THE STORY OF A DIAMOND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7695, 2 May 1903, Page 2

THE STORY OF A DIAMOND.

An interesting character sketch of Mr J. B Robinson, the Africander millionaire, appears in the '"Review of Reviews:" The story of Mr Robinson's experiences at t_ie» first finding of diamonds, and afterwards of gold, in Soudh Africa is a remarkable one. But perhaps the mosfc sensational of the facts are those in connection with the finding of one of (the earliest -tones" thatl oame from the diamond country. A farmer called Van Niekerk (so Itfr Robinson.: tells his iriberview-c) had stoodj in with another in the sale of a curious pebble, whioh was \found to be _ fine diamond, and brought them £500. The account goes oia : —"Thos set Van Niekerk thinking. He remembered that some time ago he hadi secci a.-ib-le 'bushman, who carried o_ a string round h_s neck as a. land of char__ a big stone, which had tihe same dull lustrous glow as that which had just- been sold a_v the cost of £500. He «addle l d his hotrse and rode off fco ~ae_ and, if possible, to find the bu_hman. . Ha rode here and he rode there, but the miasing hiis-man. was nowhere to be seen. Wherever he wee* he left word. that if the bushman turned iipi he should be sent on to him afc once, and at lasfc he turned homeward fearing that) the prize had escaped him." Bub tibe Dtrtoh farmer was a favourite of fotttune., Mr Robinson- story proceeds:-r---"Some time afterwards Niekesk got up *early to hamesa two lean horses so as to drive into Hopetown. He saw a dirty little bushman sitting alb the end of the -.ouse. 'Who are you?' he asked. 'Dbn't you know me, baas?. T^hey said you wanbedi _».' In the dim light Niekerk xe-pgniaedl his bushmkn: 'Hav6 ydu !g,t toa* (&<xxq*

said he, 'that ywt nsed to wear round yo«_ neck as a ch_raa?' 'Yes, baas/ said thfl bushman. 'Let me see it.' The hushmaa slowly undid a dirty bag which he wore round his neck and produced a huge diamond. After, a Ulttle bargaining the bushman agreed to part with it for a -keejfci Niekerk drove -off to Hopetown, where he sold it for £11^00. Ib was _ie famous. Star of Africar-^-a. diamond which wu afterwards sold to _be Countess of Dudley foi' -800,000. I -ried to get _t, said- Mr «]-___• son, long afterwards, but- 1 find it is nd. longer in the possession, of thes._*a<___ys. IB is said to be somewhere in America^, bub I ihave nere-* heen able to trace it.?