The Lyttelton Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1863.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1098, 20 May 1863, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1863.

The near approach of winter has brought Dr. Haast's interesting and valuable labours to a temporary close. During the past summer he has been engaged chiefly in exploring the extreme south-western portion of the province, and has discovered an available pass to the West Coast, which was gained after a most difficult journey through the dense forest prevailing in those parts. Dr. Haast has not discovered a payable gold field; but though this will doubtless disappoint many, it cannot be taken as conclusive evidence that no such field is to be found within the province. The traces of gold are scattered about in most of the mountain streams, but the rugged nature of the country renders the work of the gold prospector most difficult and precarious. It is quite probable that gold in payable quantities may hereafter be found in close proximity to localities which have been already prospected.

It is not by the the test of gold, however, that we are to estimate the value of Dr. Haast's labours. Independently of the general topographical and geological surveys of the remoter districts of the province, which are gradually nearing completion, and will form a very valuable addition to the archives of Canterbury, Dr. Haast, while effectually assisting the future settlers of our back country in his capacity as pioneer, has been also adding to the general stock of scientific information throughout the world. It was a liberal policy which first suggested the expediency of a geological survey of our province, and a wise choice was made in selecting Dr. Haast to carry it out. It is hardly reasonable to expect this opinion to be universally held, as there are always some people who can see no good in any thing not yielding an immediate money return. We have read and heard remarks on the labours of Dr. Haast, which would have been simply ridiculous had they not been somewhat mischievous. It has been freely asserted in plain terms that this gentleman is enjoying a large salary, for which he is doing nothing at all. It is not complimentary to the intelligence or liberality of the public that such notions should be common, but we may safely leave the verdict to time and the scientific world, feeling sure that the publication of Dr. Haast's discoveries in New Zealand will redound to his honor and benefit this colony to a far greater extent than can be estimated by the money expended on the

enterprise. In the meantime it may gratify the public to know that the exploration of this island is being watched with gtfeat interest by men of the highest scientific attainments in Europe. Among these are included Professors Darwin and Tyndall, and Dr. Hooker, who are in correspondence with Dr. Haast, and who all express very great interest in the success of our young Philosophical Institute. In alluding to this, Professor Darwin, in a recent letter, says, " I have seldom in my life read anything more spirited and interesting than your address. The progress of your colony makes one proud, and it is really admirable to see a scientific institution founded in so young a country." Another gentleman, equally well qualified fco give an opinion, in referring to Dr. Haast's report and address, styles them " two of the most valuable and interesting papers that have ever issued from the colonial press." We would ask those who doubt the propriety of expending money on these scientific explorations, if it would not be as well to appraise the value of such remarks, and, when the estimate has been formed, place it to the credit of the account.