The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, JULY 30, 1875.

Dunstan Times, Issue 693, 30 July 1875, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, JULY 30, 1875.

Beneath the rule of men entirely just the pen is mightier than the sword.

If there is anything likely to damage the interests of gold-mining in this Province it will be the sale of auriferous lands. In this district we have happily escaped this infliction, the action taken by the miners in opposing any of the land in the Valley of the Wai Keri Ken, being alienated has preserved that auriferous locality to us, and there is in consequence great cause for congratulation that what has proved a very valuable gold-field is still public property. Our friends at the Arrow do not appear to be so fortunate, as we find by the last issue of the Observer that, notwithstanding the Warden and a number of private persons have protested against the proposed sale of two sections of land at the Crown Terrace to one Patrick Kerin, the Waste Land Board have decided to ignore all that has been said against it, and decreed that he shall purchase. Such unwarrantable contempt for public opinion has seldom been given expression to before by any public or legislative body, and we hope that before the business proceeds further, that that august body, which constitutes the Otago Waste Lands Board will consiiler the injury they are doing to the mining interests of the Province. It is of course very desirable that there should be a permanent population settled upon the gold fields, 1 ut this can be accomplished without alienating known auriferous hinds. There is plenty of country unr coupled where gold is not present, and which will suit the purposes of the farmer without his clashing with the interests of the miners. Farming and gold-mining can work hand in hand together without either trampling upon the heels of the other, and so far as present experience points, the successful prosecution of both these industries confers the greatest good upon the population at large, and every inteio.t becomes directly and indirectly bcueCtted. Because auriferous country is not at the present moment occupied by miners, it is no reason that it should be sold away from them. It is merely a matter of time when every inch of gold bearing ground will be made to yield up its treasures. Where water is now being made to operate upon auriferous deposits it is quite obvious that a time must come when it cannot any longer be profitably employed, and it must be deviated elsewhere, but this cannot take place when there is no where to take it to, and which will be the state of things it the Waste Lands Board will persist in their suicidal policy of alienating auriferous lands not presently at work. The operations of the miner must be as free and untrammelled as possible, and ho cannot feel secure in his calling unless ho can see that when his present claim is worked out, he will bo able to find another. So long as his supply of raining water remains he has the mechanical power at command to produce gold out of the ground, but to secure this means isoftentimes very costly, and people are not likely to go

to tlio expense of bringing in expensive water-races unless they can see something to employ them beyond present engagements. If tho Waste Lands Board are permitted to have their own way, it is very clear that the days of gold-mining are numbered, as tliis'jbody in their wisdom will have effectually haired the way to further progress- A few farmers are all very well, but one hundred acres of auriferous land will return more to the Province than the same area of oats, wheat, or potatoes, or possibly sheep pasture, as from what we can learn our Wakatip neighbors have more than reached the limits of supply of the farmer, and they, are now as fast ns possible turning their atteu'ion to wool growing. Under judicious management there is a supply of auriferous ground in Otago sufficient to last the present mining population for a century to come, and we may always calculate upon a revenue from that direction. At the present Tilt)ment the importance of conserving the mining interests is of paramount importance. Unless gold mining is prosperous, the payment of the inter, est upon our loans for railways will necessarily be precarious, in fact, it will depend upon the miners whether they will pay even working expenses. Abolish gold mining and the country must revert again back to its original position of a sheep-walk, as-without the miners there will be but slight necessity for the farmers, especially in the interior, for however we may value the staple industry of wool growing, it can never make the country. Sheep do not wear clothes o” con c uiue articles of merchandise; a little grass satisfies all their wants, and if the country is to be populated and made prosperous it must be so mainly through the development of its mineral resources It is very clear that the Waste Lands Board possess but a very imperfect knowledge of gold mining and its value to the Province, or else they would never seek to fob low in the steps of the foolish old woman that slew the goose for the sake of the golden eggs. The sale of auriferous lands is a questi* n demanding the attention of every miner, and it is very clear, taking the present aspect of affairs into consideration that unless miners are alive to their interests they will speedily find their occupation gone.