MOUNT BISCHOFF. 345 



with the machme sites by race and flume ; also, spending a 

 large amount of money (£10,000) in the formation of a road 

 between Emu Bay and the mines, particularly through the 

 Nine-mile Forest, where the foliage Avas so dense that sun- 

 light could not reach the ground, even at mid-day. All this 

 was a heavy drag upon the shareholders of the respective 

 Companies. . But now what a change has come over the 

 scene ! At the West Coast and elsewhere where mining is 

 started everything must be done by the Government, and, if 

 not done quick enough, strong language is used. 



This remark I make only in jjassing to show the difference 

 in the times, and I think the Bischotf Company's directors 

 and shareholders ought to feel proud in knowing that all 

 they got was through their own pluck and perseverance, and 

 not through any Government coddling. Indeed, the district 

 never received fair play from any Government, and I do not 

 think the same expression as apphed to this locality has ever 

 been used to any Company outside of BischofF when asking 

 for assistance — viz,, " You are rich enough to help your- 

 selves." 



No Government road fit for use is in existence to the 

 present day, after having worked the mine for 20 years, and 

 the people of the district have to submit to the monopoly of 

 a company which charges £3 per ton for all goods without 

 distinction carried over their line. What would the West 

 Coast people say if they were treated in a similar manner? 



But, to come back to my subject, I must say that, although 

 tin-raising was started in the latter part of 1872, with the 

 hope of an early dividend, it took over five years before the 

 BischofF Company found itself in this pleasant position. 

 People were in those days, as they are at the present time, 

 too sanguine in their calculations, not allowing for unfore- 

 seen troubles and other contingencies, — their under-estimating 

 the capital and the time required to do the work. This 

 refers particularly to Tasmania, as few other colonies, perhaps 

 New Zealand excepted, can show so many difficulties in the 

 mining districts as Tasmania. 



Mr. Crosby's health failed, and he resigned in the middle 

 of 1875. I succeeded him, and took charge on the 16th 

 November of the same year, and, although a large amount of 

 work had been done, dividends were as far off as ever. It 

 appears that in the anxiety to bring the mine into the state to 

 pay dividends everything was overlooked, particularly the 

 system to carry on the work. Good ground, the best known 



