AND GOLDFIELDB REPORTER it ADVERTISER THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1873. " MEASURES. NOT MEN."

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 292, 4 September 1873, Page 4

AND GOLDFIELDB REPORTER it ADVERTISER THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1873. " MEASURES. NOT MEN."

The fact that the Government has decided upon throwing open a tract . of country in the immediate neighborhood of Switzers has created a considerable amount of satisfaction in that district, and has had the effect of giving fresh and much needed impetus to business and speculation thereabout. No district can well thrive upon one industry, and the want of agriculture having been long feU in the locality referred to, we are not surprised at the results which the tidings of the intended progressive policy have produced. From Switzers in a northerly direction for 12 or 15 miles, a splendid plain exists — well watered, sufficiently timbered, having lignite in abundance, possessing a rich soil and every quality requisite for agriculture, approaching a noble forest, which will yet be worth untold riches, and, more than all, presenting and occupying the highway to a most promising goldfield, a goldfield which gives indications of being before very long the richest which has ever existed in Otago. But for the fact that the locality is at present inaccessible, a rush would long since have taken place ; but, with the intervening land (which is not inaccessible) thrown open for occupation and settlement, the Waikaia and Whitecombe will shortly be a populated and prosperous goldfield. If a surveyor were sent to inspect and report upon the locality referred to, the Government would, we think, see the necessity of at once throwing open the land to which we have referred, as also the expending of a substantial sum upon theroad between Lawrence and Switzers, from Switzers on to the bush, and through it to Whitecomb. The track via Teviot can never be made available, save for horse and foot, and that only during, at the outside, about 5 months in the year ; whereas by the way of Switzers a splendid road could be formed — a railway for that matter — open all the year round, and traversing a country from one end to the other devoid of serious engineering impediments, surrounded with agricultural, gold, and timber bearing country. It is not saying too much to pronounce the locality referred to one of the finest and most promising in the colony; and we ardently trust that the Government will not neglect it, but by all the means available strive to advance a valuable and hitherto neglected district. We understand that a spirit of opposition has within the last few months been manifested to. the granting of agricultural leases by certain obstructive parties, who have raised the cry of " auriferous '* and " wanted fbr mining purposes ;'* but who have failed to prove the bona fides of either cry. This is not as it should be. Industries should go hand in hand and assist each other. Much as has been said about farmers obstructing mining, we can assure our readers that Tuapeka would not be to-day what she is but for the helping hand lent to her by the agricuturat interest ; ffiA w§ aje. certain, that SwUaer*

now needs the same impetus to make her a prosperous, wealthy, and productive district.

In a recent article we referred to the timber supply at the command of the district We have since made it our business to inquire more fully into the resources of the district as to the amount of bush, distance from Lawrence, and the easiest manner of working it to a profit. First of all there is the Tuapeka bush proper, situated about 6 miles from Lawrence, where there is an ample supply of bush and other varieties of timber. Some years ago two men cut a track into this bush sufficiently good to cart out posts and rails ; but if some enterprising men were to lease this bush, run a tramway into it, and. set a portable engine and a couple of saws going, they could work it throughout with profit to themselves and considerable benefit to the public. They would be able to readily dispose of every stick at a remunerative figure. What was not fit for building or mining purposes would do for firewood. The next available bush is that immense tract of bush country in the Molyneux gorge, situated between the Beaumont and Tuapeka Mouth, and from which the saw mill draws its supplies, This bush is from 8 to 10 miles in length, and is supplied with all varieties of timber indigenous to the Middle Island. The heaviest portion grows near the river banks, but excellent manuka and other timbers suitable for mining and fencing purposes are obtainable near the top of the ridges in places three miles distant from the river. We allude specially to ridges about the B-emarkable Patch. Many, who have not the means to ~**d&Ffy out their wishes, consider this spot a very suitable one from which to carry a tramway down to the bush, as there is a passable track from it to Lawrence, a distance of 10 or 12 miles. The places from •which the district is at present supplied with timber might be termed branches of the Molyneux bush. We refer to those portions known as Watson's and Duffy's, which are rapidly disappearing under the axe. Hitherto a pair of strong arms and an axe have answered every requirement ; but, with the increasing demand and the branches or borders of the bush having been demolished, capital will require to be brought into operation before it can be worked profitably. A good many of our residents are under the impression that our local supply of timber is almost exhausted, but this is far from being the case. All that is wanted is a few of our enterprising capitalists to go in and work' the bush with proper appliances and in a systematic manner. Were this done, it would be found that there is an abundant supply of timber for all purposes for years to come.

We observe the Government have at last indicated their intention of enforcing the holders of agricultural leases to carry out the improvement clauses embodied, as in their leases as in the regulations, xhis decision on the part of the Government has not been arrived at sooner than it was absolutely required, as many cases of gross neglect of the conditions of occupation have been known to exist. From clause 15 in the regulations relating to agricultural leases in the Otago Goldfields Act, we notice that every certificate and lease will be subject to the following condition : — Ist. That no sale or assignment shall be made without license. 2nd. That planting, cultivation, fencing, or other permanent improvement, shall be commenced within three months after the commencement of the term. 3. That no less than one-eight of the whole area shall be cultivated within twelve months after the commencement of the term, or half of the whole are* substantially fenced within the same time. We are informed that it ia the intention of the Government to strictly enforce the above regulations, and any leaseholder uot acting in conformity with the same will forfeit his land. Not only will the Government keep a watchful eye upon the leaseholders in this matter, but doubtless, land speculators will ever be on the alert to pounce upon any sections likely to be forfeited.