JOHANNESBURG A CITY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 68, 31 December 1928, Page 7

JOHANNESBURG A CITY

S,jH IN ITS VIGOROUS YOUTH. Although practically capital of the Union of South Africa for many years, Johannesburg was not proclaimed a city uatil the commencement of last Sept<Mfcr. A special issue of the Johannelburg "Star" was then devoted to an exceedingly interesting history of the golden city. Profusely iisMtM**ed, the activities of the city were dealt with in a wonderful story of unparalleled prosperity. Forty years ago the Witwatersrand was, it is shown, practically unknown. Interest in South Africa was then centred in the prospects of the gold discoveries in the Barberton district. There were many disappointments, but when the news reached Kimberley of gold-carrying reefs having been discovered in what was then popularly called the Rand—and still is so-called—the diamond diggers migrated in a body. In three or four years Johannesburg came into being. Miles of reefs were quickly developed, and where a few oxen had grazed the stampers were at work. Gradually huge mounds of tailings added to the unattractiveness of the surroundings. But the more such mounds increased in number and size the greater the prosperity of the district became. A township became a densely populated city, although that dignity was only attained last month when Johannesburg was so proclaimed. From rude beginnings a metropolis has emerged, rich not only in being the capital of the greatest gold-pro-ducing centre in the world, but also in magnificent buildings, beautiful parks, and picturesque surroundings. An ugly barren waste has been transformed as if by a magician's wand, into the proudest possession of the people of South Africa. Johannesburg's prosperity lay principally in the wonderful development of a reef extending for some forty miles from east to west—'not a reef of phenomenal richness, but all gold-bearing. Originally work was confined- to surface prospects. Deep levels were not even thought of, but with knowledge quickly acquired it was discovered that the reef extended to a great denth. It was not a poor man's field. Huge capitals were invested, and the results have been remarkable. AH nations were represented on the field. Gold is a wonderful magnet. By it some large fortunes were built up, many of the earliest investors being still intimately engaged in consolidating and adding to their oricinal investments. A citv still in its vigorous youth Johannesburg has grown both in magnitude and attractiveness. The gold pi*duction is as great as ever, and though some of the mines have seen their best day others are beincr constantly develoned. How far the reef descends into the bowels of the earth has yet to be discovered.