THE DIAMOND FIELDS.
A correspondent of the “ Press" who found the goldfields of South Africa very poor, thus records his experience of the diamond fields : At the diamond fields we found diamonds about as scarce as gold was at the gold fields. One or two companies were doing well, but lots of men were on the point of starvation, and the only thing that prevented them leaving was the want of funds. One of our number got work as ‘ boss’ over a gang of Kaffirs when we came back from the diamond fields. It was a Government job, and the wages he agreed for was 7s per day, pretty good as things go here, and not easily got. This country has no use for white labor. What between Kaffirs and coolies from St. Helena, it is worse than a place colonised by Chinese. Kaffir labor brings 15s per month, as a rule, and coolies usualty are paid at the rate of Is 6d per day. Some of our mates are at one place and some at another just now, but most likely we shall all decide to return to New Zealand. Either that or to America.”
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South Canterbury Times, Issue 2598, 19 July 1881, Page 2
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196THE DIAMOND FIELDS. South Canterbury Times, Issue 2598, 19 July 1881, Page 2
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