The Star. SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1882.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4343, 25 March 1882, Page 3

The Star. SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1882.

Etbk 'W-sTLAHD is, apparently, to have a •hare in the improvement which seems likely, all over New Zealand, to render this present year of grace as much brighter in the annalß of the Colony than ita immediate predeceaßer, as 1882 in its turn was brighter than the gloomy and ruinous 1881. For Wesflandto revive once more has so long heen considered hopeless, that even now, when light has appeared on the horizon, people hardly like to indulge in any display of enthusiasm. Everybody is careful to remind everybody else that the new turn for the better may not last long ; that it probably will not.; and that nobody haa any right to put the slightest trust in it. BTow this is all very well in its way ; private caution is a good thing, and publio caution even better, though a bit of tbe seoond is too apt to he followed by speculative reactions, which mora than undo its good effects. Still, however cautious people may be, there is no harm in being cheerful over a piece of good news which happens to be well founded. Hokitika jnst now is making merry over the late discovery of gold in her neighbourhood. The inhabitants of the dead-and-alive capital of the West Coast have nuhed from their usual state of dull despair into a small fever of speculation. A few ounces of gold do not seem a great matter for a whole town to grow excited about, but as drowning men catch, at straws, so poor, sinking Hokitika may be pardoned if her citizens are inclined to make the most of the indications which have been found of a possible goldfield lying at their very doors.

On the other hand, Canterbury people are paying little or no attention to the Woodstock rush. Perhaps they have been disappointed too often j perhaps their hands are just now too full of other business. Wheat, wool, and meat, despite the grumblings of those who raise them, pay bettor in (he long run thau nuggets and gold dust ; There is no necessity to preach this doctrine to a Canterbury audience. Yet gold minicg has its bearing on farming and grazing, for gold miners must be fed. GoldsunersinWestland must be fed from Canterbury, so that the -discovery of a fresh goldfield, large enough to bring an increase of population to the West Coast, or at least to check the present decrease, is a good thing for the farmers who live on this side of the ranges. It is satisfactory, therefore, to be able to think that the prospects of the new field at Woodstock are decidedly hopeful. The conformation of the ground, a high terrace many miles in extent, allows us to hope that the area over whioh the gold may be spread will prove a large one. Its position, too, within a few miles of Hokitika, and right along the line of road between that place and Boss, wiU render living cheap and easy, and reduce the hardships and expenses which generally cut down the gain in new rushes. Already several claims have struck gold in respectable quantities, and others are so far adTanoed in their work as to, make it likely that in a week or two a decided and impartial •pinion as to the value of the field may be come to. In the principal claim— Cormick's —close on an ounce and a half has been washed out in two days, a return which, though nothing wonderful, may be pronounced promising. Should much gold be found, the speedy success of the field will depend great'y on the length and cost of the water-races to be made. In conclusion we may say that we hardly think it needful to say a word of warning to people who may wish to try their fortune on the new field. We take it for granted that there will be no considerable rush from this side, and if individuals like to go they must take the risk. Trust-worthy and ample information has been given them in this newspaper, and in otherß ; sued as to whether this justifies them in taking the road to Woodstock they must judge for themselves.