356 TiMEHRI. 



of statistics to the contrary, that there is no stability in 

 the Industry, and that though apparently flourishing 

 now, and the source of wealth to a few, it must in a 

 short time entirely cease, or if not a6lually cease, be 

 reduced to such insignificant proportions, that it will 

 scarcely be worthy of a place amongst the important 

 produ6ts and exports of the colony. It seems almost 

 a work of supererogatiort to show how fatal to any In- 

 dustry or business, such an idea must necessarily be, 

 and more particularly so when the idea is entertained by 

 the very persons who have most to gain by an exa6lly 

 opposite state of affairs and of mind. How can any 

 confidence arise and remain in the minds of those whose 

 capital is so urgently desired here ; (and by capital is 

 meant not only the capital counted by the current coin 

 of the realm ; but also by a far higher and more useful 

 standard of importance, the capital of brain power, of 

 strong willing arms, and of clever skilful fingers), if we 

 have no confidence in our own country ? There is need 

 not only of the rich investor with his money ; but also of 

 the highly trained intelle6l of the mining engineer and 

 the metallurgist, and the precision of the skilled artisan. 

 Stated briefly if we do not believe in ourselves how can 

 we expe6l others to believe in us ; and further if we do 

 not help ourselves, how and where is the required aid to 

 come from ? 



The possibilities before this colony are pra6lically 

 limitless, due chiefly to the striking natural features it 

 possesses. It will be enough to mention them briefly 

 and in rapid succession. Take first the long stretch of 

 fertile coast land, easily drained and within no great dis- 

 tance of suitable markets for its produce throughout the 



