GLEANINGS FROM THE GUMFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9065, 28 May 1888, Page 6

GLEANINGS FROM THE GUMFIELDS.

[by slack jack.]

In these columns a week or two ago there appeared an amusing account by " Bluegum" of his experiences on the gumfields. This same subject possesses no inconsiderable interest to a pretty largo community ; hence it might not bo devoid of interest to many of your readers, numbers of whom are more or less interested in this article of commerce, to compare notes with " Bluegum" on the subject. Time was when tho man who made gumdigging a profession, or followed that occupation for a livelihood, was regarded as a sort of inferior species of humanity. The dopressed state of trade and of the country generally having caused the supply of all kinds of labour to exceed the demand, tho ranks of the gumdigging fraternity have been supplemented from almost every class of labour or trade. This being so, I tako it that tho status of the gumdigger, as a section of tho community, has considerably improved of late. I doubt, however, whether tho gumdigger generally confratulates himself on this. He would proably bo better pleased to remain in tho obscurity of tho hills or kauri forests more by himself, when there would bo no danger of his glutting tho market with gum or bringing it to an abnormally low figure. That the number digging during the summer must have been considerable, one has only .to glance at the market report of tno prices and tho weekly arrivals of gum from the country to be convinced of. Among others, I also tried my hand at this unfortunately too popular occupation ; but I have no intention of giving a description of tho success, or otherwise, of tho expedition, my object being more with a view of imparting information on certain phases of tho trade which partly came under my own observation, in the hope that, were they more generally and widely known, an improvement might be effected in the interests of tho digger. On any field of any size, especially if it is a fairly good one, there are generally two or three gum stores. Under these circumstances, the digger has a good chance of getting fair offers for his gum and his stores at reasonable rates. I had the misfortune, however, to drop on a rather poor field, where the business was a monopoly, and where a little healthy competion would have been a great boon. The field was a leased one, with tho usual 2s a cwt levied for the privilege of digging on it; and, as the store was miles from tho gumfiold, and no purchases of gum made on the field,'another 3s per cwt had to bo met for packing. It was before Christmas, and, if my momory serves me right, gum was then 42.s to 44s in Auckland. Our balance here was 30s. Gum was very often weighed before it was sent away, but I liave yet to learn of anyone's gum weighing more at the storo than he found it on the field. It was generally many pounds less, whilst 4lb was deducted for the sack—ordinary sacks, and then quite dry. Complaints and grumbling were very general at these discrepancies in weight and heavy sacks. One party thought, however, to settle this matter beyond dispute by getting a set of stilliards from town so as to test tho accuracy of those at the store. He was nonplussed, however, for the machine at the store was correct, and the vendor of gum and would-be inspector of weights was peremptorily ordered to take his gum and himself elsewhere, if he was not satisfied, the buyer knowing very well that he could not, and would have to come to terms in the end. It is also a common practice for storemen to supply at least ono week's stores to new arrivals on a gumfiold ; in fact, I believe it is customary to ask and expect this, whether one has the "needful" in his pocket or nob. Here, with only one store where one was likely to sell, some had no trouble whatever in getting their requirements in that line, but others to my knowledge had to leave security—that is, pawn any valuables they might be possessed of— watch, swag, or part thereof, &c.—before any stores were forthcoming. Certain pledges thus lodged got lost or destroyed, and, when the owner demanded them or their value, both were refused. Naturally enough, tho owners of the lost property thought there was no harm in decamping without meeting the little "tucker" bill after being thus served. In this they were mistaken, for they were promptly followed up with a summons. Such is life on gumfielu No. 1.

No. 2 gumfield is a Government field, which I understand had until lately been kept prominently before the eyes of the public of its locality by advertisements which set it forth as a virgin field, in which men could dig from 3cwt to -Icwt of gum a week. So far as experience and observation went, that quantity of something in the likeness of gum could be got, bub it could scarcely be regarded as a marketable commodity. The average run of market able gum during the season appeared to be a sack a week, or, say, lfcwt toHcwt. At the first of the season there was but one store —tho " boss" store —and tho first experiences were higher-priced provisions and, with neither royalty nor packing to bo deducted, a lower price for gum, viz., 275. Another store was quickly requisitioned, and as promptly responded—effect on gum, from 27s to 35s at one leap. No. 2 store gave a lower price, of course, but sold his goods cheaper. This went on through tho season, the "boss" keeping the lead in price of gum until he thought No. 2 had "given him best;" then his prices came down by tho run from 10s to 15s below Auckland. It was generally acknowledged that but for tho opposition store got up there would have been bub little gum bought at much over 30s. Mysterious disappearances were not unfrequenb without squaring up with tho " boss," whilst, to the best of my knowledgo and belief, tho opposition lost bub little in that way, even though he gave less for his gum—a proof that even gumdiggers can appreciate fair trade and resent its opposite feature. I have often noticed the market prico of kauri gum in London and America. It seems ridiculous and beyond belief that gum can there be worth, numerically, half the number of pounds that wo, the producers, get shillings for it Fancy, £12 to £13 per cwt in ono report I saw ! Somebody must make their pile out of it. Who can it be ? What happens to it after it leaves our hands bo increase its value so much ? Can ib be brightened up with kerosene and a cloth, &c ! That it is rescraped, classed, and generally packed in boxes I know. The freight to London from Auckland per ton is nob so much as up to the Capo hero ; and there would be some commission and brokerage, and a very handsome sum to the exporber on the sale.