THE Otago Witness.

Otago Witness, Issue 621, 24 October 1863, Page 4

THE Otago Witness.

DUNEDIN, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24.

The experience of the past winter leads to the conclusion that tbe summer and autumn seasons are the most generally favorable for the prosecution of the gold mining in Otago. The uncertain conditions of the winter season have operated seriously against the prosperity of the miners during that portion of the year, and the floods and snow storms render gold seeking at that period a dangerous task. The winter just over has been marked by much disaster and distress, arising a good deal from the inadequate idea formed of the rigors of an Otago winter, and a want on the part of both miners and the Government of very obvious precaution?. The melancholy loss of life and property which has occurred during the last four months will not have been without benefit, if it result in the adoption of suitable precautions against a recurrence in the next winter. The miners will now have realised the folly of wasting valuable time and money in watching the fickle waters of that most provoking stream the Molyneux. There can be no doubt, that had the large population which for so many weeks waited the falling o f the watprs of that river, applied themselves to the development of the other well-known resources of the district, a very different result would have followed. Daily experience proves that the auriferous areas of Otago are far more extensive than has been imagined, and that | population, and the research of miners I are only required to open up vast fields of wealth. Never in the history of the gold fields of this Province did brighter prospects loom than now await the enterprise of the miner. From north, south, east, and west, fresh valuable discoveries are being made. Gold is being found under every possible variation of conditions— on the summits of lofty mountains— in deep gorges— on the plain", and in every creek and mountain streamlet. The golden shower lias been liberally spread in the lap of the modern Dana;, carrying with it the germs of future prosperity. Looking back on what has already been achieved, it is almost impossible to overestij mate what magnificent results will jet follow on the increased development of the golden riches of this Province. We have seen the silent wilderness transformed into the abode of busy thriving communities. We have seen the foundation of prosperous towns, where but a few mouths ago the hut of the shepherd was the only sign of human habitation. The inland sea of Otago, whose waters but a short time ago were cleft only by the keel of the solitary boat or canoe of the lonely dwellers on its silent shores, bears now on its bosom a perfect fleet of vessels, and the pauting steam engine ploughs its waters now busy with life. What a future there is spread out for the cities of the Wakatipu ? Nature has almost exhausted herself in providing the conditions of prosperity. Vast wealth, only requiring the gathering ; a beautiful climate— a magnificent inland re.i— gooJ soil, these are the conditions ' under which the communities of the interior have to labour. Who can predict what the i recently discovered outlet to the West Coast will accomplish for the Wakatipu? Certainly nothing seeius wanting but the care of enlightened Government to rear in that district a metropolis of the interior, diffusing wealth and civilisation around it. Queenstown is evidently to become to Dunedin what the inland cities of Victoria are to Melbourne, and much depends on the policy of the Government whether the prosperity of the inland towns of Otsgo be hastened or retarded. It is high time municipal institutions were granted to those towns whose population and importance clearly demand the privileges of local government. What the grievances of Otago are in respect to the General Govern-, ment of the colony, those of the inland towns are in respect to local government. Distance* from the capital— the consequent delay and inconvenience, and the inadequate idea formed of the requirements of far off communities, all demand the only obvious remedy— local government. Surely such places as Queenstown, Dunstan, and Lawrence, are equally entitled with Oainaru or Port Chalmers vo the administration of their local affairs. It is such measures as this that will tend to knit close the ties between the capital and its offshoots, and erery fresh instance of consideration on the part of a liberal government is an effectual blow to political agitation. On the other hand, the withholding of obvious rights— the subjecting communities which are constantly increasing in strength to the irritation and inconvenience of inadequate government will work its cure certainly, but work it only by a forcible sundering of the galling fetters. The Government of Otago has clone much for the Gold Fields ; the administration of the Government of Otago during a time of unforeseen pressure, has surpassed that of any previous Colony at a similar period of confusion, but much yet remains to be done to consolidate and turn fo a luting benefit th,e immense advantages conferred by nature on thg Province. Many mistakes have been made— money has been profiflessly squandered and urgent requirements hav§ been neglected. Let the future be a future in which paat errors and past mismanagement may be forgotten in present liberality and enlightened government; let every one, from those in authority to the plodding miner, keep in view the advancement Qf tho country, and Otago will rapidly achieve the pro'iid pQsitio# it ia worthy to peeupy,