THE REPORTED GOLD DISCOVERY.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 76, 6 December 1887, Page 2

THE REPORTED GOLD DISCOVERY.

An item in our cable messages last week might well cause a feeling of intense interest to many colonials. “ A gold field richer than any yet discovered in Australia; lumps of gold are visible on the surface." Such information is enough to arouse the old gold-fever excitement, but the vagueness of the information is a cold-water application to any great feeling of enthusiasm. The Kimberley lesson is one that will not soon be forgotten, though it may not have been deserved by many who suffered. Kimberley, however, had none of the pretensions made in its favor which in any way • approach the short but glowing account given of the Mozambique find, but further information will be required before much faith can be placed in the report already received. The climate at Mozambique is very unhealthy during certain seasons in the year, being hot and fever-pro-ducing, but it is said to be much more healthy than the West'Coast of Africa. The territory is mostly Portuguese, though Great Britain has an interest in some parts. It is feared that'New Zealand will have a great deal more to lose than to gain by the discovery. If the field turns out fairly successful, a lot of our diggers, and many whom the colony can ill afford to spare, would be certain to make their way to the new goldfields, and New Zealand would lose those best able to bear the burdens of taxation, without any benefit in return—unfortunately, those we can well spare would be the last to risk a change. But should the goldfields turn out a big success it will be a profitable thing to New Zealand in the long run. A splendid market might be opened up for our produce, and a great impetus be given to all our industries. The indirect benefit would thus far out-balance any loss in the first instance. There is one thing in connection with Mozambique which must not be overlooked in the event of anything coming of the report, and that is that colored labor will be easily obtainable.