One reads in the Diggers’ Gazette of the 26th April, 1872:—­

“No one would wish to ask for a continuation of the existing state of affairs.  Only entirely mischievous people could wish for the continuation of such a failure as our Commissioners of British rule have brought about on these Fields.  We have formerly expressed ourselves openly about this matter, and our local contemporaries have done the same.”

The following remarks were made in the Diamond News of the 16th December, 1871:—­

“A description of Du Toit’span by night lately appeared in the Diamond News as it used to be under the admittedly unsatisfactory Free State police, and, by way of contrast, as it now is, after the withdrawal of that police.  The comparison is not flattering to the strength of mind or administrative capability of our present rulers, and a comparison of Free State administration with Cape administration would in no way be more favourable to the latter.

“The British Government, so highly prized, which would put everything to rights and would do so much for the diggers, has brought the camps back to their original position of having to protect themselves.”

In the Diamond News of the 10th July, 1872 (eight months after the constitution of Sir Henry Barkly’s rule), the following criticisms appear:—­

“Robberies are becoming so frequent that if we were only to relate the particulars of those that have been brought to our notice we would require more space than our limits will allow.  Innumerable petty thefts are passed by without punishment.  This is certainly a charming state of affairs!  And the question naturally arises—­how long will this continue?  Thieves, black and white, experienced and dangerous, and yet no night police to stop their illegal actions!  Shall we get no night police, or must the scoundrels, who are poisoning our camps continually, enjoy the immunity and freedom which they now appear to have?”

On the 26th July lynch law and revolt broke out afresh in an extensive way at New Rush, the principal diggings.  The Diggers’ Gazette made the following remarks about this:—­

“As long as Judge Lynch remains free to hold his court and to levy his punishments, for so long can the whole framework and machinery of lawful authority just as well cease to exist.

“Authority cannot maintain its claim to be respected as long as persons suffering under the sense of having been injured take the law into their own hands, solely because of the proved incapability of those in authority to protect them where their interests mostly need protection.

“Day after day, and night after night, the one or other part of the camp is entertained by the edifying spectacle of natives being thrashed, tents being burnt, and white people surrounded by ferocious crowds who can scarcely be kept back from carrying out their desire for vengeance by a small truncheon and a thick thong.