(1851) DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN AUSTRALIA, Edward Jenks

EDWARD JENKS

It was a remarkable sequence in successful enterprise that brought to light and developed the vast gold deposits in Australia within three years after the great discovery in California.  This event “was to change, if not the entire character, at least the rate, of Australian progress.”  The date of Captain James Cook’s exploration of the eastern coast (1770) marks the beginning of a new era in the history of Australia.  Cook took possession of the country for Great Britain.  From the resemblance of its coasts to the southern shores of Wales, he called it New South Wales, and this name is still retained by one of the States of the Commonwealth of Australia (inaugurated January 1, 1901).  The first English settlement (1788) was a convict colony at Port Jackson (Sydney).  From the establishment of this colony the development of Australia as a British possession was gradual, but progressive, up to the discovery of the gold-fields, by which it was so greatly accelerated.  At first a few pastoral groups occupied the lands near the coast.  Many of the newcomers were mere squatters, bent on making money and then returning to England.  But gradually small towns and settled industries grew up.  Increasing numbers of farmers immigrated, squatters were pushed toward the interior, and a state of social organization began.  Up to 1850, however, this nucleus of a new commonwealth had reached no great development.

As in the case of California, long before the great discovery of gold in Australia there had been rumors of its existence in that country.  Most of the early stories told by persons said to have found specimens of the metal were scouted.  In 1844 the distinguished geologist, Sir Roderick Impey Murchison, having compared specimens of Australian rocks brought to him with other specimens from gold-bearing lands, declared that he found in the former no trace of gold.  Two years later, however, Sir Roderick declared his belief in the existence of gold in Australia, and in 1848 he announced that he had seen specimens of gold from New South Wales, and recommended a government mineral survey there.  Little attention might have been given to the matter then but for the discovery of gold in California.  From the excitement caused by that the “gold fever” spread over the world.  Nothing was done in the way of discovery of the metal in Australia until many months had elapsed; but finally results of the utmost importance were obtained.

The story of the great Australian gold discovery is here told in an authentic and highly interesting manner by the historian of the Australasian colonies.