I had learnt at the outset not to carry on public work with borrowed money. One could rely on people�s promises in most matters except in respect of money. I had never found people quick to pay the amounts they had undertaken to subscribe, and the Natal Indians were no exception to the rule. As, therefore, no work was done unless there were funds on hand, the Natal Indian Congress has never been in debt.

On one occasion during this tour the situation was rather difficult. We expected our host to contribute 6 shilling, but he refused to give anything more than 3 shilling. If we had accepted that amount from him, others would have followed the suit, and our collections would have been spoiled. It was a late hour of the night, and we were all hungry. But how could we dine without having first obtained the amount we were bent on getting? All persuasion was useless. The host seemed to be adamant. Other merchants in the towns reasoned with him, and we all sat up throughout the night, he as well as we determined not to budge one inch. Most of my co-workers were burning with rage, but they contained themselves. At last, when day was already breaking, the host yielded, paid down 6 shilling and feasted us. This happened at Tongaat, but the repercussion of the incident was felt as far as the Stanger on the North Coast and Charlestown in the interior. It also hastened our work of collection.

But collecting funds was not the only thing to do. In fact I had long learnt the principal of never having more money at one�s disposal than necessary.

To be continued...