SYDNEY GOLD STATISTICS

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 112, 26 February 1853, Page 4

SYDNEY GOLD STATISTICS

The following Statistics of the Gold Fields of N. S. Wales, from Mr. Lloyd, will form a fitting companion to the preceding one on the same subject, and our readers can themselves make the comparisons which are there suggested, always premising that in noting Sydney totals the quantity shipped thither from Melbourne must be allowed for.

The licenses issued during the year amount to 22,500, value about £30,600. Very many of these are for private lands, at 15s. each, more especially those issued in the south, and but feware for storekeepers. It is also observable, that from the comparatively small number of diggers, and the large staff employed in collecting and enforcing the claim for licenses, there can hare been but a small number evading it. Setting off, then, the amount brought down for sale by private hands against this number, which will be far within the mark, we have an average of 1870 diggers at work during the whole year, and the quantity brought down by mail and escort 233,860 oz., giving 125 oz. as the average earnings of each individual, or an income of £400 per annum; a result which we have yet to see realised in any other diggings. The amount received as escort fees has been as under:— £ s. d. £ s . D . January ... 444 17 4 Brought up, 3465 10 5 February... 618 17 4 August 175 18 0 March 327 3 10 Sept 688 11 2 April 577 1 1 October ... 630 14 4 May 556 18 5 November... 567 1 0 June 495 17 2 December... 438 12 4 July 444 15 3 Total. . 5,966 7 3 3,465 10 5 _ The quantities brought down by the escorts and the mails are also subjoined :— Western Escort 133,207 oz. „ Mail 29,120 Southern Escort 47,519 » Mail 9,176 Northern .Escort 10,970 „ Mail 3,868 233,860 Total exports for 1852 856,188 Exported in 1851 134,420 Total exported to this date.. 990,608 oz. Which at 70s. per ounce, gives— Total value of gold exported to this date £3,467,128 It will be seen by the above that we have increased the value, which we consider that we are fairly entitled to do, as we are now giving here a. higher price than the value affixed. Before we knew its value, we estimated our export at,655., but we shall in future calculate it at the rate now attached. The price during the year has been steadily on the rise, the receipt of account sales from

home having exhibited the values of the different descriptions of gold, and deprived the market of its speculative character. The price for all kinds of gold, the production of the Colony, was quoted on the 3rd of January, 1852, at 665.; since when it has risen gradually to the present high rate, which may be quoted at 725. 9d. for Victoria, and 70s. 9d. for New South Wales gold.

Perhaps the most important event of the yeav has been the concession by the home Government to our Legislative Council of the control of our gold revenue, and consequent management of our gold fields. The subject has been brought very prominently before the Council, and a large mass of evidence taken, the result of which is that an Act has been passed, confirming, with one or two trifling exceptions, the regulations promulgated by the Executive. Thus a high and deserved compliment has been paid to the Colonial Government, for the wisdom displayed in framing those regulations, and the energy manifested in carrying them into effect. There will be grumblers in every community, and there are men who would object to laws even if framed by angels; but we must say, as we said before, that considering the emergency of the position in which the Government was placed, they have acted with an energy and prudence which entitle them to the confidence of the public. The arrivals during: the year have been, from— Great Britain and Ireland 6,443 Australian Colonies 9,886 Other countries 5,487 Total arrivals 21,816 The departures have been, to — Great Britain and Ireland 478 Australian Colonies 13,511 Other countries 948 Total departures 14,937 Showing an addition to our population, within the year, of 6,879 Geoege A. Lloyd. 474, G-eorge-street, Jan. 1.