298 THE DIAMOND MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA
in
possible range at least, was not confinable to the Diamond Fields or
Cape Colony, or even, perhaps, the scope of the whole Dark Continent.
It
was remarked somewhat caustically at the time, but with undeniable
keenness, that it was much easier to tell what this amazing Company
could do than to determine what it should not do under its articles of
association and trust deed incorporation under the limited liability
laws of the Cape of Good Hope. It might shift its head office from
Kimberley to any other place on earth. It might " acquire by purchase,
amalgamation, grant, concession, lease, license, barter, or otherwise
any houses, lands, farms, tracts of country, quarries, mines, mining or
other claims, rights and privileges, water rights, waterworks or other
works, privileges, rights and hereditaments, diamonds and other
precious stones, gold and other minerals, ores, coals, earth, and any
other valuable product or substance, machinery, plant, utensils, trade
marks, patents for invention, licenses to use any patented invention,
and other movable and immovable property of any description in Africa
or elsewhere." Under this liberal license, the only apparent obstacle
to its ownership of the face of the earth is the declination of other
holders to sell or give it away.
It
was further specifically authorized to carry on a mining and general
trading business in any part of the globe, and to construct, maintain,
and operate any tramways, railways, roads, tunnels, waterworks,
canals, gas works, electric works, reservoirs, water-courses, furnaces,
stamping works, smelting works, factories, and in general, " any other
works and conveniences which the Company may think conducive to any of
its objects." It might also become interested in, promote, and
undertake the formation and establishment of such institutions or
companies (trading, manufacturing, banking, or other) as may be
considered to be conducive to the profit and interest of the Company,
and to carry on any business, in short, " calculated directly or
indirectly to render any of the Company's properties or rights for the
time being profitable." There was also provision for the
