On the Way to Cool gardia.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XV, Issue 3420, 26 October 1894, Page 2

On the Way to Cool gardia.

The following is a rough account of the experiences with regard to cost, etc, and prospects of doing well in Western Australia, gained by a fresh arrival in Perth ; From Lytteltou to Melbourne, per U.S.S, Co.'a Wakatipu (saloon) cost £6, with incidental expenses at port of call,. Then from Melbourne to Fremaatle per U.A.S.N. Oo.'s Bulimba (saloon) cost £7. with incidental expenses, and with tips on the two vessels 10s extra. The delay in Melbourne can be kept to a cost of about 8s per day, with the usual incidental ex* penses with luggage, etc. From Lyttelton to Freraantle occupied three weeks and two days with the good fortune of only being a day and a half in Melbourne, at which place, aa the steamers are very crowded, one might easily have to stay ten days. It is a great mistake to travel steerage unless ib is a case of absolute necessity, for the crush is very bad, and there is no accommodation worthy the name, and no stewardess to attend to the women in that part of the vessel. In the saloon there are a lot of very respectable people, and in fact one is agreeably surprised with one's fellow travellers. On arrival at Fremantle the vessels cannot fix close against the jetty (which is some half milelong) on account of the surge of the ocean. This necessitates watching your chance to spring ashore from the landing stage. Most of the new arrivals are greatly bothered in getting their laggage, as it is a alow and awkward process, unloading, and then it probably remains in the trucks some hours before going to the customs shed. As various reports are circulated regarding customs troubles, etc., any excitable person haa a worrying time, though personally I went ashore with my hand bag, and in the afternoon got my box from the customs shed without the slightest delay or trouble. The numbers landing from the different vessels quite fill the various hotels and accommodation houses, so any one Intending to be a night in Fremantle would do well to wire from Albany for a room at either the National or Federal hotel as they are both comfortable houses; and in Perth it is the same, and a New Zealander who wants good and comfortable accommodation should wire to Mr Savage of the Freemason's hotel; and if (as is quite possible) he can't get a bed, then try for a shake down, as it ia the most comfortable place, and quite a New Zealand house. The Metropole is also very comfortable. At these places the charge ia 8b per d»y and of course incidentals. Lodging can be had in the place for 25» per week, bub for anyone with a little money the information gathered at the other places is worth the extra cost beside having tha comfort. At: present anyone with money to invest could make about 25 per cent interest by buying sections and building about Perth and letting the buildingstogoodtenants. Comfort* able six or eight room lath a^d plaster cottages (wooden) are what, with a little ground, would let very readily at about 30s per week, especially if a bathroom was one of the number. Curiously a bathroom seems to be an exception in the houses of Perth. The local capitalists are shunning building, as Melbourne has scared them, and they speculate on the goldfields. Numbers come here looking for work as clerks, but they are not wanted, and unless companies start and make their head quarters in Perth (which is unlikely), they have but small chance of getting work, and any who bring their wives and families hay? a lot of ; work and expense in getting a cottage, and then a big rent to pay. Houses of six rooms, half built, are already let at from 25a to 30.? per week, to be occupied as soon as finished. Most of the houses are of brick or stone. Some views about Perth are very pretty, and since using a reddish binding tor the roads, the glare is not; ai bad from the shnd as formerly. Reports from the goldfields point to the fact that (as every one knows) water is very scarce, but what is a greater handicap is tint a man can only carry one d»y's supply with him on account of its weight, so he can't go far, and to really try for anything good he must b* one of a party of about four, and they need about; three camels, and musl be prepared to spend up to £1000 per annum while prospecting. Syndicates are often formed of say ten to twenty, who find all the money, and then four picked men, who only find their blankets, are equipped and sent out, and the company coneiasa of say twenty-eij^ht shares, of which twenty are contributing, and the other eight nun-cnntributing shares go to the four prospectors. This seems really the only way of carrying out a lengthened search, and as yet, though a short time may pay expenses, the finders of all the good things have been out for years previously. Some say work is scarce, others that there is lots to do; but if working for wages yon cannot prospect, as all your time la taken up. As lots go up country every week, and very few return, it looks as if most are making expenses. This is the wrong time of year to go, as the heat is coming on, but in Perth at present the weather is beautiful. It ib said by all in responsible positions that a man to throw up a billet to come here is nothing less than a fool. There is absolutely no use in shop girls expecting work here, though many are coming, and it is not at all the place for a girl to be looking for work, The cost by coach and train from here to Coolgardie is about £8, with heavy incidental expenses for meals, etc. When at Coolgardie I'll write again. —CHAS. L. HfcKT. [The writer is now at Ooolgardie, and has sent fragmentary corraspondenoe since his arrival, but none going into details as extensively as in the above note. He is at present acting as engine driver on a condenser, and sends the following telegram to his brother, which throws light upon another phaße of Coolgardie business: -" Splendid chance for syndicate for condensing. Nominal capital ! £700, divided into £600 in contributing ' shares and £100 paid up. We get £100 paid up for starting and promoting, which we share equally. I draw £4 per week. The management guarantee to pay £1000 a year profit. The cost of working will be about £600 a year, but £3000 a year will be yielded. I am keeping books anri managing in Lawrie's place. who is starting with Cox and Co, I will put my £60 in also, —£20 of working money—you invest as inclined, lam getting £4 a week or more, learns are famishing for want of water, and we cannot supply the demand. We refused £30 in four days. Be quick or too late. Store teams are unloading or the read and turning back. Address, etc.]