NEW ZEALAND DIGGERS AT THE CAPE.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 196, 25 January 1875, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND DIGGERS AT THE CAPE.

(From the European Mail.) It is announced from South Africa that a number of diggers from New Zealand had arrived there in the steamer Atrato. It seems that that those already on the ground —and the range, I believe, is very extensive —have been actively employed ; but the result, I fear, must be disappointing. Reports have been received to the effect that several nuggets have been found, but the aggregate amount divided among the whole of the proprietors would give but a very poor percentage to each man. The whole thing is as yet in its infancy ; and beyond the fact that gold is known to exist at one or two places lying between Delagoa Bay and Natal, little else is known. That the country is auriferous I do not doubt, but I speak with some authority when I say that the indications are not yet sufficient to warrant a rush from Australasia or any other part of the world. How soon the face of things may be changed, it is of course impossible to tell ; but I have thought it my duty to supplement the remarks I made in my last upon this subject by stating that these indications have not yet been developed. It should be stated, however, that none but the most inexperienced men have yet sought for the precious metal, because it is just possible that those who are familiar with its indications may be more successful than those who have gone before. Still, this circumstance considered, I should await their report before making any change in my position, for if the gold be once unearthed the area is so extensive that there will be enough for all comers. It may be as well to add that several of the men by the Atrato, on landing at Cape Town, partook too freely of Cape smoke, and then indulged themselves by assaulting several women, and breaking down the door of a house in Long street. The police, having interfered, were somewhat roughly handled, but ultimately five of the new arrivals were locked up.