WAYSIDE NOTES.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2680, 19 September 1871, Page 2

WAYSIDE NOTES.

(By our Spread Reporter out for a Holiday), Although the population of Orepuki considerably exceeded this number, yet many were employed cutting up tail races, ditches, and sludge channels, preparatory to future work, not adding to the yield of gold, or expecting to do so. The bankers in Riverton informed me, however, that the yield now accruing was considerably on the increase. The general impression among the miners seemed to be that their average earnings would compare favorably with that of any other goldfield in the Province. From this cursory descriptioi of Otago’s new goldfield, you will find no doubt additional confirmation as to the neglect our mining interest has suffered. It is incumbent that something should he done for Orepuki, ami that speedily. In this outpost of Western settlement the inhabitants arc dependent on open boats to bring them their food and tools ; and sometimes, when the boat is unable to land, through the heavy surf generally prevailing on the beach, the miners ’ and- their families are reduced to their last crust, and have .to form a common stock of all the necessaries of life in hand They arc thus circumstanced, because they have no pack 0?' dray road from Kiverton ; whjle it seems to be the wish of the Government to force settlement westward —vide Martin’s Bay, Preservation Inlet, and Gatlin's River—and clear and settle our bush lands as well as our open country, and that at considerable expense, a settlement occupying the position and possessing the prospects of Orepuki should, one would conclude, deserve a little fostering and more consideration than it has obtained. The only charge it has on the revenue is the warden’s salary of LI 00 a year. Its contribution to goldfields—in fees, duty, and rights— is five times this amount. It has been opened as a goldfield

for nearly six years, and has enjoyed an expenditure of some L 350 during the entire period for road-making purposes. It is the key and depot for further exploration and settlement—at least of all that large block of land westwards towards the Waiau. It can afford employment for a generation to a large number of minors, were water brought iu to work the known auriferous ground the inhabitants think their claims for watersupply should he enhanced by the neglect they have suffered —and presents in its open laud and payable terraces all the ma end to form a populous and thriving settlement. A larger population would make fresh discoveries—possibly find payable leads inland like the Hau-Hau aud others in West-land—-trace gold into deep ground like they have done at Ross, and probably find auriferous reefs in the Longwood range. I can here express my thanks for the kindness and consideration with which I was treated at Orepuki, and the willingness with which information of all kinds was afforded me. I met our old friend Dr Carr at Orepuki, his efforts to instruct and entertain were fully appreciated; and save missing his way in the bush on his return, the novel experience hejacquired, in this his first bush walking journey, will no doubt leave a pleasing and lasting impression on bis mind. His last seance on a Saturday night to a somewhat vinous audience, may afford pith tor a sketch another day. Having passed through the portion of country once called Southland from-north to south, and westward to the Waiau, it only remained for me to reach the Mataura eastwards from Invercargill to he enabled to form a tolerably correct idea of the land and its resources. To the eastern boundary the country preserves that level character so characteristic of the whole. The Meat Preserving Company’s establishment, the well-fenced-in lands of the New Zealand Company’s estates, aud the iniquitous character of the no roads; form the most salient details to the traveller. Possessing fertile and extensive tracks of good agricultural land, the country is unsettled and comparatively unpeopled—given up to the growing of wool and the rearing of stock. Free selection on such land as Southland possessed can have no other effect than to prevent settlement and perpetuate a wilderness. The longer such land laws exist as are in force in this portion of the Province, the more remote is the chance of locating popTilation on eligible sites, and preventing the alienation of large tracks of land for pastoral purposes. Born on the Ist of April, and dying on the day of the Scotch Fast, with a heavy debt, an unimproved and alienated estate, when the history of Provincialism in New Zealand shall be written, Southland will present an instructive and interesting chapter, and lead our children, when they groan under the burden we ■ have bequeathed them in the form of interest and sinking fund, to wonder at the recklessness of their fathers, and the stupidity —as they will term it—by them displayed. ■