D1.8.53: [Untitled]

D1.8.53: [Untitled]

Newspaper Clippings

Bleek's prediction that recent rainfall amid the several-years-long Cape drought of the 1860s would minimise the perceived necessity of 'water-preserving works'-supported by the findings of the last Colonial Botanist (John Croumbie Brown)-has proven true. The colony's water resources are left to run to waste. Perhaps Wodehouse awaits William Downes Griffith's instalment as the new Attorney-General upon William Porter's retirement, but Bleek doubts the present government's capacity. Local advertisements inviting tenders could only attract questionable entities to undertake railway works showing poor returns for such sizeable expenditure, which may eventually incur debt north of a million sterling. The proposed contracts confer an uncomfortable amount of authority on Frederik Bourne and, by extension, the Wodehouse Ministry (i.e., the executive), to who the legislature will unlikely entrust this vital infrastructure. Wodehouse's intentions are sensible, but his uniquely coercive methods create friction with the legislature, culminating in wasteful expenditure like the works halted at Tulbagh Kloof (Nuwekloof Pass). The colony should pay for the railway lines instead of using a burdensome six per cent guarantee (imperial loan). Bourne's connection to Wodehouse hurts him reputationally with parliament. The executive and legislature, to whom the former must be accountable, must cooperate seamlessly and address public criticism to avoid further wasteful expenditure. Porter believes his constitution can only function optimally under Responsible Government but concedes that the lack of public support will delay its introduction.

Printed newsprint glued on paper

22 March 1866

Two cut-out columns of printed newsprint mounted on foolscap folio (warped).

Railway (Wellington Railway), Tulbagh Kloof, Responsible Government (supported by Mr Porter), Frederick Bourne (Colonial Railway Engineer), Mr Porter (supports Responsible Government)

Pressed clippings of Victorian current affairs opinion pieces by Wilhelm Bleek.

Van de Sandt de Villiers & Co.