The Dunstan Times FRIDAY, FEBURARY 28, 1873.

Dunstan Times, Issue 567, 28 February 1873, Page 2

The Dunstan Times

FRIDAY, FEBURARY 28, 1873.

BcncathtlieTiulcof Men entirely jits? the pen is mightier than the sword.

'li appears to he an inevitable though imfoi-hiuafecivcmiistaeoe, that all over the gold-field* vhe mu-era ure coming in disagreeable contact with the agri cubnrists. Looking over our goldfields exchau'-es, wt find over' where ■objections to the leasing of land, and in some in-tances these are of sufih a sweeping nature that, whole localities tire o' jected to in toto. It would sippear by this that the miners are 'vginuingto find tin-mac ves in a position that, uiiiesS the imlfscr'Yninate tensing of land is stopped, hut very little ground will be left to mine upon, and ‘tinless the most j ersistent opposition is offered, the bu-iness of gold getting will Income a hingof he pist T is is a most undesirable state of affair , and is greatly to be dep'ored, and we think before the matter-goes further, that air alteration' in the leasing regulations might he made, so as to accommodate both parties. The prosperity -of our gold-fields must, to a considerable degree, depend upon the success of agriculture, both must go hand in hand together, and no misunderstandings arise. Excepting the miner posses-esau abundant water supply, his en ployment becomes necessarily uncertain, and during dry or frosty weather he finds himself without era ployment. To correct this evil, the only course open to him is to cultivate the land either for himself or for others. This arrangement appears to he a happy one, and he is enabled to tide over dull seasons ami resume the employment of mining when the favorable opportunity arrives. Were tins not the case he would be compel ed to leave the gold-fields, and iu all probability never -return. Every wedwisher to the Province • should do his utmost to make employment less desultory, it is that which makes wages high, arid gives us had workers at the same time, and unless we can give the working man permanent employment, ‘we can never expect him to take an iiiterett in -his work. To ensure a settled population, something approaching constant employment must be provi ted, and wherever this is the the case people will settle down, and make themselves homes, and, at the same time adding great!v to their own prosperity and that of the district they may select. ’We feel assured-that there is no real antagonism between the miners-andagricul-tnrists, and that both mutually agree in their contemporary success. Weu* it not for the gold-miner there would be no want for the agriculturist, us none could he found to consume his ; produce; while, at the same time, unless it were for the labor of the farmer, the cos of living-would be so high that, except in cases where gold was pie tilul and easily obtained, the miner could not exist, In travelling over the Gold fields, we find almost ■everywhere the mining population making themselves homes. Comfortable dwellings are erected in the sheltered nooks and gullies, and the industrious man produces for himself many articles of food which would otherwise only be obtained at considerable cost. The settled and do.mesticaton miner may not, in many instances, realise the pleasant idea of sisting under his “ own vine and fig tree,” because the climate is unfavorable. in some few instances, this halcyon bliss bay really been accomplished. Nevertheless, we find him surrounded with all the comforts of life, nnd.ln this temperate and moist -climate, lie finds many substitutes

in n - e saUst.iati.il and luting th in the Beuii-ti’Ojjhj.il vine or fig tree. At the next mooting ut fhe General Assemii y, j perhaps some gentleman represent! g Gold-tie .is iii.tii-Hsts will introduce a measure to de.il with that old *oiv, 4 ‘ mining on private property,” or at all events to deal with land in t jet alienated If more land is to be tuiken up on the GoMdl Ids-and it is a pity ♦ o see god land that will grnw corn lying idle and unproductive—let it, be so wit si the understanding that ih< miner has five access without com pen. sation, "lid not be called upon to pan for imaginary dam iges. We fee assured that no miner will injure bis neighbor’s cmp unnecessarily, while, if land is taken up with the nclersturfdi ig than tiie miner lias tit all tines tin- Tight of entry, those inking it up will know wnat t*'ey have to expect, and will prepare them-i-lvi-i----accordingly. A good understanding between th« miner au I •agriculturist must be preserved at all bazar s. Ii is upon this that our future prospeiin depends ; while, at the Fame lime, sufficient e<mfi 'ence must exit b tween the latter and tlie Government, that the; prospect held out of the leaseholder u tima'ely -becoming hi • Avn freehobler shoiiM be realised. I’u few people will take up land unless with the prosp ct of its becoming their o« n, and, if the realisation of this is attended with any mat er of uncer aintv. it will seriously;interfere with ihe settlement of the country. Wise legislation can accomp’ish much, and to place the miner and agriculturist upon a satisfactory footing should not be a work of much difficulty