THE KAIMANAWA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 730, 28 October 1869, Page 4

THE KAIMANAWA.

(From the Wanganui Chronicle, 2nd October.) The fact that the finding or at least the getting of gold in the Kaimanawa Ranges is not so near or even so absolutely certain as some people fondly supposed should not lead to any despondency on the subject. The matter stands precisely as it ever did, although, judging from the strange and unsatisfactory conduct of Capt. McDonnell, who, it was understood, had gone up the river ex pressly to send or bring down further specimens of quaitz and otherwise add to public information on the subject, yet makes no sign, it is evident there will be more trouble and delay than was at one time supposed. Still, if the gold is there it will ultimately be got at, and the fact of an element of doubt tempora rily infusing itself among the highlywrought hopes of the people should have its uses. It should tend to allay that feverish excitement and undue desire for gold which are too apt to arise on sv.ch occasions, and which in their hot haste rather tend to retard than to help on the object which is so eagerly sought for. In saying so, it will not be supposed that we are seeking to discourage the quest for gold, or the formation of companies to explore and prospect the country; the very opposite : we are only wishful to interpose a word

of caution against that absorbing desire for gold which unsettles the mind and unfits those seized by it for the performance of every-day duties, and may land its votaries in reckless speculation and even dishonorable scheming. There is a haste to be rich which, like vaulting ambition, o'erleaps itself and lands on t'other side.

That the Kaimanawa gold-field remains a matter of some uncertainty is a pits', b'jt notwithstanding the reticence of" Gapt. M'Donnell, the best or the worst, of it will soon be known. A party from Wanganui is now on its way to the Ranges, and in the course of a week or ten days one or more of the members of this party will return with a report which will be immediately made public. We see no reason so far to doubt the existence of the gold, but even if we; do not get it, we will at least get a knowledge of an interesting and hitherto unknown country, which of itself may be turned to public benefit.