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Dunstan Times, Issue 881, 7 March 1879, Page 2

Professor Ulrich is reported to say “ that the Livingtoue Gold-fields, Maerewhenua, are far -richer than any other digging in Victoria, the only drawback being want of water.” We ha\e no intention of impugning Mr Ulrich's statement, but we think he could not have earnestly considered the question before giving expression to such an opinion. Nor do we purpose arguing that the Livingstone Gold-fields are not rich in the precious metal. The only thing we can say is, if they are as rich as even the very poorest of the Victorian Goldfields, why has so little been said about them. To place the Livingstone Goldfield alongside of Forest Greek, Frier’s Creek, Bendigo, Ovens, Maryborough, Ballarat, Fiery Greek, Ararat, or any of the others, including the very poorest, we deem absurd ; and to raise up the bugbear

■want of water —is a desire still further to lower the miners from the very high position of independence they held when they were engaged overrunning Victoria and New South \\ ales for the precious metal (but from which they have somewhat fallen). At the time we allude to, the digger, as ho was called, would not condescend to ask the Government for what he could supply himself with, more especially the means to get the gold. Too much wafer, at those Lin.es, was the chief drawback, but whoever heard of the Government being asked for drainage engines The inttendo conveyed in Piofessnr Ulrich's reported statement is that the Government should develop this rich field by supplying water. Our experience of Government interference with the miners is that it has been a mistake, and we shall be sorry if it allows itself to be cajoled into an outlay that at the very best will prove of questionable utility. If the field is as rich as is in be infeired, the miners themselves will supply any deficiency required to develop it j if it is not, or if the turners themselves have not faith in it, far better, both for present and future generations, will it be for it to remain a sheepwalk or be occupied for agriculture. Government grants for prospecting, tail-races, sludge-channels, and last, hut not least, head-water races (we do not want to name the letter, their names are legion) have all been eeregious blunders, and we think the time has arrived to stop further tinkering with an industry that warrants of no interference.