SOUTH AFRICAN GOLDFIELDS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 463, 16 April 1890, Page 3

SOUTH AFRICAN GOLDFIELDS.

“THE VERIEST .SHADOW AND MIRAGE.” WARNING TO AUSTRALIAN MINERS. The Transvaal “ Daily News ” of the 21st February writes— “ That ‘ B'atal Fascination ’ which Mr Stanley ascribes to Africa seems, notwithstanding; the warning notes uttered by ourselves and many of our contemporaries, to still permeate die minds of our Australian cousins, for the cry is ‘ Still they come,’ and apparently in ever-increasing numbers. Reports are continually coming to hand anent the departure from Adelaide and other Australian ports of large batches of men who leave the solid substance of their island continent for the veriest shadow and mirage —so far as gold is concerned-in Southern Africa. Numbers, we gladly notice, on arriving at Durbun or the Cape, wisely refrain from proceeding farther afield, and remain at their landing place; but still there are only too many who, allured by the witchery of the fields, come hitherward merely to meet with bitter disappointment. In connection with this influx from the antipodes, though there are numerous distressing circumstances, we cannot but note one feature, which argues well for the future of the Republic. The Australians arriving so frequently and so largely in our midst are some of the finest specimens of manhood to be found the wide world over. Apart from splendid physique, they are full to the brim with that grit and pluck which has already placed their country in the forefront of nations. Besides this, there is hardly one amongst these far-travelled birds of passage wanting in a financial sense. They bring money as well as muscle, and if they can but manage to tide over the wave of depression now sweeping over us, they will do well themselves and push the public coach ahead. Still it cannot be too much regretted that they should have left comfort and competency to find discomfort and a stagnant gold industry. We are glad to note, however, that what we wrote some months ago with reference to the inadvisability of Australians travelling to the Transvaal is bearing fruit. The Press of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide is repeating the warnings we then uttered, and have persistently continued to utter. Our ‘EI Dorado’ has been but at best a bubble; and, notwithstanding the strenuous efforts of the men who blew it into temporary brilliancy, the bubble has at last been pricked and shattered beyond all redemption. It is well that this should be so. When we reach the bed-rock of. our difficulties,matters will begin to turn, and assuredlyfor the better. In place of a thoroughly rotten and false ‘prosperity,’ we shall find steady but sure progress towards true financial stability; and in producing this desired end the Australian element in the body politic of the Transvaal will have much to do. We believe this element capable of providing the silver ining to the dark cloud now lowering over us ; but it will be matter for grievous regret if the antipodean influx continues, at any rate just now.”