Coolgardie Goldfields.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 12, 13 July 1895, Page 2

Coolgardie Goldfields.

.3, _ The Western Australian, or more familiarly known as Coolgarclie goldfields, do not seen to have beea such an Eldorado as reported. Amongst the numerous stories of exceedingly rich finds an occasional tale of woe has been heard, but the latter is a rare exception. However, there is reason to doubt the accuracy of reports announcing rich discoveries of the precious metal, for it has been very difficult to get reliable information. Recently Mr F. B, Dick, a brother of Mr Alfred Dick, of Birmingham, returned from there and he informed a representative of this journal that the fields are overdone and the majority of the people are not doing well. The fields are rich to a certain extent, but it costs so much to work the reefs that, to be successful, a person requires plenty of money as the water and provisions have to be carried to the fields on camels. With bad water, bad tucker and excessive Ik at, 120 being registered in the shade sometimes, there is considerable danger of death from fever or other malady, while washing is an almost unknown luxury. MiDick went from New Zealand to Perth, and when there was advised by persons to whom he had letters of introduction not to go on to Coolgarclie, so he went south to Albany and from there to Dundas, a canvas town 135 miies inland with a population of about 200, two stores being in the locality, but it is with the greatest difficulty even scanty provisions can be obtained. Norseman, a mining settlement of about 500 inhabitants, is about IS miles from Dundas. It was in these districts Mr Dick tried his luck for five or six weeks, but without success. From Norseman to Coolgardie is 130 miles, and all these journeys have to be done on foot. In addition to a scarcity of water and provisions and excessive heat, there are scorpions to be contended with. Thousands of men have gone to these fields in search of wealth, the majority being unsuccessful and disappointed, and many have died of thirst, starvation or disease. JSew Zealanders seem to fare badly, as it is stated on reliable authority that of 110 known New Zealanders 80 were carried away by disease. This is supposed to be due to their strong physique resisting all attacks, until they contract a fatal malady.