What were the conditions like in the gold fields?

Answer 1

Conditions on the Australian goldfields were harsh. The main source of discontent was the miner's licence, which cost a monthly fee of 30 shillings and permitted the holder to work a 3.6 metre square "claim". Licences had to be paid regardless of whether a digger's claim resulted in the finding of any gold. Frequent licence hunts were conducted, during which the miners were ordered to produce proof of their licences.

Conditions were also crowded and unsanitary. Not only did the miners work their 3.6 metre square claim, they lived in and on it. Some of the goldfields had nothing more than open latrines, while creeks were used for washing everything.

Answer 2

Muddy or dirty water, no hygiene and very poor medical services.

Further information:

The Australian goldfields were harsh places to live. The fields were crowded: miners had a mere 3 square metres of 'claim' in which to live and work. Many diggers lived in tents, or even rough, open bark shelters. Those who stayed longer sometimes built larger slab hut dwellings, but these were still very basic. People would live in small humpies made out of wood, scraps and things found around the area. Also many people would live in a canvas tent because they were cheap and portable. Later in the gold rush, when people were more certain about whether they were staying or not, people might decide to live in small cottages. These cottages often incorporated solid brick and stone fireplaces, instead of the diggers having to do all their cooking outside.

The more popular goldfields were crowded and unsanitary, with open latrines running nearby. Scavenging dogs could be seen roaming around, and children wandered unsupervised through the diggings. As a result, disease was rife. These diseases included whooping cough, scarlet fever, measles, cholera, dysentery and typhoid.

Troopers dealt harshly with minor offences. The main source of discontent was the miner's licence, which cost a monthly fee of 30 shillings and permitted the holder to work a 3.6 metre square "claim". Licences had to be paid regardless of whether a digger's claim resulted in the finding of any gold. Frequent licence hunts were conducted, during which the miners were ordered to produce proof of their licences, and this added to the increasing unrest.

Another problem was the exorbitant price of goods on the goldfields. Businesses knew they had a monopoly on the market, and therefore the power to drive their prices up as high as they wished. Many diggers did not wish to spare the time and potential loss of earnings (or even their claim) if they made the extensive journey to the nearest large city, such as Melbourne.

Gold rushes attracted a wide variety of people from all races and parts of society, including China. This created some distrust among the Australians, for the Chinese were a hard-working, reclusive group who did not (and indeed often could not) communicate with the Australians, and tended to find more gold.

The goldfields tended to be out in rocky country (though not always), and often in hilly countryside. They were characterised by many mullock heaps, or mounds of dirt which were the result of diggings. These mullock heaps varied from a few feet to many metres in height and width.

Answer 3

The conditions for Chinese Gold miners were tough. They were not liked by other European miners.

Answer 4

The Chinese find gold every where. They used every way to do.

I don't like them because they are not good