A Prospecting Proposal.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 2, Issue 93, 22 August 1871, Page 6

A Prospecting Proposal.

MrW. Fox, who claims to be the discoverer of the Arrow goldfield, but whose claim to the reward has not been recognised by an impecunious and ungrateful Government, is now in Cromwell, and proposes to form a Prospecting Party for the purpose of opening a New Goldficld within about 25 miles of that town. There is no doubt that the Cromwell mining district is one of the richest in the colony, and it is no less true that it has been but imperfectly prospected. Without vigorous, well-directed prospecting, any district dependent on its gold mines for its prosperity must languish and fall. But as Auckland—and many other towns and districts—have been raised from the depths of commercial depression by the results of the labours of one or more persevering and experienced Prospectors, so this district may become far more prosperous, and even opulent, by the e luloymeut of similar means. The same means will produce similar results. But prospecting is often tedious, and sometimes expensive. Prospectors usually have good appetites, the air on the ranges being very j invigorating. So they must be well fed, and provided with tools, &c. Ail' Fox states that he is ready to form and lead a Prospecting Party to open up a payable goldfleld in the locality above indicated. All that he suggests and recpiires is that aProspecting Company (Limited) be formed for the purpose of providing the prospectors with "tucker" and tools. If they are successful, they will noon be able to repay the

Company. The direct and indirect benefits which such a Company might confer on the town and district are great, and must be selfevident to our storekeepers, hotel proprietors, agriculturists, &o. We, therefore, give publicity to Mr Fox's project, which, we understand, has been received with some favour by a number of our leading men. The risk of giving credit to bona fide and experienced miners and prospectors is not great—and the chances of an abundant return are immeuse. On all the Victorian goldfields, merchants, storekeepers, and capitalists—yea, butcherboys, servants, and mechanics—have aided prospectors, with what splendid results is well known. The same spirit of enterprise, and faith in our undeveloped resources should animate the residents of the great aiiriferous region of which Cromwell is the centre. The motto " Never venture, never win !" is eminently true as regai'ds gold-mining. Th e Spring is opening—just the proper time for Prospecting. We hope Mr Fox's proposal will be taken up in a liberal and businesslike spirit. A public meeting should be held to deliberate, and take steps for thoroughly prospecting many likely localities in the Cromwell district, and especially the Carrick Eange and the Bannockburn.