The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-05
MILLS READY TO START
Preparations for Crushing Ore at
the Rand Mines.
The Pumps StiiI Busy with the
Wmter-Dificufty I'm Securing Labor
nrd-Scarcity of Coal-Need for Es-
tnbiishmcnt of Civil Government.

PRETORIA, Sept. 4.-The mines of
johannesburg. which are at the produc-
ing stage, are able to start the crushing
of ore Immediately. Only moderate
number of workers need return as the
mills can be operated effectively without
full complement. Development work
at these mines will be delayed probably
for three months, but this will not in
terfere with the general running of the
mills.
The mines and the machinery are all
in good condition, and pumping Is pro-
ceeding. 1t is expected that the mines
with mcst water in them will be emptied
within three months. Three important
mines have lots of water in them, and
will probably have to wait some time for
pumping out, as labor has to be diverted
from the producers for the construction
of new spurs from the Rand to the rail-
way, and it is fair to give the producers
the first supply of labor.
Seven thousand kaffirs are now employ
ed on the new railway to Girouard. 1t
has been suggested that the various min
ing bodies combine to buy 100000 worth
of rolling stock with which to run this
railway. Mire owners are adopting this
plan, and they intend to place immediate
orders for tES delivery in June oil SUI
trucks and fifteen engines.
The question of buying rolling stock
is a vital one for in the event of the
enemy destroying the 5000 trucks and
200 engines which are now massed at
Silati-a great portion of which belongs
20 the Free State and Colonial Rail-
roads-it would take eighteen months to
replace them. This would mean that
half of the population would be kept
from returning here indefinitely, and it
would also affect the mines, as they
could not be worked fully without sup
plies and coal, and It would be impos-
sible for the population to exist. The
coal consumption on the Rand in ordin-
airy times is lis, GOO tons month. While
the population of the Rand is now 10000,
two thirds of this number are foreigners,
and the natives number about the same
as in ordinary times.
The imperial Government is now paying
natives so shillings a month at the mines,
against so shillings q month paid before
the war. II is suggested that the native
labor in the country be put under Govern
ment control, with shelters and travel ng
facilities under special Government pro-
lection. to induce east coast and other ma
tives to return to the Rand.
The appointment of new civil govern
ment is strongly desired to enable the au-
thorities to study and arrange these i'm
portant problems so that there shall be
no unnecessary delay in the return of the
expelled British workmen who are now in
the coast towns and who are beginning to
suffer from the protracted non-employ-
ment.
The revenue Office in johannesburg has
been opened for the collection of license
fees. 1t is strongly felt here that licenses
protecting non-producing claims should be
RENTED during the war. as many claim
holders are fighting in the ranks of the
colonial corps. It is also contended that
prospecting licenses should be greatly re-
duced in the future and the country thrown
open to the enterprise OF new and old set
tiers. The revenue thus obtained would
be from a fair share of the results, as in
other mining countries, and not from pre-
liminary taxation as heretofore.