THE WAITOA GOLD DISCOVERIES

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2375, 29 September 1887, Page 2

THE WAITOA GOLD DISCOVERIES

TO THE EDITOR. Sill, —I am sure your readers must he much pleased tojfind that in tho midst of the excitement of our elections, you have not overlooked the very important gold finds at Waitoa, your able loader and subleader in this day’s issue, puts the matter so clearly before this community, and points out tho evident injustice and neglect of the late Government, in not securing the land and at once declaring it an open gold field. Now, sir, that the “Stunt-Vogel” Ministry is a thing of the past, it becomes the duty of every man who has the welfare of New Zealand at heart, to put his “ shoulder to the wheel,” and urge public meetings or otherwise, the in-coming parliament to immediately take stops and arrange with the different proprietors of the land at Waitoa for the proclamation, “ Open gold fields.” .Seeing the immediate immense benefit tho Waikato, Piako and Thames settlers would derive from such a tide of population into their midst, a ready sale for their produce, no more crie-i fur “ Vaile’s Scheme,” it docs appear uio-t strange, that such lethargy should continue. Lung before this, the Mayors of the Thames, Cambridge, and Hamilton, should have been asked to call public meetings, with a view of obtaining the most reliable information, and if possible, getting the Mining Act of ISSIS put in force. I trust, Mr Editor, (hat it is not yet too late, and that you will continue to use your able pen, and point out that it is tho duty of the leading settlers not to delay any lunger, but at once call a public meeting in some central town, and lam certain of this, onr new members, Messrs Whyte and Jackson would attend, and assist by their advice previous to leaving for Wellington. Any one travelling in New Zealand, from the extreme end of the “ South Island’ to tho extreme end of the “ North Island” must see the groat depression that exists in every town, yet with such splendid prospects before the colony, how can you account for such apparent dilatoriuess of the Government and the people. Your remarks, referring to tho Village Settlement Scheme, costing£7o,ooo to settle the people upon the land, your readers must agree with, but I would point out, that if the goldfield is a succe-s, and of which there appears no doubt, not only would the village scheme expenditure come to an end. but also the distribution of charitable aid, and once, more the colony would ho a field for Capital and Labour.—Yours etc., W. J. Smith. Hamilton, September 27 1887.