The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-24

dealer in diamonds, despatched Mr.. Gregory
to report upon the nature of the country whence
the diamonds were said to have been obtained,
and that person having posted over several
parts of the country which one had pro-
nounced to be diamondiferOus, ,Hreturned to Lon
don and reported that the rumors which had
been circulated we're without foundation, but
bad been trumped up for the purposes of land
spectators.
SPEEDY REPUTATION.
Only short time after this report had reached
the colony, one of the most splendid gems in
the world, 1.-THE Star of South Africa" dia-
mond OF the first water, weighing eighty-three
and half karats, was brought into the colony
by native and sold to Messrs. Lilienfeld q
Co., of Hope Town. This diamond subsequently
realized ga, 600. 1t can well be imagined that
discovery of this kind could not fail to have
an effect upon the colonists, and since then the
number of persons engaged in the search
for diamonds has gradually in
creased. At the present time there
are probably not less than two thou
sand persons encamped upon the banks of the
Vaal river, busiy engaged in digging, sitting,
and washing the soil, and the number of
diamonds they have discovered offers induce
ments which tend to add daily to their num-
bers. What effect these discoveries will have
upon the future of this colonyit is impossible to
foresee; but as diamonds have been found at
points separated by upwards of a hundred
miles, there is sufficient ground for believing an
important era in the history of South Africa is
approaching.
The diamond fields are situated near the
junction of the Vaal and Orange rivers, at
distance from Cape Town, in q northeasterly
direction, of about eight hundred miles. Immi-
grants arriving in Table Bay from Europe or
elsewhere will be in most favorable position
for laying in supplies, procuring cattle, vehi-
cles, and other necessaries. The line of main
road from Cape Town to the Orange river is
well constructed, and is kept in an efficient
state of repair. 1t is supplied with water in
sufficient abundance, and provides capital pas
turage for cattle.
Starting from Cape Town there are first fifty
eight miles by rail to Wellington. Thence to
Ceres come thirty-six miles more. The rest of
the distance is estimated at bullock-wagon
rates of from eighteen to twenty miles per day.
From Ceres through the Warm Bokkeveld to
Karoo Poort is two days In another day the
traveller arrives at Esau's; next at Patates
river; then at Driekop, where there is capi-
tai government dam; the next at
for man and beast The next principal stages
are Buffers river, Geelbeks river Blood river,
and go on to Beaufort West, which is three hun
dred and sixty miles from Cape Town, dis
tance indicating eighteen days by bullock.
wagon, or about eight by mules. Proceeding
thence, one day by ox-wagon brings us to Rhe-
nosterkop, government outspan, with plen-
titul supply of water; and another day to Nels
Poort From Nel's Poort to Richmond is
distance of seven days by ox-wagon, or about
130 miles; two days more suffice to reach Han
over Hope Town may then be reached at q
distance of about eighty miles. Hope Town is
geographically the nearest route. Leaving
Hope Town and crossing the Orange river by a
pont the traveller must pass through the arid
sandy region of Albania, past the Backhouse
Station, across the Vaal river, and by an exc
cradle road, and through the exigent Kafirs of
the Campbell Grounds, on the west side of the
Vaal, on to the Hart river, which also must be
crossed before reaching the long bend by which
his diamondiferous destination on at Kip
G other aoute by n' way Of 'cti eoesbsPs srs
to which the roads are easy and the travelling
Orange river is to Fauresmith, distance of
eighty miles, or four days by oX-wagon. Thence
the adventurer makes for Jacobsdal, about an
equal distance; and, indeed, now it is to this
point that most, even of the Hope Town people,
direct their aim instead of taking the west side
| of the Vaal. From Jacobsdal to Pniel is about
four days more, or eighty miles-and there the
| journey is completed.
| sons travel in wagons drawn by team of oxen
| numbering from twelve to sixteen, according
| to the weight of the load and the nature of the
roads. Should a more rapid progress be desira-
! BILE, mules and horses are substituted for oxen,
| but the expenses are greater than with the lat
| ter mode of locomotion. AS a proof of the
character of the roads to be traversed it is men
| toned that his Excelency Sir p. E. Wode-
house, the late Governor of the Colony, ira
versed the road between Wellington and the
Orange river in an American buggy, occupying
only eight days.
| MINING OPERATIONS.
At present operations have been carried on al
the diamond fields in the most primitive man
ner. The machinery has been of the rudest and
most simple character, and nothing like syste-
| matte search by competent persons has been
undertaken. Much remains to be done, but
sufficient has already been accomplished tc
prove beyond dispute that the diamond fields oi
South Africa are more than exceptionally pro-
ductiye. The natives residing in the vicinity o.
the diamond fields are peaceful and moderately
industrious, the country is free from dangerous
reptiles and beasts of prey, and the climate il
healthy and pleasant. The prices of provisions
on the spot are moderate; bread Cd. per pound
beef, Is; potatoes, G2 per bag of three bushels
flour, 60 los. for ditto; Indian corn, el los
ditto; brandy, 2s. Cd. per bottle; wine, Is. Cd
ditto; sheep los. each; butter, Is. Cd. per pound
and Kafr corn, SOS. per bag. Parties visitin!
the diamond fields usually lay in a stock o
culated to last them during their stay in tn
country, and in this way we are able to pur
chase at the most reasonable rates.
LUCK AND LABOR.
The success which will attend the labors O
the seekers after diamonds will greatly depen
upon the character of the person by whom tn
search is undertaken. Some, unquestionably
will be more lucky than others; but from th
private letter of gentleman at the diggings, W
gather that perseverance" is the most nece:
sary quality in diamond seeking, and is also, t
a considerable extent, wanting in many of th
parties. 'The luck, as they call It," says hi
belongs TO those who turn over the mot
ground, take kopje, and stick to 1t. The mi
take made by many is that of just turning owe
few stones and then running off to anoth6
place where they hear diamond is found"
GOLD YIELD.
AT the Tatin gold fields, which lie about fy
hundred miles beyond the diamond fields an
! .nruah hu mo hos i'm