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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 11, 12 September 1861, Page 3

The following conclusion of an article on the prospects of gold diggers from the Canterbury Standard was unavoidably shut out in our last issue. Looking upon the Otago diggings in this

light, we would caution those of our fellow settlers who are not accustomed to the most trying and unpleasant species of labour, to pause ere they commit themselves and their fortunes to the hazards of such a pursuit. Let them well weigh the inevitable expenses of the journey,—the outlay necessary foxtools and plant,—tools and plant which disappointment will render valueless to them—the loss of time, the exposure to cold, wet, and the other discomforts known to he incident to the diggers life, ere they abandon a moderate and comfortable certainty for the mere chance of a prize in the gold lottery. Not that we undervalue the Otago Gold Fields—on the contrary, we firmly believe that the gold fields of New Zealand are extremely valuable mines, and that when capital and machinery are brought to bear upon them, they will afford profitable employment to thousands of industrious men. Nor would we wish absolutely to deter those who feel an itching to try their luck, from doing so. Let them learn by experience, the folly of giving up a certain remuneration, with the comforts of civilized life, for the uncertainty of gold digging and its concomitant discomforts. We feel assured that not only will they return wiser men, but that the results of their attempt will deter others from the pursuit.