THE GOLD FIELDS OF SOUTH AFRICA.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 424, 9 December 1868, Page 2

THE GOLD FIELDS OF SOUTH AFRICA.

The Natal paper, from which we made a quotation yesterday, gives the following further particulars of the South African goldfields : Oar Potchefstroom correspondent, whose accuracy we have no reason whatever to doubt, writes that he had

the following from Mauch's own lips: —On his last excursion, in company with Mr Hartley, and while on their way up north, the geological features of this spot struck him as being worthy of close investigation, but he had no time allowed for it. Whea he afterwards found and explored the immense gold district north of Mosele* katte, extending for Imndreds of between the Feinbezi and Umoli livers, the conformity of the surface appearance of the two localities was such that he felt persuaded he had passed over an out-cropping of the same stratum between Tatin and Rainakhuoban. He communicated his conviction to Mr Hartley, and the latter agreed to give him an opportunity for fully exploring the spot on the way home. When they reached the Tatin on their return, Mauch hastened to the reef and with his hammer obtained in less than an hour's time some of his best specimens. He then returned with his treasure to the waggons, which were at the time in the charge of a stepson of Mr Hartley, all the hunters being away after a troop of elephants, and importuned him to stay on the Tatin, at least until the hunters' return, as he was certain he could secure splendid samples of gold in a few days, the indications being most favorable, and no Kaffirs near to interfere, as they had done on the northern gold-fields. But the youth turned a deaf ear to all solicitations, and pushed on to the Surului river, one of the worst places ou the whole route, where they were rejoined by the hunters four days later. If it had not been for the foolish obstinacy of a stripling, the problem would have been solved 1 seven months ago. This southern quartz reef is probably unknown to the Portuguese, and the source whence the gold washings of the lower river beds are fed. The natives there are not at all numerous, and Matjen, the dominant chief, is favorable to the pursuits of diggers whom, being Englishmen, he regards as friends, One thing is certain —namely, Natal , is the shortest and best high road to the diggings-. Capital roads exist the whole way. As far, at any rate, as Rustenburg, a horse trap might be driven. There is plenty of water at all times of the year. The pasturage is the best in South Africa. Provisions of* all kinds are cheap and plentiful. Natal produces corn, flour, sugar, tobacco, rum, beer, meat, bacon, live stock, vegetables, fruit anil dairy stuff in abundance. Given a more regular and larger demand, und the supply will soon increase in proportion. Our customs' tariff is far lighter the Cape, the duties in some cases being barely more than half what they are there. The climate is healthy the whole way. Kaffir servants can be had. Waggon transport at this moment is both plentiful and cheap, and our rivers are made passable at all seasons ' by means of bridges and punts. These ■ arc but some of the advantages which visitors to the goldfields will secure by making Durban their port of arrival.