COLONIAL SKETCHES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 212, 10 September 1867, Page 2

COLONIAL SKETCHES.

V.-— THK GOLD-MINER. . Tho fascination of a gold-miner's life exercises a power of attraction to the mind of the adventurous stronger that even the mere acquisition of the metal. There is a free lawlessness about life in tents, which "added to a perfect independence over one's own action, renders it novel and fascinating. This is the magnetic power which has drawn thousands of men to venture their industry upon the goldfields, and to track the pathless desert in search of wealth. And few men become more absorbed in the pursuit of their vocation than the miners. They become, aa it were, wedded to it, and no opportunity of advancement by other means wiil be accepted. In California at the present time are to be found men, who since 1848, have followed with varying success the fortunes of its gold-fields. Examples of this kind are to be found ia many trades, but when we consider the hardships and privations which have to be undergone by the miner, we must admire his perseverance. The difficulties which meet him in his career are of ho ordinary character, and require an iron constitution to overcome them. He has to sleep amidst the snows of Otago, and near the swamps of the West Coast. Four years ago, an example of perseverance was afforded upon the Molyneux River, which illustrates an eminent point of tbe miner's character. The river was supposed to contain vast wealth, which might be obtaiued when the stream lowered. It was generally supposed that the frosts of winter by freezing up the tributaries would accomplish the desired object, and through one of the severest winters experienced since the settlement did 500 men shepherd the river. Not a few cf them died through exposure, and many sought refuge in Tuapeka Hospital afflicted with frost-bitten limbs and scurvy. These privations were encountered on the strength of anticipations which were never realised. It was found tbat the nearer the bed of the river, the poorer became the grouud, This is an instance of what forms the general rule, except in old established diggings, of a miner's life. There are two distinct classes of miners — the prospector aud the steady hand. The prospector is nearly always on the move and at all times restless. He is continually diving into out of tha way corners and discovering gold. His dream is to discover some pile, and become the father of some gigantic rush. He leads a life similar to that led by the furhunlers or deuizens of the American forest; but he has to wring his subsistence from far more inhospitable woods. No ground offers less material to support life than a New Zealand birch forest or the stony ranges of Otago. Gabriel Reed, Moonlight, and Fox are men, whose names are familiar to all, and who may be said to form types of our subject. Let us select the former. His enterprising spirit led him to search these islands in - many places for the precious metal. The west coast of the North Island first arrested his attention, and it was after trying and prospecting the country between Wanganui and lington, that he selected Otago as the next field of operation. Shortly after arriving there, he opened the famous gully which bears his name, and it is a question whether a richer was ever exposed to the miner's pick. , He . was far however from being contented, and waß soon in search of other fields. Miners and the colony generally owe much to such men as Gabriel Reed—men of;) iron constitutions and strong wills, who compel the earth to reveal the hiding places of her wealth. The steady going ?miner rarely discovers gold,: but persistently reaps tho fruits of the prospecting' 'ef others. He generally drops in after the.. ground has been rushed foi* two or three: days, and not unfrequentlyl possessing capital, sets to work in a systematic, and; substantial manner. He is not to be carried away from ground where he is realising fair returns by the restlessness). of his neighbors. Companies are formed of this class who carry on large and extensive workings. • The Blue ; Spur\ Company ,of OtagoV and, immense workings at 'present

being carried on in the K)ah ieri, evidence the extensive results acquired by the union of labor and capital, in the pursuit cf gold-mining. The social life of'the gold-miner is in harmony with his occupation. He toils hard to obtain a bit of gold and then spends his gains with a liberality resembling that of a sailor ashore. The vagaries of the Successful miner" are well known. He will . isolate himself from his fellowsfor months, camped iv some da»-k gully until he gathers a considerable store, when he will emerge Into society and squander it with open haed. Indeed they have been known to dissipate, in some.dusky, miserable shanty, in a few weeks, a sum that would maintain them in comfort and moderate pleasure for as many years. Many however who are .settled on large claims, gather around themselves comforts, and few iuland towns of New Zealand present so many neat cottages and gardens as are to be found in Xawrence, Otago. The Wanganui l*imes is informed that his Excellency the Governor has decided upou removing the head-quaters of the IBth from Wanganui to Wellington; that two companies will remain in Waugauui, one or two go to Napier, and perhaps a .company to Tarannki. It appears that the question how to give a fitting reception to the Duke of Edinburgh is agitating the native mind. The natives are extremely anxious that the Frince should receive a favorable impression of them on his landing in New Zealand; and there can be no doubt that his Royal Highness will look upon the Maoris, of whom he must have heard a great deal, with considerable interest. The idea which has been expressed amongst them is that several of the leading men from each bapu should come to Auckland to receive the Prince on his landing. During the late American war a " contraband" came into the Federal lines in North Carolina, aud was marched up to the officer of the day to give an account of himself, whereupon thefollowing colloquy ensued : — " What's your name ?" — " My name's Sam."—" Sam what ?"— " No, sah; no Sam Watt. I'se jist Sam." — " What's your other name?"— l hasn't got no oder name sah. I'se Sam — dats all." — " What's your master's name?" — "I*se got no massa now ; massa ruuned away — yah ! yah ! I'se free nigger now." — "Well, what's your father's and mother's name ?" " I'se got none, sah — neber had none. I'se jist Sara — aint nobody else." — " Haven't you any brothers or sisters ?" — " No, sah ! neber had none. No brudder, no sister, no fader. no mudder, no massa — nothin' but Sam, When you see Sam you see all dere is of us."