ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 42, 6 September 1864, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents. THE SOUTHLAND PKOSPECTING ASSOCIATION. (TO THB EDITOB O3? THE SOUTHLAND TIJTE3.) Sib, — Being a new-chum in this Province, I know but little of the enterprising movements contemplated by energetic gentlemen a few months ao-o. But being informed that the commercial gentlemen of Invercargill resolved on establishing a prospecting association some time ago, with a view to developing the gold-mining resources of Southland, I think it strange that a movement destined to confer a benefit on all classes of the community should be allowed to die out, without some attempt being made to secure its revival. It would seen that gentlemen are frightened out of their sldn, because of the little embam.9ment in financial affairs ; but I ask any one to point out a colony that has not undergone similar depressions. It is a well known fact, that a few years ago one class of the community in a neighbouring Province were necessitated to extract the seed potatoes from the ground in order to work through the most trying difficulties. They have survived them, and now live to enjoy the comforts of a prosperous and independent province. Are we in Southland to lose sight of projects pointing in the direction of prosperity, because everything has not gone like clock work with us. It is certainly gratifying to learn that Mr. O'Brien is progressing favorably with that important branch of industry, the cultivation of native flax; it is the opening up ' of new branches of industry, and other resources for speculation, that will maintain -a useful population in the province; and it must be admitted, that a new country holding out inducements to a hard working, industrious /population, is sure to advance strictly in the ..direction", of prosperity. It therefore becomes the duty 'of influential members of ■ocietyj Who lw*v» &• yrd&r* of fche prorinc© at

heart, to give every' encouragement and assistance in their power to the development of the resources of the country, wliiqh are believed to be many. We have,' no doubt, a great many useful societies in Invercargill to meet the requirements of .' > social and - spiritual consolation, but none :of these are adapted to the • future prosperity of the Province, in a pecuniary point of view. Winter evening lectures, or auxiliary bible societies, won't detain the most useful portion of the population that are now leaving the Province at every available opportunity, neither will they find employment. or food for the number of immigrants arriving in our capital. But then thereis the Benevolent Asylum, (or out-door relief) perhaps their requirements would be met with there. I must not make any remarks on this humane institution, especially as the ladies have interested themselves in its behalf. Oh! no, it would never do to say a word against it ; but I may say, had the Bame amount of energy and talent been employed in providing work for the needful, such an institution could not yet be known in Invercargill, or the world would not have had an opportunity of reading in our journals the number relieved weekly, and the : amount of subscriptions received for - the- relief of the poor and destitute of Invercargill; This -.sounds well, and when, read in other countries, will ho doubt induce a useful population to repair to our shores in quest of remunerative employment. I have no view to depreciate the value of any institution that holds for its motto Humanity and Charity ; but I do think, from the amount of talent and eloquence used by distinguished gentlemen in the formation of social societies in Invercargill, a little of it might be directed to the more important object of opening up the resources of the country. Should some of our respected members of society take the initiative in establishing a prospecting association, no doubt some valuable suggestions would be made, by which the Province could be skilfully and. economically prospected. And should a payable goldfield be discovered in Southland, it would be attended with facilities hitherto unknown either in Otago or the other provinces. My experience on the goldfields for the last ten years warrants me in saying so ; I have worked on all the Otago goldfields, and can safely assert, that it would have been well for the great mass of the population, had one half of them never been discovered, as they were attended with extreme privations and loss of life to the mining community, and irrecoverable losses to those engaged in bxisiness pursuits. Campbell's Creek for instance, is a very good illustration of what we may anticipate of the West Coast, should gold be found there in payable quantities, but I hope it never will. Southland can boast of a climate superior to any of those places where gold has yet been found in New Zealand, and by the discovery of a goldfield, the honest sons of toil would reap a comfortable and remunerative reward, which the inclemency of other provinces debar them of, besides the development of a payable goldfield just now, would make Southland what nature has destined her to be — the gem of New Zealand. I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, Enteepbtse. Invercavgill, August, 18G4.