94 TlMEHRI. 
After a safe arrival at Bartica, the gold is weighed, 
the royalty marked, and a receipt given ; and on arrival 
in Georgetown we pay our dues and get our gold. 
And so the search ends ! 
Several companies have started since January, 1887, 
with varying success. Some of them have nil as a 
revenue, but go on hoping to hit on a lucky spot. 
Some have prospered ; but, as in other industries, they 
have only profited by the failure of others. It is no 
unusual thing for a prospector to jump a claim : indeed, 
it is considered a smart thing to do so ; and the world 
looks on the jumper as a clever man. 
The gold exported during the first six months of 1887, 
amounted to 4,991 ozs. 13 dwt. 17 grs. as against an 
annual export of 6,51 8 ¥ 3 o ozs. for 1886, and 939I ozs. 
for 1885. The number of labourers registered up to the 
end of June amounted to 1,954. 
The industry has suddenly been developed at no in- 
opportune moment, when sugar is down, wages at a 
nominal figure, and work scarce. There are numbers of 
men ready to risk life and health for money ; and it is 
a matter for congratulation that the number of men, who 
have received advances without going to the diggings, 
is very small. Boat-builders, overseers, clerks and la- 
bourers have need to be thankful for the fever. 
The health of the men in the gold districts, is good. 
There are instances where men, who started strong and 
robust, have returned to town shattered and useless, a bur- 
den to themselves, their friends and relatives ; but when 
we look closely into the matter, what do we find? That 
men, who are accustomed to beds and luxuries, content 
themselves, in the bush, with sleeping in hammocks a few 
