TIN ORE.

Southland Times, Issue 1658, 5 November 1872, Page 2

TIN ORE.

Sib,— ln these dajs when we »re seeking to attract to our shores additional population, it strikes me that it behoves those who are in " authority over us" to use every endeavor to develops the natural resource* of the country, and to use every reasonable effort to create and foster new native industries ; and among these industries which might be beneficially established and cultivated, I would like to bring prominently before the Government and the public that of tin- mining- In the course of my researches through this country, I had occasion aoma time ago to visit the upper waters of the Waiau river, in the bed and on the banks of which I came across unmistakeahle signs of tin. At that period I was unable to cross the Waiau, owing to the jealousy of so;ne parties who were golddigging there at the time of my visit, but I have very good reason to believe that were a proper prospecting party organised to prospect for TiW only in the hill country on the left bank of the Waiau, they would not be long of falling on a lode, either in the vitrified rocks which abound in the district, or in their immediate vicinity. Such a party should consist of practical Cornish or Webb miners, who have had some experience of tin viewing and mining ; and from the labors of euch a party, properly though economically equipped for a three or four months' atoy in the country indicated, I should expect some good results. Although I have the very highest respect for scientific men, T should think practical tin-minera would bo more likely to arrive at profitable results than any expedition to the same country of savana, however able orlearned._ I may name to you that anterior to ray visit to the Waiau, I had received from Mr M'Kerrow — who at one time surveyed the district I am now alluding to— a communication to the effect that he bad seen indications of tin during the time he was pursuing his survey duties. The time has now come, I believe, when it behoves the Government of the country (either Provincial or General, it matters not a straw which, so that the thing is effectively done.) to prospect the country fairly with the one object in view. The importance of a tin mine being added to the other vast mineral resources of this country, I need not* here dilate on. So long has my attention been devoted to this subject, and so convinoed am I that the very country I name teems with tin ore, that I do not hesitate to depart from my usual custom when communicating through your columns with my fickle friend the public, that for once I drop my nomine de plume, and if you think this worth a place in your journal, wish to subaci iba myself, yours and the public's very obedient servant and wellwisher, Thomas Edmond. luvcrcargill, 4th November, 1872.