taking into account the Natal countryside - there was no way an immigrant could make a living here on . Thus Moreland found it extremely difficult to obtain suitable land, i.e. well-watered, with good soil, access to timber for firewood and building purposes, and within easy distance of either Pietermaritzburg or Durban. Many emigrants rejected their allotments as not worth the payment of survey fees, and either found jobs in the towns, or purchased or leased land at very little cost elsewhere. They were certainly not going to buy Byrne’s land at 5/- an acre. Things went from bad to worse, and eventually in September 1850, Byrne surrendered his estate. References History of South Africa