A DIAMOND RUSH NEAR KIMBERLEY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3140, 23 October 1922, Page 7

A DIAMOND RUSH NEAR KIMBERLEY.

A few days ago it was wild and rocky veldt where only the slinking jackal could be seen. • A lone man prospecting had stumbled across some small diamonds and in a. night the wilderness was replaced by a medley of tents and tin shanties, safes, diningrooms, stores, billiard' saloons and a merry-go-round blaring forth noisily. Tins was Mosesberg,, which the South African Government had madfe a proclaimed area and decided that claims were to be pegged out in the oldfashioned' style of a rush. Mosesberg is sixty miles from Kimberley. On the day announced for the rusli motor cars, ox wagons, d'onkey wagons and ai miscellaneous collection of mining gear had assembled there. The crowd of men included the old l hardened l digger clad in corduroys and chewing steadily, and a sprinkling of youths, keen-eyed and prepared to race in khaki shirt and shorts. They were men of all nationalities, English, Dutch, dew and ai sprinkling of Kaffirs, all grasping their pegs, on which the owners’ names were painted in bright colors. The rush was to take place at 11 o’clock. As the hour drew near the men toed the line between two white flags. For a distance of four miles the rush extended. At five minutes to 11 the Inspector of Claims mounted a rough box and a big Union Jack was hold up beside him. He began reading a proclamation, while the diggers spat on their hands, grasped their pegs tightly and lowered their bodies for the start. With a sudden flutter the Union Jack was lowered. A yell of excitement went up ii*oni over a thousand voices. The men plunged forward, running in all directions up the slope of the kopjes facing them. It seemed like the rout of some rabble army. Gradually. however, the fast-moving mass came to a standstill as groups began to peg out claims. Mounted police were everywhere, giving instruction and advice to those participating in the rush. Among those who rushed were a. number of fast runners, several professional athletes being specially engaged for the purpose. Within a few moments the valley and kopjes wore dotted with claimants. Many had chosen the same spot, especially those who had made a close study of the ground beforehand. In many cases the mounted police had to intervene, or else a claims official was called in to settle the dispute. “The claim is yours.” lie would say curtly, and there the matter would end. His justice was of the rough and ready fashion well known and respected on the diamond fields. Once established, some of the diggers wore not long in getting pick and shovel to work. One digger had hardly pegged out his spot when he had about ten Kaffir boys digging it. The Mosesberg rush will long be remembered, first because it was probably the biggest rush in the history ot the diamond fields, and, second, because there was a total absence ot casualties. A Kimberley chemist with an eye to business was on the scene with bandages and lint, and as there was no call for his services he also participated in the rush. After the rush was over it was seen that there was still plenty of ground available for some thousands of diggers, good ground on higher reaches of the hillsides where the alluvial deposits are probably far better, richer and more accessible than those scattered below.