THE MINISTER OF MINES’ VISIT TO GOLDSBOROUGH AND STAFFORD TOWN.

Kumara Times, Issue 1659, 23 January 1882, Page 2

THE MINISTER OF MINES’ VISIT TO GOLDSBOROUGH AND STAFFORD TOWN.

[to the editor.] Sir—l was astonished to see that the people of Goldsborough had no organisation on the occasion of the Minister of A lines visiting that place on his way to Hokitika from Kaunara. When he arrived there, instead of their local member meeting him with a strong deputation that would show the wants of the place there was nothing of ike

kind, until Mr Seddon got the following residents hurriedly together and introduced them a§ a deputation—Vle-srs Dee, Kiely, Dolph, Lawrence, Anm -e', and Whelan. They wanted to ali talk together and did si good desil of talking, but said nothing ) while their loeal members stood sulently at one side, taking lio interest in what was going on, with a sort of a sneering smil’d at the blundering of the deputation ; blit something is better than nothing, and thej r . had something in the shape of a nondescript baud', with some instruments and a drdm with, a few school children headed by the discordant band. Surely their visitor must think that they are a musical people. The tui-n out reminded me of some of the illustrations given in the lecture oil “ Borneo.” But what a difference at Stafford Tdwii. There they were properly organised, with Mr Bynie as leader. Too great praise carinut be given to that gentleman for the able manner in which he delivered liiriiself in showing the wants of the locality. Everything was plain and to the point. If the people of Gol Isborougli Had been prepared as the Staffordites were; the Minister of Mines would Have left, tfith a different impression ; hut they were like sheep scattered on the hills, without a shepherd ; they had no Mr Byrne to lead them, nor did they prepare themselves in a proper form to lay tlih wants ot the district before t'ie Minister. Their only chance in tile matter is if anything is done for Stafford that they may be remembere 1 a little. But it must be remenibered that Providence helps the man that helps hiriiself. That thei business people of the place did not bestir themselves on the occasion does, seem strange; but it seettls that they want the miner to do everything; indeed, there is too imtcli of that all over } he is looked to to get the gold, to turn out and make displays; and bring money to spend on all occasions, vGrile the business atari takes his ease, and if he don't do well on all occasions he has a quiet growl over the matter. But I think their local M.O.Ck is to blame for not coming to the frorifc or, this most important occasion, as it is really the burning point as regards Water-supply for the district.—Yours, Tom Brown; Goidsborough’, Jan. 211, IBS2. *