XVII. 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.
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.
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 anyone having
resisted 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 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.
I knew my bank manager very well. I told him that I
should have to deposit these moneys with him. 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 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.
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.
The Municipality had to incur heavy expenditure, but
it successfully arrested the further progress of the
plague, and the city once more breathed freely.
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