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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 119, 23 May 1867, Page 2

The excitement to which the publication of Mr. Symms' report on the alleged goldfield at the Moutere has given rise, seems to iucrease hourly, and people are asking themselves how it was that the possibility never before presented itself to their minds in more forcible colors that a payable gold-field existed so near to their homes ? And certainly it is not easy to understand why Dr. Hector, or the gentleman, who is asserted in this morning's Examiner to have had such large Victorian experience, did not place their impressions before the public at an earlier date. The testimony of Dr. Hector is, at all events, of great value, and if his opinion happens to coincide with that of Mr. Symms, so much the greater reason exists for exerting ourselves to the utmost in order to develop that portion of the country which is admitted by the Government Geologist of the Colony to be auriferous. Many plans have been suggested for this end, and amongst others, the offer on "the part of the Government of a bonus for the discovery of a workable gold-field, producing 16,000 ounces, within a radius of 25 miles round Nelson. We confess that our own opinion, founded upon a long residence in Australia and Otago, is, unquestionably, that the Government should take some active and immediate steps in the affair. It is a matter of necessity that a large number of miners are on the alert, and many have indeed started to prospect that part of the country which is known as the Moutere district. Now, apart from Mr. Symms' statement to this effect, there is every reason to believe that a large portion of this country is non-auriferous, and it is therefore of the highest importance that the Government should place a liberal sum at the disposal of the proposed prospecting party, so that the field may be fairly and thoroughly tested. We cannot agree with our contemporary, the Examiner, in believing that £30 would be sufficient to sink from ten to twenty shafts. On the contrary, we are in a position to state that such a sum would be altogether inadequate. We understand from Mr. Symms that he has received no less than one hundred applications from miners and others desirous of accompanying him on the search. The depth to to which the shafts would probably have to be carried, clearly shows that this amount would be quite inadequate to the

purpose, and ulso to the number of ineu who must necessarily be employed. We are therefore of opinion that if the Government is iv earnest, and is really desirous to promote the development of this presumed gold-field in. the Moutere, it should do so in such a manner as would be likely to be responded to by those who are best qualified to undertake the task. For instance, let us suggest that a bonus of £2000 should be offered for the opening up of a gold-field within 25 miles of Nelson, -which should yield 16,000 ounces within, say, 18 months' or one year's time, or, should that amount be realised within that period, that the reward. should he paid whenever that may be the case. By such a procedure the province would not be called upon to expend one farthing fiom its exchequer, inasmuch as the bonus .vould be paid from the revenue raised by the gold export duty, which would, at 2s. 6d. per ounce, exactly cover the amount we have mentioned. It is needless to expatiate on the advantages which might be anticipated from such a development of the resources of our own immediate neighborhood, for the excitement which prevails in the public mind abundantly proves that they are fully recognised. We feel confident that with a Superintendent of progressive ideas, and. a liberal and reasonable Executive as his responsible advisers, the matter will be be brought to a successful issue, aud may, uuder Provideuce, prove the epoch from which we ma} 7 date a new and far more prosperous era in our local history. To-morrow, bein£ the Anniversary of Her Most Gracious Majesty's Birthday, will be observed as a geueral holiday, and believing, as Aye do, that the members of the Fourth Estate are equally entitled with the rest of the Queen's loyal subjects to participate in this national holiday, we beg to state that the next publication of the Evening Mail Avill take place on Saturday afternoon. Some very interesting items have lately been presented to the Museum of the Nelson Institute, Avhich seem to merit especial notice. Among these we may particularise — not that monstrous lusus natura, the seven -legged ki+ten — but some beautiful quartz specimens, richly impregnated with gold, from the Waimangaroa River, a tributary of the Buller, which have been presented by the Provincial Government. These specimens come from the same reef, for working which machinery Avas shipped from our port last week. We understand that the reef from which they were procured is fully defined and has been traced over several terraces. Perhaps of a still more interesting nature are some specimens of pure sulphur, presented by Mr. Alexander Monro and obtamed by him on the occasion, of his recent visit, whilst in attendance upon his Excellency the Governor, to White Island (or Whatari), a most interesting volcanic island, lying off the Bay of Plenty, about 28 miles from the shore, about three miles in circumference aud about 860 feet high. This island forms the eastern limit of that extensive belt of subterranean agitation which extends from Mount Egmont through Tongariro, the Taupo and Roto Mahana lakes, to Whale Island and the adjacent rocks, Ru-rima, north of which line earthquakes are rarely felt. The following notice of this island, extracted from the JN~eio Zealand Pilot, can hardly fail to interest our readers :— **' The base of the crater which forms the centre of the island is a mile and a half in circuit, and in the centre is a boiling spring, about 100 yards iv circumference, sending forth volumes of steam full 2000 feet high iv calm Aveather, with numerous small geysers, round the edges of the crater, sounding like so many highpressure engines, and emitting steam with such velocity that a stone thrown into the vortex would immediately be shot into the air. The whole island is heated, so as to ? make it difficult to walk ; from the edges i of the crater, the scene below is only to be f compared to a well-dressed meadow of } gorgeous green, with meandering streams \ feeding the boiling cauldron, but on ap- ; proacliing, it is found to be the purest '*• crystalized sulphur. No animal nor insect breathes on the islaud, scarcely a limpet : ou the stones, and 200 fathoms will hardly ./ reach the bottom within half a mile..of-the--shore." The anniversary of her Majesty's Birthday will be celebrated in Nelson in a manner which is hitherto, without a precedent in this province. All tho various Volunteer Companies at present organised will assemble, and, we are informed, will

engage in a sham-fight on Victory-square. We regret to say that all our attempts to obtain a programme of the manoeuvres intended to be carried out on the occasion (which would, we doubt not, have rendered them far more interesting and intelligible to the general public), have proved ineffectual, a result which we may probably attribute to the intimidatory nature of Mr. Stafford's late manifesto to the employes of the General Government, and from the influence of which it would seem that not even the Nelson War Office is exempt. In spite, however, of the deep veil of mystery in which to-morrow's proceeding s have been shrouded, it has nevertheless transpired that the City Rifles No. 1, and tbe Cadet Rifles will be encamped on Victory Square, and that the Waimea West Company will descend the hill bounding the Square on the Waimearoad side, whilst the Wakapuaka Artillery Company and the Artillery Cadets will reach the Square by a bye road, leading from the same direction. A sham-fight will then take place, which will, doubtless attract a large uumber of spectators to the scene of action. The weather, which has latterly been very unpropitious, now promises to be fair, and we may therefore anticipate " Queen's Aveather." We understand that a large number of tickets have been sold for the Volunteer Ball at the Provincial Hall to-morrow evening, which, there is every reason to expect, will prove a very brilliant affair. About 2 o'clock on the 17th instant, as a half-caste named Charlie was cleaving out a stoned well, about 17 feet deep, belonging to Mr. Andrews, of Motueka, and while standing on the bottom and in the act of sending up the last bucket of sand, the well collapsed, filling up in au instant from bottom to top with stones aud soil. Immediate assistance was obtained, and although the saving of the man's life seemed utterly hopeless, four men — John Weston, Wm. Inwood, Wm. Rattley, and George Harding — with most praiseAvorthy perseverance, and at the risk of their own lives, proceeded to clear away the rubbish. In about four hours they were sufficiently near to hear the groans of the unfortunate man, and shortly afterwards, succeeded in raising him from the well. On examination, it was fouud that he had received no material injury. When it became known that the man Avas alive, the excitement was so intense that many pressed to the sides of the well — a thoughtless proceeding, for they not only endangered the lives of those below, but, in a less degree, their own.