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and future development of South. Island, and no doubt the West- 
land gold-fields of Canterbury are quite equal , if not richer than 
those of Otago. 1 Concerning the geology of the West coast I may 
refer to the instructive reports of Dr. J. Haast . 2 
May New Zealand in its golden age, thrive and flourish in a 
manner never before dreamed of, and by the opening of its coal 
treasures and the yet hidden mineral veins may the bronze and iron 
ages of art and manufacture follow in rapid succession. This is 
my wish in concluding this chapter. 
1 In Sept. 1865 the following estimate of the population now on the West 
Canterbury gold-fields has been made: — 
C A h ' ey . . J 2,000 
Arnold \ 
Greymouth 600 
Saltwater Creek 300 
Greenstone 400 
Teremakau 100 
Waimea 1,000 
Hokitika 2,500 
Kanieri 3,000 
Totara . . 4,000 
Further south 2,000 
15,000. 
The population was increasing at the rate of three thousand per month. 
From a return in the New Zealand Gazette, published on June 20. 1866, we 
find the quantity and value of gold exported from the colony from the l sL April, 
1857, to the 31 st March, 1866, to be as follows: — From Auckland, 15,794 ounces, 
value £48,512; from Marlborough, 32,898 ounces, value £116,465; from Nelson, 
188,669 ounces, value £731,188; from Canterbury, 351,913 ounces, value £1,369,256; 
from Otago, 1,938,837 ounces, value £7,512,995; from Southland, 22 ounces, value 
£85; making the total export from the colony 2,528,133 ounces, value £9,788,501. 
2 Report on the Geological Exploration of the West Coast by Dr. J. Ilaast, 
Christchurch 1865; Lecture on the West Coast of Canterbury by Dr. J. Haast, 
Christchurch 1865. 1 may be allowed to mention here the words of the Super- 
intendent, Mr. J. Bealy, in his address on opening the Provincial Council on the 
21 st Nov, 1865: — tt It is with much satisfaction that I recognise the importance of 
the scientific researches undertaken by the Provincial Geologist; and the fact of his 
having two years ago — in papers laid before this Council — accurately defined the 
gold districts on the West Coast is a strong proof of the practical value of his la- 
bours, and leads me to expect that the Province will derive great benefit from his 
knowledge as to the auriferous nature of the lands which it may be advisable to 
survey for sale.” 
