STORY OF THE GOLD DAYS

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 26

STORY OF THE GOLD DAYS

THE MINER WHO NEVER RETURNED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, February 19. Ono day, in 1852, Benjamin Baker, a' miner, arrived in the small town of Maitland (now an important part of Greater Newcastle, N.S.W.) from the gold diggings at Tamworth, in the northern part of the State. He brought nearly £6OO with him — evidence of a lucky strike. But he did not remain long in Maitland. New s has just come through of sensational gold discoveries in Victoria. Everyone was more or less bitten by the gold fever, and great numbers of people were setting out on the slow and painful journeys to the various reported El Dorados. Baker could not stay quiet—in fact, he scarcely remained long enough in Maitland to "whoop things up" after the manner of those who had found gold. He quickly organised a party, which included his brother, Moses Baker. He divided his treasure into two portions. He left £256 with his friend, Thomas Cooper, of Maitland, and he took something over £2OO with him. The Baker party set its face towards Ballarat. striking straight across country to investigate the story of the discovery of a wonderful new goldfield. The months passed into years, but no word came from Benjamin Baker. Many goldsoekers returned, but none' had seen Baker or his friends over there. Then one day, three years after the departure, Moses Baker appeared. He was "wrong in the head/' the result, apparently, of sunstroke.,

blue, tea, glassware, and a large quantity of "kola.*

Suspicion -was strongly fixed on one inHividual, but he was so cunning that he pould not be oaught at his occupation. However, two country constables went oui pn the warpath early in the new year, followed this man very warily over some rough bountry, and pounced and caught him with the goods on him. Ho had stolen articles m his possession, and was riding a stolen horse. He made a full confession, and got two years' imprisonment, with hard labour.