RACE FOR FORTUNE

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 5, 7 January 1928, Page 13

RACE FOR FORTUNE

A DIAMOND RUSH REMARKABLE SPECTACLE Only those who have seen a race for the diamond fields in South Africa, have any idea of tho excitement which prevails. For miles the runners pant onward, across barren, treeless country, spurred on by the fact that there may be a fortune for them in the small areas they are allowed to peg out. Mr C. J. Fleming, who is at present in Auckland, witnessed tho biggest diamond rush South Africa has known for many years. That was at Liehtenburg, between Johannesburg and Kimberley. Diamonds had been discovered on a farm where people had been living for thirty yeaTS without Knowing that daily they walked over gems worth a ransom for all the kings of the world. Precious stones were lying in backyards, but they were thought to be a valueless form of stone. As soon as diamonds are discovered the area is proclaimed public property, and all who read may r.un in the race for fortune. ■ The owner is given 250 chains, each claim measuring 15 yards square, and lie can select any claim he likes on the property. The person who discovers the diamonds is given 50 claims, and lie or she, and the owner of the property, can begin work immediately. Licenses are issued at Is each, and any person can enter for the race. This is the only manner in which the general public is- allowed -to peg out its claims on the diamond fields. "It is a primitive method," said Mr. Fleming, "but it has proved to be the best. Thero is too much corruption otherwise." TOWNSHIP BUILT IN NIGHT. Usually the field lines up two or three miles away from the sccno of the diamond find. Before the rush the competitors can inspect the country. The object is to peg out claims as near as possible to those of tho owner of tho land. Tor several days beforehand the scene 5s one of extraordinary activity near the starting-line. A township springs up in a night. Vendors of every kind jof article appear as if by magic, and ppen their temporary shops. From far and near people arrive in •thousands. Trains, motor-ears, Caps carts, horses, donkeys, bicycles—every method of transport is' employed, and many of tho fortune-hunters tramp hundreds of miles on foot. There were over 20,000 people gathered at Liehtenburg, at tlie Tush which Mr. Fleming witnessed. The scene was emazing, ho said. People of every nationality and vehicles of every deecription flocked across the treeless country, turning it into a hive of activity. Water was retailed at one penny ft gallon. Mounted police watch the crowds and arrange for the start of the big race. Should a false start be made the penalty is a week's delay; therefore, the competitors are careful. A week's delay means more expense, more food, and living is not cheap. On the day of tho race the runners line up, wearing as few clothes as possible and carrying four pegs with which to peg out their claims. Professional runners are in great demand and they earn from £20 to £30 end sometimes as much as' £50 for the race. Previously they have- been taken over the ground by the men by whom they have been engaged, and have received instructions whero they Sre to peg the claims. BITTER COMPETITION. A very strong force of police is necesfcary as fights and disputes, often very litter ones, are frequent, particularly after the claims have been pegged out. The starting is done by flags which the police lower at a given signal. Suddenly the long line of thousands of runners breaks with a bound and soon a Bound like thunder is heard over the veldt. The professional runners soon forge ahead and the galloping army begins to take the shape of a long, long line, making for the lonely farmhouse or its surrounding country where fortune lies under tho arid-looking soil. As soon as the runners reach the farm claims are hastily pegged out. But the trouble only begins after that. The claim must bo watched with care. Other runners pant up in search of any stray corner of country which may lave been missed. Fights are frequent and pegs are moved when nobody is looking. Order is not restored for some days, and then the claims are arranged properly. In the first mad rush small sections are sometimes overlooked, and latecomers have been known to strike particularly rich diamond-producing corners which they are allowed to hold. There were only 6000 acres in the farm which Mr. Fleming saw rushed by the diamond-hunters, and in a very short time it was all taken up. Many ■were disappointed, but numbers of people, he said, make a point of going from diamond rush to diamonil rush until fortune comes to them. Mr. Fleming says that diamonds arc nsually found near the surface, and the method of finding them is simply to dig over the soil, sift it, and wash jt for diamond pebbles. During the last few years he says that small rusher) aro Suite frequent, but no matter how; small |hey are always exciting.