THE PROSPECTS OF QUEENSTOWN.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 34, 25 January 1864, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE PROSPECTS OF QUEENSTOWN.

(From the Wakatip Mail.) It is frequently' asked hy holders of property in Queenstown, is ihe town likely to be permanent . We, ourselves, have never hesitated to answer in the affirmative. Irrespective of the mineral wealth of tlie district, which cannot possibly be worked out fur years to come, there are other elements that are well calculated to employ the capital and labor of a con -iderable population, lv all likelihood, before long copper-mining will become an industry here, and be the means of helping forward the town-ship to a very considerable extent. Quartz reefs are already being worked on the Upper Shotover, and Queenstown mu-*t remain an eslablisl.el town as long as one lon ol auriferous earth remains to be delved into or crushed. We have every reason to believe, also, from indications which we have observed in the neighborhood, that silver mining will occupy a permanent place amongst other pursuits. That silver exists there is no doubt, although there is no certainty as to its quantity. The extensive flats of good agricultural land in the neighborhood will, when allowed to be occu: ied as freeholds, also form an additional guarantee for the permanency of Queenstown ; and there is perhaps not one of ail these that gives such a substantial guarantee as this last. Tlie meeting recently held in Queenstown for the purpose of prospecting the Go;ge to the Shotover, was a step in ihe right direction. Different parties have found gold in the gorge by merely fossicking, although riot in payable quantities. Tlie nature of the working is such as to preclude ihe possibility of its being done by individua 1 labor, and of necessity, co-operation of capital therewith must be adopted for the general benefit of the community. It is plainly the duty of the inhabitants of this town to advance the means, so ihat a thorough prospect may he had thoroughout. If gold were to be found, there would at once be opened up a Held of labor for thousands, which would last for generations. Jtis a subject of so much importance to the people of this district, and to the colony, that it would be a fatal policy lo delay longer setting the question at rest. The fact of gold being found in the_ gorge in payable quantities by deep sinking would form au index which would enable ns to ]U(i}.e of other places of a' similar nature iii the neighborhood of the Lake. That the gorge has been an arm of tlie Lake we have little doubt; the formation ofthe terraces show this. We were never inclined lo the theory that it formed the

ancient bed of the Shotover, and the j evidences are all in favor of the other sup- | position Wo are aware are that differences of opinion exist ns to tills, but Dr. Hector, and others, whose opinions should ba received with credit, bold the si me idea with ourselves. There are hundreds v of acres iv the neighborhood which have at some period or another occupied the same position relative to the Lake that the Goriie does, and if p«3 r able gold be found there, it would then be a prima facie evidence that the gold abounds in all of tliem. Tbe expense of solving the question would be so trilling that not another day should elapse before the necessary steps are taken. All doubt would then be at an end as 'o the future prospects of Queensiown and the Lake district. A town would spring up'here, outrivallinq* in population and importance any other in tho island, and the hundreds of miners who are now wearing: their hearts out for in many oases an inadequate living, would be in a position to realise the expectations which brought them lo this coloDy. We hope that the inhabitants will respond to tbe call that has been made upon them, and subscribe as liberally as their means will permit, when they are called upon for contributions.