CANTERBURY ROAD POLICY.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 206, 19 April 1865, Page 3

CANTERBURY ROAD POLICY.

The * Canterbury Press' hails with satisfaction the prospect of the Wanaka route being opened up by large bodies of miners who are now out from the Okitiki in that direction, and evinces no selfish feeling anent Otago, such as was unfortunately too prevalent on this side when this rush first broke out. It lays down the sound and judicious policy we have ever contended for: — None of the diggers have yet attempted to discover a route from the head of Lake Wanaka, in the Canterbury province, by way of Dr Haast's track. The advantage of this route would be that it lies through country, a great part of which is worth prospecting; and the direction taken by the gold deposits from north to south of this island would soon be discovered. There is no reason for supposing that the deposits now being worked on the West Coast are the most important within our boundaries.

It has long been supposed that the northern goldfields of Otago extended into this Province. The successive discoveries of gold in the Provinces of Nelson and Marlborough have justified the predictions of Dr Hochstetter and others who were convinced that gold was deposited from north to west of the island. The explorations in this Province, whether conducted by scientific observers or by practical diggers, have satisfied most people that the vein of gold which shows itself in the mountains of Marlborough aud Nelson takes a south-westerly course, and runs along the western slopes of the Southern Alps, through Canterbury, till it joins the wellknown Otago goldfields in the neighborhood of Lake Wanaka. The discoveries from the Grey to the Okitiki, and gradually southward, only tend to confirm the views already at different times propounded. It is true that till lately it was not supposed that paying goldfields existed on the west coast of this Province; but the fact is that until the practical digger takes the field, little can be known as to the manner in which the gold lies. The geologist may point out the country in which there are auriferous indications, and may state with tolerable certainty whether gold is or is not to be found in certain localities; but whether the country will pay for working, whether there are valuable mines to reward the enterprise of capitalists, or whether there are " poor men's diggings " to attract a large self-supporting population, these are the problems that can only be solved by the digger-prospector.

It is not difficult to see what for the future must be the policy of the Canterbury Government. It may be summed in the one—roads. We have the good fortune to be placed in the midst of a rich agricultural and pastoral country—a country teeming with all the capabilities of producing real wealth. It now turns out that the portion of the Province which has hitherto been looked upon as useless is a vast depository of gold. A goldproducing country—if it has no other attractions— will not become much richer by producing the conventional representative of wealth. This will be exported, and the imports will only be sufficient to support the population required to raise the gold. But Canterbury, surrounded by goldfields north, west, and south, has attractions, which have already largely increased its population from the best elements of the neighboring population. As our own goldfields extend, the advantages we shall derive from the goldproducing country will increase, and there can be little doubt that a large proportion of the gold found in New Zealand will be attracted to the rich plains and fruitful slopes stretching to the eastward from the Southern Alps to the Canterbury seaboard. The permanent occupation of Canterbury is obstructed by no impediments natural or artificial. Any man may become a possessor of land on the most simple terms, and without the least delay. All that is wanted then are roads to connect Canterbury with the goldfields around —roads northwards, roads southwards, and roads westward—roads whether for the locomotive or for horses, as the traffic requires and means will allow. This is the great present requirement of Canterbury, and if the Government take care to push on roadmaking, there will be no difficulty in supplying all other wants as they arise.

The following notices of motion were given in the Provincial Council on the 13th instant, concerning the delay that had arisen in granting members to Clyde, Lawrence, and Queenstown. The 'Gazette' of the 12th contains a notice that the 'Otago Provincial Representation Bill, 1864," had been duly assented to. The questions put were most pertinent, but they are frustrated by the resignation of the Ministry:—«' Mr Vogel: To ask the reason why the Governor's assent to the Otago Provincial Representation Ordinance was delayed ? Whether any correspondence has taken place on the subject, and the precise date at which the Ordinance was transmitted for his Excellency's approbation." "Mr Mouatt: To move, • That, from the grave and important nature of the business to be considered, it is advisable that the Council be adjourned until after the election of the new members under the new Electoral Districts Ordinance.'"

Easter Monday was generally observed as a holiday by the banks, government offices, &c, in Queenstown, and but few stores transacted much business.