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Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2374, 27 September 1887, Page 2

1 N'Tlvl.t.lOKN’CK was received on Saturday, by telegraph, that a company Ins been successfully iloated in Christchurch, to work one thousand acres of Mr J. 13. Smith's property at Waitoa, and that no time will hi; lost in erecting the necessary machinery. So much has the public mind been influenced by the favourable tests already made of the auriferous deposits that the proposed capital of imo.dOO was subscribed two-fold. There is no indication on the part of the Government that they intend taking any action towards acquiring the private properties, or proclaiming an open gold- held in order that the working classes may participate in the good fortune promised by these discoveries. Indeed, we have just grounds for belief that the Government have purposely abstained from taking that course, owing to the fear of losing support in Canterbury by placing an-hindrance in the way of the newly-formed company. There is this danger, therefore, that the neglect and political exigencies of the Government will be the moans of shutting out the people from these fields, and of placing the immense wealth they contain in the hands of privileged monopolists. Instead of thousands finding employment, the number will be limited to a hundred or two workers for largo companies. The supineaess of the Auckland press over this important aspect of the situation, also leads us to the conclusion that an open gold-field is discouraged there.

Tim country lias given an emphatic decision in response to the appeal of the Stout-Yogcl Government. The elections, which took place yesterday, were conducted with a calm and determined expression of feeling, and to-day we have to chronicle the defeat of Sir Robert Stout in the Southern capital, and tho Hon. J. A. Tole in the Northern city. The Ministry has been rejected by the country, and so far as the returns are to hand, the Opposition have an overwhelming majority. The colony may be said to heave a sigh of relief, and will now breathe freely again.

As far as the elections in our own districts are concerned, the good sense of tho constituencies has prevailed in pronouncing against the Ahnistry; and wc have the gratification of announcing the return by largo majorities of Air J. B. Whyte for Waikato, and of Major Jackson tor Waipa.