Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1869.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 745, 20 December 1869, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1869.

The discovery of gold in or near this Province is a matter of so much importance to settlers that they may justly be excused for looking with I longing eyes towards Kaiinanawa. Up to the present time—although the Province must gratefully accept the aid of the Government, which has been indirectly, but liberal! v, afforded —the rumors of discoveries have had a trifle too political a flavor to be altogether reassuring. Yet, this is in-

seperable from the circumstances of the case, and.it may be doubted whether, without some such spur to enterprise, prospecting would have had much chance of success. The relationship of the claimant of the reward with the officer whom the Government has now seen fit to place in command—though last year the leaders of that party denounced him \vith a vehemence little short of ferocity—naturally, but perhaps unfairly, excites suspicion. To place weight on the fact that such a discovery would help the Government is, however, but a narrow view to take of the matter. It would help the Government only by promoting the material prosperity of the district, and if the Government gained by what was so greatly to our advantage, we should be churlish to complain. Once the war is settled, the real question which sits at the bottom of our political dissensions would attract and monopolise attention, and we should see many of those who de

s.rted theiv colors on the transient but important question of the war fall back into the ranks again. Peace will give the greatest possible blow to ultra-Provincialism, for it will strip the subject of a great den I of haze which at a time of public excitement necessarily envelopes it, and by concentrating public thought into a smal lev focus, strengthen and perfect opinions on the subject. Meanwhile,.the approach of peace will be hastened by the discovery of gold, if we are *o fortunate as to possess it on our borders. That the Government had an obvious interest in diverting public at ten "ion, and that the landslip stoiy is not, altogether satisfactory, furnish incidents for cavil, but not for legitimate objection to the course taken by the authorities. Our obligation is none the less because they gain ends of advantage to themselves. So long aw no results were reached a certain distrust was felt, not quite free from suspicion that we were being kept at fever heat in order to facilitate some phase of native policy. But there have now been discoveries, not exactly supporting the first reports of the claimants of the reward, but still encouraging and undoubted, which serve to vindicate the action that has been taken. Of these the Keren.] specimen is perhaps the most decided, but it leaves a great doubt where future search should be made. A block of rich gold-bearing quartz as big as a min's two fists, with considerable and apparent specks of gold, has undoubtedly been found of a character quite different from Thames specimens. It was, not, however, found in situ, but water worn and in the ancient drift which occurs in that locality. Thus the original reef remains a subject of speculation. At the time this shing 1 e bed was a sea beach the lump of quartz was washed there by floods and tides. It is probable, or seems so, that it came from the Ruahine or the Wakarara, but further prospecting alone can decide the point. It is a ray of hope, but must not blind us to the difficulties in the way of discoverers, nor make us become too sanguine of success. None of the Taupo or Kaimanawa specimens are so rich or apparently so encouraging as that from Kereru, but they are obtained from livetV, and if further research should obtain mote favorable indications, the site for mining will be known at once. In the Kereru case we are as far off a discovery of the actual site as we were before the rich specimen was found. We sincerely hope the [Government will foster enterprise in I both directions. i

Since the above was written, we have received from Mr Koch the valuable report published below. His theory, which is based upon an examination of the geological formation of the country is, that the Kereru specimen has been carried by the Olmra stream from the eastern slope of the Ituahine. Owing to the reeent heavy rains, this stream, which is usually at this time of year two or three feet deep, has now a depth of about fifteen feet, so that exploration in that quarter is at present impracticable.