The Otago Witness.

Otago Witness, Issue 659, 16 July 1864, Page 13

The Otago Witness.

DUNEDIN, SATURDAY, JULY IG.

Five months only have to elapse be fore the opening of the Exhibition, and it is absolutely necessary that every one interested in the success of the undertaking should make increased effort to secure that success, VVhatever beneficial influence the Exhibition may exercise on the general interests of the colony, it is very desirable that it should specially benefit those branches of industry on the pro»-

perity of which so much of the immediate welfare of the country depends. As far as this Province is concerned* gold-mining must be regarded as the mo-t important branch of industry, and therefore it ought to occupy a very prominent place amongst the objects of the Exhibition. So much depends on the prosperity of the goldfields of Otogo, that no effort should be spared that can in any way assist in their I development or in improving the mode of working them. There is great danger that the Exhibition, so far as the »oldfields are concerned, will consist simply of I a collection of specimens of the gold found on the various fields. Unquestionably, a collection of this kind, if complete, would be a mqgi interesting one, and would bear striking and undisputed testimony to the j wide-spread character of the auriferous deposits of the Province. But, unless accompanied by models of the various api pliances used, and by practical explanaj tions, the mere showing of" specimens of gold would fall far short of accomplishing what it is the main object of the Exhibition to effect, viz., accurate knowledge of our resources, and of the best means of developing them. It is necessary, in order to secure a thorough representation of the | gold fields in the Exhibition, that the miners themselves should clearly comprehend and take an interest in trie subject. Judging from the proceedings of the various up-country local committees, it appears to us that the miners take little interest in the Exhibition, and we feel sure this apparent apathy proceeds from the want of a due appreciation of the objects of the undertaking, and of the beneficial influence it is calculated to exert. Gold-mining, like every other industrial pursuit, is subject to the influences of science and mechanical skill. That mode of working which combines in the largest degree economy of labour and scientific method, must inevitably be the most profitable. How very necessary it is, therefore, that a common effort should be made to discover it ! In this age of mechanical and scientific progress, no one engaged in any pursuit can afford to neglect the improvements which invention and experience are constantly effecting around him. Methods of labour which were regarded a few years ago as perfect, are now obsolete and valueless. The agriculturalist, the manufacturer, or the artizan, who contents himself with the appliances of his forefathers i 3 left far behind his competitors, and suffers untold loss in consequence. The reaping and thrashing machines have ousted the more costly and less effective reaping-hook and nail. The spinning frame and power loom have banished the wheel and distaff, and the slow and laborious loom of the hand-weaver. The workers in wood and iron call in the aid of stupendous and delicate machinery, and but, little hag man to do now than guide and direct tbe powerful agencies he has created. Why should gold-mining be an exception to the mighty influences which have brought other industries to such a high pitch of development? Nor is it; nay, it is even more within the scope of scientific and mechanical influence than mere handiwork pursuits. • How desirable is it therefore that the knowledge and skill necessary to the perfect development of gold mining should be attained. The crude, ignorant, and imperfect systems on which nine-tenths of the miners work, are certainly not calculated to develope the resources of the country. In nine cases out of ten the labors of the diggers are regulated by j mere accident, assisted a little perhaps by that" general knowledge of probabilities which every miner, not utterly ignorant, must necessarily learn from his experience. The appliances used are generally of the most imperfect kind, and there is a great/ want of inventive skill. Machines which it is well known, waste an enormous quantity of gold, are persisted in, and but few take the trouble to improve thena. But still there is sure to be amongst the mining community men with the genius to conceive, and the practical ability to create improved appliances specially adapted to particular circumstances. We have no doubt that there are scores of individuals on the gold fields whose experience has led them to adopt various improved appliances, which although perhaps simple in themselves are valuable. It is to such as

these that we desire to direct our remarks. There are few miners who would not gladly share their knowleu^e with their' fellows, and who would not willingly assist in anything calculated to advance the prosperity of the mining community. It is to be hoped that our remarks miy induce any such to whom we have referred, to volunteer their information; and it should be the duty of the Local Committees to afford every facility to those who are willing to give to the world the results of their observation and invention. M*my a trifling improvement has proved the key to a peifect revolution in lahor saving appliances, and who knows that what to him appears a trivial advantage, may % not result in the great benefit of himself and of the whole community.

We trust that the Local Committees on the gold fields will appreciate our remarks aud endeavour to make the forthcoming Exhibition as perfect as possible in that branch of industry in which the people of this Province are so largely interested.