THE GUM DIGGERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 847, 1 August 1866, Page 5

THE GUM DIGGERS.

Of all the vices which highly artificial modes of society beget, a proud self sufficiency is tho worst. It is more odious in a country where the land rich, and of excellent fertility, yields to generous husbandry, the fruit garnered by Divine Providence in nature's store house. It is worse still when wealth lies at a man's feet and he scorns to make it available for himself or j others, bcauso it taxes not his skill or that ho must stoop to pick it up. The pride of virtue, talent, or of skill, may be commendable, but its excess is of the emptiest. The bravest man is ho who encounters greatest difficulties, not he who wius the most splendid victory. It is no new doctrine that fertilily of resource is more beneficial to a man than mere intellect. The world teems with splendid gifts that will go to the grave unhonored, because they refuse in merest folly to accept the conditions upon which. Providence requires their exercise. It is pitiable to sec any man who is willing to work, yet for whom there is no work, walking about with is hands in his pocket. One's imagination pictures small mouths that want filling, and an impotent sorrow that has nothing but tears to supply. "When capacity for labour puts back the opportunity that provides bread because it is too grand for such small concern, it is deserving of no sympathy. Oh ! but says a person of this description, "that is nigger's" work, and tho wages are not equal to the demand of my family." hven so ; it is a prudent calculation which suggests '•' that half a loaf is bettor than no bread." " Wlifn Adam delved and Eve span, Mho whs then n gentleman!" There is a curious scene recorded as having been enacted on our wharf a few weeks ago. biince the days of Memmon tho King there has been no more curious developenient of gold producing. A dozen blanket-wrapped Maoris sat round, watching with eager eyes small piles of coin, which wore being heaped up for each, and were the result of a month's gum digging. "When the distribution was complete the chief of the'party gave haere " go !" and they dispersed each man ten sovereigns richer than before. There were 12 men and the sum divided amongst them was £'120. jS'ow this ceremony from whatever point regarded, and in the light of facts which are accruing every day, should have for the unemployed a very instructive lesson. Is there anything in the nature of kauri gum which should diminish the value of the sovereign gained by it. It is well known that this commodity is to be found in paying quantities, in very many of our country districts, or Crown lauds open to all. All the facts connected with it are of so interesting a character tha! we offer no apology for reproducing them The popular theory of this product i=, that i-. is a deposit of the Kauri tree, under the aetior of fire, or in process of decomposition. It i. said to be found on the sites of ancient Kaur forests. It is to be found only in the Jvorther: part of the Northern Island. We are informei that, by at least one eminent person, it is regarded as " a fossil gum ; ' the distinction, how ever is rather differential than specific, an. points rather to the question of supply. "W have seen specimens of gum which were said f.j be impregnated with coal, and ran in seams ui: der the grouud side by side with coal beds, bu: this was not " Kauri" gum. As to the value of the commodity itself, ther:is no doubt, whatever, that sixty, seventy, an;' ninety pounds are easily obtained for a ton c-:" kauri gum at home, and we know of one instanc where £110 has been refused for an extraordi nary fine sample. "We must have gum," istb - language of the English varnish makers. As tthe permanence of the demand we are informed, upon the very best authority, that there can be just as little doubt. The argument seems to be to this effect, " new uses are being daily found for gum, its demand is increasing in England ; when American affairs shall have reverted to the industrial level, a new extensive market will be opened which will render the product of immense value, unless, indeed, new ' fields ' should be found." We cannot help looking at tho word we have quoted as singularly suggestive. Indeed, there is scarcely an article of domestic or general use that is mado of iron for which this article may not be ased as a preventative against oxydation in store, or until sale. This consideration alone makes the question of supply one of very serious importance. We have made inquiry as to the value of this commodity of various dealers, and the result is very satisfactory. Much, we understand, depends upon the condition of the article when sent to market. The price ranges from £20 to £35 a ton. Now, taking considerably loss than the mean between these two figures, say £24 a ton, we find that the value of 1 lb. of kauri gum is a little over 2W. in Auckland. It remains to consider how this affects the province as a source of profitable industry. There are parties of gum-diggers at the Wade and at Papakura who have been successful, digging from oOlbs. to lOOlbs. in the day. This produce represents 10s. od. and 12s. bd. a day for labour that is healthy and less precarious than many of the pursuits of settled life. It is hardly necessary, to observe, that the yield may be much greater to sustained labour, or in particular localities, than we have above mentioned. But one fact has been established in defiance of all cavil, that, to say the very least, a highly remunerative, if only a temporary employment for surplus labour has been found. There remains only to point out the features of the land upon whickkauri gum is to be found. Experience will give nicety of observation in this matter which no written direction could supply. We are informed that the land most favorable is bald, indented, and poor, growing dwarfed fern and having portions of kauri gum like yellow-crusted pebbles here and there upon the surface. It is not necessary to say that almost any one of these appearances admit of infinite variety. The whole subject that wcahave been writing of is replete with interest, and could not fail to be profitable to the scientific inquirer as well as the manual worker. That we should have dlcrs about the town when the country invites abour, at the same time promising a reasonable remuneration, is not to be tolerated. At all events, they deserve no sympathy «vho choose to live as parasites upon labour, eating up its reward, and depressing its capacity and spirit for renewed work. The " gum diggers " are as honorable a band of workers as ever were the " buffalo hunters " of the plain, or " the trappers" of the woods, or the gold diggers of "this and other colonies and countries.