ORGANISATION OF THE GOLD FIFLDS DEPARTMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 166, 28 May 1862, Page 4

ORGANISATION OF THE GOLD FIFLDS DEPARTMENT.

The Executive Council came to the conclusion yesterday to appoint Mr. Vincent Pyke f as Commissioner for,the Gold Fields. We believe it is intended that he shall be sent to the gold fields as soon as a vacancy occurs, after he-has been gazetted by the General Government a J.P., nnd, in the meanwhile, he will; be: entrusted rwith the charge of organising the Gold' Fields' Department. Mr. Vincent Pike has for a.long while been publicly connected with the.management of gold mining affairs in Victoria. For some time .he was a Commissioner at Bendigo, and subsequently, as a member of the Nicholson Administration he was,entrusted with .the .departmental control of the gold fields. Under his guidance the large sum (nearly .£50,000, we believe) devoted to prospecting purposes was ex* pcndecl. Mr. Pyke was, a great favorite with the miners. He fought manysuccessful battles for the representation of one of the largest gold field constituencies. It is thought, therefore, that Mr. Pyke, besides haying the; ability necessary to the performance of tlio duties of the office to : whichhc has been.appointed, will have peculiar I'aciUties in its exercise from the personal popularity which he enjoys amongst the miners. The appointment is likely also to have a good effect in i Victoria, showing as it will, that the interests of. the Victorian miners are not forgotten. -.;<><i