worst.

But all that was averted. The Municipal authorities were pleased at the Indians’ behaviour and much of the future work regarding plague measures was simplified. I used all the influence I could command with the Indians to make them submit to the requirements of the Municipality. It was far from easy for the Indians to go all that length, but I do not remember any one having resisted my advice.

But all that was avoided. The municipal authorities were pleased with the Indians’ behavior, and much of the future work on plague measures became easier. I used all the influence I had with the Indians to persuade them to comply with the municipality’s requirements. It was far from easy for them to do everything required, but I do not remember anyone resisting my advice.

The location was put under a strong guard, passage in and out being made impossible without permission. My co-workers and I had free permits of entry and exit. The decision was to make the whole location population vacate, and live under canvas for three weeks in an open plain about thirteen miles from Johannesburg, and then to set fire to the location. To settle down under canvas with provisions and other necessaries was bound to take some time, and a guard became necessary during the interval.

The location was heavily guarded, and no one could enter or leave without permission. My co-workers and I had permits allowing us to come and go freely. The decision was to move everyone from the location to an open plain about thirteen miles from Johannesburg. They would live there in tents for three weeks, and then the location would be set on fire. Settling into the tents with food and other necessities was bound to take some time. A guard was needed in the meantime.

The people were in a terrible fright, but my constant presence was a consolation to them. Many of the poor people used to hoard their scanty savings underground. This had to be unearthed. They had no bank, they knew none. I became their banker. Streams of money poured into my office. I could not possibly charge any fees for my labours in such a crisis. I coped with the work somehow. My bank manager I knew very well. I told him that I should have to deposit with him these moneys. The banks were by no means anxious to accept large amounts of copper and silver. There was also the fear of bank clerks refusing to touch money coming from a plague-affected area. But the manager accommodated me in every way. It was decided to disinfect all the money before sending it to the bank. So far as I can remember nearly sixty thousand pounds were thus deposited. I advised such of the people as had enough money to place it as fixed deposit, and they accepted the advice. The result was some of them became accustomed to invest their money in banks.

The people were terrified, but my constant presence comforted them. Many of the poor had buried their small savings underground. These savings had to be dug up. They had no bank, and they did not know of any. I became their banker, and money poured into my office. I could not possibly charge for my work during such a crisis. Somehow, I managed the work. I knew my bank manager very well. I told him that I would have to deposit this money with him. Banks were not at all eager to accept large amounts of copper and silver coins. There was also a fear that bank clerks would refuse to touch money from an area affected by plague. But the manager helped me in every way. We decided to disinfect all the money before sending it to the bank. As far as I can remember, nearly sixty thousand pounds were deposited in this way. I advised those who had enough money to put it in fixed deposits, and they accepted my advice. As a result, some of them became accustomed to investing their money in banks.

The location residents were removed by special train to Klipspruit Farm near Johannesburg, where they were supplied with provisions by the Municipality at public expense. This city under canvas looked like a military camp. The people who were unaccustomed to this camp life were distressed and astonished over the arrangements, but they did not have to put up with any particular inconvenience. I used to cycle out to them daily. Within twenty four hours of their stay they forgot all their misery and began to live merrily. Whenever I went there I found them enjoying themselves with song and mirth. Three weeks’ stay in the open air evidently improved their health.

The residents of the location were taken by special train to Klipspruit Farm near Johannesburg. The Municipality supplied them with provisions at public expense. This city of tents looked like a military camp. The people were not used to camp life and were distressed and astonished by the arrangements. But they did not have to endure any particular inconvenience. I used to cycle out to visit them daily. Within twenty-four hours of arriving, they forgot all their misery and began to enjoy themselves. Whenever I went there, I found them singing and having fun. Their three-week stay in the open air had evidently improved their health.

So far as I recollect the location was put to the flames on the very next day after its evacuation. The Municipality showed not the slightest inclination to save anything from the conflagration. About this very time, and for the same reason, the Municipality burnt down all its timber in the market, and sustained a loss of some ten thousand pounds. The reason for this drastic step was the discovery of some dead rats in the market.

As I recall, the location was set on fire the very next day after it was evacuated. The Municipality showed no desire at all to save anything from the fire. Around the same time, and for the same reason, the Municipality burned all its timber in the market. It suffered a loss of about ten thousand pounds. The Municipality took this drastic step because some dead rats had been found in the market.

The Municipality had to incur heavy expenditure, but it successfully arrested the further progress of the plague, and the city once more breathed freely.

The Municipality had to spend a great deal of money, but it stopped the plague from spreading further. The city could breathe freely again.