becomes
flooded by suddenly tapping a large quantity of water, and at the
diamond mines this precaution is strictly carried out. In the early
days of underground mining, when many of the levels had exits into the
open mine, it was necessary, in providing numerous escapes for the
workmen, to guard against sly sallies of natives when there was no
danger, because they could leave the mine with stolen diamonds, or
could go out for the purpose of obtaining intoxicating drink, and bring
back bottles of Cape brandy, called "Cape Smoke," into the mines with
them. Although the numerous escapes from the mine were guarded by
watchmen, the dusky Kafirs would come, at times, in squads, and
overpower the guards and make their escape. An ingenious device was
invented by our electrician, Mr. Drum-mond, by placing a small copper
rod directly above the iron rungs of the ladders, and connecting both
with a battery. Then when a man placed his hand or foot upon the copper
rod, it bent down, completing the circuit, and rung an alarm bell in
the mine and on the surface. The natives could never quite understand
why they were always met by a posse of white guards at the particular
place where they were trying to escape.
In
later years, since the mines became deeper, all workmen are taken in
and out of the mines by means of cages. There are double ladderways in
the shafts which may be used in case of emergency, but there is always
a sufficient number of white men employed about the tops of these
shafts to prevent the escape of natives.
In
view of the responsibility resting upon me from my acceptance of the
General Managership of De Beers Mines in the year preceding this great
disaster, and the common duty of all connected with the mines to do
everything practicable to save life, to prevent the outbreak of fire,
and to guard against all contingencies, it is proper to note the warmly
appreciative recognition accorded by the presiding chairman, Mr.
Barnett Isaacs Barnato, at the adjourned first annual meeting of the
shareholders of the De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited. Mr. Barnato
said in his address to the shareholders : —
