The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1883.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4550, 4 August 1883, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1883.

Many lugubrious members of our population have of late been mourning over the blue look-out for things in general at the Thames, and they shiver at the dreary prospect presented lo those who would endeavour to peer into the vista of our future. It cannot but strike an ordinarily thoughtful man that the Thames people have themselves to thank for this state of things. Many who wag their apparently inspired noddles and bemoan the probability of matters eventuating as they indicate, should endeavor to look around them for a remedy for the effects of theße dreadful times which are to come. They should, instead of going about moaning and groaning take steps to counteract any such danger as may be not only probable but possible. The industry which the people of the district seem to rely upon, is their gold produce, and were this to fail in giving a sufficient return to-morrow the result would be most unsatisfactory for exeryone. In order to provide against the suffering which would ensue were such a calamity to overtake us, it is necessary to consider our resources, and how they may be utilised to avert any such danger, if not with any intention to build up prosperity in our midst. We are gifted by nature with many' requisites for manufactures, we have an abundance of water; a plentiful supply of timber; coal within easy reach; land which can be utilised for extensive agricultural and pastoral pursuits; natural formation of country which would enable the application of almost unlimited water power for machinery purposes; and, a variety of other circumstances, all tending in the same direction. Now, the main spring to all these accessories is wanting; the first move requires to be made, and that is what those croakers and others in a po'si tion to help matters in the district should set about providing. There are numberless articles of daily consumption brought here from Auckland which could be economically [produced by ourselves, and instead of remaining importers we should be able to export. We are constantly reading of new manufactories and other signs of progress springing up throughout the colony; and in all parts of it, but in our benighted community are seen evidences of the go-ahead spirit of the people. If a move were made in the direction we now point out, there is little doubt that the natural ad« vantages so abundant amongst us would gradually be appreciated, and outside capital awaiting investment would be . attracted here, the consequence -of which would be that the future of the Thames would be a promising one, and should we see a return of the "good old times" in connection with mining we would be indeed fortunate; but if such good luck, did not befall us we could maintain steady progress in a substantial prosperity, which would not leave what was atone time a rich and flourishing community to fall into a deserted town full of dilapidated and empty shanties, such as now exist at the Upper end of Grahamstown.