A VICTORIAN'S OPINION OF THE THAMES.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2068, 20 August 1875, Page 2

A VICTORIAN'S OPINION OF THE THAMES.

i (To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Sib, —Havine paid a visit for the first time to your important town during the past week, courteously permit me through the medium of your journal to express my opinion, which has reference to your moral and social standing, as also to the future prospects which await the further development of the golden treasures that are known to exist in your immediate vicinity, and the comparatively unlimited track of auriferous country for which the Port of Thames is destined by its naturalcapabilities and geographical position to be the receiver and exporter of these mines of wealth. I took my departure from Auckland in the steamboat Hauraki, which left the wharf at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, the 10th instant, and arrived at Grahamstown a little after 3 p.m. of the same day, the weather calm with slight showers during the trip. This being: my : first journey since my arrival from' Victoria to Auckland, I was much pleased with the delightful scenery which presents itself to view on each, side of the passage to the Thames, And to those who love to see th.c grand and mighty works of nature's God, in the beautiful and picturesque; and who have never seen such lovely sights as here present themselves, the same is worth, more than the trifling steamer's fare— " Here igneous rocks in cone shaped liilla appear, . And mountains i-'se in all faut-sUc form ; Clad ; i iheir sombre looking coals In isla;id to..a. The aqueous element traversing their base. I feel at a loss to properly explain the enchanting nature of— this—magnificent scenery, and must only conclude by stating that after having travelled the whqla of Viptoriq,, the groa'tec pouLions 'qf Tasmania, New South Wsies and S&uth Australia, I have never seen its equal. And on my arrival at Grahasnsloyra I was more than astonished at beholding a city of such dimensions as that which constitutes the Port of Thames, I had previously Iceu informed while

residing in the city of Auckland, that the " Thames " was a very " fast" place, and immorality carried on to an almost unlimited extent. Having travelled through, and being well acquainted with all the principal goldfields of Victoria, being one of the first diggers at Golden Point, Ballarat, I have had opportunities afforded me which present themselves to very few other individuals, so as to enable them to be a judge of the moral and social state of society of the respective goldminiug localities. I could write as much respecting the past history of the Victorian goldfields as would fill a volume of instructive and interesting matter, which would refer to the cruel and despotic tyranny practised by an injudicious and ignorant government, commencing from the early days of the golden epoch. I could write on the indifferent state of her police, which were constituted out of the elements of convictism from the sister colonies. I could write on the sad state of immorality which predominatedinthe early days, both in that which has reference to her towns as well as her goldfields ; when " sticking up " was the order of the day, and murders frequent. But, thank God, that day has passed, and through the indefatigable exertions of moral and intellectual men, under His ~ blessing the scene has changed ; for now "■""the state of society in her cries, and her towns, and her goldfields will bear the most favourable comparison with that of. any other portion of the civilized world in aIL which has a tendency to elevate, enoble, and adorn mankind. In reference to the state of society which constitutes the inhabitants of Grahamstown and Shortland, I must say, without flattering its inhabitants, or egotistically speaking myself, that for the few days I had the privilege of being with them, that nowhere in all my travels have I met with a more moral, social, and respectable community, not having met or seen one individual under the influence of: intoxication, nor any noisy disturbance of any kind, which too frequently happens in places where my lot has been cast; but on the contrary I have-seen an orderly, well dressed and apparently well doing community, which refers alike to the working class, as also to the tradesmen and those who move in the higher spheres of life—equalled by few and surpassed by none of the inhabitants of the old established goldfields of Victoria, as to the social and moral standing of its people. Base must be the minds of those creatures who have circulated, or cause to be circulated such prejudicial reports as I and others had previously heard, that the Thames Goldfield is a fast, nobblerising and immoral place. O, temporal O, mores! Respecting the future prospects ot the Thames district, it appears to me by what I have seen and heard of the discoveries recently made, that there are prospects of the brightest character. looming in the distance', and when it is taken into consideration the difficulties, the hardy band of pioneers and explorers of such a rugged country are at present encountering, contending - manfully against the inclemency of the weather, at this time of the year, without the assistance of a Government which ought,to lend them a helping, hand in the shape of cutting tracks, or establishing temporary means of transit, so. as to enable them in assisting to develope and utilise the hidden treasures of this, vast terra incognita, it is not too much to say that in the apprqaclaing spring discoveries will be made of a lasting and enduring character, which will cause your district to be known as one of the richest in auriferous wealth, and your thriving towns as one great commercial city.—l am, sir, yours respectfully, _ ■ . J. M. Meek. North. Shore, Auckland, August 17th, 1875.