The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1872-04-06
~.~ ANOTHER OTHER CALIFORNIA. ~ lI.'9 l.~.l |
The Great GslA ard Diamond Flssas II
'f'''- 'i~N :N3U. IL --f'

The Great Geld and Diamond Flells
Africa. ''o'''r ~
f1ro0 ~ seisntiAc Press, March o.l -
1t seems almost certain that Great Bri,
: ain has Or eoon win come into quiet posse.
sion of one of the richest and most impo,
tant regions On ssrth-snotl,er Qsliforni
IN fact. worth VASTLY moro than slssis Al,
trslisD posscssions. The climate Of the r.
gion Is very much like that Of Californi,
and It 10 eqaslly 10 valuable for tho variet
and large yield Of Ito agricultural produc
tons. The country is well timbered, an.
watered by the Orange river-a noble strean
larger and longer than the Sacramento
though as yet but little explored. The goh
discoveries have been made In the noun
tsins st the head waters Of this river and Il.
tributaries; while the diamond fields, ar'
located in what corresponds to our foothills
History shows that nothing hastens coloni.
z.ti"n like the discovery Of gold; and with
both gold AID diamonds, added to . coun.
try Of unusual climatic and agricultural I'd
vantages, We can see nothing hut . brilliaa,
| AOsOS0 4V tuC S8t08S GI OOI8OO.
Tl1E DIAMOND FIELDS, 'm"
In their geological structure. arc very much
like portions of the Table Mountain Range
OF this State-cleaIly of volcanic drift-
pebbly strata intermingIcd with tufa scoriae
The diamonds are found in the wash from
these deposits where they have been cut
| 1hrnrUh nv e,arAosu c~rc~.,.
The "6nds" have sometimes been won.
derful. and several millions of dollars have
already been realized from the diamonds
which have been taken to Europe. The
precious stones are sometimes found near
the surface, but more frequently the dia.
mond- seeker goes down 10, 20 or so feet
deep tO reach the strata in which the object
"f his search is found. The latter figure is
tue greatest depth yet opened. The ''dig.
gings" are considered quite ~ good as those
'of Brazil or even GolcondA The claims
80 feet squsre-are staked out by govern.
ment officers. who collect licenses accor-
ding tn the number Of hands employed in
each claim-about AZ cents for each hand
per month. The revenue derived from this
source is devoted to maintaining order,
which is everywhere preserved. The actual
workers are mostly natives who labor for
Is cents per day or SO cis. and nations.
There 10 no danger of the natives stealing
the diamonds very severe penalty 10 put !
upon any person buying diamond from
native. and they can 60 no where else to
sell them.
THE Ola NoND CRAWL.
The strata In which the diamonds are |
found when first brought to the surface 10
very hard. 1t soon, however, "slacks" and
s then washed in rockers, similar to the
% gold rockers." The heavy matter result. }
ng from these wnshirgs. and which 10
'aved to examine for diamonds, consists
mostly of fine red gravel and variOusly COL
'red stones, similar to those found upon
be beach Mt Psscsdcro. and upon the banks
# the Sacramento at Martinez. This mat.
er is dried and spread out upon / table
vhcre it Is thoroughly examined for dia>
n 'nds; which is usually done by the claim
'olders or members of bis family; many
# the diamond>huntcrs being heads of
antilles who have heretofore resided in the
icinity of the mines or in Cape Colony
rom 300 to6O0 miles to the south. Tie
diamonds by working are entirely separated
rom alcdirt. and generally come out bright
nd clear Is drops of water. They bowev.
: require cutting and polishing 10 bring
ut the glitter aud sparkle Of the true dia.
sond. i, .a..,'.. s5.t. ...-. .a..a
AT the Mineralogical Museum of Mr. II.
J. Hanks, G49 Clay street, specimens can
e seen showing the geological character of
he region. AT that place may be seen . ,
pecimen Of the "upper crust" - II IL ,
alled, which lies Immediately under the Q
'ose soil; then the material in which the .
Ismonds are found, corresponding to the =
cascahalo" Uf Brazil, which IL seen Ia the \
filings or residue Of the washing Of this j
showing the minerals with which 4
'e diamonds are associated, and which it +
i'll he seen, Is identical In character with I,
e wsll.kpown Pescadero pebbles. The
almonds themselves. however, ,srs not to
, seen-they sreWrather tho valuable for
zen such wonderful cabinet q u cxhibi.
: Mr., Hancks. These specimens were OBJ
ined from Mr.. J!W. Riley, who has Re. }
ntly returned from tho diamond fields. y
......... ORDER AND QUIET "a @@ : q
verywhere prevails No work 10 done on .
e Sabbath; the. native colonists, who BY a
eis number give character 70 The conuu. e
y have ever been aquiet. isdustrious. r
" abiding people,. respecting 10Th The q
~ of God and man, and always keeping ol
> eSsbbath day holy. The English -au. y
oriiies insist upon; continuing this custom. II
le consequences =. that life and property VI
asisafs there = In. any part of ths world. ~
hebsTaG GOLD DIoCovERY. Il Z. =" tl
A. already noticed. these discoveries have q
en recently made md afe nox confirmed. p
'e gold u found ip ths lrapsvasl Repsb. -
along the gUppsr waters Of the ryars, ia
Dve sbe diamond fields, In ran9s Of u
'uotains quite = extensive and elevated b
tbs Sierra Nsvada. and very closely ~ es
Asltns them IL Airccti0n, position with r.
knrd "a the -. md aenAral 9ooaneica1 Al