ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 212, 13 August 1862, Page 6

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

THE PROPOSED SEARCH FOR THE MISSING STEAMER COMET. {To the Editor 0/ ?M Daiey Tijies.) Sir.—ln your issue of Friday last, you suggest the necessity of the Government sending a steamer round to the west coast, with a view of ascertaining the fate of tie steamer Comet, and also, if possible, of rendering assistance to her crew, who, if still living, it must be acknowledged, are in a deplorable condition. Although not strictly agreeing witß you as to it being ! the duty of the Government to undertake this task, particularly as tke owners of the said steamer appear to manifest little or no interest in the matter. However, I do not go so far as to say that, because the owners are so negligent, the Government should follow their example; on the contrary, I believe this to be a case that deserves their serious attention, and in which suffering humanity demands that some immediate steps sliould be taken to clear up the mystery hangs over the fate of-the crew of this unfortunate--.vessel. But, apart from this, the Government, in sending a "steamer round to thet west coast, would be enabled to accomplish 'at once what they will of necessity have to do at a later period if they are desirous of prospecting the Proyhice and opening up our gold fields- For I'assert, without fear of contradiction, that the geological formation of the west coast indicates it as the field where our richest gold deposits will be obtained. So satisfied do I feel of tin's that were I in a position I would forthwith equip three or four parties with the fullest confidence ot the results. I have felt impressed with the auriferous nature of the west coast for some months, and I am the more convinced of it now from the information and description I have received of it from various persons, among whom was Captain Rolls, of the steamer Lady Bird, who, upon one of his trips down here, had to put in to ~ Dark Cloud or Chalky Inlet, for fuel, winch .place }»e spoke of as highly characteristic of a gold-bearing country, the hiUs and gullies being covered with frac^inentary quartz, and in many instances well- -, defined reefs cropping out, and traversing the hills tor some distance. You will remember, Sir, an account of this appeared in your journal, corroborated by some of the passengers, but since then I have heard the same statement from several old coasters, all speaking in the same terms of different portions of the West Coast. I have repeatedly through your columns urged upon the Government the necessity of fitting out prospecting parties, bnt I have never brought under their notice any particular locality, and I only do so now because I presume they will be induced to institute a search after the Comet, and at the same time v.ith very little additional outlay, three or four well equipped parties could be sent round with tlnee month's provisions, and enabled to thoroughly test the Gold bearing eapabilites of that portion ?of our Province. la carrying tills out, I believe that there would be no difficulty in obtaining miners to -join the various partie?, and so sanguine am I of the result that I would willingly take charge of a party myself, and await reward according to ray services; but whether this suggestion be acted upon or not, I again reiterate that a great gold field exists on the "West Coast, and that the time vail come when it will be fully developed.—l am sir, Yours, kc, Vox Populi. Dunetlin, 10th August, 18G2.