THE ALLEGED DIAMOND A QUARTZ PEBBLE.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1990, 21 September 1869, Page 3

THE ALLEGED DIAMOND A QUARTZ PEBBLE.

On Monday, August IG, at noon, a private meeting of the shareholders in the Diamond Company was holden at the Royal Hotel, Sydney, in the apartments of J. B. Butters, Esq., that gentleman being called upon to preside. Extraordinary excitement prevailed, and the excitement amongst the sharejjpldprs yyas immense, and sharps that had sold in the morning at L 25 were transferred at L 35. On the return of Mr Townsend and some of the members of the deputation, it transpired that the bank authorities had required an indemnity to assure them against further disputes as to the delivery of the identical package containing the

diamond j but ■while in the custody of the bank, Mr Butters ami Mr Townsend positively declined to allow it to be opened. This intelligence, instead of creating apprehension that another source, of litigation with respect to the Armidale diamond had sprung into existence, only tended to increase the excitement, and the shares went up to a higher premium. Home delay again occurred in the delivery of the stone, and it was not until about 3 o’clock that Mr S. C. Brown, accompanied by M essrs Townsend and Butters and several shareholders, arrived at the Royal Hofei, haying succeeded in obtaining the precious prize. The illustrious Stanger was greeted with loud cheers as soon as it became known that the deputation had succeeded in bringing it with them. The shareholders then adjourned to the dining room, from which the press and all but those who were directly interested in

the value of the stone were excluded. Indeed, many shareholders who could not produce their scrip were placed in the position of ox terns. After some further discussion, the package was opened, and the supposed diamond was revealed to the of the shareholders, who examined it carefully, ami at once arrived at the unanimous opinion that it must be a most valuable stone. A champagne libation was indulged in, and the band that had been sent for in the interim struck up “ See tire conquering hero comes,” the vigorous huzzas resounding from the meeting room mingling with martial snatches from the ever - popular oratorio. On Tuesday it was on view to the public at tiro Masonic Hall on payment of half-a-crown a head. In all probability those who invested their money in its purchase, and were exhibiting it, were sincere in their belief as to its genuineness ; and, as for the public at large, to use the old showman’s phrase, those who wished to see it could “pay their money and take choice ” whether they would call it a diamond or anything else. There can bo do doubt whatever that the finder, Mr Townsend, got L4UO in cash for the stone, and that he was a very lucky fellow ; for after the above was in type, we received a letter from Dr Thomson, stating that that gentleman did not hesitate to pronounce the supposed diamond a quartz pebble. Others who

professed to be judges of precious stones called it a topaz, but the Rev. W. B. Clarke pronounced it to be “ nothing but a water-worn, long-exposed pebble of rock crystal, or quartz.” Mr Townsend “cleared out” of Sydney in the Hunter River steamer on Wednesday. A meeting of shareholders was held yesterday at the Royal Hotel. Mr Butters was called in the chair, and reported that the stone, on being tested hy Professor Thompson and the Rev. W. B. Clarke, was declared to be a quartz crystal and valueless. The manner in which the business was conducted by Mr Butters was favourably commented on.