WEST COAST TIMES, SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 1865.

West Coast Times, Issue 30, 12 August 1865, Page 2

WEST COAST TIMES, SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 1865.

An article which recently appeared in the " Press," points out tho important position which the Wist Canterbury Goldh'eld is rapidly assuming. Our contemporary cluims for it, even now, a foremost place amongst Australasian diggings; he believes that the population at, present (-quills that of the eastern portion of V\q province, and he cxpr sacs an opinUu that " a census takou at the end of the next six months would probably show that of tho entire population of Canterbury considerably the largest portion' wa« situated on tho West Cofir>{. Nor does the "Press" incliuo to tho belief that this vast addition to the population will bo of a mere temporary character — that tho diggings *will be rapidly worked out, and the people go elsewhere in search of tho precious metal. The goldfield is obviously rich to an ex-

tent rarely equalled, and still more rarely excelled, either in Otago, Australia, or the more distaiit California. The area of ground proved to be auriferous is immense. From the Grey River on tho North, to where tho main range touches tho sea on tho South, and backward in a'wido sweep between those two points to tho snow-clad hills, tho whole of tho country is one vast goldfield, little prospected, comparatively speaking, but. rich wherever the miner has been tempted to try his fortune. For very many years the West Canterbury goldfield will bo worked with profit, if the science of tho geologist and tho teachings of practical experience are to bo relied on. Were this portion of Canterbury, then, solely dependent on tho yield of gold for its prosperity it would still be entitled to a very largo share of consideration at the hands of those in high places. A gold-producing population contributes more largely, wo believe, to tho customs revenue of a colony than any other class, besides which it bears burdens peculiar to itself. Our contemporary acknowledges al this, but ho goes further. Ho points out that although tho discovery { of gold has had the effect of drawing a largo and industrious populraion to these shores, it by no means follows that tho ultimate falling off and perhaps total failure of the yield would lead to the desertion of the West Coast of Now Zealand. Such a result might reasonably bo expected if tho country offered no other attractions to tho settler. The reverse, however, is tho case. The land, though heavily timbered, is excellently adapted for agricultural purposes ; and the timber itself will, without doubt, before any great length of time has elapsed, become a valuablo commodity for export. There are besides beds of coal which Wo uld be quite sufficient to ensure the permanent prosperity of any country possessing them. Wo havo here tho "makings" of a great and wealthy country independently of the gold which was tho immediate cause of its settlement. Tho " Press" points out in clear and sensible languago the folly of looking on tho West Coast " as a mere El Dorado created for tho spcoia^ advantage of tho wiso men of tho I'.ist.''? " No greater mistake could bo made thafi to look on this West Coast country in rto other light than as a profitable goldfieM — aidurho? qUnYiy trrhe \vprked_fov. tho benefit of its eastern neighbors — and unless wo arc prepared to sco it pass nwny from our possession, we must learn to acknowleclgo it as an integral part of Canterbury, whose rights must bo as readily recognised, and whoso interests as zealously promoted as those of the other and cis-alpino portion of tho Province." It seems to us that the words we have quoted were written as much as a remonstranco as a warning. Has tho Canterbury Government, up to tho present moment, done justice to this part of the Province ? Have there been no sins of commission as well as omission? And for tho future, — Is there a reasonable probability of tho West Coast receiving that attention which its importance demands? Eveiy impartial observer must acknowledge that tho difficulty of bringing a now goldfield within tho palo of civilisation is, under the most favorable circumstances, very great. It is necessarily a work of time to establish law and order ; to give tho people fair representation in the Legislature; to lay out towns and mako roads; to perfect, in short, the machinery which is necessary for the well-being of society. This difficulty has, on tho West Coast, been greater than is usually the caso. We are separated from Christchurch by a district densely timbered, and through which flow rapid and dangerous rivers. Besides which a mountain chain rises liko a wall between tho now and the old portions of tho Province. Allowances havo, therefore, to bo made for any short-comings on the part of the Canterbury Government. But whilst we admit tho disadvan-

tages under which om rulers have labored, whilst we know that their most strenuous exertions- in our behalf must havo left many wants unsupplied, wo cannot show forbearance on points where the wisheß of tho Chrifitchurch portion of tho community appear to bo consulted regardless altogether of tho interests of tho inhabitants of tho goldfiold. Any attempt to use tho West Coast Goldfiald in the manner which gavo occasion to the warning in tho " Press," our duty as journalists forbids us to tolcrato for n moment. Wo may bo morciful where but little is done, so long as that little bo in tho right direction, but wo fihall certainly expose any snug littlo job taken in hand solely for tho glorification and profit of Oliristchuroh. The last overland mail

brought us the intelligence that the Government, driven thereto by tho clamors of the " mercantile community," are seriously contemplating, if they have not already determined on, the establishment of a gold escort between Ilokitika and Christchurch From what wo know of those undertakings elsewhere it is certain that their establishment hero will only bo accomplished at an enormous outlay. Tho nature of tho country through which the gold would have to bo taken between Hokitika and Christchurch, warrants us in stating that the expense would be far greater than it over was in Australia or Otago. Tho next questions lire — what good will tho establishment of the escort do? whom will it benefit? and who's to pay for it? After giving the subject very careful consideration — after examining it in a variety of lights, we havo come to tho conclusion that it will benefit no ono except in so far as it will employment to a number of mounted police who might be better engaged in duties more strictly within their legitimate sphere of action. The gold produced on this field is at present forwarded by steamer to Nelson, at which point it is shipped on board the Australian steamers. That is to say it goes by the quickest, safest, and least expensive route. The banks — the principal, if not the only shippers — are satisfied. Tho good people of Christchurch, in the innocence of their imaginations, entertain a confused idea that by bringing tho gold into their city their trade will receive an enormous impetus. They evidently labor under the delusion that the gold will bo spent there. They picture to themselves crowds of diggers who have sent down their hard-earned pile by escort, Mid have followed it themselves with the intention of "knocking it down" in tho old-fashioned way which wo have read of in story-books. All this is very absurd. Diggers and storekeepers with scarce an exception, sell to tho Banks on the spot, and the gold naturally passes to tho head office through the branch or ri^ency which has paid tho money for it. Mow tho arrival of a number of boxes or brigs of gold in Christchurch is to benefit tho inhabitants of that placo we arc utterly at a loss to know. To the community on this sido of the range the escort wiojald bo*ir& ! ny'~Tbufeg; bit ; a QUS3PI to our last question — Who is to pay for it f'-thrro is no doubt thol the expenses would be charged to the goldfiold. To supply Christchurch with an expensive toy, to gratify a foolish whim, the goldfields community will bo called on to pay a good many thousands which might otherwise bo expended in making roads or improving the mouth of the harbor. In this caso it will be observed that no , advantage will accrue to anyone, and yet the Government havo dared to listen to the insane petition of tho Christchurch people when the interests of tho goltlfield clearly point in a opposite direction. The warning of the " Press" did not come before it was required.