Marlborough Express. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1889. OUR GOLDFIELDS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXV, Issue 17, 21 January 1889, Page 2

Marlborough Express. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1889. OUR GOLDFIELDS.

Hitherto, the town of Blenheim and the Marlborough district have benefited little, if at all, by the gold discoveries at Mahakipawa and Waikakaho. , This may have a deterrent effect upon mining enterprise generally, but it should not be accepted as fixed and unalterable, or as likely to continue much longer. To our mind the operations already carried out have abundantly demonstrated the presence of gold throughout the district m highly payable quantities. The reefs have not yet benefited, but the creek workings at Mahakipawa have been, and will m all probability long continue to be, most successful, and the prospects of the terrace claims are abundantly encouraging, Of the Waikukaho wealth there is not now, unfortunately, very much evidence, though m the success of the prospectors and|of the Maoris there is a very good earnest of a rich field. But around and beyond these centres of mining industry, there is all round the Sounds and down to the West Coast beyond doubt an immense quantity of gold. Years ago the scratching of the earth, which then passed muster as "prospecting," revealed the richness of the land; now, when prospecting operations are being carried on systematically and m earnest (though not yet an thoroughly by any means as they should be), every day reveals the presence of the precious metal. And as past experience and analogy prove the existence of it m the Wakamarina and its gorgets, it is pleasing to see that the enterprise and pluck of the believers are strengthened and supported by foreign capital. We [ have often been surprised to see the scarcity of Blenheim capital invested m i these likely places. People m Wellington appear to have more faith and nntorprife than ourselves. ]?n thin as it may, thorn seems to be no doubt that from the Wakamarina along the West Coast, there

is an immensely rich lead of gold, and there are people ready to tap it, and who mean to do so. The workings about the Wakamarina are being vigorously pushed on, and we hope soon to chronicle a glorious find at the Maori Gorge and the Golden Bar, and immediately after, the vigorous prosecution of the Maori Gorge works. We believe the present depression will soon be succeeded by a glorious success, and we have no hesitation m urging investors to help m developing resources which are, we believe, on the best of testimony, comparatively inexhaustible.