THE MINERS OF NEWCASTLE.
The ‘Vagabond,’ who has lately been visiting Newcastle (New South Wales) thus sums up his impression of the miners. He says On Saturdays, special trains run to Newcastle form the adjacent mining townships, and return late. I have seen so many Saturday nights amongst the colliers in Great Britain that I thought I should here have a chance of picking Tip some “ character” and information. But—and I am very glad to write that it is so—in this respect Newcastle offers a great contrast to any similar town in England. The miners and their wives promenaded the streets, stared in the shop windows, made some slight purchases, and went home soberly and sedately. There was really very little drinking. I thought of the oceans of ale I have seen p aired down thirsty throats at Wigan, at Bilston, and Tredegar ; of the wives sitting i>y their * masters’ ’ sides waiting to help them home; of the rows and quarrels and brutal fights—and I was thankful that labor in Australia has learned one important attribute of manhood—selfrespect. Tile miners give the police in this district very little trouble ; what drunkenness and rowdyism there may he i< amongst the crews of the foreign vessels in port.
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Kumara Times, Issue 487, 18 April 1878, Page 2
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206THE MINERS OF NEWCASTLE. Kumara Times, Issue 487, 18 April 1878, Page 2
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