AFFAIRS AT THE CAPE DIAMOND FIELDS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4442, 15 June 1875, Page 3

AFFAIRS AT THE CAPE DIAMOND FIELDS.

(From the Melbourne -Argus.) The Lord Clyde brings Cape papers to the Bth April. Prom the SoutJi African Mail of the 6th- we take the following with reference to the apprehended disturbances at the diamond-fields : The situation of affairs at the diamondfields has ceased to be quite as threatening as it was. The leading members of the Combined Associations appear to have discovered that the position they had taken up was untenable, and hopes are entertained that the Government is amenable to reason. The Diamond Field of the 27th tilt, contains the following article upon the situation : The situation is now for the people of Griqualand decidedly more cheerful than it has been since the hour of the of the mock constitution. From the direction of England we have every reasonable ground to expect sympathy with our sufferings ; the Molteno Ministry is decidedly favorable to our aspirations for better government; the united Press of Natal,, the Cape Colony, is at one with us; the preliminary examination in the case of the Field has so far concluded with most damaging effect upon the obnoxious individuals who instituted it; the attempt to prosecute South, the digger, for non-registra-tion of servants has ceased, at the instance of those who commenced it ; Mr. Ward's domicilliary visits to diggers and their servants have ceased, and, if repeated, are not likely to end pleasantly, even if he be accompanied by his Excellency's brother-in-law ; diamondbuyers may pursue their honest calling without fear of being prosecuted for being outside of their offices ; the cry of "Troops are coming" does not disturb the serenity of the public mind ; the Legislative Council is not likely to renew the free and easy work of last session—so much of which has been swept away by Earl Carnarvon/by Mr. Buyskes, by the diggers, and by the Government itself by deferring promulgation. _ - Our contemporary, after publishing a warning proclamation of his Excellency's, and recommending tho diggers to submit themselves before it is too late, fills its columns of last issue with a stupidly-written and worse-con-ceived skit upon " the situation." The banks have received a direct official assurance from the "Diggers' Protection Association," that good order will be maintained, and, if they desire it, at any moment, by night or day, a guard will be. furnished. The Government have, with great wisdom, signified their readiness to receiveadeputation to confer upon public questions, and at this time the gentlemen' appointed only await a direct official answer to the letter which appears in another column. Should this eventuate in bringing about a "rectification" of.differences, tho gentlemen who paved the way for it will not regret having moved in tho matter. The "native mind" has been duly impressed by the display of armed strength already made, and may bo kept in order by further proof in this line. So much has this been the case, that the patrol of last Sunday affected the police cases for Monday morning, on which occasion tlfe got through his police cases at the unprecedented early hour of 11 a.m. There is one other point which requires attention. "The situation" would bo wonderfully improved if a certain member of the Executive were suspended. It hasgot to be a deeply-rooted and generally felt impression that this would clear the road for happier times for this distracted community. Tho Honorablo J. B. Currey is believed to have originated the hostile attitude of Government towards the people from early times. He is credited with the continued refusal of Government to meet deputations from the people. Ho is supposed to have stood in the way of tho deputation which now awaits his Excellency's reply, who, we trust, has at length thrown off his lethargy, and once more assumed somo of his former energy. ' It is now hoped by men of all views on

politics hon. gentleman will be promoted to another and more congenial sphere or usefulness, and that his manifest talent for insulting correspondence may find exercise in some more appreciative community. For our part, we should not object to such a change. It would give the rest of the Executive an opportunity of showing that they are to some extent fitted for the posts they hold. It might serve as a warning to them to assert their individuality, and thus bring into exercise a quality not yet very conspicuous in the Government, viz., common sense. We are plain men—men who like to call a spade a spade—and a fool a fool. We desire no wonderfully-gifted Secretary to Government like the Hon. J. B. Currey, for Griqualand West—a plainer man would suit us—one who thought of something' besides emolument and position one who was not so desirous of what Napoleon dwelt upon continually in his despatches—glory, but more of that which Wellington ever kept in view, and termed duty. The Hon. J. B. Currey, if he ever had a proper sense of his duty, has many times forgotten it. When he came here he had a duty to perform towards this people which he has never discharged. In our opinion he never has, from the moment he set foot in Griqualand West, pursued any other policy than such as must ultimately bring about some sort of necessity for the presence of troops here. The necessity for the presence of troops once established, or some coloring given for such arrangements, it is not difficult to forecast what the ultimate effect -might be on the neighboring States. It might have been the ultimate object of this far seeing Secretary to Government to overawe the Republics, whose unpretending and practicallv successful Governments compare so favorably" with his own. The ambitious secretary may anticipate another British dependency near Griqualand West upon some pretext or another, when who so suitable for the chief office as the transcendant genius who labored so assiduously to annex, or jump, neighboring countries. The " grand old flag " is served with a vengeance by such men. In the meantime Griqualand West pays the piper, its peace disturbed; its commercial and mining relations injured, its inhabitants impoverished and scattered, its loyal men denounced as traitors, its peaceful citizens persecuted, as in the case of Guun and Pike, instead of their murderous assailants, its notorious men shielded, as in the Blacklock case, and everything in confusion, whether political, sjcial, or otherwise. May Heaven send us deliverance for all this, but our readers may rest assured that Heaven helps those who help themselves. The following is the letter above referred to as having been addressed to the Government, and with respect to which the authorities have expressed their readiness to receive a deputation :

Kimberley, March 24, 1875. To the Hon. J. B. Currey, Esq., Secretary to Government, Kimberley. Sir,— Having been informed that his Excellency is not unwilling to receive a deputation to discuss matters of grave and general importance, I have the honor to request that you will acquaint his Excellency that the following gentlemen desire an interview with him, viz., Messrs. W.-'Luig, G. R. Blanche, J. G. Ross, H. Tucker, and R. Jamieson, upon the following subjects, viz.:—

1. Adjudications of police cases. 2. Penalties for illicit diamond buying. 3. Necessity for "Vagrant Act. 4. Camp regulations for security and order. 5. Alterations in the issue of certain licenses.

6. Amendment of Ordinance No. 21. 7. Amendment of Ordinance No. 18. 8. Amendment in regard to registration of servants and fees payable thereon. 9. "Relative position of proprietors and inhabitants of the several camps. 10. Obnoxious position of certain officers of Government and public functionaries. 11. Difficulties threatening out of native and other claims to land.

You will oblige by informing me if his Excellency will receive the deputation now named, and when- it will be convenient to receive them.—l have, &c, H. Tdokeb. Last night's post from the fields put us in possession oj the reply which the LieutenantGovernor has made to Mr. Tucker's letter. It is too lengthy to admit of its publication in full, and we must content ourselves with saying that Mr. Southey declines to receive a deputation for the purpose of .considering all the subjects named by Mr. Tucker, but expresses his willingness to give an interview, as private gentlemen, to the persons named in the letter, to confer upon the necessity for a vagrant law, the camp regulations, and the registration of servants. The supplement of the Diamond Field of March 27 contains a lengthy letter in reply to that of Lieutenant-Governor Southey, signed by Henry Tucker. The agitators are still defiant, and Mr. Tucker finished his letter with the following sentence :—" We respectfully state that it is our intention to press,, by all means in our power, the reforms indicated."