Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-04-13
A NEW Ell DORADO.
The Great Gold and Silver Mines of tho
Dark Enptin.nt

AhC oASal UOtd 6nu silver MINES Oh tn6
Dark Continent.
The United States Consul st Cape Town
has forwarded report to the State Depart
ment, upon the South African gold-fields.
an abstract of which has been examined
by the RECORD UNION. II is a very inter-
esting document. According to Consul
Hollis the gold-bsaring section is very ex-
tensive and rich. 1t would be satisfactory
report if we knew just what the qualifica-
tons of the Consul are for Judging of the
value of gold fields. But we must assume
that he has reported with caution and upon
reliable information, in addition to his per-
sonal judgment based on observations.
He says that we of the United States cannot
have an idea of the extent and richness of
the Transvaal fields without personal ex-
perience upon the ground, and that even
the English, who control the adjacent col
ony, have but just awakened 10 their i'm
mense wealth, which appears to be mex
haustable. He invites attention to the fact
that the reports of the immense wealth of
the Kimberly diamond-tields were discred-
tied for many years, while as matter of
fact their output in the twenty years pre-
ceding 1885 exceeded two hundred millions
diamond markets of the world. Mr.. Hollis
made most of his examinations at and
in the neighborhood Of Johannesburg,
that place row having a population
of IA 900 whites, and being a most substan-
TALLY built city. The fields for mining
cover an area of 1,500 square miles, and
are distant from Cape Town 647 miles, 347
being by rail, and the remainder of the dis
lance is covered by coach transportation
There is shorter land route by 200 miles.
but it involves $50 miles more of sea VOYAGE
to reach the land starting point The rail
service is good, the coaching excellent, the
scenery picturesque, the officials polite, the
accommodations along the route iolerable.
This is prospect that will make old-time
gold seekers of the Pacific coast and of
Australia stare, for the generally accepted
idea OF the search for gold is accompanied
by the belief that privation and hardship
are inseparable from it, and this certainly
has been the experience in this country and
in Australia. In one district visited bv
Mr.. Hollis fifteen reefs or lodes have been
opened up, and are from two to fifteen fee.
in width, widen in descent and increase in
richness accordingly. The pay is from one
to seven ounces OF 22-carat gold q ton. and
the cost of working is about 81 Labor is
cheap and plentiful, the Kaffrs making
excellent workers at 10 cents a day. In
consequence dividends by the companies
of per cent. per month are not sur
prising. Gold is not the only product
of these fields, for silver is found in
paying quantities, and the Consul is
inspired by what he has seen to declare
that he believes the region will prove
the richest silver-bearing section ia the
world The results of some trials of
ores are reported that sound ike
the echoes of the old mining ex-
elements of the Pacific coast. when
fabulous assays were as common as water.
An abstract of the Consul's report con-
tlnues: IL must be borne in mind that
this is only the beginning of mineral dis
covery in that country. Thousands Of
square miles, which. in all probability.
will prove equally productive are yet held
by the ultra conservative Beers, who will
not permit prospector to appear within
their limits. An offer of 100000 has no
more effect on their cupidity than the offer
OF so many cents. In fact, the Consul does
not believe they realize the value of money.
One gentleman informed him that he once
purchased a farm for $4,000. 1t was TO be
paid in gold, and when $4,000 in sover-
eigns had been counted out the Boer
simply said, thank you,,, surprising he
had received the amount agreed upon. He
knows not what to do with the money
when received, and always reserves good
sized homestead"
Coal in large quantities, says Mr. Hollis.
has also been discovered, and the local ex.
perts declare that the indications are that
the coal fields will exceed in extent both
the gold and the silver fields. In the
Transvaal the constant remark made to Mr..
Hollis was five only had thousand of
your countrymen here, what q country we
could make of this !" He adds: Already
the tax paid by the mining companies has
filled TO overlooking the Golfers of the Gov
erament, which must find its natural out
let in the internal improvements 80 much
demanded by the people, and the whole of
south Africa is receiving benefit from the
distribution of this stored-up wealth, and
an era of prosperity has begun" From all
we can gather from the abstracts of the re-
port at hand, the RECORD. UNION would not
deem the new Ell Dorado to be a good
place for an American without some con-
siderable means. Certainly it is not invit-
ing for men who have an idea of r1aking
their fortunes without uniting with min
ing company. The report is of great value.
however, in giving an indication that the
African continent is yet to be known as one
of the richest, if not the richest section of
the earth.