UPPER TAIERI NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1581, 4 March 1882, Page 13

UPPER TAIERI NOTES.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) February 27th. The mining element apparently have at last aroused themselves from their chronic lethargy, and adopted progressive measures of an enterprising nature. It has been a matter of much comment here that prospecting associations have not been formed long before this period. That mining has been confined to limited areas throughout Otago for many years in the past many practical miners who have adopted that occupation will no doubt confirm. The time has arrived when a "broad-guage" principle should be adopted, instead of the narrow one hitherto pursued. It is to be regretted that this important branch of industry has not been prosecuted with more spirit and energy than has been done. Instead of assuming gigantic proportions as a natural result of greater facilities being available with the opening up of the interior of the province by rail and otherwise, little new ground has been opened up or added to the old workedout diggings in Otago. It must be confessed that mining development has fallen to a very low level during the past few years. It is as much the duty of the ruling Administration to foster and encourage this important branch of industry by "liberaP legislation and otherwise as private companies. In the face of insurmountable difficulties, such as exist at present in various centres of Otago, it is almost impossible to prosecute any extensive mining undertaking without some assistance from the Government. It is not to a few "Cockatoos" of the "grassy order," located here and there in the wilds of New Zealand, that we need look for any improvement in the *£i'-«nue of the Colony ; it is on that band of pioneers — the miners — that our >j>*. iw prospects mainly depend. lam glad to must prospecting in the locality of Waipori is Ming vigorously carried on at the present time. Some gratifying results have followed this undertaking. Alluvial patches have been struck v 'new quartz reefs opened up, and last (though not least) antimony, included among other minerals, brought to the surface. Other districts should follow suit, and extend their researches beyond the limited confines of their own centres. Apart from these comments, I am persuaded that we are on the eve of a new era in mining affairs, and that ore long extensive developments will take place throughout Otago. I note that exception has been taken to my remarks relative to the operation of the new Rabbit Act as soon as the Government have disposed of the Crown lands of the Colony for another term. My remarks were made not for the purpose of casting any reflections on the Government for not bringing the above Act into operation prior to the salo of the runs, but as a timely warning to the incoming Crown tenants. I have ever been outspoken in the discharge of my duties in the capacity of your correspondent, and I ara not to be silenced sit this period by the " voice of a little organ" playing the same tune as yourself, with the difference of its being performed on a "minor key." It remains to be seen whether the views I advanced in my last letter will prove correct or not. The so!e of jwitoral runs was hastened on for a twofold purpose— to wit, for , intending purchasers or capitalists to see the

runs to the best advantage, when the grass would be well matured and attract attention ; in the second place the Government were anxious to "free themselves from the trammels of the new Rabbit Act, and throw the responsibility or its operation upon the incoming Crown tenants. My opinion is that as soon as the runs are disposed of for another term the new Rabbit Aot will bo vigorously enforced. In the event of this being carried out, I am persuaded that ere long thousands of acres Will revert to the Crown and remain unproductive to the State. The Government should render every assistance in their power to the pastoral tenants in the suppression of the rabbit nuisance The new Rabbit Act is nothing more or less than an aggressive policy. It would appear that in having disposed of the pastoral runs they have, so far as themselves are concerned, disposed of the rabbit question also. I claim indulgence for another little matter, and I have done. You will no doubt readily understand that, as we cannot indulge in tho luxury of a Dunedin Daily Times every morning in this outlandish district, we are naturally behind the age (in a progressive point of view) in many matters of public and private importance in the conduct of our business. My attention having been directed to the following, I deem it my duty to bring it under notice of those concerned. Licensing committees, I note, have become elected in your locality for the several districts proclaimed under the Licensing Act. For the information of some one in charge, I would ask how was it that no notice was posted to the Deep Stream to the effect that a licensing committee would have to be elected there as well as elsewhere? The several holders of publicans' licenses hero received no notice in reference to the matter, consequently they were ignorant of the matter. No committee having been elected, it remains to be seen whether the magistrates will grant the several hotelkeepers their licenses on their merits.