The Invercargill Times MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1863.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 10, 30 November 1863, Page 2

The Invercargill Times MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1863.

Iris not very often we have to complain of any serious or wilful departure 'from the truth by the Canterbury Press, Mistakes of rafious descriptions find thc;r way into its columns with greater frequency than in the case of many other journals, but -they can easily be recognised. We have now, however, to tfex the writer of an article in a recent issue of the Press with a gre*/er fault, and one which ought %y no means to be overlooked. Frequent errors bad enough, but far worsfc is the fault of mis-stating plain facts for the purpose of displaying a little wit. "Southland in search of gold," is the heading given to the article to which we refer, and the quiet " chaff" therein displayed, would be a very neat addition to the many clever things which from time to time grace the -columns of our contemporary, were it not unfortunately a fact, that he is witty at the expense of veracity. In order that our readers may be better able to form a judgment in the matter, we will quote a few passages ; About three years ago a certain portion of Otago succeeded in effecting a separation and started in life on its own account under tbe name of Southland. Scarcely however had the young province tasted the streets of independence, when extraordinary gold discoveries took place in the oonntry it bfed left, and have continued from time to time ever since, with results which are now matter -of history?; While, such are tho caprices of fortune, the whole of these discoveries have been made on the Otago side of the boundary, and Southland rem'Hins, iifce 'Tantalus in his pool, unable to snatch a single draught of the Paetolian stream which is flowing at her very feet.--Here then we have the first mis-state-ment. It may be true that no gold has, as yet, been discovered in the Province of Southland, though we are prepared to dispute that Assertion $ but that the Province receives no benefit from the goldfields of Otago, as is here broadly stated, is untrue. Long before the Lake Wakatip diggings were discovered, ia the days when Rees* flocks , and herds wandered without interruption over country wfeich now maintains a large and increasing population, Southland reaped a rich harvest from Tuapeka, Waitahuna, Waipori, and the i remainder of those places which hare ] proved mines of wealth to so many. In the first rush to tho goldfields of Otago were many Southland men, and almost all of them have returned — many with purse* grown plethoric

during their absence. But we are told that the custom <*7 the InvercagiH newspapers is to '*<ron down " any, and eVfery\ new rush wifchin our neighbor's boowdaries, which., if true, must rather be froift a feeling 'of petty jealousy-, or because it is to otiT advantage to do so. It'iistßttlmfl enough that Sodflfhtnd shoata be inclined "to decry advantages which a hard fate forbids her to enjoy, and we are not •surprised to find the Invercargill papers 'paint the diggings by no means in the rosy colors we are accustomed to meet with in the Otago Press. It is evident that the least promising account of each new rush is the one that ■ obtains readiest credence in Southland, and that diminishing escort Teturns inspire her wiehateel'ing not wholly unmixed with satisfaction. ; When it is considered that ab-ut twothirds of flic commerce of Southland owes its existence to the Lake Diggings, and that, should a collapse in that locality 'take place, it would "ne followed ■• by what may be termed an " extended smash ''on this side of the Mataura, it is evident that if the Southland papers are in tne habit of decrying tlie richness of the Otago Gdldfields, they are acting [ a very foolish part. For ourselves, we i have on all occasions endeavored to 1 obtain the most reliable information on any subjects connected with mining, and when obtained., have invariably placed it before our readers withour subjecting it to the process of" cooking." j On one occasion only — that of thf ■■ Taferri Rush— have we had to differ • very seriously from the reports which • have appeared in the Duiredin papers,; and subsequent events 'have fully bornt* ; us out in the remarks we felt compelled < at the time to make. With that-pecu- ■ liar aptitude which which some people possess of reading without undertanding wlaat fs p^acen plainly before their eyes, tlie writer of this Southland gold arf.iole, having seen something on the subject in 'the local papers, at oH'ce 'Inaugurates for this Province a magnificent system of prospecting. He says : — As private researches have proved unavailing they are about to try public prospecting on the largest seaie, and for this purpose it is proposed to vote some very considerable sum to defray the expenses of exploring parties sent throughout the length ar.d breadth of the land to force into light the trea-ures which have hitherto so obstinatnlv refused to manifest themselves. Here at once is a goldfield on a small scale, at least tor the prospectors. There wi Ibe some good < laims to be cot on that liberal allowance ot public money, and, though soon worked out, they will, perhaps, be more- profitable while they last than those ol the ' • ordinary sort. It -may or-it may not be good policy for the -public to assist parties of men in prospecting a line of country which is probably auriferous, but if Southland people have «.riy 'inteation of adopting such a plan, we ate in complete ignorance of tire feet. The Provincial Gavernra< rit 'foas l vete4 a considerable sum of money 3s a reiomrfl *t& any T?ho may discover a goldfield in "Southland : from which 16,000 ounces shall be taken during the "first twelve months ; and that reward has been largely supplimented by the subscriptions of business men in Invercargill and the neighborhood ; but tbe work has to be done at the expense of the miners themselves, and we are unable to see that " here at ort£e is a goldfield on a small scale, at least, for the prospectors. ' Such statements put forward in tbe leading cOtUmns of a journal of some influence, are calculated to do harm. It is not improbable that senve may be found credulous -enough to rely on the information given by our contemporary, and may not discover their mistake till they apply for one of those <l pood claims to be got on that liberal allowance of public money.'' The Press next alludes to the talked-oi" annexation of the l^ake District to Southland, and is of opinion that Otago will not be easily reconciled w to the abstraction of one ef tfhe choicest plums in her pudding." No one supposed for a moment that she would, but if it can be shown that such an annexation would greatly benefit the inhabitants of the Lake District, and that they are fully aware of the fact, and anxious for the change, perhaps the Press will acknowledge that the Grerrerarl "Government may look upon the matter in a different light to the gentlemen who are at the head of affairs in Dunedin. We are continually being urged by residents in the Lake District to advocate its speedy annexation to SouthlaWi. 5n another column will be found a letter on the subject.