us to the mines, and here a scene presented itself which almost defies description. Within a small compass of about a mile were nearly 600 men at work digging and washing with an untiring industry at once indicative of success, whilst the steep banks were lined with every species of gunya, tent, &c. as a protection against the inclemency of the climate; the frosty nights of which we can abundantly vouch for. 'As our object was to collect facts, we at once set about it, and gathering information from the captains of the various parties, we soon arrived at the conclusion that so far as these diggings were concerned, there had been no exaggeration. Many parties we found were earning L.2 to L.4 and upwards; some, L.1 to L.2; and a few L.I downwards to utter disappointment; whilst nearly L.20 per day was the reported result of one or two of the most fortunate. The greatest success appeared to be at and in the vicinity of the holes of two or three parties formed of settlers and their sons. One man, a labourer, had near this spot procured about L.300 value the day previous to our arrival, the largest piece in which weighed nearly four pounds troy. This result must be considered of the highest importance, especially when we bear in mind the primitive construction of the cradles and other implements employed; indeed, in our observations down the creek, we did not see a single cradle washed outgenerally the result of about thirty buckets of earth and stones-without some gold in it, though in many cases the quantity was certainly very small. Many parties washing with tin dishes only, on the margin of the water, obtained a fair result in small gold. "The greatest quietness and cordiality appeared to prevail amongst all the adventurers; and our inquiries were readily and good-naturedly responded to, although it might occasion a temporary stoppage to their goldhunting: however, a natural indisposition to disclose the extent of their winnings prevented us from ascertaining anything beyond an explanation, as given above, to their average yield. How long the cordiality which now pre vails may continue is very problematical, as the pursuit of gold has ever been an apple of discord, and even thus early we have heard of the assertion of might as the title to a "hole." There is now plenty of room for some thousands in those portions of the creek now partially occupied, but sooner or later new arrivals must come in contact with the early diggers, so that the quicker the boundaries and tenure of the allotment of each party are decided the better. It would be absurd to endeavour to prevent digging under any proclamations of the rights of royalty; but if proper measures are speedily taken for licensing diggers with the concomitant regulations, the discovery of gold may be made a fresh source of great wealth without the destruction of any present enterprise or prejudice to the morality of the colony. 'As to what may be the extent of the gold-field we do not pretend to estimate; but the various creeks adjoining that now worked shew similar indications, and we have heard of parties operating with success many miles from the present head-quarters.' Another communication in the Australian papers:'At the present time there are about 1000 people at the mines, and the number is daily increasing. A friend of ours, who returned thence a few days ago, informed us that he met seventy-two on the road from Bathurst; and when it is considered that Ophir is the centre of an immense circle, from which many new trodden roads radiate in all directions, and that a steady stream of human beings is daily flowing from each, some idea may be formed of the rapid increase of the digging population. About three miles of a frontage are occupied with this busy throng. Every village of the surrounding country is emptying itself, or sending forth its quota to the great gathering. From a letter received from Carcoar by the last mail, we learn that it is nearly deserted. Fresh faces are to be daily seen in our streets which by the following day have disappeared, their places being supplied by others; and if our readers are anxious to know what has become of them, we simply tell them that they are off to the diggings. A few days ago a band of about a dozen women left Bathurst for the diggings, and since that time several small knots of females have started for that locality, where we are informed they drive a profitable trade by the washing-tub. Tents and gunyas are rearing their heads in every quarter; but hundreds receive no other protection from the weather than a few boughs thrown together after the fashion of a blackfellow's mansion. In fact the whole settlement has the appearance of a vast aboriginal camp. The precipitous ridges on each side of the creek are studded with horses by the hundred, which after a few days' naturalisation to their new homes, begin to look as rugged and haggard as their masters. The diggings commence at the junction of the Summer Hill and Lewis' Ponds Creek, and extend downwards towards the Macquarrie. Several stores have been opened, and it is said are doing a roaring trade, taking gold in payment for their goods. The neighbouring flocks supply the miners with mutton, and we hear that it is in contemplation to erect stock-yards to slaughter cattle in. Meat readily fetches 4d. per pound, and we have heard several instances in which enormous prices have been given for bread. From the miserable shelter and generally inadequate outfit of scores, whom the mania has allured thither, there can be little doubt that many are paving their way to the grave. And whilst on this part of our subject, we will tender a little advice to intending miners. Before going to Ophir, you must recollect that it is a miserably cold place, and that you require not only plenty of warm bedding, but a tarpaulin or some such convenience for shelter-that as there is abundance of hard work before you, in the performance of which you are sure to get wet, and during a portion of the time must stand in the water, plenty of food is an indispensable requisite. Again, a regular set of tools, comprising shovels, pickaxes, a crowbar, tin-dishes for ladling the water, a cradle, &c. is absolutely necessary. If you have means to obtain all these, you may stand your chance of finding more or less of the auriferous wealth of Ophir; if not, stop at home and mind your ordinary business, if you have any to mind, and we will hazard a guess that in the end you will be as rich as the gold-digger, with perhaps a much sounder constitution. Even at the present time there are much hunger and suffering which do not meet the eye.' Here follows a list of parties who have picked up large quantities of gold. The narrator thus proceeds: The success of ten or a dozen men is not to be understood as the gauge by which the luck of all is to be measured; and although the general impression of respectable people seems to be that most of the diggers are procuring more or less gold in return for their labour, it must be recollected that there are hundreds of whose success or failure we are unable to speak. That there are many cases of failure we have been repeatedly informed, and know of instances in which shepherds have been hired at the diggings, who had been starved and worked into intense disgust against gold-finding, and left the place much poorer than they arrived at it. "From the foregoing relation of facts, some idea may be formed of the state of our town and district. In sober seriousness," the times are out of joint." The wisest men are mere children in the matter, and are as little aware how it will end.' According to letters of later date, discoveries of gold in incalculable abundance had been made on the Turon River; and prodigious accordingly was the fresh excitement. Wonderful times these! A great future opens on Australia- and, if we mistake not, on the home country too! THE RAILWAY TRAIN. POESY is creation; whoso planned Swifter than flight, or ploughing through the seas Lo! here is poetry-the Railway Train! The mass comes thundering like an avalanche o'er A little space, a minute, and a mile. Like drifted cloud, to its determined place; MANCHESTER, 1944. H. R. VOL. I. L |