Westralia.
We have received the Western Australia supplement of the Melbourne Age by the " Vagabond." It is a most interesting number, full of views* not only of Perth, but of snch out«of the-way spots as Coolgardie, Hampton Plains Estate, Kalgoorlie, Hannan's, Great Boulder, White Feather, Southern Cross, Mmgenen, and many others. It has also a valuable account of the mines at work, and those getting ready to work.
Writing about a gold field there are bound to be stories of lucky finds. A case is reported of two brothers, knowing littlo about gold, who went to Mount Jackson, some 60 miles north of the Southern Cross, and whilst prospecting camo upon an outcrop. They sank a shaft, came upon a reef, and sold the mine to an English syndicate for some thousands each. Then aMr Lukin, searching for water, found a " blow " studded with valuable gold, the worth of which has been to him £25,000.
The West Australians are said to have had little to do with the present development of the country. The people mostly met are from abroad, or other colonies, and New Zealand is especially well represented.
A story is told of a successful man, a deserter from a German man-of-war. He was in Sanwa during the hurricane At Apia, and saved himself by swimming ashore. Two years ago he worked his passage from Sjtiaey to West Australia, and went oo the gold fields. Ten months ago ha waa nearly starving, and now he shares half of £83,000.
Inland transportation is by camel. The " Vagabond " says :— " The camel, it is wall known, is like a Scotch mechanic, he doesn't often drink, but when he takes in fluid he devotes himself .to business." " Ooahtah " is the signal for a camel to stop ; and when it stop 3 it generally squats down.. Ta the new chum this process is often slightly embarrassing. Funny folks on the goldfields amuse themselves with shouting " Oostah " when a riding camel bestridden by an apparent new chum passes by. Then the camel bends its fore knees, and the new chum nearly breaks his neck. The rider hurls language at the jokers, and pnlla at the nose string till the oamel rises and pursues its way.
The value of a camel varies from £60 to £300 a head, the latter being the price paid by Mr Sam Wilson for the celebrated pacer " Lad," which is said to be able to go 600 miles without a stop.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH18960711.2.17
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
Manawatu Herald, 11 July 1896, Page 3
Word count
Tapeke kupu
411Westralia. Manawatu Herald, 11 July 1896, Page 3
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.