Year: 1871

From the Diamond News.l


Cawood has been the center of attrac-
ton and the topic of conversation this
week 1t has covered itself with glory
by producing magnificent diamond of
ninety-two carats, the happy owners Of
which are Messrs. Foster and DeLooper,
of CIanwilIiam. This is, in point of size,
excelled by only one other Itisnow no
longer a secret that the Natal party
found, some time ago, a stone of one
hundred and seven. The Foster and
DeLooper. diamond is a splendid gem,
octahedron in shape, and all but un-
blemished. In color it has slightly
yellowish tinge. tits now in the custody
of the Standard Bank, Kip Drift. 1t
was found on Tuesday, the 7th instant,
by native in the employ of Messrs.
Foster and DeLooper, who turned it out
in the claim before washing, and took it
to his master. In justice to facts, aswell
as to a class Of people not always appre-
ciated, we call attention to another case in
which native servant has been faithful
to his employer. 1t is well known that
such cases are numerous. Instances of
unfaithfulness have occurred, no doubt.
But we believe that as a rule, the ma
tives employed on the diggings have
done their duty, in spite Of many impu-
tations. This ought to We remembered
by the colonists. No doubt Messrs. Fos-
ter and Looper have made Sambo or
whatever his name may be, happy for
life This large and beautiful diamond
was found at the upper end of the Ca
woods Hope Diggings, in an outside
claim but little valued, and for which a
few days before the fortunate owner
gave only fifteen shillings. 1t was
turned out of the black stuff at a
depth of about six inches from the sur
face. Mr. Foster, on receiving the dia-
mond, made no secret of it, but he, very
wisely, would not let it go out of his
hands. Crowds came to inspect it, and
he-calling upon his brother diggers to
protect him, and to remember that he
himself was but a digger-held the shin
ing gem aloft between his trembling
fingers, twirling 1t round to show its
beauty. On Wednesday morning he
took it to Kip Drift Rumor says that
Mr.. Unger offered Messrs. Foster and De
Looper two cart loads of money for the
diamond. For our part, we pay nc
attention to rumor. If Mr.. Unger made
the offer he knew what he was about
Rumor also says that somebody at Cat
woods Hope offered $4,000 for the
stone. This is mere talk. There is nc
question about the find, nor is there any
doubt about its being very valuable
one. Other finds have been made at
the Hope during the week, showing that
it is field of the first rank We are
told that stone of twelve carats was
taken out of Foster and DeLooper s
claim after their large one was found.
Mr.. Tunbridge has found two Of eight
and seven respectively; Mr.. Middleton
one of nine, and Mr.. j. S. Wright one
of seven and half. The field was, a
no very distant period, the bed Of the
river and the stumps of the willows
which once margined the stream, car
now be seen high, dry and decaying
The river flows by the Hope with a very
strong and rapid current, and cuts its
way down into its bed more quickly than
at any other places, leaving exposed an
annually increasing breadth of deserted
ground, all of which, there is reason to
believe, will be found to be diamondifer'
Oua