Finances and furlough

Benjamin Odgers, using his Bendigo School of Mines-gained qualifications, together with a sound sense of administration, leadership, drive and commonsense had successfully brought the Bersawah Gold Mining Company into production.
He had been at his post in the Malay States since 1900 and was looking forward to some furlough to see his family again back in Bendigo.
Publications of the period help to give us more background, such as appeared in Jennings’ Guide to Singapore, Penang, Malacca and the Federated Malay States, published by the American Mission Press Singapore. On page 11 the following was printed,
“The country at the back of Mount Ophir has large and ancient gold mining workings extending over a large area. A syndicate has lately been formed to re-open one of these at Batu Bersawah, situated on the banks of the Muar River…a little over 20 miles from the Negri Sembilan boundary.”
By January 5, 1904 an observation was made in the Straits Times regarding the Bersawah GM Co.: “If the company will only allow their manager Mr Ben Odgers to go deeper.”
It is clear from earlier press reports that Odgers was, within a number of months of arrival at his managerial post, regularly able to mine sufficient ore to be crushed and provide returns of a third of an ounce of gold or more to the ton.
The mining reporter of the Straits Times thought that Ben Odgers’ work was being restricted by the lack of will by his company.
Back in Bendigo or Coolgardie/Kalgoorlie where he had previously been, those returns would have been very payable.
In the Malay States, with the nominal rates of pay at that time for coolie labour, these returns would have been even more gratifying to investors. The shares in the company at the time were being traded for around 3.75 Straits Dollars.
Odgers’ financial position as a salaried mine manager both in Western Australia and then the Malay States, would not in itself have placed him in the upper-middle-class at the turn of the 20th century.
The miners working under him were on what can only be described as subsistence wages, and he was paid about 25 per cent more than them.
His family life was therefore slightly more comfortable than those under his charge.
I have mentioned previously that Odgers lived very frugally and that he had a keen eye for investment or speculation in gold mining shares.
As a manager, Odgers was privy to a great deal of information in his sphere of influence, as well as gaining similar intelligence from his colleagues. This he could use advantageously to further his own financial ends.
In Bendigo he had dealt in shares as well as in Coolgardie/Kalgoorlie. Saving the profits of his speculative efforts had been very much part of his philosophy.
In the Malay States he was on additional incentives from the company over and above his salary, which further helped to stimulate his financial position in a very positive way.
As with his previous managerial position at the Kalgoorlie Proprietary Gold Mine the directors had been very keen on the development work that Odgers had done for them and held him and his abilities in the highest regard.
The same applied to the Bersawah Gold Mining Company. They were delighted with their manager.
For this reason when Odgers sought furlough leave to return to his family for
six months it was granted. The Straits Times reported on May 16, 1903 that the directors moved a vote of thanks to Odgers and it was carried with acclamation.
Our photograph shows a moment to cherish.
Guarded by Sikh Police, company directors, with Odgers is a gold ingot, one of many he helped win for the Bersawah GM Company.

History Mission & Vision Staff Profiles About Archive Issues FAQs Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Interact (Social Media)

© Copyright Bendigo Weekly, Bendigo. Website by Design Experts