THE Evening Star. SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1869.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1964, 21 August 1869, Page 2

THE Evening Star. SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1869.

The efforts made to discover gold in provinces not hitherto supposed to he auriferous presents a striking contrast to the apathy that seems to pervade Otago, where immense areas are still Unworked. Whatever may he thought of the inaction of the Provincial Government respecting prospecting, the absence of agitation on the subject speaks well for the condition of the inhabitants ; for it proves that there is no general want of employment necessitating a looking out for new fields of labor. Otago appears to have reached a stage in its progress when full employment has been found for all who live in it. We do not, of course, mean to say that there are not exceptional cases. There are always people who cannot find the niche for which they are fitted. In special employments, especially if clerical, numbers wait for opportunity of obtaining work, wasting their slender means, who cannot bring themselves to put on a serge shirt, and learn to labor with their hands. But, as a rule, as evinced by the wages of labor and the absence

of crime, it may be fairly assumed the population is well to do. But this is just the time that a good look out should be kept to provide a continuance of employment ; the goldfields ought to be a permanent resource, so that whenever through temporaly causes, building, or agriculture, or any of the customary forms of demand for labor cease, there may be still a means of obtaining a livelihood open to the industrious. The parade with which the prize essays on the settlement of the gold mining population were ushered into notice, led to the expectation that something very valuable would be suggested. Forty—we believe we are right in the number—competed, and three were chosen. With the idea that there must be something bearing practically upon the question just stated, we turned to the essay to which was awarded the first prize, and tided to gather something from it that might be turned to good account; but closed the book disappointed. In fact, we cannot imagine on what ground the palm was awarded for it, except that it contains long and vapid tirades against Provincial Governments, essays upon the functions of General Governments, hazy theories regarding imports and exports, and condemnations of the Constitution of New Zealand. This probably suited the Government of the day. So far as its utility is concerned, it might as well have been unwritten, and we are led to the conclusion that neither the essayist nor the judges were practically acquainted with the subject treated of. The efforts made in other Provinces point to what ought to be done in this. Why should we rest content to allow the news of rich reefs in Auckland, promising prospects in Wellington, new discoveries in Canterbury, and development of old ones in Stewart’s Island, to be held up before our population to dazzle their imaginations, and draw them

away when there is a lull in the labor market 1 The Provincial Executive, although more immediately interested iu other pursuits than gold mining, must be aware that their personal advantage is best advanced by accessions to our population, and that they, in that respect, share in the general welfare of the Province. There is no doubt that a good deal of quiet attention is paid to the development of quartz reefs known to be rich in gold ; and it may be said with truth, the world knows the mineral wealth of the Province, that is, as a fact iu physical geography. But that is not enough. Experience proves that from some cause or other, population very readily leaves Otago. If the Province has attractions for those who have tried other places and failed, they do not appear sufficiently strong to prevent many seeking fortune elsewhere. We have never replaced those who left for the West Coast, and since that time Fiji, the Gym pie diggings, Natal, and some provincial prospects have taken numbers away. Although numerically our population remains nearly stationary, iu productive power it is much reduced, for those that have gone have been mainly men in the prime of life, and they have been replaced by an increase in women and children. No matter how rich in minei’als the Province may be it seems necessary continually to advertise this fact to the world. Where several provinces are bidding for population, means very nearly similar to those taken by skilful tradesmen must be adopted. In every town there are shops where precisely the same description of goods may ho bought on pretty equal terms, and it is necessary that the public should be made acquainted with this by public advertisement, or he who adopts that plan, should the rest neglect it, will certainly secure the trade. So it is with provinces. We believe Otago to be as rich—perhaj)s richer, in mineral wealth, than any province of New Zealand, But other provinces are taking pains to make their riches known. Surely it must be apparent that, iu self-defence, a few pounds expended in prospecting would be wisely invested, and we recommend the Government to offer liberal inducements and help to the formation of prospecting parties. A rich goldfield opened up would do more to benefit the Province than the loan of .£50,000 secured on pastoral rents.