Page 66

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Title: Page 66

Full text: AUGUST - OCTOBER, 1861 65 Saturday, 10th,—This afternoon the Steamer "Neptune" arrived at the "Ovens" gold diggings with 75 passengers; the packet also arrived from Halifax with 104 passengers. This evening hundreds of strange faces may have been seen travelling through the streets. Monday, 12th,—The War Steamer "Nimble", having on board the Governor (Earl Mulgrave) and some of his Council, and also Admiral Milne, arrived at the "Ovens" gold diggings this forenoon from Halifax; after inspecting the gold fields, the Steamer brought them to town where they will remain untill tomorrow. Monday, 19th,—The gold excitement still reigns and is spreading all around. A party arrived from Yarmouth with Lumber and Material for a Hotel, which is now being put up on the gold mine district; other buildings are being put up for the same purpose by our own people. Tuesday, 20th,—We have a very destructive plague among us at pres- ent, which has made its entry into this County very suddenly. This plague is known by the name of the "Army worm" which threatens to be more destructive to the Crops than all the other enemies of the field put together. This creature is about one and a half inches long, black on the back, with striped sides, legs armed with sharp claws, and a large mouth capable of doing any amount of damage. They are ugly rascals and may well cause terror to the farmers. Monday, 26th,—The ferry boats have plenty to do; crowds of persons continually going and coming from the "Diggings". Saturd. 31st,—There are now upwards of 600 persons at work at the gold fields. A number of "shanties" have been erected for the accom- dation of the "diggers", and several grocery shops and Restau'rants have been opened. September, 1861 Tuesday, 3rd,—Yesterday the gold excitement at the "Ovens" was raised to a high degree, by a Nuggett of Gold having been dug up by a man named Crowel from his claim on the beach; this is the first nuggett that has been taken; it was brought to town to day and exhibited; crowds gathered to see the wonder of the day; it is of the shape here represented; is the exact size and shape of the diagram; (Note,—l1/^ x 1]/^, nearly cir- cular), being about one eighth part of an inch in thickness and valued at twenty-six dollars; several persons offered as high as forty dollars for it, they intending to retain it as a specimen. October, 1861 Thursd. 17th,—Died this afternoon at 4 O'Clock, Henry Ernst, aged 67 years; he held the office of Prothonitary and was also a Justice of the Peace.