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Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2401, 29 November 1887, Page 2

We have abstained for some time past from touching on the subject of the Waitoa gold discoveries since the collapse of the excitement naturally occasioned by the reports of their alleged richness. The sources from which those reports originated, the authenticity of published statements respecting the original finds and assays, the. unimpeachable character of those who were immediately responsible for the truth and validity of the prospects together with all the surrounding circumstances of the discovery, rendered the whole affair acceptable to the general public, and raised the hopes of the whole district to a high pitch. Not only Waikato rejoiced at what appeared to bo a brilliant future for itself, but the expectation of the colony, particularly of the working classes who have been reduced to such great straits by the depressed times, was quickened by the promised held whore occupation for thousands of unemployed would have been found. No one dreamed, oven in tho midst of exaggerations incidental to such cases, that falsehood and fraud had been at work and throughout tho Waikato, perfect reliance was placed upon tho bona lidos of tho gold discoveries made known by Mr J. 15. Smith, of Waitoa; therefore, when tho charge of “salting” was brought against those discoveries, public opinion in this district refused to accept the accusations as levelled at tho good faith of any one residing in tho Waikato or Piako, but felt that they originated through nail prepnisc, on the part of unscrupulous speculators in Auckland or enemies of the landowners in order to stifle all legitimate attempts for the people to participate in the sudden piece of good fortune. finch a wicked and dutestiblo imposition on such a scale of magnitude was considered utterly impossible and improbable, and wo stood up for the good character of tho district. But the details of the “salting” have become more circumstantial and have gathered weight more and more during the few weeks that have elapsed, and wo are free to confess that there is no doubt that a gross, impudent, and diabolical swindle has been perpetrated upon tho district and the colony, it is not for us to surmise who the criminal is. We leave it for tho proper authorities to sheet the crime home. This, however, wo insist upon, that every eliort must bo made to find out who the base author of such a heinous o lie nee is, and if ho or they can bo discovered that, whoever tho perpetrators may be, they must be placed upon their trial. This course is necessary on public grounds; and the olience is of so serious a nature that, if necessary, the Legislature should bo moved to cause steps to be taken for a thorough investigation into the. whole circumstances. Tho good name, or rather what was left of it, of t he. colony has been impunged by this outrageous fraud, the cause of our mining industries and the bona lilies of genuine prospecting have been so much darkened, that it will be dillieult to inspire capitalists either in the colony or at Homo, with confidence in mining investments in the northern mineral fields. This is the view of the present position of ad'airs as regards the Waitoa ; the, sooner satisfaction is adbrded to the public for the imposition practised upon it tho better for the redemption of the. character of tho Waikato.

We It'n ru that in the changes ahoul to ho made in the disposition of the lino men by the Railway Department very little discrimination is made in the relative positions between married and single men, and this has given rise to .serious complaints. Married men arc sent to places on the lines where they cannot take their families, owing to the isolated situations, there is no access to schools for their children, and where the dilliculty of obtaining supplies increases the cost of living. Single men, on the other hand, are retained at or near the. centres of population. If the mens’ services are worth having, consideration should be given to married men, for it is of greater importance to allow them and their families all the advantages it is possible to give them, for their proper maintenance and education, than to allow these benefits to be absolved by single men who have no responsibilities, and who can afford to “ rough it.” We hope the railway authorities will give this matter their best attention.