“Off to the Diggings.”

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1841, 7 June 1886, Page 3

“Off to the Diggings.”

To the Editor of the Standard. But, —Ton are evidently bent upon disooaraging emigration from New Zealand to the goldfields ol Western Australia, ami while there is force in some of the arguments pat forward to persuade yoeng men from attempting the journey, I cannot bat think that yon may be hindering some to whom it might he a Weening for life. There are two sides to every question, sad while admitting, ae I have just said, the force of some of the arguments, I hold there are strong reasons why some of the young men should strike out in e new line. Take a young fellow of good physique, in a country township, just eking oat a bare living at rough work. He is without a trade, and nnder this disadvantage he ■lands a chance of being a slave to circumstances lor the rest of his days; he will just get enongh to buy bread and batter and keep a roof over his bead. Is this a cheering prospect ’ Is it not enough to make him east off all restraint, and try his luck upon the diggings * Can you blame him for being reetleea tad dissatisfied with his condition aad lor yearning after eomething in advance ? To such an one a gold field has great attractions and I would say *' Go, if yon can manage to get there.’’ If he is steady he will find plenty of work apart from looking for gold. There will be road taking and bosh falling and other labor in abundance; for the country in Western Australia has not yet been opened up, and the difficulty will be to get men to eettle down to this kind of work even at a£ a day. I speak flat experience. Of eoane if he esn get upon the digging* in company with a few hardworking and trustworthy mates, it may he all the belter. At any rate he need not ■tarn.

I hold, sir, that what acme of our young mad need is a thorough change of life, and all the talk about dangers and hardships and dtataaa daring the journey shows that the bmb who ery loudest about it are of the funky aovt. Suppose the physical sufferings are wven. it will bring oat the real grit of the intending gold digger’ and if he cannot stand than then he should have sense enough to May at borne, lor a digger’* life all through is a rough one. He will not present the ap> paaranes of “ a masher.” bat be will return every inch ■ man, with (let as hope) a long •toeking aad remembrances and experience! that will have a charm for him daring the remainder of hi* life.

Don't discourage Toons men who bare little pvoepeet in life where they are. If they ean manage to aeramble through the crowd and gat a claim open the diggings * good luck to them' I say. But I would, as one who knows aomatbing of a digger’s life, with all its varied excitements and charms, say to all who intend to eroea the water to the new field just discovered -Be temperate in all things; eeehew the tumbler and quart pot and keep to the billy and weak tea ; be careful of your companions, and don't open your mouth too wide in blowing about wbat jou are doing. BesolTe that you will gamely struggle with discomfort and wearinees and toil and suffering in the hope that wbat too are doing will lift you ap above the daily struggle to get six or seven bob a day and not regular work at that. Take with you the remembrances of home and let the thought of those you have left behind reetrain you when tempted to awarve either to the right or left from the straight path before you. lam not pressing young men to go; I merely speak a few kindlyj words to those who hare made up their minds, and I know of several. It will eost money to get on to the Kimberley, but once across the water take a billet of any aort if necessary and wait until the way is cleat. But I hear of married men who have got the gold fever, and who are bent upon going to thia diatant field. I could mention the name* of half a dozen who are trying to raise the wind to get away. In two or three cases it wonld be more to <heir credit if they would mae the wind to pay their debts. Such men aheuld be (topped. They scrape all the money they can together; they clear out without paying their creditors ; they leave their wives and families with a email sum to go on with and than they promiae that in a month they will Band them more. But the probability sa that the place that knows them now will ■now them no more—misfortune may befal them—their familiaa will be reduced to want, and than there will be a public subscription to sand them after their idiotic husbands ; —or perhaps they will play the gay Lothario on the other aide, and their wives will aae them no more. Wives, don’t be fools enough to patch and mend and wash to send that darling husband away yon know not whither. If he ie rogue enough to leave hia creditor* lamenting, be may find it to his advantage to keep away and leave you lamenting also. Emm the length of my letter, Mr Editor. I think the press ought to be the medium lor •D Mrti of opiitoLS, and I bin given mine, which may be of service just now when so many are getting excited over recent gold discoveries. I am, Ac., Ou> Mima. Canutes, Jus 8,1886.