CRADOCK  , a

town of South Africa, capital of a division of the Cape province, in the upper valley of the Great Fish river, 181 m. by rail N. by E. of Port Elizabeth . Pop . (1904) 7762 . It is one of the chief centres of the wool industry of the Cape, and does also a large trade in ostrich feathers, mohair, &c . The town enjoys a reputation as one of the best health resorts in the province . It stands at an altitude of 2856 ft.; the climate is very dry, the average annual rainfall being 14.50 in . The mean maximum temperature is 77.6° F . Three miles N. of the town are sulphur baths (temp. roe F.) used for the treatment of rheumatism . In the neighbouring district survive a few herds of zebras, now protected by the game laws . The town dates from the beginning of the 19th century and is named after Sir John Cradock, governor of the Cape 1811-1813 . The division has an area of 3048 sq. m. and a pop . (1904) of 18,803, of whom 41% are white .