HARRISMITH, a town in the Orange Free State, South Africa, situated in 28° 15' S., 29° 9' E., 261 m. from Durban; altitude, 5,321 feet. Pop. (1921), 2,546 Europeans, 3,654 non Europeans. It is situated near the Wilge river, and is an important trading centre. It was formerly a military centre. The town is laid out in wide, straight streets, many of which are lined with trees. The houses are built of local sandstone. A good water supply is led in pipes from the Platberg, a mountain about 8,000 ft. high, which rises immediately to the north of the town. The surrounding district is well watered, the annual rainfall being about 27 inches. Owing to the dry atmosphere, the strong sunlight and the comparative freedom from dust, the climate is beneficial to those suffering from chest troubles. In winter the nights may be very cool, and even in daytime the weather may be very bracing when the wind is blowing from the south or off the snows on the Drakensberg and Malutis. The town is named after its founder, Sir Harry Smith. Wool and hides are the principal productions. European pop. (193I) 2,722. (R. U. S.)