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Dunstan Times, Issue 537, 2 August 1872, Page 2

The news of the discoveries near Port Darwin, North Australia, must be acceived with considerable caution, of course it is highly probable there really does exist in Australia goldfields as prolific as those already discovered, still the existence’’of a rich field on the Lyall requires confirmation. The extension of the telegraphic wire across the continent of Australia has opened up an enormous area of hitherto unknown'country, while it is the desire of the South Australian Government to get it populated. To accomplish this no process equals the finding of a gold-field, and with the precious metal as a talisman, population rushes pell mell regardless of consequences. There is no pioneer of civilization equal to the gold-miner—-his hardihood, perseverance and daring overcomes all obstacles, and it is a pity that these qualities should make him the deluded victim of designing persons. If the Lyall is to become an extensive gold-field, there is plenty of time to get there, no large population,can quickly settle themselves in tropical A nstralia. In the first place the district of Port Darwin contains r.o supplies to meet the requirements of a large influx of people, meat and vegetable diet will all require to be imported, and then there are the discomforts, of the climate, and we can assure our readers that they will not he few, and unless gold can be obtained in very large quantities, mining in the tropics render life almost unbearable, let alone the loss of health, for which nothing can compensate. To those who have a comfortable heme, and possess the means of making a respectable living here, we advise to pause ere they take any decided steps in the direction of Port Darwin.