Old news from Armidale and New England

Tuesday 5 August 1862, The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser

THE ROCKY RIVER.

(From the Tamworth Examiner.)

CHINESE – A portion of the Chinese who passed the borders of Queensland a short time since arrived at the Rocky River in a destitute condition. They were about 50 in number, some of whom were evidently specimens of those Tartars who swarm upon the Chinese waters. There were, however, amongst them some “old chums” who had made little fortunes upon these diggings, and had now returned, bringing with them some of their cousin Johns, anticipating to find the Rocky as remunerative as it was two years ago, when they left them ; but in this expectation they were deceived, for the downward tendency of the whole of the Northern mines since that period has been considerable, although the Rocky can assuredly boast of several small rushes in the interim of medium richness. Until the arrival of the Celestials herein referred to, our Chinese population has been gradually on the decrease, so much so that the performance at the “Joss House” is almost at a stand still, the proprietor asserting that his business does not pay at all. To prevent any uneasiness being felt by the Europeans here resident, of an inundation of Celestials, it may be as well to mention that not more than about a dozen out of the fifty intend remaining here: the greater number of the arrivals are said to be only baiting, and after a short spell they are off to Bingera and Peel River ; therefore this eruption of the mongrels is not likely to overwhelm us. But another question arises: the Chinese have by a pecuniary disability to pay the poll-tax evaded that payment, and been allowed to go upon their own recognizances – Government might as well at once confess that the Chinese have set the law of the colony at defiance, for everyone knows, or ought to know, what Chinese £10 recognizances are worth when they once have the chance of commingling with their countrymen. It is difficult, nay, almost an impossibility, to indiscrimate one from the other.

SNOW STORM. – After lowering cumuli had been floating in the atmosphere for several days, on Thursday morning last snow and sleet commenced falling, first gradually, and towards midday increasing to such an extent that the ground was soon covered with snow to the thickness of an inch, when, the storm somewhat abating, many persons came out of their dwellings and commenced operations in earnest, snow-balling each other with vigour, in which some of the fair sex were tempted to join. It continued to snow throughout the night of Thursday, so that the depth in places varied from two to six inches. On Friday morning many persons fancied themselves in Old England, but the rays of Sol again reigned supreme, and on Saturday very little remained to indicate the occurrence of a snowstorm, so that the reality of New England was predominant.

July 29.

IRONBARK.

(From the Armidale Express.)

I am happy to state that after long perseverance Messrs. Hiscox and Co., in No. 4 claim on the Addison Reef, have struck payable gold at a depth of 50 feet, and £100 have been refused for one-sixth share. The reef is three feet wide, dipping at the rate of about 45 degrees.