Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1890-04-18
MINING IN SOUTH AFRIoA.


which was published recently in spokan
Falls Wash Review. Mr. King went I
Airaca last August, and expresses hl
opinion OF the country as folows:
'lt is not much Of a trip 70 % Z
Africa, said Mr. King. although IL rs
losg way Oft Il took me month 10 e
'reb' Falls 10 Caps 1'owD, Africa, aBd th,
trip can b easily made 10 twanty-s,gbt
d6ga From Cape rowB proceeded b,
rRi' 70 Kimberly. WbeEs oRs Of the Rrea
dianoud miues is located distance Of 90,
miles; theneS BY stage TO Bdrbeytovn, Ii
the South African republic
Il then took my tine in exploring Ia,
niaing region J found several good
mines, all Of which we're operated by Eng
iish companies There is one ledge al
johannesburg. which Is regularly defined
for distance Of sixty miles. thirty Of
which have been worked The formation
is soft granite apd porphyry. cement and
white crystalliIed quartz.
The average miners wages is el6 per
month. aud they pay $40 so per week for
board.
There is no such thing AS individual
prospecting. The right Of mining for and
disposinR Of sll preeions metals aud stones
belongs to the state. Any person wishing
10 80 proSl ecting must yet permission
from the owner of the land be desires to
prospect, and must pay 4 license Of los
per month. Half The license goes 90 the
owner Of the land. and half to the govern
or. The usual way of prospecting ia to
start with siX-mule team, and take
money enough along to buy farm.
The laws are made IN the intercst OF
the rich, and the government exacts tri-
butte in every manner possible. The du.
ties on mining machinery are about City
per cent, and as the nearest railway
station II Kimberly, all machinery has to
be hauled from there by teams.
THE govern ment will not permit any
railtodds to be built ia the republic, on
ihe ground that they would take business
away from the freiGhters No mining is
allowed within siz miles Of any town.
81 saw a great many Americans there.
and the cOnntry is flooded with people
tram England. Australia and New Zea-
land, all Of whom would willingly leave if
they had money to get away.
The language Of the country is Dutch.
The republic has so 600 Inhabitants. The
90 ople OF far advanced, but things have
improved considerable in the lgst few
years. The people were formerly too poor
to do anything, bot the influx OF English
capital has brought sufficient revenue to
the government to enable it to make many |
improvements.
Before went to Africa was under
the impression that 1t vas q tmbrred,
swampy country. Ia this | was very |
much mistaken The country Is more.
like Arizona, being dry and barren.
There Is NO timber, aud the land Is cover
ed with brush aud Cactus
penetrated l, 200 ailIes into the inter-
Or without seeing tree OF any size.
ion I believe there Is any tin Der ia Africa.
travellers are not permitted TO gather any
'uel To Luid II campfire without procuring
4 hc, nae. The lisense per wagon load Tor
ne privilege Of cutting wood is S.
Whsu ! WaA IA Johannesburg wood was
.ooul S75 load.
''PrUple nov acquainted with the Gus.
onis ot the country are liable 10 gel into
rouble with ths authorities at any time.
fortunately, was only arrested once, And :
hat was for washing myself in rYer
bout the size of the Spokane. 1t was
lot and dusty, and we camped By
tream oppO'ite the town. Early the next
l0rning went down the bank and began
'ashihg MY face aud hands. when WAS
Interrupted by two black policeman, who
Ook me in. We could not understand
aeh others language, but they TOOK me
YER into town. rhe magistrate was
sleep. One Of the policeman went IN
here hq was and woke hun up, | got
red whiting for HIM, but finally the po-
csman came back again and told me my :
ne was Sl.25. paid It and was allowed
} go.
IL got all Of South Africa wanted and
tell Jou the only way 10 appreciate free
meriea Is TO leave it.
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