The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-11 00:00:00

ciated local services, and gladly acknowledged that
they had been most indefatigably rendered by the hon.
member Mr. Hadfield. But it was on broader and more
imperial grounds that their members were chosen, and
he should deeply regret if the constituencies of this
country should return their members for merely local
considerations. The highest ambition for a man in this
country
cwonasstittouebny
ec7
without anyturnedfree locally, tie o
absolutelyr connexion
freely,
oby
a
whatever. The tendency of public affairs appeared to
be to concentrate the interests of the country more and
more in the hands of the House of Commons, and if
large constituencies were even directly or indirectly to
ignore the services of men of large minds, honest pur-
poses, and incorruptible integrity, because of their ex-
tent of local connexion, it would reduce greatly the
weight of that house. (Cheers.)
Mr. M. Mresze—When I remember how many mem-
bers this West Riding sends to Parliament, who are
worthy ot:all your regard and interest, I do regret that
I alone stand here to answer for them. I feel thankful-
ness, however, in seeing next me, in renewed health and
vigour, my friend Mr. Roebuck—(cheers)—and I await
with the interest you all do the repetition of those bright
metallic, incisive sentences with which he delights us in
the House of Commons, and in which he so fairiy repre-
sents the staple commodities of this town. (Cheers and
laughter.) Though I may have pleasure in that, I do
regret that I do not see the face of one so familiar in the
House of Commons, and who, though not now exactly
now a member of Parliament, was yet long known to
you as such—l mean my friend John Parker. (Cheers.)
I am delighted to find so many associates in that feeling.
Gentlemen, the circumstance which comes to the mind
of every man who rises here or elsewhere at the present
moment is the war. We are all for the time being, when-
ever we come before the public, ministers of war ; and
it is so, because the event has come upon us so strangely,
even though not suddenly, that we, a pacific, benevolent,
and commercial nation—that we of all men desirous to
buy in the cheapest and sell in the dearest market—we
who never had a notion of injuring anybody, if at the
same time we did not injure ourselves—(laughter)—
we find ourselves at war with one of the greatest
Potentates of Europe, and going on step by step to
a series of consequences which I believe to have been
inevitable. This is indeed an event so appalling, so
engrossing, that it is just you should bear the repetition
of it. I will not, however, repeat what has fallen from
those who have preceded me, but I will call your at-
tention to circumstances connected with that war
which I think in many degrees palliate the atrocity of
the event, and reconcile us to the dispensation. In this
great contest in which we are engaged, I cannot help
seeing two benefits that have already accrued. The
one is the great and true alliance between the people
of England (cheers) not an alliance of casual
Sovereigns—not an alliance of evanescent dynasties,
but the foundation of an alliance of the peoples of the
two countries. (Cheers.) And when we read in the
public newspapers of the extreme intimacy which takes
Place between the soldiers of the two armies—that they
exchange their clothes in a state of happy unconscious.
ness, and that next morning when the English soldier
appears at drill it is with a pair of blue trousers, and
the French soldier in that astonishing vestment, the kilt
—(laughter and cheers)—we cannot suppose the trans-
mutation can take place to that extent without the hap-
piest and profoundest feelings of cordiality. But, never-
theless, the serious side of the question will present it-
self to us, and it is, indeed, a most solemn cause for
thankfulness. Even on this very day we have heard of
our gallant soldiers embarking for the Crimea along with
those who were heretofore considered and held to be our
ancient enemies, but whom God has made our firmest
friends. (Cheers.) We have had all along an erroneous
notion about the empire of Russia. We have heard
about the conspiracy and the connivance of the several
members of our Government, who it was thought had
such an enormous respect for the Emperor of Russia
that they would never go to war with him. Why, the
truth of the matter
,is, that the Emperor of Russia was
always held up by all the practical statesmen of this
country whom I have ever known to he one of the best
and most conservative of Sovereigns that the world was
ever blessed with. There are few men indeed who have
that absolute power with which the Emperor of Russia
is invested. There are men who believe that power is
in itself a source of danger. It makes weak men wicked,
and wicked men mad ; and there are men who believe
that the time is come when that power will burst through
all the dams which circumstances have raised about it.
(Cheers.) Therefore, we learn this great and beneficial
lesson—that in power modified by reasonable extensions
of the liberal institutions of a country we have not only
the best safety-valve against all internal commotion, but
also the best security for the peace of Europe and the
maintenance of that balance of power which is nothing
more or less than the defence of the weak against the
strong. (Cheers.) I stand here very much of a stranger,
but yet I feel that I am so entirely a Yorkshireman that
lam really no stranger. My family and yours both
come from the edge of Derbyshire, but we have become
such goad Yorkshiremen that we have forgotten all
about it. It has been alluded to that I have taken some
interest in the current literature of the country. I can
only say to you, gentlemen, that in doing that I have
found the greatest solace and delight of my life. And I
am sure you will appreciate the pleasures of literature
in this town of Sheffield, where, though you may be con-
sidered as devoted to habits of the most practical com-
mercial nature—where you can boast of a people the
most industrious on the face of the globe—where you
send your goods all over the world, so that Sheffield
writes its mark upon every table of the continent of
Europe, of America, and of Australia—you yet have
raised your own statue to Ebenezer Elliott, and have
paid your last respects to the memory of Montgomery.
(Cheers.) You who, combining with that great commer-
cial activity which surprises and delights the world the
exercise of those intellectual pursuits which make you
the superior manufacturers that you are—which make
the artisans of this town such people as can raise a pee=
ple's-college, which I believe will be a model institution
for the artisans of this country, and one which will ex-
ercise an influence and produce moral effects which it is
impossible for any one here to conceive. (Cheers.) I
thank you (the Master Culter) for your kindness in in-
viting me here to-day. I shall be very glad to meet you
at all times, and prove the interest and sympathy I feel
in the work of intellectual culture. And I trust, having
found myself here to-day, I shall have the pleasure some
other time of talking to you upon other matters which
it is far too late this evening to enter into. (Cheers.)
After some further toasts the meeting separated.

CONDITION AND PROSPECTS OF THE
MINERAL DISTRICT IN NAMAQUA-
LAND (CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.)

70 fold are common returns of its cereal produce,
whereas in Z wartland (called the granary of the colony)
12 to 15 fold are reckoned good returns.
For several months in the year good grazing is also to
be had for cattle and sheep, except in very dry seasons.
Water, it is true, is scarce, and generally bad, but, as
above stated, it is almost everywhere to be obtained, of
good quality, by digging to a small depth. Many fa-
vourable sites are also to he had for dams or tanks, which
will doubtless be appropriated for that purpose when the
country becomes sufficiently populated.
When a boer has from 30,000 to 40,000 acres of land,
as is now commonly the case, little improvement eau
be expected. Let the farms be cultivate ,I and the mines
opened, and it will be found that Namaqualai.d contains
more real wealth than the whole colony put together ;
for I have little doubt that all the country from the
Olifant's River to the Orange River abounds in mineral
wealth, and only wants to be thoroughly explored to
develope its riches,

The following papers have been presented by the
Governor of the Cape of Good Hope to both houses
of the first Colonial Parliament :
Wellington, June 19, 1854.
Sir,—His Honour the Lieutenant Governor having
expressed to me a desire to be furnished with a written
account of the geology of Namaqualand, from which
country I have lately returned, and that I should offer
any suggestions that might strike me as likely to be of
public utility in the altered circumstances of that remote
part of the colony, I have the honour to acquaint
you, for the information of his honour, that I most wil-
lingly comply with his honour's request; but at the same
time I must premise that my visit to the copper mines
was such a hurried one that I was precluded from mak-
ing such careful observations of the geological features of
the country as I could have wished. The following must
therefore be considered as a very rough and imperfect
sketch ; yet, as containing the opinion of a geologist, it
may be of some value to the public at this crisis, when
so many conflicting accounts are in circulation respect-
ing that now highly interesting territory.
Having had some professional duties to perform in the
division of Clanwilliam, I took that opportunity of mak-
ing a hasty trip to the copper mines of Namaqualand,
now so much spoken of, principally with a view of filling
up a gap in my geological map of Africa, and the result
of my journey has been to me highly gratifying.
Leaving, the village of Clanwilliam, I proceeded via
Zeekoe Valley and Heerelogement, to Bakkeley Pleats,
on the Lower Olifants River, the road being, all the
way, exceedingly heavy and sandy. At the last men-
tioned place the sandstone rocks, such as those that cap
the Table Mountain, Stellenbosch Mountains, Bain's
Bass, &c., entirely disappear, and a mica schist of a
very bright silvery appearance, with large milk-white
quartz veinsAtake their place. After crossing the river
here, some hills, nearly entirely composed of pure white
quartz and decomposed clayslate, attract the attention
of the geologist, and I have been told that, in this neigh-
bourhood, some excellent specimens of graphite or
plumbago, and other valuable minerals, have been dis-
covered, but I did not see any of them myself, nor can I
vouch for the correctness of the report.
The whole of the distance from this place to Koke-
neap (16 miles), is a flat country covered with blown
sand, under which is the substratum of coarse brown
calcareous tuffa resting on mica slate.
From Kokenaap we enter what is called the " Harde-
veldt," which forms a marked contrast to the sandy
country, on the southern aide of the Olifants River, for
here the roads are good and hard, and hence the name
of " Hardeveldt."
An hour's ride beyond Kokenaap, the first granite
hill begins to show its head above the extensive Karoo
Flats, which here bound the horizon on all sides ; and
as we advance to the northward these hills increase in
number and altitude, all of them rich in veins of white
quartz. Water begins to get scarce and brackish,
though there are many situations on private property,
well adapted for the formation of dams, if taken advan-
tage of, that would contain water the whole year through.
At Zout River I found some fine specimens of porphy-
ritic granite, and at Louis Fontein a beautiful red-
spotted rock, resembling in appearance the Egyptian
porphry of Znurberg, in the Uitenhage division, but
much softer.
Our route still continues through granite hills with
broad white veins of quartz (hut no appearance of gold),
till we reach the foot of the Kamies Bergen, when they
suddenly become a confused mass of rugged and lofty
mountains—
" Hills over hills and Alps on Alps arise."
We are now in Klein Namaqualand and fast approach-
ing the copper regions. The roads become steep and
undulating, though of such a nature as easily to be con-
verted into good ones. Leaving the Kainies Bergen be-
hind, we descend a very tortuous route to the missionary
station of Kamaggas, a wretched-looking place, as far
as buildings go, there being only the missionary's house
and one or two other small walled houses, the rest being
merely a Namaqua kraal, consisting of a few mat huts.
There is, however, a beautiful little stream of fresh
water, the first I had yet seen in Namaqualand, which
will doubtless fix this locality as the future capital of the
milling regions.
Twenty miles' ride over a good level road, in a north-
easterly direction from Kamaggas, brings us to Messrs.
Phillips and King's celebrated mine "Spectakel,"
situated near the confluence of the Koueie and Schaap
rivers. Here the surface indications are very strong,
the green carbonate of copper boiling out, as it were,
through the gneiss rocks in all directions.
This mine, or rather quarry (fur it resembles the
latter more than the former), has been worked to the
depth of about 20 feet, and on descending into it pre-
sents, on the Northern side, exactly the appearance
which geologists call an "anticlinal axis." It is one
mass of green carbonate, and brown oxide of copper,
with only some thin strata of gneiss intervening, which
latter distinctly show the shape of the anticlinal arch.
The bottom of the mine consists of a round mass of
gneiss without any appearance of ore ; yet the miners
told me that they intended to blast through it, as rich
beds of ore would be found below ; so that there is no
telling to what depth they may go. There are large
heaps of valuable ore thrown away at the entrance of the
mine, which, on account of the heavy laud-carriage to
Hondeklip Bay, will not pay to ship to England.
The ore sent away generally yields about 45 per cent.
of copper on an average, and I was assured on the best
authority that one miner and two assistants will quarry
and prepare for shipment a ton per day. This, when
worked on a large scale, ought to pay well, being worth
nearly 401. per ton.
In this neighbourhood are numerous mines, many of
them rich in surface indications, but none of them has
yet been worked, except one of Mr. Daniel, who is No.
2 on the centre of Messrs. Phillips and King.
Mining in South Africa is so different to what it is in
Europe that many of the best miners frequently find
themselves at fault ; for when they imagine they are
working in a vein or lode, to their surprise they find
they are in a quarry of unbounded mineral riches.
Leaving the mining district of Schaap and Kousi
rivers, where Mr. J. 0. Smith and many others are the
fortunate lessees of the richest and most promising
mines of the country, I ascended the "Spectakel"
Mountain to visit the mines of the famed Springbok
Fontein, the property of Messrs. Phillips and King.
Oh the way I saw several indications of copper, and
from the mountain's summit had a beautiful view of the
surrounding country.
It has generally been reported that no other rock but
granite was to be found in Namaqualand, but from this
mountain I could distinctly see three different geological
formations —viz., granite, gneiss, and mica schist—in
regular sequence, the latter being different from any of
its contemporaries in other parts of the colony, as con-
taining massive beds of cellular sandstone, filled with
small quartz pebbles, and very distinctly stratified.
In speaking of the different formations to be found in
Namaqualand, I may here observe that all the copper
mines I have met with are invariably situated about the
junction of the granite and gneiss rocks, and never, so
far as I am aware, has any indication of copper been
found there in the mica schist. Unfortunately, the lots
of many persons whose leases of "Mineral Centres"
from Government were chosen because they were near to
those known to be rich, are in the mica schist, and
consequently good for nothing.
Springbok Fontein is situated about four hours, ride on
horseback beyond "Spectakel," the road being merely a
bridle path, very steep and stony, and the view not always
pleasing to the eye, from the great quantity of bare
a
destitutett ihmi
ee ior rf oprnhmao
kueoersfd
Ngvri
vegetation,at hn oi tu beadset m
oo
vufi
ensf
fissure
uaNt
%hri.
enee ,reo
xrracu-
echgprgi
:ct,?ks e,obvmae:
sireleyl
sdwp
oahpft ece tghrefnee
serear
,
red and brown lichens, which only add to their dreary
appearance.
The mines are situated in rather a pleasant valley (an
owes in the desert) ; and here we already behold the
nucleus of a rapidly rising village.
It has been said that Namaqualand is perfectly desti-
tute of water, but by sinkug here to the depth of a few
feet the best of water has been procured ; and from the
geological construction of the country, I feel certain
that, by digging to a very slight depth, good water will
be sure to be found in every valley.
The mines here differ little, save in shape, from that
of " Spectakel ;" like the latter the external indications
are exceedingly rich, and only want common quarrymen
to work them, except for the selection of exportable ore.
Specimens of ore containing 75 per cent, of copper are
frequently picked up here on the surface. Malachite,
blue carbonate of copper, and minute particles of gold,
are also found here ; but the latter, when the copper
ore is so rich and easily obtained, is not worth looking
after,

One of the greatest drawbacks to Namaqualand is the
intense heat of summer, with the present scarcity and
badness of the water. Some parts or the country, such
as the Bushman Flats, for instance are entirely aban-
doned in the summer for want of water, till the rains
fall, when the beers (as above-mentioned) immediately
trek, thither.
The general physical appearance of the country is, on
the whole, not unlike that of the neighbourhood of Cape
Town, only the mountains of the former are granite and
gneiss, while the latter are clay slate and sandstone ;
still we have the same ranges of mountains running
parallel to the coast, with the same sandy plains inter-
vening.

Without some grand improvements in the roads the
mining companies never can advance. Hundreds of
tons of ore are now lyirg at the different mines, which
the proprietors cannot get conveyed to the coast at ally
price.
The distance from Hoadeklip Bay to Kamaggas is be-
tween thirty and forty miles, the whole being a nearly
level sandy flat. To make this plain available for easy
transport, one line of tramway for horse traction might
be laid down on the mcst economical principles lately
introduced into England and America. To effect this
desirable object the different mining companies should
engage a company in England to lay down the tram-
way, each insuring the said company a certai❑ number
of loads per annum, which they could very easily do, as
soon as they had opened a small portion of their mineral
quarries.

• The tramway might, in time, be extended to " Spek-
takel," where a good retd can be made up the mountain
to " Springbok," or alolg, the " Shaap River," towards
<<Concordia," both of which lines are central for the
mining districts.
When these improvements are effected, the transport
would not amount to one-third of its present price, and
much valuable ore which is now thrown away would
become available :or exportation.
Many improvements may also be made in the manner
of shipping the ore at Hondeklip Bay, and in the cha-
racter of the craft employed in that trade ; but those
matters I shall leave to nautical men, who understand
them better than I do.
Trusting that the above sketch and suggestions may
be of some publicutility, I have, &c.,
(Signed) A, G. BAIN.
The Honourable the Colonial Secretary.

To his Honour Charles Darling, Eeq., administrator
of the government of the Cape of Good Hope, &c.
The memorial of the undersigned merchants, land-
owners, and others connected with and interested in the
proper ,developreant of the mineral resources of that
part of the colons, lying between the Koussu of Buffalo
and the Orange (liver. commonly known by the name of
Little Namaqualand, humbly sho weth-
-Ist. That front information receired through parties
who have visited the locality alluded to, a portion of
your Honour's memorialists, smile eighteen months ago,
became convinced of the fact that copper ore in abun-
dance existed it that quarter, and, with a view of placing
the matter beyond doubt, incurred considerable expense
in sending expeditions to examine the locality, and to
ascertain the expediency of working and turning to ac-
count the inimral riches of the country. Each succeeding
investigation 'raving, in the opin:oe of your memorialists,
tended greatlf to increase the importance of the subject,
and some of your memorialists having determined upon
commencing operations, leases were applied for and
granted by the colonial government on terms nearly
simlar to those under which copper mines have been,
and are now being, worked in the Australian colonies,
which terms and regulations were published in the Go-
vernment gazette of this colony, under date of 13th
September 1853.
2d. That by virtue of such leases, and under such re-
gulations, a portion of your memorialists have already
opened several rich lodes of copper ore, and have proved
beyond doubt that mining operations would be highly
profitable, were it not for the almost insurmountable
difficultbs in getting the produce of the mines conveyed
to the p,rt of shipment. The distance of the mineral
deposits from the sea coast, the bad state of the roads to
be travelled over, which, with increased traffic, will become
altogetaer impassable, the extreme scarcity of labour,
and, above all, the miserable and desert character of the
country—all combine to render the transit of ore from
the miles to the sea not only a most arduous task, but
attended with expense which may justly be termed enor-
mous and unwarrantable.
3d. That in the opinion of your Honour's memorialists,
the most effectual mode of overcoming the foregoing ob-
stacles, and of developing and turning to profitable ac-
count the mineral treasures of the country, would be
the construction of a railway or tramway, from Hondek-
lip Bay (the place of export) to a central position in
the vicinity of the mines, the terminus of which could
be made easily approachable by the formation of common
roads from a large number of the centres already leased
from the Colonial Government. The capital which
would be required to construct such means of communi-
cation would be very considerable and difficult to raise
within the limits of this colony ; but your memorialists
have little doubt of their being able to get the requisite
funds advanced by English capitalists, provided sufficient
advantages were offered for investment of money in the
scheme.
4th. That the great drawback against your memo-
rialists either investing their own funds, or obtaining the
necessary means from other sources, fir the formation
of the railroad or tramway alluded to, is the shortness
of the leases, under which the mines are at present held,
the early expiry of which would, in all probability, pre-
vent the shareholders from receiving that fair remunera-
tion which, under different circumstances, might be
justly calculated upon as a return for the investment of
their capital. Your memorialists, therefore, beg re-
spectfully to draw your Honour's particular attention to
this point, and trust that, with your sanction, the Colo-
nial Government will, on due consideration, see the ex-
pediency of removing, as far as possible, the obstacles
which at present exist in the way of carrying out a plan
of such importance to the welfai e and prosperity of the
mining district, and of the colony at large.
sth. That to obviate the difficulties above alluded to,
and to place your memorialists and the public in a posi-
tion to carry into execution the improvements contem-
plated, with a reasonable prospect of ultimate remunera-
tion, it is respectfully suggested that the Government
should adopt one of the two following propositions,
which, according to the ideas of your memorialists,
would tend greatly to !lie removal of the serious objec-
tions which at the present mornent oppose the project.
1. That the term of the present leases should be ex-
tended from 15 to 09 years. or in freehold on the p ty-
merit of 15 years' rent, on the same terms as those under
which they are now granted, on condition that the lessees
form, or cause to be formed, a tramway or railroad for a
distance of at least 40 miles, in the direction alluded to
in paragraph three of this memorial, it being understood
that such crown lands as may be required for the for-
mation of the said road shall be granted free from ex-
pense by the Colonial Government ; and, on the other
hand, that a reasonable rate of carriage per ton shall be
fixed for the conveyance of ore belonging to parties not
having shares or otherwise interested in the scheme.
2. That, otherwise, the Colonial Government shall
take upon itself the task of making the said railroad,
charging either a reasonable fixed rate of carriage on the
ore, &c., conveyed along the line, or be paid a certain
Per centaere, in the shape of export duty, on each ton of
ore passing through the port of shipment.
Gth. That convinced as your Honour's memorialists
are of the great importance of the mineral deposits of
Little Namaqualand, and of the advantages which would
accrue to the colony by the riches of that country being
developed, they venture to express a hope that your
Honour will kindly give the subject early attention, and
if possible recommend to the approaching Parliament
the necessity of taking some steps towards the realisation
of the project referred to in this memorial.
7th. In conclusion your Honour's memorialists have
to remark that there are other important matters con-
nected with Namaqualand, and highly essential to the
prosperity and welfare of that district, such as the esta-
blishment of a seat of magistracy, regular postal commu-
nication, &c., which will probably be made the subject
of a future memorial.
And your memorialists, as in duty bound, will ever
pray.

(igned)
A. CHIAITINI and
PRINCE, COLLISON, and CO., JOHN KING,
forty others. Co., and
Co., HAMILTON Ross and Co.

Colonial-office, 12th July, 1854.

Gentlemen,—l am directed by the Lieutenant-Go-
vernor to acknowledge the receipt of a memorial which
ho received from you on the 22d ultimo upon the subject,
mainly, of the construction of a railroad or tramway
from the mines of Namaqualand to the sea coast, and
alleging the necessity of an extension of the terms of
the present leases for mining lands in that part of the
colony.
His Honour has given the subject of your memorial
full consideration, with the advantage of such informa-
tion as he has been able to collect from various sources,.
There seems to be no doubt that the value of the
mineral deposits of the district is very great, and that it
far surpasses any idea which had been formed of it, when
the regulations under which the present system is in
operation were established.
It must be observed that these regulations were in-
tended tc stimulate explorations and enterprise, with a
view to the development of unascertained natural wealth,
rather than give the c Tony arge all the benefit which
it ought to derive from tlr3 undoubted exisie,.ce of tbat.
wealth, upon a scale calculated greatly to increase its
revenues, while leaving ample and even extraordinary
profits to individual enterprise.
Admitting, therefore, the disadvantages under which
the lessees of these lands labour with respect t transport
to the coast, yet, as it is calculated from data placed be-
fore the Government, that the ore can be raised and
brought to sale in Eogland under all the existing disad-
vantages, at an average cost of about 131. a ton, v.hile
its gresx value per ton may be estimated at from 30/. to
401, -llhi lonour cannot thiulc that any aesi4tanco

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBIR 11, 1

from Government or from the revenue of the colony can
be requisite for the constr7.ction of a rail or tramway
which is contemplated.
Still less can his Honour believe that with such pro-
spects of profitable investment any prolongation of the
leases beyond the period of fifteen years upon the pre-
sent terms, can be essential in order to obtain the neces-
sary aid from capitalists in the mother country ; but he
conceives, on the contrary, that the course which jus-
tice to the colony requires would rather he, to release
from their engagements such of the present holders of
leases as may within the first t welve months furnish
their diagraois to Government, who are di.s.disfied with
their prospects, and to put up their leases to public
competition, subject to their being reimbursed by the
new lessee for any improvements or buildit.gs which
they may have already made.
By this course his Honour believes that much larger
rents would be obtained than those which are at present
paid to Government, even with the full knowledge on
the part of the new lessees that they would have to con-
struct the tramroad without the direct intervention of
Government, and with a probability that a portion of
tneir profits will be arrested as a contribution to the
public revenue, either by way of export duty or such
other mode as the Legislature may determine upon.
It is possible, however, that the Legislature may be
disposed to guarantee a loan for the purpose of con-
structing a tram or railroad, and his Honour proposes
to bring the subject generally under their consideration,
by placing before them such documents as the Govern-
ment possesses, calculated to give information as
to the nature of the operations carrying on, and likely
to be prosecuted, in the district, and to apply for the
necessary provision for a magisterial establishment and
other local officers in the district. The precise nature
of these measures must, however, in a great degree,
depend upon the nature of the report which the
Lieutenant-Governor may receive from the surveyor-
general, who is about shortly to proceed to
the
district.

Arrangements for extending postal communication
into the district are likewise in progress.--I have, &c.,
(Signed) RAWSON W. RAWSON, Colonial Secretary.
To Messrs. Prince, Collison, and CI.,
E. Chiappini, J. King, and others.

Cape Town, July 10, 1854.
Sir,—l am instructed by the directors of the South
African Mining Company to enclose the within memo-
rial (addressed to his Honour 0,, Lieutenant-Governor)
to you, and request the favour of your laying the same
before him at your earliest convenience.—)rrour obedient
servant,

R. CLARENCE, Seoretary,
The Hon. Rawson W. Rawson, Esq.,
Secretary to Government.

Cape Town, 28th June, 1854.
The memorlal of the undersined merchants, land-
owners, and others connected with and interested in
the proper development of the mineral resources of
that part of the colony known as Little Namaqualand,
' showeth :
That a largo tract of land lying on the borders of the
Orange River, in the vicinity of Missionary Drift,
having been lately explored by agents of the South
African Mining Company, and several private indi-
viduals, residents of this colony, is found to contain great
mineral riches, especially copper ore, to an extent which
appears almost inexhaustible.
That in pursuance of the terms and regulations which
were published in the Government Gazette of the 13th
September, 1853, a p rtion of your memorialists have
already opened several lodes of copper ore ; but they
have found almost insurmountable difficulties in the way
of a profitable prosecution of their labours. The great
distance, of from fifty to eighty miles, the copper ore
must be carried for shipment, through a country desti
tote of roads, where little vegetation exists, and so barren
that no animals can subsist for the greater part of the
year, except on forage obtained from a distance—these,
with the extreme scarcity of labour combine to render the
transit of ore not only a must arduous work, but in cost
excessively great.

That, in the opinion of your Honour's memorialists,
the most effectual mode of overcoming the foregoing ob-
stacles would be the construction of atramway or hard
road, from the mines to the place of export at Home-
wood's Bay, an undertaking which would absorb a vast
amount of capital, and which could not be expected to be
entered upon unless a fair remuneration was guaranteed
for the investment.

That the great drawback against your memorialists
either investing their own funds or obtaining the ne-
cessary means from other sources for the formation of the
tramway or road alluded to, is the shortness of the leases
under which the mines are at present held, -which would
prevent a sufficient amount of success being held out to
those interested as an encouragement to the investment
of their capital, and would, in fact, be a most formidable
obstacle to entering upon anything permanent or satis-
factory.

That to remove the difficulty it is respectfully sug-
gested to your honour that the term of lease to be ex-
tended to a period of 33 years, instead of 15 years as at
present held, with the power of renewal from time to
time, while the works are actually being carried on ; or
instead of the lease of 33 years, that the grants be con-
verted into freehold, on payment of 15 years' rent, or
whatever else the Government may think fair or reason-
able under the present circumstances ; and further, that
provision be made, so that leases may be transferable.
It would then afford holders an opportunity, by
making exchanges, to bring their property nearer to
one spot, all at present having them scattered over a
large surface as their discoveries have chanced to be
opened.

That it would be a great advantage to the lease-
holders that a commissioner should be appointed to
visit the district for the purpose of correcqy survey-
ing the country and ascertaining the correctness of the
centres as laid down 'and applied for, the establishment
of a seat of magistracy, regular postal communication,
&c.

That, convinced as your Honour's memorialists are of

the great importance of the mineral deposits of Little
Namaqualand, and of the advantages which would ac-
crue to the colony by the riches of that country being
developed, they venture to express a hope that your
Honour will give tha subject early att,ntion by re-
commending it to the approaching Parliament or other-
wise, so that no time may be IoA in taking some seeps
towards the realisation of the project referred to iu this
memorial.

And your memorialists, &c.,
J. LETTERSTEDT,
Chairman of the South African Mining Company.
By order of the Board of Directors, C. IG. H. Mining
Company—Ewan Christian, Acting Secretary. Wm.
Homewood, L. P. Ca.uvin. John Reid, J. M. ‘Ventzel,
Geo. Thompson, Geo. C. Dodd, McDonald, Busk and
Co., Timinas Rudd, pro E. J. Jerram, J. Letterstedt,
holders of mineral leases in the vicinity.
To his Honour Charles Henry Diirling, Esq., Ad-
ministrator of the Government of the Cape of Good Hope.

Coloni:tl.office, 15th July, 1354.

Sir,--I am directed by the Liewenant Governor to
acknowiedge the receipt of your letter of the 10th inst.,
enclosing a memorial foorn several merchants, landowners,
and others connected with, and interested in, the develop-
ment of the mineral resources of Little Namaqualand.
The subject of this representaLion having been al-
ready before his Honour in a memorial, of a very
similar nature, from a numerous body of gentlemen
concerned in the same enterprise, his Honour has come
to the conclusion that, upon the showing of the
parties interested in these mineral lands, there is
no sufficient ground for believing that an ex-
tension of the present leases, which were granted for the
purpose of encouraging the discovery and exploration of
mineral wealth in this remote part of the colony, rather
than for the working of fields of ore which have proved
to be so rich and accessible, is necessary either to induce
parties to embark in these highly promising undertak-
ings, or to advance funds for the construction of every
facility which will be found necessary for their develop-
ment and successful prosecution.
It also appears to his Honour that the Legislature
might justly complain if, before it has had an opportunity
of pronouncing its opinion upon the manner in which
this newly-discovered wealth may be best turned to the
general interest of the colony, the Government should
anticipate its action, and fetter its arrangements, by any
extension of the present exploring leases.—l have, &c.,
(Signed)
RAwsON W. RAWSON, Colonial Secretary,
Richard Clarence, Esq., Secretary to the
S. A. Mining Company.

THE PORT OF HARWICH. —This ancient and once
flourishing seaport seems destined to revive again, and
to share with its various competitors the increasing com-
mercial traffic between this country and the continent
of Europe. On Saturday next the first of a fleet of
steamers, belonging to the North of Europe Steam
Navigation Company, will commence running between
Harwich and Antwerp. The traveller will be landed
at the latter port within twelve hours after leaving
London.

[Anyzanszitimr.]—Her Majesty's Royal Letters Patent for
valuable and extraordinary improvements in the most power-
ful and brilliant Telescopes, Camp, Race course,Opeioknow
Opera, and
Perspective Glasses(glazed with Munic -
German Glass), the distances of objects viewed through them—oft great im-
portance to the army, navy, and others. Messrs. S. and B.
Solomons, opticians, 39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly. Ob-
serve—opposite the York Hotel.— These telescopes possess
such extraordinary powers that some 3i inches, with an ex-
tra eye-piece, will. show distinctly Jupiter's moons, Saturn's
ring, and the double stars ; with the same telescope can be
seen a person't countenance three miles and a half distant,
and an object from 12 to 14 miles. They are of larger and all
sizes, with increasing powers accordingly.—The Royal Ex-
hibition, 1851.—Valuable, newly-invented, very small,
powerful waistcoat-pocket glass, the sizeof a walnut, by which
a person can be seen and known 1 miles distant ; they answer
2
every purpose ou the race-course, and at the opera houses,
country scenery, and ships are clearly seen at 8 to 10 miles.
They are invaluable for shooting, deer-stalking, yachting, to
sportsmen, gentlemen, gamekeepers, and tourists. Opera,
race-course, camp, and perspective glasses, with wonderfnl
power ; an object can be clearly seen from 10 to 12 miles
distant. Spectacle Lenses of the greatest transparent power.
The valuable advantage derived from this invention is, that
vision becoming impaired is preserved and strengthened, and
very aged persons are enabled to employ their sight at the most
mi auto occupation—can see with these lenses of a much less inag;-
nifying power—and they do not require the frequent changes
to the dangerous effects of further powerful assistance. Deaf.
ness—New Discovery.—The Organic Vibrator, an extraordi-
nary powerful, small, newly-invented instrument for deafness,
entirely different from all others, to surpass anything of the
kind that has been, or probably ever can be, produced.
Being of the same colour as the skin, is not perceptible ; it
enables (leaf persons to hear distinctly at church and at
public assemblies ; the unpleasant sensation of siuzing noises
iu the ears is entirely removed ; and it affords all the assist-
ance that , possibly, could be desired,-39, AlbenArle-otreeti
OherVetr opposite the Ye* 4091.,