Bisbee daily review., 1905-12-13
MICHIGAN MINER HAS
 RETURNED FROM AFRICA
EDWARD OLIVER TELLS OF MIN.
 ING CONDITIONS THERE
Says 1t Is Good Country For Experi- enced Miners Who Can Stand Up Under the Climate.
(Marquette Mining Journal. )


 Edward Oliver, who left here about three years ago, arrived in Neguanee Monday from the gold mines near Jo- hannesburg, South Africa. Since leav- ing here he has worked in a good many of the new mining camps of the west and in the coal fields of Penn sylvania, besides spending a few months visiting in Cornwall, England. In all he spent eighteen months in South Africa, and although he liked the country and made big money there the climate did not agree with him. He was sick so often that he deemed it best to get away as soon as he could.
 MT. Oliver says South Africa is a good country for experienced miners who can stand the climate, though the oldtime miners long for the conditions which prevailed before the war. The importation of "coolie" labOrers from China. which was the last master stroke of Lord Milner before his re- tirement, when he saw the utter de feat and futility of all his pet projects for subduing the country, has kept the mining camps at the gold diggings in COuSlduL 1tdI Ol IlOl anu DlOOuSnOu As laborers the "coolies" are not as satisfactory as the kafirs whom they were imported to replace, and they are treacherous, their quarters being under constant surveillance.
 Oliver went to South Africa a year ago last spring, on being urged by Robert Prout, who left here for that country few years ago. Prout is en- ployed as timber captain in one of the mines, and draws a big salary. As soon as Oliver reached the gold dig gings he found that he had to pass an examination, conducted by a gov ernment inspector, on mining and tim bering before he was allowed to take job. He got off with very little questioning because of the influence of a mine superintendent under whom he had worked in California some years ago. He says the examination is very rigid, and demands a thorough knowledge of ground formations, strength of timbers, etc.
 He had charge of gang of ''coolies" and his only labor was to give them directions about the work he wished them to do. In the camp where he V dS iOCdleQ lHeTe were only dDOuJ sixteen white men and over 1500 cool ies. The whites carried arms con- stantly, and they were conspicuously displayed, to let the coolies know that they were prepared for any uprising. Oliver says that there is plenty of employment for experienced miners in South Africa and the demand is con- stantly growing, as the country is re covering from the effects of the late war. But miners who go there must be well up in their calling and pre- pared to answer the long list of ques- tions on mining and the strength of materials before they can secure a ! job. Once they pass they have an easy time of it. as they have no hard labor to do and simply have to direct ! the work of the coolies over whom | they are placed in charge.
 | Oliver visited in Cornwall for a few weeks before coming to Neguanee, and says that country is practically dead 1 as far as mining is concerned, and that about all the practical miners for which the country was famous have either come to America or gone to South Africa to find employment.