4 
only one of these methods — then, by all means, 
let Chance give place to Science. The wisest 
thing that our rulers could do in this depart- 
ment, is to appoint a competent man and set 
him to work. 
2, There is depression and distress in the 
community, and it is the duty of a paternal 
Government to open every channel through 
which relief may flow. The present condition 
of this colony is exceptional — the depression 
and distress are temporary. If, however, these 
could be relieved promptly it would be well ; 
and only to prevent their recurrence in the 
future would be a great thing gained. The 
employment of a Government geologist would 
not do all that the people want, but it would 
inspire them with hope, and as hope prevails 
depression is relieved. And this appointment 
would soon be followed by some tangible re- 
sults. Men cannot live on hope, and expecta- 
tion will not satisfy hungry mouths. 
The geologist would visit those localities most 
likely to contain the precious treasure in paying 
quantities. He would examine them and report 
to the Government. He would describe the 
character of the reefs and the alluvial deposits as 
the case might be. Ha would suggest where gold 
is most likely to be found, and the most prob- 
able mathod of working it. On the mip which 
he constructs, the relative position of the rocks 
is indicated, and the gold-bearing veins are 
traced. With this official map and report in 
their hands, men see what they are about — they 
know what to do. If they resolve to try their 
luck at gold-digging, they go at it with a 
will, and in all probability, with success ; 
because they have received the necessary in- 
formation, and they bring to the undertaking 
the necessary determination and perseverance. 
Necessity 13 said to be the mother of invention. 
Necessity has originated many useful and per- 
manent works ; and we shall hope that in the 
present ease, the necessities of the people will 
prompt our rulers to employ the most likely 
method's to provide for them full, permanent, 
and remunerative occupation. 
3. This appointment would bring the right 
men and the requisite capital, to work our 
mines of iron, coal, copper, and gold. Those who 
hare been resident in Queensland for a few 
years must have obserred with regret that the 
news regarding gold discoveries, coal seams, and 
copper mines, has generally been partial, ex- 
aggerated, or in some respects unsatisfactory. 
Perhaps this was incidental to the circum- 
stances of a young colony ; perhaps it is a colo- 
nial charact iristic, with which we can very well 
dispense. Be this as it may, we have suffered 
by it. Ib is easy to s*e how the evil may 
have originated and how it may have been 
perpetuated, to some extent, to the present 
hour. In the past, something like the follow- 
ing has happened : — A storekeeper, or way- 
side publican, finds a sample of gold, or meets 
with some one who has, and forthwith he writes 
to the newspapers, giving a glowfng description 
of the locality, and a sanguine ".estimate of the 
gold to be found there. The main object has 
sometimes been to bring population ; and as 
they must have both food and drink, the 
storekeeper disposes of his goods, )and the 
publican deals out his drinks at excellent 
profits, while the dupes of this “ dodge" spend 
more gold than they extract from mother 
earth. The result is disappointment and dis- 
gust. The case, however, may have been 
reversed. Gold may really be known to exist 
in paying quantities, but the working of it 
would encroach on some one’s supposed rights. 
It is not considered desirable that a digging 
population should congregate there, so a com- 
munication is forwarded to the press, asserting 
that the whole affair is the nearest thing to a 
lioax, and hinting that none but fools 
would be influenced by the vague rumours 
that are flying about. Under one 
set of motives the floating population 
of a district may be drawn to a point where 
there may be little more than the “ colour” of 
gold j and under another set — both, however, 
having their origin and end in selfishness — the 
portion of the public, more especially devoted 
to this occupation, are prevented from visiting 
that part of the country where the gold is both 
good and plentiful. Since the proclamation of 
the few gold fields which are now being worked 
matters have assumed a more favourable aspect, 
the commissioners forming a medium of com- 
munication with the public by means of peri- 
odical reports to the Government. Still, the 
presence of a commissioner on every gold-field 
is no -argument against the appointment of a 
Government geologist. Newspaper paragraphs, 
and letters from local correspondents, however 
truthful they may be, have little influence on 
the men that we should like to see engaged on 
our diggings, and they have still less influence 
with the capitalists who may be looking out for 
some good investment. 
There are many men of skill and experience 
in gold-digging ready to come to Queensland ; 
there are capitalists in the South and in Eng- 
land, who are prepared, we are informed, to in- 
vest in machinery for the working of our 
mineral treasures ; but these men will not be 
led a wild goose chase, they will neither come 
themselves nor invest capital, except on the 
ground of official reports by a competent min 
of science. They are prepared to take the risk, 
but it will only be on the authority of the 
Government. 
This, therefore, is the conclusion to which we 
come, namely — That the cheapest, speediest, 
and most certain method for the development 
of our abundant natural resources, is the 
immediate appointment of a competant Govern- 
ment Geologist. This course is commended 
alike by policy and by patriotism. 
