The Wellington Independent Tuesday, September 10, 1861. SYSTEMATIC EXPLORATION.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1616, 10 September 1861, Page 2

The Wellington Independent Tuesday, September 10, 1861. SYSTEMATIC EXPLORATION.

When gold was first discovered in Nelson several years ago, there was just the same desire for an exploration of this Province ,as there is now. The principal difficulty to its accomplishment, was the not being able to obtain a sufficiently scientific man to render the exploration really satisfactory. To stimulate, however, such* private parties as were confident that gold could be found in this or that direction, the Government offered a reward' of .£SOO for the discovery of a goid field of very limited extent. Subsequently, application was made by the Superintendent to Mr. Secretary Stafford, in the hope that the services of Dr. Hochstetter might be made available; but Auckland and Nelson were the two provinces to which the Doctor's attention had been first called, and time would not allow, him to extend his observations. Mr. Haast's stay in New Zealand was supposed to be only temporary. It is some time since we saw that gentleman, but it was then his intention to return to Germany, to expedite the immigration of his countrymen to New Zealand. Lately, he has, we believe, promised to devote two years to the Canterbury Province, and that these services will prove as highly beneficial to Canterbury, as they have been to Nelson, we have already plenty of evidence for supposing. Exploration for gold, by small parties of ordinary settlers, is by no means : to be discouraged. Unscientific though these parties may be, they have elsewhere proved themselves invaluable ; but oftentimes by the mere fact of one district having been prospected in this way unsuccessfully, the attention of the public is entirely drawn from it, though it may really contain minerals of the utmost value. While, therefore, we hope that encouragement will not be wanting to assist in the formation of a few prospecting parties in different districts, we would specially urge the Government at once to obtain from the Geological Commission at Melbourne, the services of a competent man — competent both physically and scientifically, for the purposes of thoroughly exploring the whole province. Such an exploration would cost a few thousand pounds ; but looking to the benefits likely to accrue, there can be no doubt about such an expenditure being a wise one. It is not simply for gold that an exploration is wanted — it is that we may discover the whereabouts of the many mineral treasures which this province possesses in common with the the whole of New Zealand.

No doubt many of the members of the Provincial Council will individually express their willingness to vote the necessary funds next session, so that if, when His Honor returns^ he should see fit to adopt the responsibility, advantage may be taken of the approaching settled weather to commence an exploration under the direction of a competent scientific head.

Agents having refused to pay the full amount of £1500 insured by the Messrs. Taylor, Watt, & Co , notwithstanding property to the value of £4000 was destroyed, on the ground that they were intitled to deduct a proporrtion of -the value of the goods saved. The position taken by the Agents was an important one, as it totally undermined the popular belief that if a loss by fire takes place to the amount insured, that amount is immediately paid. We showed at the time that, according to the custom of London Offices, the Agents of the Liverpool and. London were clearly in the wrong, and we are now happy to inform our readers tha<t the Sydney Office, to whom the dispute was referred, has not only decided in favour of Messrs. Taylor, Watt, & Co.'s claim for the full amount, insured, but has~directed that the amount of £500 with held shall be paid to them with interest. -

A somßwhat similiar question was raised by the Agents of the. same-Com-pany at Canterbury, and has been similarly decided, as will be seen from the following letter of Messrs. Cookson, Bowler, & -Co., to the LytteVon Times. Perhaps it would be as well for the satisfaction of the local public, if Messrs. Bowler, Son, & 00. took some such course to allay the doubts that have arisen here, from the objection made in Messrs. Taylor, Watt, & Co.'s case. (From the 'Lyttelton Times' 31 August. 1861.) The Livebpooi. and London Fire and Life Insurance Company. To ihe Editor of the Lyttelton Times. Sir, — As certain articles have been published in your columns touching upon Insurance matters connected with the Liverpool and London Fire and Life Insurance Company, we take the earliest opportunity on receiving the present mail to inform you, that in reply to our representations of Messrs. Stringer aud Cd.'s claim for loss by fire in May last, we are instructed to pay the full amount of the claim in questic n ; and we also beg to mention for the guidance of the public, thi Company's policies are not subject to- tlie average clause, unless undsr certain conditions.

'As this questioii is of vital importance to the holders of fire policies in the Company we represent, we shall feel obliged by your inserting this letter in your first issue.

Your obedient servants, Cookson, Bowler and Co., Agents Liverpool ahd London Fire and Life Insurance Company.