THE COUNTY DIAMOND DRILL.

Inangahua Times, Volume X, Issue 1500, 23 January 1885, Page 2

THE COUNTY DIAMOND DRILL.

i (To the Editor Inaxqahca Times. 1 Sik. — Permit me space in your columns to express an opinion regarding this ;it . present, "at all events." monument of useless expenditure, l>ut which, I think, mi<;ht, in the future V»e turned to c<»n---j sideiable advantage and profit to the [ district, provide 1 the brain powers <«f .mr 1 Comity rulers o;iu bear the sni.ill.'st j modicum i>f expansion to bring iihout the ! desired object. T will not reft-r to the ! useless expenditure that has attended this , ' white elephant in the past, but eon Hue ' j myself to suggesting am •an. 1 * when- by as, ■ I have already sai 1. its utilisation miy j result in great g-<od. Now sir, diumon I ! drills are not made specially for the purI posu of l.id in«. f for (|uartzalone. Minerals, : j or metaliferous deposits, of wbafsoevei kind, can he searched for with its aid. Admitting this fact, why not use the said drill for prospecting our immense alluvial flats, with a view to opening np thu re sources of the district, and by so doing, ; at all events, run t!ie <;h»nce of bringing about, the much desired change of prosperity for depression. It is an accepted opinion that all the large flits, such as Fern Flat, the Ahanra, Devery's Terrace, and many others are g"!d bearing. I'iit the difficulties in the way of the individual miner to prospect are too great for his pocket, no matter what amount of energy he may possess. Even the fiat on which we reside is known to be auriferous, the precious metal having been obtained in a number of the local ' water wells. Tn short, there is not the least doubt but, that gold in \ ayable quantities are lying all around us, and yet we do not make the smallest effort to obtain it, but grumble at the hard times, and the absence of m >ney ** like Britishers alone can grumble, and Mieawber like, wait for something to turnup." Now, in*tc-a-i of adopting that course continuously, if w« were to wake up out of the lethargic state into which we have fallen, to wake the Council nji at the same time, matters might be made to assume practical form forthwith, by calling ii| on the Council to bring the drill into operation in tho direction indicated. Of c>nrse I know that T shall be met with the • »bj etion that the- Council lias no power to use public futidtt for such purpose*. Fn p-t*!tiint they have no power to issu* Cmnty Bills, but still they do it. But if the ratepayers are willing to countenance legitimate expenditure for such an undertaking, by a poll being taken on the question the Council would undoubtedly be prepared to carry out their wishes, and should success attend the venture "of which there can be no doubt, " it would be merely a quesMon of borrowing County funds for a time, as the property operated upon could either be worked, or sold by the Council to any company or person at possibly a handsome profit. There are several ways in which thu business could be conducted on a sound basis, and all that is required is action >>y the Council, supported by the ratepayers, and in my opinion at all events bring about a measure of prosperity very much needed in our midst at the present time. Again, an incentive to develop our wealth should take form in furtherance of our railway connection with the centres. "God helps those that help themsvlves," and the sooner we recognise the necessity of doing so likewise the better. The drill is advertised for sale, and if tho opportunity of using it in the manner indicated is lost by its sale and removal from the luan- | gahua, thun shall w« leave t!i« hidden wealth around us to be garnered by tho yet unborn New Zealanders. I am <*c. Prospector.