THE CAPE GOLDFIELDS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 409, 21 November 1868, Page 4

THE CAPE GOLDFIELDS.

The accounts from Natal, says the London Tunes, appear in an increased degree to justify the colonial expectations as to the extent and value of the South African gold discoveries. Several specimens of the quarts had been obtained, one of which, of small size, but great richness, has been received in London by Messrs Maynard, Brothers and Co., of Pancras-lane. Some letters from a Mr Black, the captain of the first exploring party of about 60 persons at the Tate River, are worded so as to discourage any great rush to the district until he could send more full reports ; but the advices from other persons, coupled with the circulation of the quartz specimens, had caused it to be inferred that this prudent tone was partly to secure an opportunity for uninterrupted operations at least for a short period. He states gold to have been found, but that the question still remained whether it would pay, and adds that ' it is a very likely place all round, but I should not advise anyone to come until I send favorable reports that it is worth coming for.' They were working in an old pit which seemed to have been sunk centuries ago, and subsequently he adds ' there is every prospect of success as far as we can judge. Eor miles and miles all round there are quartz ridges and room enough for thousands and thousands, if we succeed.' Meanwhile, with the concurrence of the na .ive chief of the locality, he had hoisted the British flag, and had named the district the Victoria G-old Fields, a title which the papers rightly suggest will cause confusion with those of Australia. It is, therefore, recommended they should be fcalled the Victoria and Albert goldfields. The chief named Matjen is stated to be very friendly, and to have written to Sir P. Gr. Wodehouse, the G-orernor at the Cape, requesting advice, and offering to place the country under British Government, on certain conditions.

Meanwhile he had appointed two Englishmen to grant claims to each miner at £1 per head for six months—a requirement that had thus far been readily complied with. At the same time, it is arranged that, should gold prove abundant, the question of government will have been virtually settled long before Governor Wodehouse can get instructions from home, since, as the climato seems unexceptionable, and there is pasture and game along the route, an English population of many thousands is certain speedily to establish themselves and make their own laws. The exact distance from Natal to the goldfields is 760 miles, and for all immigrants by sea Durban is the nearest port.