Saturday 5 July 1856

SINGULAR DETECTION OF A ROBBERY
On Tuesday last a clue was obtained to a robbery which had been committed in Graaff Reinet about four years ago. The discovery was made in consequence of the loan of a book. But in order to understand the matter thoroughly we must go back some six or seven years. At that time the party robbed, Mr. BROWN, Government Surveyor, was called to the Frontier on business. Before leaving Graaff Reinet he caused his furniture to be placed in two rooms of his house, and the key was given to his agent, Mr. DE VILLIERS, who, according to instructions, let the other part of the house. After some time Mr. BROWN, not anticipating that he should again be able to reside in Graaff Reinet, returned and sold off his furniture, though not without missing, among other things, the following articles: a green silk dress, a pair of gold bracelets, a number of books, a pair of double-barrelled pistols, a double-barreled rifle and a stone bottle of fluid Indian ink. However, as he had nothing to guide him to the discovery of the thief, he made no public complaint about the robbery. A year or two after this sale he came to reside in Graaff Reinet, and on Tuesday evening last he recognized in the hands of his son a volume of the Waverley Novels, which he knew had been locked up in the rooms with his furniture. The thought immediately struck him that this book might be the means of finding the remainder of the missing property; and on enquiry he found that the volume had been lent to his son by one of the children of David SMITH, a mason, who had formerly been the tenant of Mr. BROWN’s house. Mr. BROWN accordingly stated the circumstances to the Clerk of the Peace. The result was that the house of David SMITH was searched, and there the Chief Constable discovered a gold bracelet, a green silk dress, a pair of pistols, a stone bottle containing fluid Indian ink and a number of books, all of which Mr. BROWN identified as his property. A silver spoon, marked T.N.G.M. was also found there, which has been identified as the property of Mr. MULLER. SMITH was out of the way, in consequence of an information that has been laid against him for smuggling. On account of these suspicious circumstances his wife has been taken into custody, and after being examined before the Magistrate has been remanded until the 17th July, and a warrant has been issued for the apprehension of SMITH.

WANTED
A GOVERNESS
To reside on a fine healthy farm in the Division of Graaff Reinet and instruct a family of 8 children, from 6 to 15 years of age, in the rudiments of a good sound English education and music. Satisfactory references will be given and required. For further particulars apply to Mr. John HEUGH, Graaff Reinet

Saturday 12 July 1856

PUBLIC MEETING
The intention of the Imperial Government to locate the British German Legion in this country having excited a great deal of interest in this town, the following requisition for a public meeting was hastily drawn up and signed.
The inhabitants of Port Elizabeth and other Towns having taken steps for memorializing His Excellency the Governor to locate a portion of the German immigrants at those places, the undersigned inhabitants of Graaff Reinet, favourable to the same object being carried out in this town, call a preliminary meeting for the purpose of considering the same, to be held at the new stores of Messrs. NATHAN & ROSELT, Market Square (formerly the stores of P. CARO Esq) tomorrow (Friday) evening at 7 o’clock
W. VAN RYNEVELD
H. MOSENTHAL
M.H. BENJAMIN
Edward NATHAN
Edward C. BLUNDELL
P. CARO
S.J. MEINTJES
J. BAUMANN
Harry BOLUS
Wm. MEADWAY
C.J. SPILLER
F.T. SMIT
J. THOMSON
C.H. GRISBROOK JP
Martin LILIENFELD
M.L. ROEHLIN
Alfred ESSEX
Geo. BREMNER
H. ADDISON
Wm. H. RABONE
J.J. MEINTJES JP son
A. LILIENFELD MD
T.C. ROEHLIN
J.H. ROSELT
KEYTEL, ADENDORFF & Co
H.F. HENDRIKZ
D.J. HAARHOFF
Geo. RYNEVELD
S.E. WIMBLE
Wm. J. DIXON
Thos. K. DOREY
Henry GREEN
D.J. VAN RYNEVELD
The meeting was very well attended considering the shortness of the notice, and was exceedingly animated throughout. All the speakers proclaimed the great want of labour in this part of the Colony. But as it appeared there might be some difficulty in obtaining the services of the German Legion the meeting deemed it advisable to inquire into the matter before proceeding further, and therefore passed resolutions to that effect.
RESOLUTIONS:
1st: That this meeting cordially approving of the contemplated location of the British German Legion in this Colony, begs respectfully to bring to His Excellency’s notice the great necessity existing in this Town and District for a large increase to the number of European mechanics and workmen, and humbly desires to know whether it would interfere with His Excellency’s contemplated arrangements to have a small portion of the Legion located here.
2nd: That the following Gentlemen be appointed as a committee to transmit the above resolution to His Excellency the Governor, viz;
The Rev. George BROWN
George BREMNER Esq
William SOUTHEY Esq

Saturday 19 July 1856

Birth on the 10th inst, at the farm Poortjes Vontein, District of Colesberg, Mrs. Richard ARMITAGE of a son

Saturday 26 July 1856

Died at Richmond on Wednesday 16th instant, Bertha Maria, only child of Mr. and Mrs. J.S.L. BRINK, aged 8 months
Richmond 21st July 1856

A SUCCESSFUL HUNT
In the early part of last week Mr. Robert BAIN of Quagga’s Valley, one of Mr. Wm. SOUTHEY’s farms, and Mr. George MURRAY of Naude’s berg, with his youngest brother Walter, rode over the mountains to the extensive flats about Cephanjes Poort, Kol Hoek and Zaayfontein, to shoot wildebeest, springboks &c. They were very successful, and in three days killed eighty-eight springboks and two wildebeest, or gnus, which were nearly all in excellent condition, many of the springboks being as fat as such game can be. A strong wagon they had taken was so heavily laden with these ninety carcases that some difficulty was experienced in getting all this quantity of game to the homesteads of the owners. Nothing, however, was left behind or lost. The weather was cold; and I have known fresh meat in those parts keep good for nearly a month in winter without any salt. Mr. BAIN and Mr. MURRAY made plenty of biltong after the game was brought home. Mr. R. WILSON had joined in the chase the first day, but his horse coming down at a gallop smashed the stock of his rifle, and he was obliged to retire.

Saturday 23 August 1856

Peace! Peace! Peace!
Glorious News!
KILLING NO MURDER
GRAY & PAUL
Butchers, Bird Street, Graaff Reinet
Messrs GRAY & PAUL beg to return their thanks to the inhabitants of Graaff Reinet for their liberal support, and inform them that they have taken over the business of Messrs. PRETORIUS Brothers, and will continue to supply them at their usual low prices for cash only. To Families, Hotels and Transport Riders a liberal allowance made.
GRAY & PAUL
Graaff Reinet 21st Aug 1856

Died at Rynheath on Wednesday 20th instant, infant daughter of Helperus Ritzima VAN RYNEVELD Esq

Saturday 13 September 1856

Graaff Reinet & Richmond Agricultural Society
The committee hereby notify that a Special General Meeting of the Society is called for Thursday 16th October next for the purpose of submitting to the consideration of the members the following resolution taken at the last Annual General Meeting:
“That a pen of not less than 12 ewes may compete for the two prizes, and not less than five Colonial bred rams may compete for each of the three prizes, for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd, but without reference to combing or clothing wools.”
G.A. WATERMEYER
Secretary
Graaff Reinet 12th Sep 1856

Saturday 20 September 1856

Died at Richmond on Thursday 11th instant, the infant son of Mr. & Mrs. F.C.R.J. CENTLIVRES, aged 5 weeks