PRECIOUS STONES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 361, 3 June 1874, Page 4

PRECIOUS STONES.

The diamond fields of Africa are calculated, by a writer in the London " Times," to have yielded during the last three years precious stones of the value of £5,000,000. The latest news from them is that the discovery of a goldfield is causing excitement. The writer alluded to says :—": — " Thirteen pounds and a quarter of gold were found in one hour in a single claim, the largest nugget weighing 4lb. This gold was brought down to Kimberley diamond fields on Christmas day, and has excited much' admiration. I know, as facts, of the following finds :—ln: — In one week a party dug out 150z., next week 340z.; another party lOOoz. in four weeks, and so on. The present number of diggers is about 500, but fully 800 are also on their way from Kimberley." The Colesberg Kopje Diamond mine, he says, is one of the wonders of the world, and contains the largest number of workers on a small space that has been seen in any modern work. " The actual present value of the mine is estimated at £1,000,000 ; three months ago it was valued at £2,000,000, but claims have fallen sixty per cent. It is proposed to spend £60,000 immediately in rendering the mine safe by removing the outside dangerous reef. Some of the claims are 130 feet deep, and the whole mine, resembling a vast basin, ii being emptied by means of the wire rope tramway system, which has caused an enormous sum in erecting. This can easily be imagined when it is known that every pound weight of wire, every pound weight of deal wood and timber, has cost from 4d to 6d for transport alone. Great numbers of the original claimholders have made small fortunes. I know of at least ton among my own personal friends who will average £8,000 each, all made, it may be said, in two years, out of nothing."

In contemplating the future of Victoria, now and then some rather puzzling problems are forced upon one's consideration Not the least of these is the status the half-caste Chinese growing up in our midst will hold. Will they, as they become men, possess equal voting rights ? Will they become members of our future! egislatu res? The question as to whether they will intermarry has already been partially settled — for the Chinese do — and their hybrid offspring are growing up to compete with the " Saxons and Normans and Danes" in most of the affairs of life. Not so very long ago we saw a little Chinese lady — so far as appearance went she was wholly Mongolian — but she was one of the consequences of a mixed marriage — competing with and winning prizes from English pupils at a public examination of a public school. Later we have seen a semi Celestial little fellow of twelve years make a very creditable appearance in amateur theatricals. And to day we find Cheoug Cheek Bong has successfully passed the Civil Service Examination. Will he, on the strength of the certificate, apply for an appointment ? Will he get it ?If he does — will the English Civil servants strike — as did the miners of Clunes — or will they accept the new companionship in " whiling the weary hours away," — "Castlemain Representative." .