Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-09-23
The Australian Gold Diggings


We take the following picture of scenes
in the gold diggings Of Australia from an
English paper. One Of those that used to
have so much to say about the low stale of
morality in California:
FRIARs' CREEK, MOUNT ALEXANDER Dc
GINGs, Feb. IA, 1852. The writer says
"Since | wrote 10 you last, SIX months
ago, have been engaged in the several &C.
equations OF gold digging, gold buying, and
docIorlng god-diggers, having been 10 al
most all The diggings iha; have al present
been found in these vast aurIierous regions.
1t is impossible 10 convey any idea OF the
immense sums made by individuals, in a
few days. and far from The reports that are
published being exaggerated, they are, as
sure, much below the mark-lhIS know
from personal experience, both as gold
digger and buyer. The other day, a piece
weighing 27lb. Soz of pure gold, was picked
up within few hundred yards of where
am now writing and is being exhibited in
Melbourne at Is. head Many men that |
have known as common laborers have now
their thousand or more pounds; and what is
more satisfactory is that every man may
make his pounds worth day, merely with
a Tin dish and spade.
The state of society at this part OF The dig
gings is low in the extreme, the greatest
insecurity of life and properly exists, bands
of the greatest ruffians under the sun are
prowling about unmolested by the police or
the diggers, and every night, and even in the
broad day, the most impudent robberles are
committed. You will be surprised TO hear
that never venture from my tent by night
or day without my revolver IN my hand ; that
never lie down 10 sleep without it at my
side; that we watch the tent by turns 10
save our property, for the ruffians, knowing
that we have a considerable sum of money
always at the tent, keep bright lookout
upon us. We keep our tent already pre-
pared for a sege-muskets, pistols, bayo-
nets and revolvers always ready. My med
icine chest, which weighs about 9 cwt., is
elevated 10 the post Of the treasury box, and
TO each handle we have a fierce dog. The
night is generally envened 10y the cry of
murder, the muffled cry of some poor devil
gagged, the barking OF dogs, and The occa-
sional report OF some description of fire
arms, all announcing that some fun is going
on some where. We dare not stir, even al
though we see man being robbed or gagged
20 yards off, Tor there is just a chance that il
is plant as they call it here, 10 draw you
from your tent, and then 10 sack il.
You will naturally say, why live III such
place as this, when there are others quiet
and orderly 1or near the commissioners,
wherever they may be, there is always quiet
and security p | answer, for the sake Of
gain, and il may be little love of excite
ment. This is one of the most lucrative
spots of business, as well as the worst pro-
tected, but we also live in hopes that the
Government will interfere, and establish
commission somewhere near. / have had,
as you may suppose, lots of gunshot wounds
to attend to, besides some slabs and trac-
lures, and there is great deal of dysentery
and opthalmia, SO that pick UP few gum
cas- and half gulneas that way.
TIE grand drawback is the want OF waller;
we have no fine rivers as in America, and
there are no running streams as in most
mountainous countries. The scenery in
ibis district is really fine, and you can con-
ceive nothing more picturesque than the
clusters of tents of every variety in every Gull
Iy between the mountains; The fine tall gum
trees and the oaks covering some OF the
hills, others being perfectly bald, with fan
tastlc rocks juIrlns from their sides, the
W
with the bright green foliage Of their yellow
hills. Our life is migratory, our movements
depending on the supply of water, water is
the digger's best companion, without which
he cannot get on. A bushman and digger
must depend entirely upon himself; he must
be able to pltch his own tent, cut his own
wood, light his own fire, cook his own NUT
ton chop, teich his own water, and do all
those name!ess lItIle things that are never
thought of at home, because they never
come under our notice. He must also rough
the severe storms that sometimes occur here,
and must smile ifa pelting hurricane car
ries his tent away in the night during pelt-
ing shower when he is in bed | have seen
men get lib. weight Of The gold with five or
six blows of pick. The best proofs, how
ever, will he the immense sums exported for
England"