Page:George McCall Theal, History of South Africa from 1873 to 1884, Volume 1 (1919).djvu/71

 1S76] Sir Henry Barkly. » 51 Port Elizabeth towards Graaff-Beinet, and the line from the Bushman's river to Grahamstown — provided for by parliament in July 1876 — was making good progress. In the session of 1877— 25th May to 8th August- provision was made by the Cape parliament for the con- struction of a massive bridge over the Kei river, on the main road leading from King-Williamstown to Umtata, and the work was commenced immediately. Provision was also made for the construction of a line of telegraph from Komgha by way of Umtata and Kokstad to Maritzburg in Natal, and this was also taken in hand without delay. An important act of this session was one to promote irrigation by farmers, and thus to increase the productive power of the country. Three new magisterial districts were created on the eastern border at this time. In February 1877 a magis- trate was stationed at Cathcart, in November of the same year one was stationed at Stutterheim, and in December one was stationed at Komgha. Owing to the war with the Xosas, it became necessary at the close of 1877 to send instructions to the emigra- tion agent in London not to give free passages to more people than those already engaged, until the restoration of tranquillity. Since November 1873 he had then sent out five thousand five hundred and fifty-three men, but only eight hundred and tv^enty women and nine hundred and sixty-six children. Owing to the disproportion of the sexes, many of the men returned to Europe as soon as the engagements expired that they had entered into before coming out, still the colony was a considerable gainer.