A Goldfields Story.

Manawatu Herald, 15 July 1902, Page 3

A Goldfields Story.

A reference in the Daily Chronicle to the “ rushes ’’ and “ stampedes ” on the colonial goldfields, writes a correspondent to that journal, will recall many curious incidents to oldtimers. on the fields. Some years ago in Victoria, on a played-out goldfield, there was _ a handsome and commodious hospital. Save for one public-house, the once prosperous town was quite deserted. The doctor who looked after the hospital saw to it that the minimum number of patients sixteen —■ were retained, otherwise his Government stipend of £BOO a year would have lapsed. The patients were all hale and hearty loafers, and when occasionally one escaped, the doctor had an anxious time, till he picked up some bard-up tramp to fill the vacancy. Once a new diggings broke out a few miles away, and the doctor became aware that the bulk of the hospital inmates were concerting a plan to elope by night. To save his situation he went round among the ringleaders of the revolt, examined their tongues, made out that they had something feeriously wrong with them, and put them on a course of medicine that effectually prevented them from joining in the “ rush.”