The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1868.

Southland Times, Issue 1051, 4 November 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1868.

The report from the Waiau, following so closely upon the appearance of the advertisement by the Provincial Government of a reward for the discovery of a payable goldfield Within, or immediately beneficial to the province, will, doubtless, by some be accepted as an augury of early and complete success. Without attaching undue importance to the particulars which have reached town of the discovery in the direction named the conclusion is perfectly legitimate that the report in its modest truthfulness will have much influence in stimulating effort in that quarter at least. Whatever may be the ultimate conclusion as to the permanent value — in its gold productive properties — of the locality in which the " find " has occurred — it is certain that the question will be as speedily tested as the nature of our means will admit of. Numerically the Province is not in a position to furnish any large army of pioneers rapidly, and at the same time effectually to prosecute a prospecting of a very extensive tract of country even though the auriferous indications should be of a peculiarly inviting character. In addition to the fact that we have but a small population in the aggregate, it is also understood that our population, such as it is, is almost individually settled in some industry yielding a comfortable • return. The floating population which " rushes " attract, and which so quickly pronounces upon their value — either elevating them into settled fields of labor, or inducing their early abandonment — does not exist in Southland. To this cause, mainly, the absence of the discovery of payable goldfields on which a large mining population, associated with many other branches of industry might be absorbed, may be attributed. True, it may be argued that in very many instances gold discovery — and possibly the richest of the gold discoveries yet made — has been the results of accident, and that this discovery by its publication has attracted population. To a certain extent this is true, yet the publication of a discovery of a probable goldfield even where the indications are of a very superior character is not likely now to attract the numbers which were attracted fro^n this cause in the early days of gold-finding. So many settled fields exist in every direction to which the adventurer or the man intending to make gold mining his pursuit in life may turn that a discovery requires a considerable amount of labour in its development before it becomes permanently attractive. The opening of a field, although it may pay handsomely the pioneers who have battled with the difficulty, and brought to light the existing treasure, is a class of labor not desirable in itself — and the expense and toil in connection with it been taken into account it is not likely to attract from remunerative employ very many except there be some other object more or less connected with it. The discovery of gold at the Waiau regarded in connection with the offered reward is most important. Not less important, however, is the offer of the reward, as a means to the development of the fields already existing. Prom time to time reports are received from Orepuki and the Longwood Eanges clearly indicating that the small area of ground on which miners are located is capable of supporting — and actually does support — the population which has made mining especially its industry. If, however, working within the confined limits of the present ascertained fields, the population on the ground has been able to maintain itself and, as has been the case, no absolute necessity arising from failure has occurred to make migration desirable, where has been the inducement to seek fresb fields. There has certainly been none. On the contrary, in the dense bush, and the consequent necessity for a comparatively large expenditure to men whose ordinary capital consists in sinew and muscle, a powerful argument has existed in favor of contentment with the present. Happily, in connection with the offered reward as a stimulant to exertion, one of the great drawbacks to its exercise has been removed by the voting of a sum of money by the Provincial Council for the purpose of cutting tracks. Immediately consequent upon the opening of these tracks, many of the most experienced miners of the districts will be found willing to leave for a time their settled industry and devote themselves to exploration. The question has been asked many times. Why, taking into account the general character and habits of gold miners — a more extensive surface round the Orepuki field has not been tested by prospecting ? The answer has been

invariably the same— simply that tl it would not pay,*' this accompanied vierhaps with a shrug of the shoulders by way of emphasis. The meaning has been in the speakers mind in every instance not to express a doubt in the existence of payable gold, but to intimate that the difficulties were such as individuals without some considerable inducement did not like to grapple with, especially while they were maintaining themselves in comfort by their present industry. Thus paradoxical as it may appear the steady uniform success of the population on the present diggings, or, rather it may be said, the almost uniform richness of the ground already opened, has prevented to a certain extent the extension lof the field. In the inducements which have from time to time been shown to encourage immigration little notice has been taken of the gold mining industry as a labor absorbing field ; the objection to this has laid in the fact that such industry has always been regarded as uncertain in its results, and more particularly so, as to the time at which return may be calculated upon. This objection is worth consideration, yet there is no doubt but that in reference to immigrants about to arrive in the Province, their absorption into any branch of industry will have the effect of setting free labor and skill valuable — because combined with a knowledge of the country — in prosecuting the search for gold. It may fairly be inferred that the coming summer will not pass over without a longer continued and more thoroughly systematic and practical search after the whereabouts of the precious metal than has yet been able to be bestowed. The effect which the discovery of an extensive and p ayable goldfield would have upon the future of the Province may be over-estimated, but could not be otherwise than of grteat value. Assuming the discovery to be made, it is of comparatively little consequence by whom made, since all would be benefitted. It is, however, to be desired that the liberal reward offered by the Southland Government may become the prize of one or more of our own hardy sons of toil whose perseverance, in the face of discouragement, has done so much to cherish among us the belief in the existence of payable gold, and to keep alive the desire for its development.

It will be seen from our advertising columns, that a Grand Amateur Concert will take place at the Theatre Royal on Monday evening, the 9th November, the anniversary of the Prince of Wales birthday. The programme is varied, and well arranged, and we understand that the peri formers, both vocal and instrumental, will be more numerous than has hitherto been the case. This is the first concert which has been given with the view of aiding the amateurs in their efforts to provide for the public an instructive and classic entertainment. In order to keep up concerts of a first-class description, both music and instruments are required. Hitherto, the performers, in addition to giving their services gratuitously, have had to provide these, and the public are now asked to recognise their past exertions. We had yesterday (3rd Nov.,) brought to this office an enormous hen egg. It weighed upwards of three and a half ounces. It was laid by a Spanish hen, the property of Mr M'Orostie, of Tay-street. The drawing for the Melbourne Race Cup will take place at the Prince of Wales Hotel, on Thursday evening, the sth November. We have to acknowledge the receipt of a yolumn of Poems, entitled Carmina Varia, by Justin Aubrey. It is a book of three hundred and fifty pages, well printed and excellently bound. We have not had the leisure to peruse it, or express an opinion as to its literary merits. The ' X". Z. Advertiser ' remarks : — " A reason has been suggested why the Opposition made such long speeches, and sedulously labor in every way to prolong the session. Is early one-half of the party are in receipt of Provincial salaries which flow into their pockets with amiable regularity wherever they may happen to be. While attending Parliament these gentlemen not only escape all those official duties in their Provinces which they are paid to perform, but are paid one pound a day for their expenses in Wellington ! We state the premises — the public can draw their conclusions." The 'Wakatip Mail,' in commenting upon the Agricultural prospects of that district, states that the finest barley in the Southern Hemisphere — not excepting the Cape — has been grown in this locality, the soil and climate being favorable to its cultivation. The local papers states that Mr Cox, M.H.R. for Timaru has resigned his seat in the Assembly, and a requisition is in course of signature, asking Mr Stafford to allow himself to be nominated a candidate for the vacant seat. A transit of the planet Mercury across the sun's disc will take place on Thursday, the sth inst., partially visible here. A. new township says the ' Daily Times,' 27th October, has been surveyed on tho Wakaia Plains, near Switzers. 5000 acres of land have also been thrown open for agricultural settlement, and a strong d&ure is oppressed that the town allotments should be oii\vod for sale without delay. The 'South Australian Register' is credibly informed that a large area of counfcrj is looking bad, and literally black with caterpillars, outing grass, salt-bush, &c, to the earth. The Canterbury Acclimatisation Society have imported a quantity of beet-root seed, which will be distribted gratis to members for the purpose of encouraging its cultivation. The Agricultural and Pastoral Association have also offered a silver medal for sugar made from the beet.

Speaking of the advantages lMytd accrtoto Australasia From the proposed new Krtlte to Europe via San ifraneißeo, the Australian *B1ub« trated News' says: — The railway, now in course of formation from east to west of the American continent, will have its terminus at San Francisco *n July. 1869 ; a line of steamers will then connect with New Zealand, and one of the splendid harbors in Fiji is to he the calling place. The new arrangeinent'Will be a -vast improvement on the present Panama line, and will j prove a great means of attracting people towards l?iji, of the future of which islands there cannot be a doubt. The ' Daily Times,' of the 26th ult., says :— " On Saturday the members of the West Taieri Volunteer Eifle Corps competed for the Challenge Medal presented by the late captain of the company, J. 3Mton, Esq. In spite of the variableness of the wind and of the range being a new one, the scores were considered very good. Sixteen competed on the occasion, and the j winner was Volunteer David Buchan, who scored 56 points out of 20 shots, this being the second time in succession that he has carried off this prize. Ensign Richardson was second, with a score of 58 points." The following advertisement appears in the Auckland papers: — " Notice." Required for service in the Armed Constabulary three hundred men, unmarried, and not over 30 years of age, unless having previously served in the Colonial Forces or in Police Corps, when they will be admitted up to 35. Applicants must be provided with characters. Pay, ss. a day, with a suit of clothing. Apply at Militia and Volunteer Office, Auckland. The Thames gold-fields, s r ys the 'New Zealand Advertiser,' 28th October, bid fair to bring about great destitution in the Province of Auckland. A correspondent, writing to a tiawke's Bay contemporary, expresses the following very sensible ideas : — Share-buying appears to have reached its limit — "n homely terms, the length of its tether — and shareholders soon tire of paying wages and " reading glowing accounts of the Thames gold-fields," unaccompanied by dividends paid to the owners ; now the general feeling is, that some alteration in the style of working the ground is necessary. During the share-buying mania purchasers appeared to have cast aside all ideas of caution or judgment; a claim with a highsounding name, or in the neighborhood/ of some noted claims, was saleable, and there appeared no limit to the credulity of the speculators. There is no doubt many of them have, in vulgar terms, " burnt their fingers." Now it is difficult to sell any claim, except one yielding gold. Wages have been gradually lowered during the last fortnight, the average reduction probably seven to ten shi^ings per weekr Men out of work are plentuous, and a notice, " Men wanted," would speedily attract a swarm of ready men. The yield of gold is still ridiculously small when compared with the glowing accounts daily published in both the Auckland and Shortland papers. I would give the export for the past quarter, but the only paragraph I have noticed on the subject was evidently not correct, or at least so absurdly small that I dare not quote it, as my wish is to give real facts, not imaginary ones. Opinions may vary, and may prove erroneous, but facts should be genuine. Captain Francis, late of the s.s. Taranaki, has been appointed manager of a good claim on the Thames. The Moa Hat Station,^; Ota go, with about 45.C0G sheep, was knocked down to Mr Lanarch, Bank of Otago, lately, for £30,000. This is one of the best squatting properties in the province, and was sold much under value. It belonged to Messrs Chf^mers Brothers, and was sold by order of the mortgagee, Hon. W. J. T. Clark, of Victoria. Miss Rye has received a pension of £70 a-year on account of her efforts to promote the emigration of working women to New Zealand and other colonies. The ' Westport Evening Star ' has the following — " For the second time within a couple of months, Westport has been left without a bit of butcher-meat in the market. A few days ago, the butchers announced an increase in the price of meat to eight-pence, tenpence, and a shilling per pound, but now there is not a ' pound of flesh ' to selL In the items of meat, bread, and theindispensible ' nobbier,' Westport is at present the most expensive seaport town that a man can live in, in all New Zealand." The * New Zealand Advertiser,' 26th October, says : — " Many people in Wellington and elsewhere will learn with more than ordinary regret that Mr R. S. F. Parsons, who was at one time chief clerk in the Stamp Office, and subsequently projector and proprietor of the *N«w Zealand Times ' newspaper in this city, departed this life a day or two ago at Wanganui." His Excellency Sir Or. Ecren will go to Wanganui about the &th November. The Hon. J. C. Richmond and the Hon. Colonel Haultain will accompany him. Shortly after his return to Wellington, His Excellency will leave for Nelson and other places in the Middle Island, malting a tour of five or six weeks. Owing to the state of Lady Bowen's health, she is reluctantly compelled to refrain from accompanying His Excellency in his southern tour, and will go to Auckland about the same time as the G-overnor proceeds to the South. His Excellency will not accompany Lady Bowen to Auckland. Mr Stafford, Mr Richmond, Mr Domett, Mr Fitzgerald, and Dr Hector have been appointed a Commission to decide on the plan 3 for a new Government House. The site is not yet determined on.