Page:Life and Adventures of William Buckley.djvu/207

184 The following report, dated January 1, 1852, shews the rapid onward course of the Colony, consequent on this vast discovery:—

The discoveries of Gold in Victoria have greatly increased during the last two months. The sensation occasioned in September and October, by the productiveness of the Ballarat Gold Fields, has been far exceeded during the two succeeding months by that of Mount Alexander. The greater part of the diggers have now transferred their operations to this latter locality, where with varying success, and scattered over many miles of surface, they are busily engaged in washing the auriferous soil.

The number of persons employing themselves in gold digging throughout this colony has been recently estimated at 30,000. Considerable numbers have just been visiting the towns during Christmas; and it is considered that many more must ere long abandon for a time their new vocation owing to the want of water, as the creeks or watercourses that intersect the grounds now begin to cease running or are entirely dried up, as usual at this advanced period of summer. In the mean time however new diggings are being industriously sought out along the neighbouring banks of the Loddon, where the soil appears similarly auriferous, and an immense and increasing influx of persons continues from the adjacent settlements, who for the most part make immediately for "the diggings."

The estimate of the yield of the gold fields continues to be a subject of great uncertainty. But some data are being gradually obtained on the question, in connection with the Government Escort that arrives in town weekly from the Gold Fields, and from the Customs' Returns of the quantity exported.

Nearly four months have elapsed since the Victoria Gold fields assumed the position of contributing in any important degree to the exports and resources of the colony. The quantity exported, up to the present date, amounts to 117,825 ounces. In addition to this return there appear to be very large quantities still in town in the hands of numerous parties, and much must also have left this colony for adjacent settlements, independently of the records kept by the Customs' authorities.

The Government Escort has conveyed to Geelong and Melbourne, up to this date, 116,996 ounces of Gold. But this conveyance, for the use of which there is a charge made of one per