The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22. 1868.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 357, 22 September 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22. 1868.

As a matter of course there are prophets of ill in every part of the world, and in that category may be classed those people who can see nothing in the newly opened Auckland goldfields, but unmitigated evil. There are those who believe that the far-famed and equally as largely overrated Thames goldfields are destined, like Aaron's rod, to swallow up all the smaller fry, including a pretty considerable mouthful in the shape of the West Coast fields of the middle island. That a very productive, but limited area of auriferous ground has been opened, no one can for a moment doubt, but that there is room for a tenth part of those who are already there, saying nothing of the shoals that are going, is equally certain. At the same time, past experience teaches, that in spite of everything, when a rush of the kind has set in, it cannot be stopped by any warnings that can be set out, and that the only manner it will cease, will be by a process of exhaustion. It would be idle to comment on the news to hand, with the visionary hope of stopping one single individual from going, nor have we the least intention of attempting what we are aware is an impossibility. But it is cheering to reflect that the Buller district was never in better condition to stand such a sbock than at the present time, and come what may, there cannot be a doubt of the Auckland rush ultimately proving one of the greatest blessings to this part of the colony. Not only have the northern golden prizes, alleged to be had for picking up, enticed miners from all parts of New Zealand, but also Australia, from which much larger population, a few thousand men are scarcely missed. Many of these, when unsuccessful in Auckland, as under the most favorable circumstances they must be, will visit the West Coast at all events, before returning, and having come to look, will remain to dig. Nearly two years ago Dr Hector said that a belt of golden country ran north and south fcr a long distance, and in the early days of this journal, he most kindly furnished our reporter with notes, clearly indicating the probable localities through which the auriferous stream passed. These after being printed were revised and corrected by him prior to publication, and may therefore be held to contain exactly what he wished to be conveyed to the public. At this time he had just come . over from Collingwood,

having visited in bis route the Karamea and having examined the geological formation of the whole Coast line and adjoining country. His prognostications have already in part been singularly verified, and the value of his opinion strikingly confirmed in the discovery of the Caledonian, Poverty, German, Ballarat, Giles' Terraces, &c, &c. As he stated, a golden breadth ran nearly north and south, and if we remember rightly, he placed its termination at or about Collingwood with breaks of one kind or other, attributable to volcanic causes. He further told us of the huge coal measures that lay adjacent to the gold, in one vast field sixteen miles in length, broken off in the same way as the precious metal was, at intervals, but siill occupying: one long and continuous line. He

did more, he tested and proved the value of the mineral, and indicated then its future value to the port of the I Buller. His predictions have been so far fulfilled to the letter. There is no doubt whatever, that one of the largest goldfields in New Zealand, and one of the most permanently profitable kind, lies immediately north of We tport, and it is also certain that, encouraged by the success that has awaited other prospectors, plenty of men will have confidence in testing a large extent of country adjoining the proved ground and will not find that they have wasted their time. Where the|auriferous terraces are to stop, has yet to be ascertained, but sufficient encourage ment has been given now to render it certain that more will be continually be opened up. Up the Buller too, a large and profitable field for mining labour exists and when the track is fairly open, if it ever will be, its value will be ascertained. The coal also, has never yet been developed, and an unlimited quantity of the finest quality in the world, goes as it were begging for acceptance. This will not long be the case we trust, as we are aware of people in this town, who are now in communication with Melbourne capitalists in reference to this subject, and its inhabitants generally would exert themselves only a little, all necessary capital for turning this vast mineral wealth to account, would be readily obtained. It appears thatin thistime of croaking, and of doubt the Buller possesses every element of prosperity. There are almost boundless coal fields, sjoldfields that are already returning a large and steady yield, new ground being daily opened besides highly payable cement beds on the south side of the Buller, extending from the river in the direction of Charleston, a splendid port, and analways practicable bar; yet with all these advantages complaints are rife of dull times, and many dread to hear of our northern sister's good fortune. The cause lies with ourselves. Our leading men, or those that should be our leading men, hold back, stick too closely to their ledgers and their counters, and instead of associating together for the general good, let all public affairs drif as they may, without an attempttodirect them to a beneficial end. There are a score matters, if attended to, that would have been productive of good, long before this, but a deadly apathy pervades the community, that nothing, not even the instinct self preservation can apparently shake of. "We have abundant and overflowing resources at our hand, if we will but utilise them and in a very short timeany black cloud that hangs over us now, can be at once and forever dispelled. We want tracks cut for prospectors to travel by. We require capital to unearth our coal treasures, we need regular and constant direct communication with the great ports of Australia, we want in short a multitude of things that may never be obtained till some public body undertakes the public business. Before long, we hope that the county of North Westland will be formed, but in the meanwhile the public here might at least do something to help themselves. Whether they will do so or not is doubtful, but we also fear, improbable. If we cboose to neglect our own best interests, the consequences fall on our own heads.