The Otago Witness.

Otago Witness, Issue 658, 9 July 1864, Page 13

The Otago Witness.

DUNEDIN, SATURDAY, JULY 9.

His Honor the Superintendent has appointed a Commission "to inquire into " the value of the unsold lands in the "Province of Otago, and to classify the " same, showing the natural position, " value of the said lauds, and those lands " which have acquired position ; valne " from the formation of roads and other " circumstances, and the capabilities of the " said lands ; and also to ascertain the " auriferous character of the aforesaid " lands, and what portions it would be de- " sirable to withdraw from sale in conse- " quence ; and, further, to inquire into the " extent and permanency of the gold fields "of the said Province ." A more important series of subjects could hardly be selected for official investigation than those just enumerated; and the investigation could not be instituted at a more appropriate period. Otago is at thi3 moment in the position of a merchant who, with enormous resources scattered all over the world, finds himself in difficulties, owing to some unexpected derangement of his plans. In the emergency he finds it necessary to ascertain his exact position, the

extent of his debts, and the amount of his issets ; in short, he takes stock. That is precisely what the Commission just appointed is to do for Otago, only that its labours will be confined to ascertaining the value of the Public Estate.

It is almost to be regretted that the inquiry had not been divided into two distinct subjects, to each of which special attention could have been given by persons specially qualified. The latter portion of the programme of the objects of the Commission is of so important a character that it ought to have been made the subject of a perfectly distinct and special Commission, composed of individuals who could bring to the aid of their investigation the results of scientific knowledge and practical experience. It is, of course, of great importance that the value of the unsold lands of the Province should be ascertained, and a proper classification made of those which have acquired, or may acquire, a special value from the formation of roads or railways. When the public estate has been thus arranged and appraised, it may doubtless improve very much the character of the security the Province has to offer to its creditors. But when we remember that it is on the gold discoveries the rapid progress of Otago has been raised— that the trade, commerce, and revenue of the Province depend, chiefly, on the continuance of a prosperous mining industry— it must be admitted that no more grave and important inquiry could have been made at this time than that into •' the extent and permanency of the gold •' fields."

The subject is a va<*t one, and the inquiry to be conclusive, will have to be conducted through many difficulties. In fact, the very inclusive nature of the terms "extent and permanency" ia not the least difficulty, for something more than mere opinion is required to give force to the investigation. As to the extent of the i ,'old fields, matter of fact evidence can be j adduced in respect to the discovered areas of auriferous ground, and the probabilities of further discoveries may be estimated by the opinions of scientific and practical persons. But' when we arrive at the question of the permanency of the gold fields, a subject is opened out which i scarcely admits of a conclusive solution. I Instead of the word permanency should have been written " character of the gold v deposits, and the best means of working " the same." The Commission would then have some tangible ground for its investigations ; and, we venture to say, the results | would have been far more valuable than I any amount of opinions of the permanency, ior otherwise, of the gold fields. Indeed, there is an absolute necessity that the miners of Otago should have demonstrated to them the almost exhaustless wealth which merely requires the necessary skill and industry to obtain. It is true that the conviction is gradually spreading amongst the miners that, for steady remunerative results, reliance must be placed on scientific \ systems and improved appliances. But [ with the great mass of diggers the utmost ignorance of, and indifference to, improved methods of mining specially adapted to j the particular circumstances under which gold is found, prevails. Thus it is that ground deserted by these men pays the scientific miner splendidly ; and by the rid of machinery, he is able to reap a golden harvest where hia predecessor could not find a grain. Nothing* would tend more to encourage the adoption of improved systems of mining than an authoritative inquiry into the subject, and it is to be desired that the Commission will make a prominent part of its investigations — the inquiry into the best methods of working the gold deposits of Otago.