CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

Southland Times, Issue 942, 29 April 1868, Page 3

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

[ The G-old Fields. — On this subject, 1 " A Christian Minister in the Transvaal " writes to the " Colesburg Advertiser" : — Some of your readers may perhaps ask why, if there be such marvellous treasures in Moselekatze's country, why have not former travellers brought the joyful news to us ? Leaving the question of the difference between the common traveller and the keen, well-trained scientific eye of our worthy German naturalist (Herr Mauch), it is right for me distinctly to state that <he Matelebe and Moshona are extremely jealous, and seem to be fully alive to the consequences should the white man discover the golden nest. For no sooner does a white traveller present himself on Moselekatse's border than he is taken up by some twenty Matebele j and conveyed directly to the great chief ; never is any one allowed to go where he : pleases, not even the resident missionary ; I and these sable gaurdian angels stick to I the stranger's heels until he has left their I confines. Herr Mauch had the greatest difficulty to steal away from their eagle eyes ; aud they continually asked him : " What are you looking for ? Here is your way, get along." It was only by the help of a petty Moshona chief, whom he had amply to reward, that he succeeded to accomplish what he did. As soon as he communicated the facts to his fellow-traveller, Mr Hartley, the elephant hunter, the latter spanned in his waggon and drove away for fear of losing his neck. In vain did Herr Mauch entreat his companion to delay a few days, promising him two or three pounds' weight of gold dust ; but Mr Hartley was deaf, thinking his life was of more value. And let this be a warning to any party that may wish to gather a golden harvest, to go in sufficient number, and prepared for what awaits them. I must, moreover, state that the tsetse abounds in many parts of the auriferous grounds, and the yellow fever in the summer season — so that every care is needed, and medical means must be devised. The country is generally well watered, and game of every description may be shot for food. Herr Mauch is now on his way to Natal to fetch, his scientific instruments and other provisions, In March next he intends to start again for the interior, and is willing to bring any party to the gold-fields on their own responsibility; from thence his marching orders go across the yet-undiscovered portions of the interior. I understand that the Transvaal Government are about to take some steps I in order to give protection to parties who wish to place themselves under their care. It seems, then, that the times are at hand when a way will be made in the desert, and the dark places of the land be opened ; for when the rush for the " diggings " comes, it will revolutionise all surrounding native tribes, and break through every obstacle ; and though many a one's bones will bleach in the desert, yet we shall see changes as great as those in California and Australia ; and the Transvaal territory will yet became one of the most fertile, influential, and populous dependencies of South Africa.