The Kimberley Diamond Fields.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 58, 7 August 1885, Page 4

The Kimberley Diamond Fields.

The following picture 4 6f tlio vicissitudes of life m the diamond fields, is taken from the Kimberley Times, and is not calculated to make one fall m love with the region of precious stones : — Thq bold and daring manner with which crime is committed m the highj.ways and by ways of the diamond 'fields just now alarms everj-one residing here. No person is safe who has to travel over the roads even m the immediate viviuity of the towns, nor to walk accross tin* squares or 'through the streets. No man's property ia sepure m house or store* The thief, the burglar, and highwayman are tho busiest people, on the alert watching for prey and spoil. Lock and key are no longer safeguards against the burglar, nor is the rpvolver of much use against highway attacks. Burglaries are committed m the most opeu places, and the burglar of the diamond fields is as perfect an expert as the professional burglar of the grunt cities of Europe. Ho handles bolle, locks, and bars with the greatest ease, and lli re are no:s<' so strong but he defies them. The highwaymen go together m gangs, and th«? traveller is overpowered before he knows where he is. Resistance only makes matters worse, for the villians who lie m wait for the unwary traveller are cruel aid merciless, and if taking lifo is I upccssary to getting hold o£ a traveller's money, th«y will do it.