PRINCIPAL SOUTH AFRICAN MINES 283
the
terms offered by the De Beers were accepted, and the Dutoitspan became
a part of the Consolidation. The De Beers management, nevertheless,
having gained control of the mine, did close it down and kept it idle
until they succeeded in buying up all the outstanding shares. Then they
made preparations to work it.
When
the De Beers began to work the mine, there was about a hundred feet of
water in it. Pumps were installed and about 296,000,000 gallons
removed. On August 13, 1901, a shaft in the reef was begun and sunk to
775 feet. It went through:
