THE DIAMOND COUNTRY IN AFRICA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1109, 24 May 1883, Page 3

THE DIAMOND COUNTRY IN AFRICA.

The soil, when brought to the summit, is carted away and strewn on the ground, where it is left for a fortnight or three weeks to pulvenze in the sun. At the expiration of this time gangs of Kaffirs, superintended by a white overseer, break the large, dry lumps inte powder, and this in turn is carted away to be placed in the washing machine. It is during the process of first breaking that some of the largest diamonds are discovered, and the overseer has to keep a sharp lookout on the workers in consequence. In spite of the terrible penalty incurred by any one detected in the act of secreting a good find, thefts are very rife, and many a diamond finds its way into Kaffir possession in spite of the sharpest vigilance. During the process of washing, the gravelly substance, which is full of garnets as well as the diamonds, sinks to the bottom of the machine, while the earthen substance disappears in another channel. When it has been thoroughly washed through two or throe times this gravel is collected and strewn on tables, where searchers, with steel instruments somewhat resembling broad knives, carefully turn it over in minute search. Then it is that the precious jewel is discovered in all manners of sizes and shapes, when it is placed in a small tray, on which another overseer keeps his watchful eye. 1 was given several little heaps of gravel to dissect, and in half an hour had succeeded in discovering about twenty or liirfcy diamonds of very fair size, and some so perfectly shaped that they had every appearance of having just left the cutter’s hands.—ln the Land of Mis-fortune-Lady Florence Dixie.