THE INFLUENCE OF WOMEN ON GOLDFIELDS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2840, 7 November 1885, Page 3

THE INFLUENCE OF WOMEN ON GOLDFIELDS.

"The Vagabond" writes from the Queensland gold fields:—"l have seldom been disappointed as on this visit. "Why ? They have become too respectable for my purposes here! A large majority of ihe miners are :h>vm married and stay at home at nights, instead of loafing in the bars and dancing saloons as of old. The immigration system of Queensland has of late- years supplied this colony with a number of healthy -'"young women, who naturally prefer to get married, and have homes, however humble, and a progeny of their own to be doing chores for and nuivsing the babies of other people. And irrespective of the old rule ' man will have bib mate,' Bill, the miner wanted a partner Co make his damper, f-y b'pfsfeak, {lad wash his yinr;..;. ,\ oaii.u s :~-

flaence is plainly perceived in the cottages seatteied about this goldfield. Six years ago Bill and hi* male were content with the rudest of bark humpies. A couple of stietchers, some blankets, table and seats made out of spirit cases, a frying pan, a billy and pannikins, and a broken looking-glaBS comprised their household goods. Now •he bark huts are disappearing, and those which remain have good doors and casements. Bill now generally lives in a neat weatherboard cottage filled with nice Chinese made furniture. Everything around him is clean and smart, children cluster ab his knee, and is to be hoped he is happier." These remarks will apply very much to our own goldfield, where neat weatherboard cottages are springing up fast on road.