A Wellingtonian in Klondyke.

Manawatu Herald, 23 February 1899, Page 2

A Wellingtonian in Klondyke.

Writing from the Klondyke at the end of the year, an ex Wellington (Mr. G. W. Baird) says :— " I haye "^ done little enough since I came in, but I have done far better than the large majority of chschacoß (new chum?). lam a little ahead of what I started from New Zealand with. When I arrived wages were at a pretty high figure (£8 'get day), at which I secured some employment. Then went in for cutting firewood, which we sold in Dawson at as much : as £9 par cord. I made £10 per day at that for a little while. But all these snaps; are gone now, wages are not to be had anywhere, and cord wood i 3 overdone. Scurvy is very prevalent all though the country, as also was tyhoid. In the rush for fresh vegetables for health's sake, popatoes went up to 4? per lb, onions 8s and lemons 8* each, mpat 5? per lb. The officials in Dawson have had a good time, • palm-greasing ' being a common . and necessary custom. Whilst there has beeif^R improvement of late, there is still lots of room for more. I^shall stand by the country as . long as I think

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there is a chance of anything turning up. I have a couple of claims Dot yet proved, and am waiting for o'hers to develop, bat have not much faith in them.".