Western Australian Goldfields.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXVII, Issue 1373, 20 August 1895, Page 5

Western Australian Goldfields.

LETTER FROM MR J. BETHUNB. The following is an extract from a letter to a resident of this district from Mr J. Bethune, wbo is now in Western Australia, dated Ninety Mile, July 7, which has been handed to us for publication : “ We are just in from a great picnic. Things were getting very quiet in Harlot, and the best of the ground was getting worked out, when there were rumors of a new rush at Mt. Black, 120 miles east fromDarlot j so nothing would do but put up the dry-blower and swags, get a supply of tucker, and be off with the first team going. There was a train of thirty camels going, and charging 6d per lb to carry swags, tools, and tucker, so we booked, along with sixty others, and started on the 7th June for the new rush. We followed a horse track that was supposed to be going to the rush for 120 miles eastwards, when we met two parties of horsemen coming back. They told us they had been at Mt. Black and could find no trace ot a rush, and that there were about 200 others camped out 30 miles further on, who had been scouring the country, and could find no trace of the rush. It was then agreed to go back to water, and strike away to the South to see if we could find any tracks going towards Mt. Black, When we got to the water we found hundreds ot men with horses and camels, swagraen, and men wheeling barrows and hand-carts, all following on our track. Every day we would meet parties looking for the new rush. Alter travelling several days southward, and beating about the bush, most of us began tp think there was no rush out this way, and, as some of the men began to get short of tucker, a “ roll up ” was called to see what was best to do. It was decided to strike for the Ninety Mile, and pass Mt. Margaret on our way if possible, so as some ot the men could get tucker, if there were any at that place. After eight days travelling, we struck some Ot‘ the old workings about the Mt., and at every watering place we would meet crowds of people looking ■ for the Mt. Black rush. We now came to the conclusion that it was a false report, and if the man who started the rumor could have been found in any of these crowds, 1 can tell you he would have had a very short time to say his prayers. We had still 150 miles to go to the Ninety, and a good many could get no tucker ; so those Vriio had more than would carry them through sold it to men who had none. Others had to get it for nothing, as they* had neither gold nor money. Lots of poor beggars in this country take great risks in going to new rushes without tucker or money. If they get gold they are all right, but, if they are unlucky, they will beg, borrow, or steal their way back to civilisation. We were very fortunate in getting water all the distance. After travelling 500 miles, we reached the Ninety two days ago, and have never heard of anyone who has found the rush yet. There have been great squalls in Coolgardie over a false report of the same kind about a new rush 70 miles from theie. The diggers got hold of the man who started the report, and got a few to go with him, so that he could show them where the rush was; but he could not find it again, and his yarn is not credited. When he came back the mob would have dealt with him, but the police got him out of the way. The crowd then went to the newspaper office and did a little * damage to the windows, etc., as they considered the paper should not have reported it on the man’s word. We are going to Siberia to morrow to give that place a trial."