The Invercargill Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1862.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 14, 26 December 1862, Page 2

The Invercargill Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1862.

"Wno can doubt that a hard struggle will take place between Southland and Otago with regard to the Wakatip Gol'dficld? Situated in Otago, and dependent on her for police protection and Wardens' decisions, at firstsight it would appear that Southland is trespassing on her neighbor's preserves in endeavoring to divert the traffic from the Arrow and Shotover into the Invercargill road. The Dunedin journals have lost no time in their endeavor to convince Australian miners, and others interested in the matter, that the best route from the coast to the new El Dorado is through Otago. Editors and their "special correspondents" agree in a wonderful manner on this subject. The story is repeated with such few variations that the repetition becomes nauseous. The fact is, that at the present moment Duncdin is quiet; trade has lately been on a basis by no means satisfactory, and the probability is that had this new field been far more easy of access from Invercargill or Riverton than it actually is, strong efforts would have been made to prevent Southland from reaping any considerable share of advantage from it.

It is perfectly just that it should be so ; but, at the same time, there is no reason why this Province should at once yield precedence to her richer neighbor. Let the contest go on, and we doubt not that time will show that, although, situated oulside the Southland boundary, the natural outlet for the resources of the Wakatip diggings is through Southland. The actual mileage from the Gorge of the Arrow to Invercargill or River ton is very considerably shorter than from the Gorge to Dunedin. Between the two roads there can be no comparison ; the Southland one running for the most part over gravelly plains, and throughout its entire course presenting no one serious obstacle to heavy traffic ; the Otago route, on the other hand, running through some of the most mountainous country in the Middle Island. We have no wish to follow the example of an Otago journal, and inform our readers that the Wakatip district is a land flowing with milk and honey ; we do not want to persuade the Australian miner to believe that it is « the gardea of Otago/' We admit he will find wood in abundance, and, of course, if he knows how, he "can build easily ;" we think the climate is not bad, but we deny altogether that " the land offers every

inducement to settle." He will, on the contrary, find the hills mountains, the mountain- tops, in many instances, covered with snow : but he will find what he came for — Gold ! and will make his damper of Southland flour, or flour shipped to Southland ports. Apart from the fact of the "Wakatip Diggings being situated in Otago, Southland has the advantage, aud, in spite of all opposition, supplies will be drawn from her. There is something further we should like to see accomplished, namely, that a fair share of the gold should find its way into Invercargill, and here we admit there are obstacles. The Southland Government have, with commendable alacrity, started an escort, which may be expected down again in the course of a few days ; but it is doubtful whether it will bring down much gold. The fact is, that whilst there is no Gold Receiver on the field, and no safe for the deposit of purchases, men do not like to undertake the risk which naturally attaches to the profession of a gold broker. Up. to the presenttime very little money, comparatively speaking, has found its way on to the diggings, and the gold that remains in the hands of the miners has been forwarded by them either to the Dunstan or the Nokomai, for transmission to Dunedin. Southland must depend for the greater part of her share of the gjld on gold buyers. Dunedin holds out too many attractions to lucky diggers — in the shape of theatres, concerts, and dancing-rooms — for them to forward the results of their labours to Invercargill, which can at present offer no such tempting baits. Meanwhile, th<? Otiigo Government are not letting the grass grow under their feet. We understand they have already a staff of surveyors engaged in ascertaining the best line of road for an Otago •escort to take, and, that object being accomplished, they have in contemplation the establishment of a complete network of escorts, having one central depot, for the whole of the diggings in that part of the country undsr discussion.

The Wakatip Goldnekl wants a Gold Receiver, and, that appointment being made, Southland will sec far more of the gold from the new diggings than she is likely to do under present arrangements.