THE WANTS OF THE GOLD-FIELDS

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 11, 16 December 1862, Page 3

THE WANTS OF THE GOLD-FIELDS

(From ti:-j Olapo Daily Times'.)

Scarcely a letter which we have published from the Dunstan but what has contained reflections on the Government for negligence in attending to the wants of the district. We are not prepared to think that the complaints are all reasonable. Persons on the Dun-nan do not readily realise the difficulties in the wav of supplying a perfect organisation of g ivernment at a short notice at so great a distance. On the whole we are inclined t'j think that the Government has shown itself alive to the claims of the Dunstan and willing to promote its progress. First, the responsibility was undertaken ot' guaranteeing to the discoverers JL'L',OOO for divulging their secret. Imineiliately afterwards a Commissioner was despatched to the sp->t. A Gold Receiver followed, and then an eiC'">r f . Koad Engineers were sent to survey the various roads ; boats were forward cd for ferries, and what was supposed to be a sufficient strip of country was proclaimed a gold-field. Subsequently, the Dunedin Resident Gold Commissioner was sent up to report on the locality, and he is now there on tint duty. Accompanying him is the Milling Surveyor from Tuapeka, instructed to lay out a town, and the Chief Commissioner of I'olice has also proceeded to the spot. Doubtless iho Government has not been so prompt in many things as have piivate individuals, but Governments never are. On the wh.ile we think 'the local Government has acquitted itself well, in relation to die new field, and has at least displayed a desire to promote it.

But much, very much, remains to be done and recent evtnts point to the necessity of promptitude. Mn the shores of Lake Wakatip a new tjold-field has be-on discovered, easily accessible from Southland, and a battle must inevitably take place between the merchants ot" Invercargill and of Dunedin as to which shall supply the new field. It an important commercial entrepot is established on the shores of the Lake, the Dunstan will become second in commercial consequence, whilst, if a huge town he encouraged at the Dunstan, it will become the commercial centre of the whole of the immense fields with stretches from the Beaumont to beyond the Cardrona. To est-iblish on the Dunstan such a town should be a vital object with tbe Executive, and we cannot too earnestly recommend that every exertion be made for the purpose. As soon as surveyed, the lots .should at once be sold, valuation to be made of the improvements, which should be paid to ihe imptoveis, in case they do not buy the allotments they occupy. The privilege of local self-govern-ment "by a Town Board should be at once supplied", the road to the town from Dunedin, and the surroundirig digifings, including those of the Wakatip, be made without delay, and the fullest postal accommodation afforded.

On this head we can but reiterate former remarks. A cinilv mail is absolutely iv-

quired, and coaches, it' possible, should be u-ccl instead of pack hordes. The hitter are. not safe for the conveyance of valuable imiils and persons will hesitate to trust them. Coaches would serve another object not less important, they would direct the passenger traffic to Dunrdin, find especially that of the business portion of the country. It is impossible to speak too highly of the effect the coaching facilities have had in Victoria, in developing thegold-ficld«. The Government, fully conscious of their value, has paid heavy mail subsidies to them, when it could have had the same service performed cheaper by pack horses. We are convinced the Otago Government must pursue a like course if it does not desire to see the advantages of the field monopolised by Invercargill traders. A weekly escort, too, is required, and on this head it is sufficient to point to the prudence of dividing the risk, instead of allowing it to increase, by the accumulation* of a fortnight. A line of 'telegraph might also be laid on with advantage. There could be no question that it would pay expenses and interest on the capital, and nothing is more calculated to open up country than the means of constant and instantaneous communication afforded by the telegraph. Whatever expenses the suggestions we have made would involve, the Council should gladly consent to. Without reckoning the revenue ot the gold-fields, enormous profits will sooner or Inter be realised by the value the land will acquire. After the town is once established, the allotments will fetch very high prices, without taking into account the submban and country lands. The Dunstan is, we believe, the richest gold-field in the world, and it will be the fault of the people of Otago if one of the largest and wealthiest of gold-fields* cities be not • established in ite midst,