History: Architectural and historical-This imposing building was erected by Sir Melmoth Osborne, resident magistrate of Newcastle (1868-75). Sir Rider Haggard took occupation in January 1881 and the Royal Commission which drew up the terms of the Pretoria Convention first met here. The so-called Hilldrop House and the land on which it stands, situate on Subdivision 36 (a sub-division of 1) of the farm Bosch Hoek 3345, in the County of Klip River, Province of Natal, and measuring (20,2343) hectares.
