“OLLA PODRIDA."

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 155, 29 October 1872, Page 6

“OLLA PODRIDA."

♦— “ Off to the Roper” is apparently-the popula- watchword of the day, and we may expect, if favourable news arrives, to see the unwonted spectacle of a new rush on a scale of great magnitude, showing that the miner is not vet rid of the nomadic, and I may say g-egirions, habits, with which ho is generally accredited. lam much reminded of a mining sta-nnede when I come across a flock of sheep ; first one is startled and runs, then another, and finally the contagion of fear spreads through the flock, and off thev go. “ helter skelter.” So it is with diggers : one or two start from a'place, those left get restless, and anxious to be among the first on the new ground, and off they go,—without waiting for satisfactory and reliable news ; the l mere fact of gold having been discovered is sufficient for them. They will not stop to consider the suitability of climate or season, and will rush right into the torrid or frigid zone, fever and ague, or possible starvation, with as little preparation as if they were only going on a dav’s journey. This sniff of thing is doub less enterprising, and to a certain extent courageous ; but in the present instance I would advise intending Darwinians to moderate their ardour. The news to hand, so far, is not sufficient to warrant a rush, the wet weather has set in there, and the country "between the Port and the goldfields will bo impassable until the end of April next; and further, if- the discovery should prove genuine, the country is of such an extent that the present floating population of the Colonies would he as a mere fleabite in the way of pomilation. There are other reasons which xnght bo adduced for patience, but 1 will simply state that mv views are based upon those of friends in Victoria, who are watching the result of the discovery with as much anxiotv as anv one here, and who purpose giving it a trial if the news improves, but in the meantime have prudently decided to wait. I notice a very considerable decrease in the number of “ whalers,” who were wont to put in an appearance about sundown at this season, and apprehend from this fact that the squatters may happen to find labour at shearing time a scarce commodity, as the shearers and labourers are generally drawn from the ranks of the fraternity. I do not know if “King Vogel’s” public works scheme has contributed to lessen the peripatetic industry, but the fact is patent that the nuisance is abating ; so let ns charitably hope that the promised absorption has commenced. Speaking of the irrepressible “Jewlius,” without whose guidance, it wmld seem, New Zealand shall not progress, 1 wonder if he is revengeful. I have not seen a copy of the new Mining Bill attempted to be introduced, hut judging from the expressions which came from all sides, there must be something ra’di cally rotteif and repugnant to the miners in its contents, —into which, if he has had a finger in the pie, lie may have imported a eoupcon of malice as a quid pro ipio to the mining community for their persistent rejection of Ills valuable services as a representative, on the hustings in Victoria in olden times. I therefore hope he bears no ill-will, for verily he is fearfully and wonderfully astute, clever, and cunning, and our muchtrusted goldfields members are but as potter’s clay in his hands. These gentlemen should look out lest they are overreached, and allow our mining laws to fall into that state of insecurity which is said to prevail in New South Wales, the policy of which Colony appears to be “to foster chiefly squatters, and indirectly cockatoo farmers, who are absolutely in the hands of the squatter, to the exclusion of either miners or honn fide settlers on small allotments.” I have often tried to guess the reason of the imperfect and spasmodic development of the known mineral wealth of New South Wales ; here apparently is the solution.

With a view to lighten the burthen of taxation on the miners, the Victorian Government have decided to reduce the rent per acre for mining leases from 2 's. to 10s.; and the Minister of Mines, in reply to a deputation, offered to reduce it to os., and the foe for miners’ rights (now 55.) to Is., if the House would sanction a mint-charge or royalty of 3d. or Id. per ounce to cover the deficiency of revenue caused thereby. Here is an excellent example for our legislative solona to follow. Evidently the importance of the mining interest is being fully recognised in the sister Colony. And onr lawmakers might find matter for reflection in the remark of our late talented visitor, Anthony Trollope, “ that New Zealand owed more to her goldfields than to agriculture”: add to this the fable of the “goose that laid the golden eggs,” and a careful study of the combination

might evolve some good or easement to the mint ri, even from the foggy depths of the understandings of our rnis-representatives. I notice that Messrs Brogden, in advertising for labour in the old country, have issued a handbill to “navvies, agricultural labourers, and others,” and among its items of information, the prices current of beef, mutton, potatoes, (fee, &.c., in New Zealand are given. On making up the cost of a navvy’s tucker, — and he is proverbially a “ tall” eater, —I find, according to Messrs Brogden’s quotations, that he can live well for 7s. per week. lam afraid, like the Tichborne claimant, the navvies “would be surprised to learn” that this sum would require to he multiplied by two to bring it near the actual cost of living in any part of this “ Britain of the South” I have yet visited. Of course, Messrs Brogdeu anay be sufficiently philanthropic to guarantee the prices quoted, but unto such an idea I beg to say—vu IgarTy—Walker.!”.... Bendigo. Oct. 22. 1372. ' ' VIATOR’. ‘