NEW ZEALAND TO NEW MEXICO.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1082, 13 March 1883, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND TO NEW MEXICO.

The following; interesting particulars of a journoy from this colony to New Mexi o arc uddrested to the Cromwell .Argus by Mr J. R. Simpson, a young man who is weli known throughout that district, arid wdl give some insight to thtsj contemplating « j.unity to what some deem amwKl Dorado: Las Vegas, November 3.

On my arrival in San Francis; o. I was a! once struck with the go-ahead style of its inhabitants—Q' thing seemed too luavy an undertaking. A few days well spent in this town, I turned my thoughts to securing my ' through-ticket' by rail to Las Vegas. This journey means nine day's traveilirg, and that at no mean speed. Before underlaying this long journey, 1 set ahout procuring a few delicacies I thought would be acceptable on ray journey. Arrargements having been msdb with a dealer in this line s mcney paid ; goods (?) secured. I took my departure from ihh city, After having travelled,' a considerable distanco, my appetite directed me towards my basket of delicacies, but to my intense difgust I found that my American friend had ' had ' me, for my basket was fill«d with all sorts of 'debris' This, it is almost needless to say, awakened me as to the honesty of the Americans and I at once resolved not to trust a Yankee again. Of course a 6hort stay was made at the various stations 'eu route,' and at nearly all the stations in the state of New Mexico the disastrous effects of the smallpox was very perceptible—in fact I was informed that it had carried cff fully half the inhabitants. At last our jourmy came to an end, which occupied nine dajs. Las Vegas, like motfc otha* towns, has suffered severly from the (fleets of small-pox. At first sight, the inhabitants of this town look somewhat dangerous, a six-ehocter and knife being no rarity to see in a man's possession—in fact he is not thought properly equipped without these. Although I have sren these weapons frequently in the possession of townsfolk, still from my experience the inhabitants are quite as peaceful as in quiet New Zealand ; but as there is no law j robibiting the exposure oi weapons, people who are so inclined take a delight in making a show of their blood-thirsty propensities ; but furthermore I have never seen any use for them. This is a good country for a young man who has a little money to spare, and is not afraid to put up with a litt la hardship, as there is no coubt the place is improving rapidly and town property can be hid on very reasonable trms. New Mexico is no bed of roit>>, and one intending to visit here must not let his imagination carry him that way. This is a vast field for a man of a speculative turn of mind, aad to the best of my belief a prolific one. A family from the Wakatipu district was in business here in the, butchering line, but have eo'.d out. The eldest member of the family hag purchased a ranchee, or what would be known in your country as a station, and I think prospects are very hopeful. The younger n ember has gone to a place called Lake Valley, about 100 miles from here, a place that is only recently rushed for si rer, and promises to be exceedingly >ioh. The ore found is said to be almost pure, and numbers are fljcking there. I know one case where a man give over a million dollars for a share in a mine that had only been recently opened, so that speaks for itself as to the richness of the ground. We are to have two more branches of railway line coming into Vegas in a very short timp, and I think the future prospects of thii place arc anything but unfavorable. The American is a very different class of man to those who hold power in your c-jlony. An undertaking such aB the Otago Central Eailway would receive but little consideration, but be pushed on to its terminus and then let the country profit by its expenditure, which it must Decessarily do.