DIAMOND FIELDS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1929, Page 8

DIAMOND FIELDS

SENSATIONAL REPORTS

CAPETOWN. December 3. Great secrecy is shrouding tindiggings at Namaqualand. Despite a sensational report current, in Capetown to-day that more than 1,000 desperate men armed with rifles were rushing the fields, .Mr Royers, tiie .Ministers of Mines, refuses to make a statement, while the police Criminal Investigation Department hits closed all channels of communication with the Namaqualand area. That area is now isolated. Hundreds of armed police have been sent there in motor-lorries and an aeroplane has been despatched with a machine gun. When J visited the district recently I found the drinking saloons full of disaffected whites, mostly farmers, who during a period of exceptional drought had abandoned their farms and trekked to Port Nolloth, seeking the new Fldorado. which wayfarers through Namaqualand had told them existed. There was also a crowd of prospectors —men who have covered every part off South Africa in their endless, untiring search for gold and diamonds.

Lastly, there were a few desperate “ crooks.” lured from London or New York by tales of easy lortuncs. All they found was barbed wire fencing, all diamonds claimed by the State, and a lew armed police ready to shoot pilferers.

Soon tin- talk in the saloons hecamo reckless. Rifles and revolvers appeared, and campaigns for raiding the diggings were outlined. It was pointed out by the agitators that the police were few and could he easily overcome.

A few days ago a determined body of 12 men raided the fields, but were captured by the police and taken to the gaol at Port Nicholson. Crowds of diggers demonstrated outside the gaol and threatened to lynch the magistrate unless the men were released. . The authorities promptly released tiie 12 men, and the magistrate telegraphed to Mr Beyers, warning Turn that- serious trouble was feared unless a. portion of the State diggings was thrown open to the desperate Namaqualanders. Mr Beyers refused and the trouble broke out at Christmas.

Police reinforcements arrived at the diggings this evening and other police are following.

Discontent lias been rite in Namaqualaiul for a long time. The drought has continued for more than three years, and many whites are living on roots. Only a few are working in the State diamond fields at paltry wages. t{ is hungry, desperate Dutchmen wig are now revolting.