68 THE DIAMOND MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA
any
disease that is not infectious are cared for in the hospital of the
compound, which has several wards, — one for cases of fever, one for
convalescents, and one for surgical treatment. A qualified dispenser is
in charge of the hospital and dispensary, and physicians engaged by
the Company are in daily attendance.
At
the shops in the compound any articles of food and clothing which the
inmates commonly want are supplied. The staff of life is corn, or
mealie meal in some form, sometimes baked in hoe cakes, but generally
made into porridge. A considerable quantity of brown bread made from
Boer meal is also eaten, with meat, vegetables, and fruit in season.
Meat is commonly cooked by boiling or by roasting over wood fires. The
prices are never permitted to be in excess of the common market prices
in Kimberley. If a " boy " does not want the trouble of cooking for
himself, he can buy ready cooked food, which is supplied by the
company or at any one of a number of coffee shops in the compound. One
of the favorite resorts belongs to a Zulu, popularly known as " Roast
Beef," who had the misfortune to lose his leg in an accident in the
mines. He does his cooking over an open wood fire with the aid of a few
kettles and pans ; and a bare wooden table, usually made from dynamite
cases, serves for his dishes; but he is a chef in his line, in the eyes
of the compound, and is making more money than he earned before he was
crippled.
There
are a number of native tailors on the ground, who can fit and make a
suit to order, or repair one, with no little dexterity. Native mining
suits are usually made of the English cloth known as moleskin, and the
tailors, in accordance with South African custom, put large patches on
the seat and around the foot of the trousers. Sewing machines are
commonly used, which the natives buy in Kimberley through the compound
manager. Some work in the mines during the week, but like to earn
additional shillings by cloth cutting and sewing during their leisure
hours, when their machines may be heard clicking from morning till
night.
