JOHANNESBURG OUT OF IT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2802, 28 June 1890, Page 5 (Supplement)

JOHANNESBURG OUT OF IT.

A magnificent goldfield, we read in an American paper, has just been discovered up north. According to a local paper, there ia gold in the water, there is gold in the air, gold everywhere. It: is so plentiful that every miner carries his own gold belt wherever he goes. Some carry the metal in their teeth. The barmen of the local public-houses maUe large sums every week by brushing off and saving the golddust which travellers bring in on their clothes. The handcuffs of the looal police are gold bauds. The most wonderful discovery of all is that the river which runs through the camp is simply liquid gold. Nets are set in the river over night to catch the nuggets which come floating down, and these miners make their breakfast off the goldfish which get caught along wit!) the nuggets. Wash china in the stream and it comes out gold plate. A "whaler" went in swimming, and came out completely clad in gold armour, but not being satisfied with a 13-carat suit he went in again for a second coat, and was drowned by the weight. A half-caste baby was changed into a golden cherub by immersion in the water, so that its mother refused to own it. Cattle driven into the water, so that they may drink, walk out on the other side gilded and watered stock. Calves walk in, and on emerging from the other side, get worshipped. To obtain a rich golden butter it is only necessary to throw in a goat. People with the jaundioo have it turned into gold fever right off. Is it any wonder that people have the gold fever when they live in a gold region so permeated with the stuff aa this is ?