Page:History of West Australia.djvu/646

 richness of the claims was a theme in everyone's mouth, and its attractive influence made many hurry eagerly to the scene, and peg out anything in close or remote proximity. The dauntless courage and perseverance of Mr. Brookman were gloriously rewarded, and he became at once the mining celebrity of the hour. Promises, congratulations, and all manner of exhibitory tokens of enthusiastic joy were showered upon him.

Mr. Brookman could now afford to rest on his laurels, and indulge in larger schemes. The Great Boulders—the mighty princess of the group—was sent to London, for flotation, and its great success was the signal for a new era in gold mining in Western Australia. All Mr. Brookman's claims were floated off with enviable success, and he was now free to proceed to London and look after his numerous interests. In the great metropolis he is held in high esteem and admiration. His mining career has been fraught with many retarding and harassing obstacles, but he has overcome all these triumphantly, and has girt and decked his exploits in colours of great splendour. His name is a synonym for success and wealth in Westralian mining, and anything that bears the slightest connection with the name is sufficient to augur happy omens and future prosperity.

Mr. Brookman's success has not been wrongly used. His belief in the mines of Kalgoorlie seems to be analogous and parallel to the enthusiastic and wavering confidence of Mr. Lansell in the mining interests of Victoria. Brookman has not, like many regardless mining potentates, withdrawn his wealthy capital and interests from the colony. It is refreshing and pleasant to see him investing extensively in the capital—actions which prove more strongly than words his true belief in the future of this Colony. On every side he is doing an ample share in developing the Colony and sounding the march of progressive advance.

In Western Australia he is honoured with the much-coveted appellation of the "greatest mining magnate of the age," and this conferment has been worthily assigned to him. From his vast services to the Colony as a whole, he possesses an indisputable right to precedence; and had there not been a W. G. Brookman to persistently cling to and develop those despised claims round the Boulder, the mining wealth of Western Australia might have been considerably postponed. The discoveries resulting from his fortunate energies have attracted the eyes of the world to Westralian auriferous resources, and have magnetised the influx of wealthy capital.

Mr. Brookman still continues in close connection with his former finds, and is entrusted with the supervision of the Company's extensive interests.

Mr. Brookman is respected for his many social beatitudes. If we can study human nature better on the side of fortune, then we can unhesitatingly say that Mr. W. G. Brookman has acquitted himself as a true and upright gentleman, consistent in the discharge of his manifold duties, and a staunch and faithful patriot. His virtues are those of a man who knows how to bear misfortune with unmurmuring stoicism, and fortune with equanimity and grace. His myriad interests keep him continually busy, and his sense of duty demands ready compliance with its dictates. Conscientious, scrupulous in honour, and true of heart, Mr. Brookman is a noble example for many who would benefit by learning and practising his commendable ethical attributes.

A few reflections on the mining fields may aptly be appended as being Mr. Brookman's own racy observations. In 1893, the year of Mr. Brookman's arrival in the Golden West, the train from Albany did not go past York, which was then the terminus of the line in the goldfields' direction. Neither railway nor telegraphic communication existed at this early period of awakening, and those who wished to go to the fields were obliged to walk the whole distance from York. It is only recently that the railway from Perth to Kalgoorlie has been opened, thereby providing an easy means of transit to travellers. Kalgoorlie, as it is now known, was 1893 nothing but a mere miners' camp, occupied by those who were merely endeavouring to get what little alluvial gold could be obtained to recompense them for their labour and exertions. It was not until two years after the field was discovered that the town that now appears on the map as Kalgoorlie was surveyed by the Government. From that time forward the population of the town has grown in proportion to the progress of the adjoining country. "Judging from what I have seen, the present population of Kalgoorlie and adjoining mining districts," Mr. Brookman says, "must total 60,000 souls. In 1893 there were only a few hundreds, but the opening-up and development of the mines has brought in its train a career of success, not merely for commercial and professional men, but for all engaged in every phase of business not excluding those interested in the gold mining of the district."