LAKE WAKATIP DIGGINGS.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 17, 6 January 1863, Page 2

LAKE WAKATIP DIGGINGS.

(From the Ota-go .Daily Times.) Mot the least of the advantages of the new gold fields 011 tho Wukatip and its vicinity, ard a splendid climate and the j natural resources of the soil. Respecting these particulars the testimony of all who have vi-iteri the locality is unanimous, and even \ietorian miners, armed with the strongest prejudice in favour of Australia, freely admit that these new gold fields equal the rjiost favored parts of Victoria in all those qualifications that render aperinanent residence desirable and agreeable. It has been one of the great drawbacks to the old gold fields, that the climate was variable and rigorous in the w inter, and and in consequence the approach of that season was the signal for a general oxodus, and the suspension of mining operations. iJut sufficient has been learnt, from the evidence of Messrs Hartley and Iteilly in respect to the region of the Upper Ciutha, and from residents near the Wakatip, to lead to the conciusion that in these places at least the winter is divested of its most disagreeable characteristics ; and, in fact, that in these regions the climate in winter is mild and healthy, and that winter is ! besides the most fkvorable season for prosecuting mining operations in the beds and bars of the numerous creeks and rivets which have already yielded up their treasures wirh a lavish hand. Again, another great advantage, belonging more particularly to the Lake disgins* and those on its numerous tributaries, is the abundauce of timber, suitable for almost every purpose. In fact, it would be difficult, 10 select any locality so favorably situated for the location of a settled population. There is, however, one difficulty, and that a great one, to be overcome, and that is the want of direct communication with the other parts of the Province. Steps ara being taken, and no doubt something will be accomplished before winter lowar-ls making the roads to connect these distant gold fields with each other and with Dunedin ; but many months must elapse, and much money expended, before anything move than mere tracks can beopened out. But still it is absolutely necessary that something, even if only a safe track, should be made before the winter sets in, when the construction of roads will be almost an impossibility in certain localities. The Southland people are alive to the advantages to be derived from easy communication with the Lake diggings, and as, according to all accounts, the route to Invercargill is not beset with so many difficulties as have to be encountered from Dunedin, it is pretty sure that the good folks of the neighboring province will use every effort to place the communication between Invercargill and the Lake diggings on a satisfactory footing. This is an additional reason why 'he attention of the Otago Government should be earnestly given to the requirements of the newlyopened districts, and so secure to this province the full advantages of its valuable goldfields, The reported approach of the miners to the West Coast, may soon lead to a solution of the question, whether a practicable pass exists through the range of mountains which shut out the coast from the interior. It is more than probable that such a gap may be found, for the Maories have a tradition to that effect, and Maori traditions respecting the peculiarities of localities are tolerably correct. Should this be the case, and it be found possible to reach the West Coast by a practicable route from the Wakatip, it is not difficult to foresee the establishment of a thriving sea-

port bWoneor^btherof the spacious hav|| which -indent the; coast. Accord ing to M map, 'Milford Haven, on& of: the princis| Ijknd ac(M>rdiiig]ta Cai*taiiiStokes, the nil accessible; arid on. M West';Goast, is only aboutfthirty miles M tant in & straight line from the shores]! Lake Wakatip. " H Without attempting to check vrM sooner or later must be an inevitable ress —the settlement of the West Coast, iff uot to be lost sight of that the commer|| interests of Otago are mest deeply cj| cerned in keeping open the communicjdi between the Eastern seaboard and Western gold fields. Although in || cota-se of time the trade may pass to arS settletnant on the West Coast, it wouldS the height of folly in the contempt afSj only of a possible contingency to thrs| away a tangible certainty. All that Sot| land can do with its surreptitious esc<| will not take from Otago the trade of| own goldfields, if the Government exeril the commonest industry in providing 1 ■ requisite facilities for cotnmunicatig The whole matter can be very simply f| pressed. If the people of the Duustan || the Lakes find themselves in the wiijjjl shut out from communication with D|| edin, they will look to Invercargill as thE seaport' outlet. But if the communical]^ witu Dunedin be kept open, Invercar|§ will continue to occupy its pre3|| secondary position. A quantity of goti no doubt will be sent from it to the lj| Country, but in this respect it will me§ occupy a similar position to that wl|gj Geelong does to Ballaarat. With allfig preximity to the metropolitan goldfi^ Geelong lws never been able to realise!! ambitious desire to rival if not suppl^f Melbourne. With the heartiest good fc#i ing towards tfoe people of Invercargilljj are afraid they will tiad if the Otago vernment do their duty, that their toft| will be to Dunedhi as Geelong U|£ Melbourne. eh —————— Sfi