Cocks letter diary, 1916-1919 / Verner Cocks - Page 19
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[Page 19]
native baskets filled with them & bananas & pineapples (pineapples 3d per doz) & absolutely bombarded us. The harbour If the entrance to Sydney Harbour was at the Southern end of Manly Beach about two hundred yards wide & two big breakwaters ran out into the sea you would have Durban. This situated between the ocean & harbour frontages on a plain surronded by hills like those to the west & north of Manly which form the residential suburbs. The other side of the harbour is sandbanks & is not built on. We were allowed ashore about 2 pm & flocked into the city per trams & rickshas (1 ¾ miles to P.O.) & had real fun racing to the P.O. The trams were free to men in uniform & we made great use of them. The ricksha boys attracted our attention at first more than anything. They are fine big Zulus very tall & muscular with beautifully rounded limbs & lovely teeth which they clean with charcoal. They are painted up & ornamented with horns & feathers & quills of all colours according to their pulling capabilities
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