Gold Prospecting.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XVIII, Issue 1767, 4 December 1885, Page 3

Gold Prospecting.

Jo the Editor cf the Standard. Sib, —I do not know whether the Government arc offering any bonuses for gold discoveries, but I think they should, for I am sure practical meu would go out upon tne western ranges and prospect the country, if there was some encouragement, or if a Waivtarapa Assocation was formed and a small subscription raised there might be found one or two good men, who would work persevering:? at a small remuneration, provided they were rewarded if the starch was successful. A strong desire to find a payable gold held is manliest in different parts o'f the herth I-iani, and in seme distiicts the pros pecto are tncoatagh g. 1 think this may be said of the Wairar ipa. 1 read with some interest a few remarks made in your paper some days a.a, concerning a small ■puntity of stone iVm-i in the Taiohine liivcr, and was in hopes mat a jmebody would have

C-- mrward an ! got a p»arty together to go out. Unfortunately tor myself, my gold digging days are ..-,vr, as I am :mt able to stand sum warn now ; but I have all the spurn of an old digger, and would he much pleased to .-,te a party go out. But it is of little use tUr non-pr-.ctica l men going without a erst class prospect <r at tdeii head, and i venture to suggest that something be done at once to procure one. It has been proved bey-<nd doubt that gold is to ns f'-nnd in the ranges. VV t have next to prove that it wi.l ply to get. Let this be done at once. If La t the money wen spent in this direction that is put into sweeps and totaiiaators we should soon be better off in every way. When I mi..k of the rise in the price or ail our prodaciiuns and in the land : the labour which Would j employment at good wages, and the rise into prosperity that the whole district Would receive if a payable go.d held were opened u..'. I wonder at our supineness. We, of the Wuirunpa, have got into a groove of action widen, judging by appearances and I ts hj not mv ii .mie to us, and the sooner '•vi shake oars;.us together the sooner wm •ve sea prosperity da-vn. I say ibis apart from •any ou.stion of gold discovery. What will Carterton be due when the timber is worked up ? and a few years will =eo this industry flagging. Will deatherston, Greytowu and Carterton be content to be as little villages, when other places are taking front places ? Let us pray that a change may come soon. I for one am heartily sick of our present monotonous way of living. We want energy to send out a good prospector or two, anil; when it is proved that the gold is there, our' very selhshness and love of gain will be so awakened that we shall tumble over one another to get a share of the spoil. The crowd are ready to avail themselves ef the

discoveries made by others, but they are too Clean to throw down a “ note ’’ towards the expenses of the discoverers. Will somebody taiie up this question and deal with it better than I can, until a start is made to grow out it our wretched and almost lifeless condition ? I am.A’e., JJISFB. Carterton, Deo. 2.