The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-04-17
IIts 0rll,uue.
The south a frican Diamond Fields

We quote the following from an in
teresting article ii. .ScriJners for March.
on Life in the new Diamond Dissings"
of South Africa
The population Of the diggings is
rather mixed, but on the whole we'll dis
posed and law abiding. The English
element Iredominates. yet good mum
Der of Africans are here, some Germans,
and a sprinkling of FieHchmeH. Italians.
aud Spaniar,ls The Dutch hoers oi
course predamiuate III the surTnGi.,ling
country aud are numerous at the digg-
inas Is a rule they are not favoiltes !:
the English especially hate chem iear:i
j., aud their regard Is rcturnr,. with in-
tereSt. The Germans are more art 10
b. diamond dealers han diamond digg-
ers. Native laborcrs, KafirS. Koran
nas, and Hotteutots swarm at the fields
The .Zulus'' are the most trustworthy,
and the :resl,er they are tren: The ui-
coua.ry Kraals. the better Tic native
women about the camps are chiefly Hot
tentots AM Korauna@ They fnd ample
and profitable employment as washer
women. household ervants ctc.
i large number IF trades an1 rrofe>
sions are represented in the camps: car
penters, teutmakers, and black>iniths
find constant employment at rcnumera-
tive rates Butchers make rapid Forum
Is, the demand for meat being enormous.
Bakers and conitc'i1ners find quick u;ai-
ket for their wares at exorbitant prices.
Photographs are already on the ground,
and Du Toit's Pan has a mair; mcnial
agent There are also doctors, lawyers,
watch makers. and jewellers. Hotel
keepers, store-kcepers and auctioneers
are plentiful the last finding all the busi
ness they want, and as they get 10 per
cent. of the sales their profits are very
large
The hotels do rushing business:
three meals day are furnished; break
fast at eight IS tiffn (iuuchl at one, 2s,
dinner at six, 2s Cd a bed costs Is or
2s6d. Some diggcrs beard aud lodge
regular at the hotels but it is bad prac-
tice. The food suppliedis abundant but
of small variety-mutton and beef, yenl
son, few vegetables, white and brown
bread of Indifferent quality, and plenty
of tea and coffee. There is no STYLE
1 i Il
bows the gorgeously arrayed diamond
dealer, or the clergyman OF the camp
one man is as good as another, and all
are free aud easy.
Sunday is generally observed as day
of rest, and the churches are well attend
ed The Church Of England has regular
ehaplains at all the camps. with stated
places of worship at all the older sta
tions. The Methodist are well represent
ed, and SO are the Roman Catholics.
The beers are generally members of the
Dutch Reformed Church, but their re-
liglous feeling is not apt to the very fine,
or strong enough TO prevent their being
what the ankee diggers caN mean GUS
SEES. Collections have been made fer
the erection of permanent church-bulld-
Ings, and substantial structures are every
where taking the place of the insufficient
and unstable church tents heretofore in
use.
Amusements are well provided for.
We have already Theatre Royal tat
Du-Toit's PAM, where appreciatiye and
paying audiences are regularly gathered.
a grand Ballad Concert, with the comedy
of Delicate Ground and the farce OF
BOX and Cox" was the first perform
ance, by gentlemen amateurs. The price
Of seats is usually Is. Cd. IS Sd, or is.
for reserved seats. A company OF actors
and vocalists make regular tours OF the
diggings and find it profitable. We have
had circus stationed here for some
time, and it was well filled with merry
diggers Billiard tables are numerous in
every camp, and several bowling alleys
are doing "a roaring business. A young
man named Rogers has gained consider
able local fame for his comic singing and
banjo playing. Here is one Of his songs,
which has been extensively suag among
the diggers. Its chorus shows its origin
to have been at the riverside diggings -
DIGGER'S SONG