BANQUET TO THE PREMIER AT GRAHAMSTOWN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1161, 28 February 1874, Page 11

BANQUET TO THE PREMIER AT GRAHAMSTOWN.

(By Electric Telegbaph.)

Grahamstoavn-, February 24th.

At the banquet this evening, the Hon. Julius Vogel, on rising amidst applause, returned thanks for the kind manner in which the toast had .been received. It gave him great pleasure in meeting with His Honour the Superintendent. Each had been abont their respective business, and had met hereonthishappy occasion. Hehardlyexpected he would be worthy a demonstration, after the plain manner in which he spoke to the recent deputation. He then thought it desirable to be plain spoken. Although not a committee, the Government evidently, by their presence to-night, showed that they were not upset by such a candid expression of opinion. He thought it better to deal frankly with the deputation, and it hadnot cost him their good opinion. He had visited the Thames on many occasions, and had a personal interest in it. When first he risited it five years ago he did not realise the progress it would make. He did not anticipate in so short a time to see such an entertainment as this, and he himself the guest of the evening. Th«y were in a town called into existence by the accidental dis- ( covery of gold, and a town with all the advantages of many other towns; although engaged in absorbing pursuits, they took great interest in New Zealand affairs. He might say, without egotism, he had considerable experience in goldfields ; and notwithstanding the depression, he was convinced there was a great future before it. When he considered how much had been done, and how little really had been explored, he should be sorry to feel a doubt of the fixture, as comparatively Bmall researches led them to believe and exEect a much larger amount of treasure being rough tto light. He could instance the present prosperity of Sandhurst, and the rewards attending the efforts of those who had kept the field, and devoted their energies to its development. A great deal of injury had been done to quartz goldmining by a report t*»at gold would not be found at a great depth. The history of the neighbouring Colonies showed the blighting influence of that scientific dictum. How much capital had been expended in spite of that dictum, and by many who were almost ashamed of doing it ? . In the face of such a statement, he believed the bar placed in the way of gold mining had not been effectually removed, because it was necessary to remember how many thousand tons of earth had to be removed to obtain even a small quantity of gold. Those engaged in gold mining had rather to rely on their own judgment than the opinions of scientific men, and this, too, with merely investing their money on gold fields. If the same amount of confidence was evinced in the search of mineral wealth as in other pursuits, lie believed it would have been increased a hundredfold. He hoped the Thames would not only satisfy the local shareholders, but those who had invested in it living at a distance. In the Imperial Crown mine, for instance, if it became a success, it would bo a great encouragement for the investment of much foreign capital. He believed the Thames possessed more advantages than any goldfield in the world. One in Columbia might be something near ifc> but the Thames had the finest natural highway. Nothing could injure it. They had advantages in that which nothing could deprive them of. The Thames could be heard spoken of in Australia, America, aud England, in consequence of its large fields, and it would be a pity if the Thames should languish for the expenditure of an adequate amount of capital. There could be no possible danger of the Thames dying out for want of capital to develope it. He had read a report of a proposal to develope the Thames on a large gcale. He believed a deputation was going to wait upon him regarding it. He would not anticipate any discussion that might arise from that interview. He was favourable to all such enterprises, but they would see that it would not be wise to anticipate it. He was gratified to find that in any dry season the proposed water Bupply promises to be ample. Pie believed when completed it would enable large quartz mines to be worked not now payable. In a cognate subject — coal mining, on which the field so much depended, they might take a larger interest in that as bearing on their immediate future. The Government was anxious to develope the mineral resources, and had received every support from the Legislature. The local interests possibly were not allowed to interfere to the prejudice of the Colony. He believed that they had not attained the luxury of a Mayor, but he hoped they would ou his next visit find it useful. He was surprised the Thames had not been made a municipality before, lie would like to see it made as large as possible. Ballarat cast and west as two municipalities had caused inconvenience, and so it would be if Shortlaud and Grahamstown were disunited. One largo municipality would be effective and economical, especially if divided into wards. He believed that the supply of gas and water and a tramway should be" in the hands of the municipality. An Act passed two years ago placed large powers in municipalities, giving them extended action ; and he commended it to their view to obtain control of such local works themselves. The municipality would not start portionless ; the Government had secured an endowment in the fore shore. It would rest with the Superintendent and the

Executive as to the conditions on which the administration of such could be entrusted to the local powers. While asking for a railway possibly they did not remember the improvement of the river navigation. The Government considered the river navigation as important, especially as connected with the development of the forest resources. That question was now engaging the Government's attention. He considered it desirable that accurate information should be obtained in regard to any sources of rivers in connection with the conservation of rivers and forests. He hoped fco see the time when a full utilisation of the rivers would make this a large city with plenty of back country at command. Perhaps they expected he would say something on the matter of export duty on gold. He was not going to shrink from the question. He believed it was a great mistake to reduce the export. Those who did it, thought they were doing a duty to their constituents. At the time the duty was going up there was more money being spent on the Goldfields than accrued from such revenue. He did not regard it as a tax, but a fair levy for mining on Crown lands, and did not see why such a charge should not be fair especially as it was expended on the Goldfield where raised. They had now come forward with a proposal to levy another five per cent. , in order to give a guarantee for money to prospectors, and he thought if another half-a-crown had been levied, it would, in the early days of goldfields, have been a boon, as the money would be at command for works of utility when gold was more difficult to get. He was not favourable to doing away with the duty on gold, nor was he in favour of the reduction made, but k«3 would like to see a portion of the export duty on gold spent in assisting to open up the auriferous resources. He would then refer to another subject — the establishment of a Mint. Any subject affecting Goldfields when cropping up in Wellington was liable to elicit a peculiar feeling. It appeared to be thought that representatives of Goldfields were unlike other people. The establishment of a Mint would possibly fix a standard price for gold, which would be its only advantage ; while it would be a continual annual loss. It would be an advantage locally. Only miners, however, were possibly defrauded by a combination, but the law of supply and demand was the remedy, and he did not consider the Government were warranted in procuring such a costly necessity as a Mint to prevent such a combination, and its influence on the miners. Moreover, it was not likely the Imperial Government would sanction the establishment of a Mint. He would like to see a broad Colonial feeling established in the communities. He wanted people to see that the wants of the miners were the wants of others. One exceptional thing was the franchise. The Government proposed to do away with tae exceptional franchise and substitute manhood suffrage. He wished he could say universal suffrage. He said that as his personal opinion — not as representing his colleagues. (Applause.) He did not see why women should not exercise a share in the selection of representatives. Mr Vogel then referred to the pleasure it gave him to be present amongst so many prepared to support the policy of his Government that evening. It was a memorable anniversary to him. It happened to be his birthday — (applause, and glasses filled. Cries of ."Many happy, happy returns of the day ")— and he was happy to spond it with them.