8 A HISTORY OF THE COLONY OF VICTORIA 



the geological formation in which gold has been hitherto found so 

 abundantly over the whole length and breadth of the colony, I can 

 contemplate no limit to the discoveries, or the results of the opening 

 of these fields. Meantime, the whole structure of society and the 

 whole machinery of Government is dislocated." 



The dislocation was to be intensified by the discovery of the 

 extensive and profitable goldfields in the remote Ovens district in 

 the following year, which was also to witness the sudden rush of 

 20,000 people to the Mclvor, and the creation of the town of Heath- 

 cote on that field. It would be compiling a mere catalogue to narrate 

 in detail the opening up of the various districts during 1852-53, and 

 the ebb and flow which affected the more important centres. The 

 Mount Alexander field, which included Bendigo, remained easily first 

 during that period. Extensive as was the area covered, the persistent 

 inrush of population, pressing unduly upon the occupied ground, 

 drove the gold-seekers farther afield, and every month brought 

 tidings of new discoveries as well as startling revivals of productive- 

 ness in fields that had been temporarily abandoned after a mere 

 surface scratching. It seemed fully to justify Mr. Latrobe's belief 

 that he could contemplate no limit to the discoveries, and his oft- 

 repeated doubt as to his ability to provide for the maintenance of 

 order and the machinery of Government amidst these swirling 

 and shifting masses of excited people. 



By the time he had, with difficulty for the want of men, made 

 his arrangements for police protection at Clunes, it was deserted 

 in favour of Buninyong ; as soon as a staff was organised for that 

 place, the diggers fled to Ballaarat ; and before the machinery could 

 be got in order there, the thousands had melted to hundreds, and 

 the process had to be commenced afresh at Forest Creek. Thence 

 they streamed away to Bendigo, and out over the dry northern plains 

 to Mount Korong, or on the west to Avoca and the Pyrenees, and 

 on the east to the Mclvor and the tributaries of the lower Goulburn. 

 Meanwhile, from the remote districts on the upper Murray, and the 

 mountain fastnesses of Omeo, came tidings of swarming adventurers 

 from the adjacent territory of New South Wales overrunning the 

 land, gathering golden spoil, and discarding allegiance to Victorian 

 authority. No wonder that the harassed Governor had already 



