The Future of the Goldfield.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3777, 4 February 1881, Page 2

The Future of the Goldfield.

A correspondent in the Herald recently wrote an account of the goldfields, in which he was most sanguine as to the future of the field. A correspondent sends us the following, which presents the other side of the question to our readers in equally strong colours; —

The future of the Thames is very uncertain, and, although I am not given to "cry out before I'm hurt," I cannot but view the future prospects of. the goldfield with alarm. A kind, of ennui seems to prevail, and nearly every one on the field appearß to be under its influence. Now and again, when there are any special recreations, such as races, regattas, reviews, &c, in prospect, tKis unwholesome state of things is temporarily shattered, and the public appear once more alive to the pleasures of existence. Such pleascares and amusements over, the old state

of languor returns, and the public are once more careless of their own welfare until the next amu?emement is in the close prospective. As an example of this, and, to show that it is a fact, I have only to compare the total gold yield, for. December with other months in the year. I find that the yield has always been more at the time immediately preceding Christmas festivities than any other month in the year. Whenever recreation and' amuse* ment are close at hand, the mining community " put their shoulders to the wheel," and work like Trojans to enable them to eDjoy the sport. When, how*>"v ever, that is over, they return to«iia4t>, work, not apparently with the intMmtfcf- ' following up their previous aunnijpff^wt. ■"' to work with less zest afterjMm£^fc is quite true that the serioufaßition in which the goldfield is placeolPlhe present time should be fully and carKully considered, in order to devise some means of, at any rate, arresting the Thames in what at present threatens to be a speedy downfall. The gold-bearing, belt is about a mile or a trifle more in breadth, and extends inwardly into country of a purely virgin character, where the forests have never been touched, and where in many places the foot of man has not trodden. Prospecting parties have proved this, as the claims up. the Moanatairi,> Waiflta^u-, Hape, and Ejihka Creeks will prove. AT" far as eveW' these prospectingg have extended back into virgin forest, payable quartz has been found. Quartz which, if uear.enough to a battery, would be the vmaking of fortunes. But although such gold has been proved to exist in abun-dance—-I may almost aver—nothing haa been done to provide sufficient means for miners working in back claims to bring their quartz to the batteries. -While such little interest appears to be taken in the formation of roads which would open up the auriferous country aqd enable miners to crush at a reasonable" rate*, I do not wonder at the apparent careless feeling that exists amongst miners, and the negligence of prospecting parties. Sappose quartz is found two. miles fifqm the head of one of the creeks^ showing^ good gold, say two ounces to the ton, what use is it if it^osts about 30s a ton for carting and crushing!,,; Roads must be made to connect the present thoroughfares up the creeks^pbhi goldfield is to be further developed, 5 and, as this is positively coni. pulsory, I am surprised that roads proposed for this object should have been reported against by Government officials, who are either blind to'tne necessity of i them, or totally ignorant of the character of the cpuntry they, would ipen up. rl trustf that the tin cis not far distant when greater facilities will be offered to miners in this respect. If-nofc the goldfield, ;which in r jlß7?-8O deteriorated so largely : in value,tand! which was nexer in such straights iince the opening, will continue to yield less and less as the years go by ' unless— But no! Let me hope for the-/ best, and^lecme trust, that ere lonfcithe" silver lining, which has been absent from us.iso long, will unveil itselfi,and 7 disperse the cloud of apprehensions that exist at present as to, the future of the district."