Gold Rush

"Amongst the many gold seekers who came to the Province in the early days of gold discovery were two men who were attracted hither from New Zealand - Downes a Yorkshire man and Ohlson a Swede, a queerly assorted pair but a successful partnership...After a few years, having struck it rich they wisely invested their pile in a ranch near Alexandria, which was and still is known as the Australian Ranch, one of the best on the Cariboo Road...Asked if they did not regret leaving fine countries like Australia and New Zealand they replied "No; here we have a fine farm, all the wood and water we want, all the game we care to kill, a good market for all we produce and no women to bother us". They were a curious couple; old Downes invariably sat straddle of a chair and always put his hat on for meals or during the evening. I believe he has gone to his long rest. Ohlson I think eventually returned to his native land..."

Notes

In 1858 gold was discovered in the Fraser River. The rush of miners who had travelled to California now made their way north. Victoria was the last stop for many people before they began gold exploration. As a result, the population of Victoria swelled out of control. The crowds caused an increase in poverty, crime, and prostitution; not to mention shortages in clean drinking water and streets of thick mud. The overpopulation problems were righted with time and businessmen like James Yates and Mifflin Gibbs prospered.