two thousand pounds (41,818 kilogrammes) was exhibited in Grahamstown, but this was the last occasion on which any considerable quantity was gathered.
On the 7th of March 1875 a census of the colony was taken. The population was found to have increased in the preceding ten years at the rate of twenty-four per cent, and to consist of
| Europeans | 236,783 |
| Bantu | 287,639 |
| Hottentots | 98,561 |
| Mixed breeds | 87,184 |
| Malays | 10,817 |
| Total | 720,984 |
or 3.6 to the square mile, the Europeans being a little less than one-third of the whole number.
The most prominent subject of discussion throughout South Africa for some time after May 1875 was that of the union of the several colonies and states under one government. It arose from a despatch of Lord Carnarvon, since February 1874 secretary of state for the colonies, to Sir Henry Barkly, dated the 4th of May, desiring a conference to be held in the colony to discuss a uniform system of dealing with the Bantu, the supply of arms and ammunition to those people, and the advantages of confederation. He named the individuals whom he wished to take part in the conference: Mr. Theophilus Shepstone to represent Natal, Mr. Richard Southey to represent Griqualand West, Mr. J. C. Molteno to represent the western province of the Cape Colony, Mr. John Paterson to represent the eastern province of the Cape Colony, a delegate from the Orange Free State, one from the South African Republic, Mr. James Anthony Froude, the historian, to represent Great Britain, and Sir Henry Barkly or Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Augustus Thurlow Cunynghame, who since March 1874 had been in command of the British troops
