The Evening Star FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1872.

Evening Star, Issue 3010, 11 October 1872, Page 2

The Evening Star FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1872.

Amongst the extraordinary popular delusions that decoy men from place to place must be classed the periodical cry of rich gold discoveries. No doubt there may be some truth in the report of payable gold having been discovered in Queensland, and very possibly some who are attracted by the golden vision may chance to hit upon the spot that will yield them riches in abundance. Such things have happened to many in California, New South Wales, Victoria, and New Zealand ; but, like every other pursuit, gold-mining pays the best and supports the greatest number of miners if followed as a systematic calling. Import more than its ordinary chances into it, and industry becomes fitful and capricious, and there is waste of time and energy. Tt is surprising that the experience of twenty years has not taught the populations of the Colonies these truths. Where one man succeeds in the chace after gold at a new rush, one hundred are doomed to disappointment and distress. The history of numberless rushes proves this. The singularity is, that with advancing knowledge, sound viesvs concerning those matters have not become more diffused. The rush to Port Curtis is perhaps almost out of date to act as a warning to those who since that time have grown up to manhood. It was one of the first of those deceptions that have been practised upon populations for private purposes. The diggings there, were pulled in glowing terms : men had only to go thither and stoop and pick up gold almost without labor. Such a thing as deception never entered the mind of the thousands that flocked to the ideal golden stores. They took no thought for failure ; or if they did, they speculated upon their neighbors not succeeding. It is said men cannot realise the idea of their own deaths. They can reflect upon and perceive the chances of another’s death, but each has the conviction that he himself will some way or other escape. Something of these vague and misty beliefs in personal success seems to float before the minds of a certain class of gold-diggers. They hear that some dozen men have succeeded, and conclude that because they have done well, it is a reason why others should do well too. They see the possibility of success, but take no account of the chances of failure. Perhaps even those who read this warning may shut their eyes to its truth, and until experience brings it home to them, count it an attempt to smother enterprise. We have instanced Port Curtis, because it seems to be a case more immediately in point than many others that might be cited that have occurred in all alluvial mining districts. It was mainly a shipping speculation. There was gold there in small quantity, but like the ►South Sea Bubble, it was

“ A rave invention to destroy the crowd Of fools at home instead of fools abroad.” A hundred or two might have made a living, but thousands poured in. It was a good harvest for shipping proprietois. Great numbers raised money enough to pay their passage thither, hut had nothing left to live upon until they found gold there. It was not like the rush to Victoria. The climate was too hot to work comfortably in : the products of the country were not in sufficient quantity for the numbers who rushed in : provisions rose enormously, and even storekeepers who went thither expecting to make money, lost almost as much through the credit given as the extra profit on their goods. Had not the Victorian Government humanely sent vessels for the deceived and suffering crowd, the waste of human life and distress would have been fearful to contemplate. The Ropor diggings are Port Curtis aggravated. Very little inquiry is needed to satisfy those who are not wilfully blind on this point. The climate is unsuited to the constitution of the British race. One single fact is sufficient lo convince of this : the estates in Queensland are culti-

vated by Polynesian slave labor, because persons of European descent cannot hear the beat. We have private information respecting these diggings, which tolls us that water is scarce there, and the accounts published in the Australian papers describe them as overrated as to yield, and over-populated. Some accounts even go so far as to state that they may be considered failures Wfi j'li'pfl not point to the chances of success of those who go : they are sufficiently sanguine \ but we confess ouiselves very doubtful oi their success, because in our estimation, the chances of failure are far greater. Our reasons are—lst. There aie stiong motives on the part of seveial interested classes, to exaggeiate the richness of the diggings. Shipowners are interested in it, because thereby their vessels are heavily freighted with passengers. Certain merchants are interested, because thc} r see a market for their goods, should population be gathered there. A few squatters are interested, because they will have a market for their flocks; and the country is interested, because, if the goldfields turn out well, its resources become developed, and if not, a laboring population will be there, who must work to live, for they will not have means to get away. Thus there are classes able to spiead exaggerated reports, who are deeply interested in having them believed. 2ndly, The ground known to be auriferous is already taken up, and new auivals will have to prospect for themselves, in a new country, and under new conditions. 3rdly, Where one European constitution bears up against the heat of tropical climates, a dozen or moie sink ; and we know of no industry that requires for success so uninterrupted a course of sound health as gold mining. Of the many going there, as large a proportion will die through privation and climatic influence as would fall in battle during a period of war equally extended. Thus, where one chance is in favor of success, there are one hundred against it. Weie a lottery projected in which the known chances against drawing a prize were 100, would many be found to take shares ? Men would say it was rather too sporting a concern to risk then “ tin” in. But these Roper diggings are far more “ a sporting lottery. Men going there from New Zealand have to invest at least half-a-year s earnings, in addition to two months loss of time, to roach them, besides leaving settled industries, which with moderate effort and ordinary care would secure independence, What was said by Bit Robert Walpole ot the feea Rubble, may very truly he said ot the Roper, and most other speculative diggings : The great principle of the project was an evil of lirst-rate magnitude ; it was to raise artificially the value of the stock, by exciting and keeping up a general infatuation, and by promising dividends out of funds which could never be adequate for the purpose. Change the form of the promise to obtaining yields of gold from ground that does not contain sufficient for the purpose, and the parallel holds.