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Archiver > SOUTH-AFRICA > 2002-01 > 1011898653


From: "David Morris" <>
Subject: Re: New Rush
Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 20:57:41 +0200
References: <001801c1a4b1$81e94680$922a56d2@macleodfamily>


Dear Lynn,
New Rush was the original name for a part of what is now Kimberley. It
reflects the mining context on the Diamond Fields, in that each new spot
found to be diamondiferous was "rushed" by diggers.
In 1873 the Secretary of State for the Colonies - Lord Kimberley - famously
insisted that the places newly within his jurisdiction on the Diamond Fields
"must receive decent and intelligible names". His Lordship declined to be
associated with "such a vulgarism as New Rush and as for Voortuitzigt...he
could neither spell nor pronounce it." He requested that "English sounding
names" might be given to the districts around the mining camps.
The populist "Diamond Field" newspaper, reflecting diggers' committee
interests against the Southey administration, objected to the new name,
publishing the famous jibe: "...we went to sleep in New Rush and awaked up
in Kimberley, and so our dream was gone.." (cited in Roberts, B. 1976.
Kimberley: turbulent city, p 116).
Regards
David

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don.MacLeod" <>
To: <>
Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2002 10:31 AM
Subject: New Rush


> Another 'curly' for the list - where is/was New Rush ?
> Kind regards
> Lynn
>
>
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