DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Southland Times, Issue 1054, 9 November 1868, Page 3

DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN SOUTH AFRICA.

(From the ' Home News') The discovery of a rich gold country to the north of the Limpopo Kiver, on the borders of the Transvaal Republic and Portuguese settlements, is confirmed from all quarters. This new field of glistening quartz veined with gold has beeri named the Victoria diggings in honour of her Majesty the Queen. They are situated on the southeastern face of the Matoppo Hills, in a triangnlar wedge of land whose base is about 40 miles, .and its two other sides respectively 80 and 90 miles, in length between two minor rivers, the Tati, Thati Tatin, and the Eamaquafcak, that runs into the Shashe, which is one ef the chief tributaries of the great river Limpopo. The longitude of the part of the diggings being worked is between 20 and 30 E., and the latitude between 20 ' and 21 S. The natives of the country are 1 the Bamangwato, a quiet, kindly people belonging to the Bechuana devision of the African races. The chief to whom the i Victorian diggings belong charges each digger £1 as a" claim tax," and has appointed two Englishmen to look afte the money. Samples of rich quartz and gold dust continued to come in freely to the merchants and others in the Cape, Colony and at Natal. Mr Black, who proceeded to the country as leader of the first party of diggers, has written to the Cape Colony that he and his men had been joined by others, and they were all digging and washing very successfully. They only wanted a small crushing machine to enable them to send down the first merchantable loads of gold. The gold discovery had caused considerable excitement among the colonists. Digging parties were in coutse of organisation in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Queenstown, Durban, and other places, to proceed to the diggings. Great expectations were also entertained of a large influx of imigrants, and rivalry is springing; up between Natal, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town as to which commands the best route for diggers to travel by. Natal is the nearest point to the diggings, but it is alleged by its opponents that the route from there is very difiicult, and rendered dangerous by crossing the country where the Tsets fly prevails, whose bite is fatal to cattle. The Port Elizabeth people have published a pamphlet setting forth the excellence of their route, and sent an agent to England by the Cambrian to urge its claims. Cape Town, however, it is argued by its advocates, will be at least as good and convenient a starting-point for the diggings as any.