The Argus at KellyGang 31/8/1861 (3)
Upper Goulburn gold field - Jamieson
I am informed that the miners have adopted and recognised laws of their own making, something to the following effect. They are, of course, illegal, and I merely quote them to show what the miners would probably wish, and as a guide to the mining board of the district:-
1. Ordinary Creek Claims.-To be 200 yards in length, by 100 in width. To be at the option of the claimholder on which side of the creek it be taken. Such claim to be defined by four distinct pegs, at least two feet above the surface. This rule not to interfere with existing rights.
2. Bank Claims.-To be 150 yards frontage, by 160 yards back, and to have the privilege of cutting a tail-race through any claim. Any injuries on such claim to be settled by arbitration. This to apply to bank or creek claims.
3. Quartz Claims.- Any miner or party of miners discovering a quartz reef 500 yards distant from any working claim shall be entitled to 200 yards on the course of the reef, by 300 yards in width, horizontal measurement.
4. Any person or persons discovering payable ground two miles distant from any old workings, or discovering a new creek, shall be entitled to double claims.
6. Any person or persons having water ditches or cutting, same to be protected, such races to be taken by priority, owners thereof to have the right to bring the water through any claim, any challenges to same to be settled by arbitration.
The majority of the miners - more than three fourths - are anxious either to have a new district proclaimed, to frame their own bye-laws, or have them embodied in the Beechworth regulations. If, however, it is not considered desirable or necessary to grant either a new mining district or to have the foregoing proposed rules or some to the like effect adopted, I am of opinion that a warden proceeding to the Upper Goulburn to settle disputes, in accordance with the Beechworth bye-laws, in the present state of affairs, would lead to very serious consequences; but should it become necessary, from increase of population or disputes among the present holders of claims, to forward a warden at once, a large body of police will be necessary to enforce the law.
As a general remark, applicable not only to this gold-field but to others, I am of opinion that when a new gold-field is discovered, upon the prospectors' report to the warden, the mining surveyor of the district and his staff should at once proceed to the locality of the prospectors' find, and survey, mark out, and number the claims in accordance with the bye-laws of the Beechworth district; and that none but the prospector, whose claim should be numbered 'one,' should have priority of right without a grant from the warden, all other claims to be applied for and registered.
1 am of opinion that by the adoption of this course, a great deal of time, annoyance, and expense would be saved, both to individuals and to the Government.
COURT OF PETTY SESSIONS
I would also recommend that a court of petty sessions should be proclaimed at Jamieson.
POSTAL COMMUNICATION
I have recommended, in my report to the hon. the Chief Secretary, a bi-weekly mail to Jamieson, and that postal communication should, be extended to Drummond's Point.
At present there it only a weekly mail to Jamieson, which is on Sunday, and the return, in ail leaves the same day, about three hours' later, and much dissatisfaction is felt thereat.
ESCORT
I have also recommended, in my report to the hon. the Chief Secretory, the formation of an escort fortnightly from Jamieson, to meet the main Beechworth escort at Longwood.
A branch bank of the Oriental Bank Corporation is being established at Jamieson, for the purchase of gold, and I am credibly informed that from 5,000oz. to 7,000oz. of gold are waiting for transmission by escort.
CARTAGE, PACKING, &c.
Melbourne to Jamieson, £20 to £22 per ton; from Jamieson to Drummond's Point, £25 to £30 per ton; from Drummond's Point to Upper Goulburn, £50 a ton, or 6d. a pound, or £2 16s, per cwt.
CHARGES FOR PROVISIONS, &c.
Drummond's Point, or Gaffney's Creek. Oats, per bushel, 27s 6d; flour, per bag, 105s; sugar, brown, or black, 10d per lb; tea, lowest price, 3s 6d per lb; shovels, 12s. 6d; pick handles, 13s 6d
Upper Goulburn . -Oats, per bushel, 50s; flour, per bag, £11; sugar, brown or black, 1s 4d per lb; tea, lowest price, 4s per lb; shovels, 15s. ; pick handles,16s 6d.
Wages, 40s to 50s per week, and found in bed and board.
Very little money changes hands ; nearly all transactions are carried on by uncoined gold, which the storekeepers buy at from £3 14s to £3 15s per oz., in exchange for goods, &c.
It may be of advantage to parties proceeding to this gold-field to know that the higher they go up the Goulburn the greater are the chances of success, not only on the river but on its different branches and tributaries. This I have had from the more experienced and successful miners.
It may be as well, too, to mention that, the further the miner penetrates the more difficult and expensive will it be to obtain provisions, tools, &c, I would therefore recommend that when parties of three or four, or more, are determined to try their chances of sucess, and are provided with the necessary funds, say £25 a man, if more so much the better, to provide themselves at the Jamieson with necessaries, tools, &c, and where they will find packers prepared to carry such at sixpence a pound.
Of course where parties can equip themselves in Melbourne with such necessaries, and even with pack horses, so much the better and cheaper will it be. Parties of three or four, determined to give the Upper Goulburn a fair trial, should provide themselves with blankets, rough warm clothing, long hip boots, a crosscut and smaller saw, an axe or two, picks and shovels with long handles, nails, &c., as their first object after selecting their claim will be to erect their log hut.
In conclusion, I would beg to express my opinion that the Jamieson will be a richly-paying gold-field for years; and I must also express my surprise that the most doubtful rumours of gold in another colony can draw off our miners by hundreds, and that fields like the Jamieson should be comparatively unobserved.
I have the honour to be, sir,
Your obedient servant,
P H SMITH, Warden,
Inspecting Superintendent, P.M. " To the Hon. the Commissioner of Mines.
end
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