Save the Land. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2359, 11 May 1899, Page 7

Save the Land. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— The success wjth which the numerous dredge's at work in Otago are recovering. the hidden treasures of gold must be cause for thankfulness on the part of all, and especially of the shareholders. But are we not in danger of paying too high a price for this gain ? When passing through the dredge region recently I was astonished to find that it is proposed to convert five fields into a howling wilderness — a perpetual desolation — in order to gain a few ounces of gold. No one objects to this search for gold, bub surely some restriction should be put on the gold-seekers, so as to prevent permanent injury being done to the agricultural land of the province.

Dredge-owners* ought certainly to be compelled to remove the soil before dredging, and to spread it on the ground worked. True, this would add to the cost of work, but it would prevent permanent injury to the country, and greatly lessen the pollution of the rivers meanwhile.

Only shareholders are interested in the immediate returns, but all have an interest in our agricultural lands. I hope, then, that there may be feuch a decided expression of public opinion against this needless waste as will induce the Government jto seek power to enable it to compel dredging and other mining companies to save good land from permanent destruction. — I am, etc., May 2. An&bew Cameron.