THE GOLD-FIELDS

Southland Times, 23 December 1868, Page 4

THE GOLD-FIELDS

The occasional rumors of fresh gold discoveries, either in new ground or contiguous to old but partially developed fields, tend to stimulate the hope that the discovery, on which the future of the Province 30 materially depends, will ere long reward the search made for it. In referring to the question of the probability of the discovery" of a payable goldfield in Southland, it must be admitted that as yet the efforts in search of it bave only been of a partial and spasmodic character. No systematic or long continued search iv any given direction has been made, but as the fancy of adventures has led them, a prospecting party has turned up here and there. In very many instances the color has been found* in others the probabilities of success have been such as would ordinarily have been ■regarded as sufficient to induce a prosecution of the search, and there tbe exploration has terminated. "Without a doubt had the same spirit of enterprise which characterised the search in California, Victoria and elsewhere, immediately after the discovery of the existence of gold, been brought to bear upon the lands within our own borders known to be auriferous, success of no ordinary character would have crowned the effort. The lack of effort among ourselves has aparently arisen from apathy, yet it is not fair to assume apathy as the real cause of the absence of effort. The non-prosecution of the search after gold may be ascribed to another or other causes than that which seems to lie upon the surface. It is not indifference to the solution of the question that has prevented the organisation ot parties, and the work with a will for j

_______________ fa ______ MMMM ,, M i l^i^ M^ M __^ M , the material advancement of the Province. The almost universal employment of the laboring classes in the Province, in remunerative occupations, has removed the temptation to wander in search of lucky finds. The steady gains of industry without hazard have checked the impulse to search for that in the distance, which every day's labor is sure to bring. The maxim " a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," has found numerous supporters here as elsewhere, and we have had no floating population to whom a change of occupation would be a relief. There are in Southland no masses ready to rush into any channel, which, While furnishing present employment, affords also the additional attraction of the possibility of obtaining the promised reward to successful discoverers. The sparsness of the population is probably the chief reason that we have not witnessed any organisation on a large scale, to discover a goldfield, and to secure the bonus promised by the G-overnment. The regular pursuits of industry cannot be suspended or interrupted in the search after that which may after all elude the vigilance of the searchers — so it is argued, and with much of propriety. The excitement in the pursuit of gold is not as great now as was the case in the early days of goldfields. Eeported discoverias must be more than ordinarily rich, or offer mere than ordinary facilities in the acquisition to attract very large numbers to assist in their development. The prosecution of a search after gold in localities in which its whereabouts is only suspected is now almost entirely confined to men who have made gold mining their pursuit in life, with whom it has become a passion, and who enter into it with enthusiasm » To detect the indications of gold where they exist, requires a practised eye. To trace these indications to their source, requires ano less practised hand. To be successful as a prospector requires a determined will, a considerable amount of self-denial and experience which can only be obtained ordinarily in mining pursuits. A goldfield may be discovered by accident, but it is oftener the reward of patient and long continued search after it. It follows then that in all probability, if we are to be successful in the discovery of a payable goldfield, we shall be indebted for it to the efforts of those presently employed among us in mining operations in the Province, or to others with similar tendencies and experience who may be attracted to make the search, inasmuch as the question of discovery is one of which the advantages to the province can scarcely be overestimated ; as far as possible, all facilities should be given to effort in this direction. In addition to the promise of reward, impediments to the progress of the search should, where practicable, -be removed. In to-day's issue, attention is directed by a Longwood correspondent, to matters on that field — or in connection with it— and the necessity is shown for a track which, at a trifling expense, would open np the whole of the Longwood Banges. Since this expression of want refers to a district in which gold is already known to exist in payable quantities — a district which having been tested, has proved capable of supporting all who have already settled on it — common sense | would suggest the propriety of a thorough exploration of the region. A powerful argument in favor of a search in that direction is the probability that such search would be more efficiently conducted than would be the case in any quarter m which indications only existed — however favorable those indications might be. The result of operations at Orepuki and Longwood since the opening of the field warrants the belief that a, very large area of ground might be taken up, and will ultimately be taken ap with advantage, and lead to the sonclusion that it would be unwise either bo neglect or only partially to prosecute search in this direction. The character md capabilities of the men ready and villing to engage in the search on some ■light encouragement, is a guarantee that t will not be inefficiently or indolently irosecuted. The same remarks apply, lerhaps not with equal force, to the jountry at the "Waiau, at which gold has ieen found. It would, without doubt, >c in many respects more advantageous io the Province should the discovery of t goldfield be realised within its borders. !t must, however, be remembered that he commercial advantage of a goldfield »n the site taken up at the Waiau would, emain, if not permanently, for at least a ong period confined to the province of Southland. The coming summer must tot be allowed to pass over without a Letermined effort to tes'c ihis practical question, second in importance to none, s affecting the present good and permanent welfare of the Province. The racks already opened by the Grove rn:ient, with others that will probably be pened shortly, will materially facilitate he exploration, and it need not be oubted that private enterprise and

public spirit wili aiike operate to bring td. a successful termination, a venture in which the stake is so large, and the reasonable assurance of success correspondingly great. "We learn from our Dunedin files recently to hand, that a discovery of gold of a promising nature has been made in the vicinity of Switzer's. Should it prove successful, it will alone be the means of throwing a large additional trade into the hands of the people of Invercargill, if the local Government exercise only ordinary tact and foresight.