Australian mining.- Westgarth (William) Victoria and the Australian Gold Mines in 1857, first edition, 3 lithographed maps, of which 2 folding, and 1 hand-coloured in outline, 16pp. publisher's catalogue at end, hand-coloured map with short repaired tear and with split to central vertical fold strengthened verso, some spotting, new endpapers, original blind-stamped dark green cloth, spine gilt, little rubbed and marked, a solid copy, [Ferguson 18418], 8vo, Smith, Elder, & Co., 1857.

⁂ Westgarth (1815-1889), Scottish-born merchant, historian, statistician, and politician in Australia. In 1854 he was appointed Chairman of the commission of inquiry into the Eureka Rebellion, during which gold miners had revolted against the British administration. Westgarth showed much tact in his leadership of the inquiry, which recommended a general amnesty for the prisoners. The work systematically chronicles and analyses the rapid social and economic changes after four years of the gold rush.