64

RHODESIA OE l'O-DAY

Y

THE BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA COMPANY’S MINING LAW

The mining law in Matabeleland is identical witli that in Maslionaland ; but special privileges were granted to the men who took part in the recent expedition. Each volunteer had a free right to peg out twenty claims in Matabeleland at the termination of the war, and this right was transferable. For four months, from Decem­ber 25 last, the volunteers had a monopoly of selection, as the Matabeleland goldfields were not thrown open to the world until April 25. Since April 25 anyone in the country is entitled to peg out a block of ten claims, a claim in both territories being 150 feet by 600 feet. The holder forfeits his block should he fail to sink a 80 feet shaft upon it within four months of registration; but if he has performed this