Merely Ornamental.

A scientific play grounds, so to speak, and the receptacle of dusty, musty, records of no material value beyond the annual flourish of trumpets that aunounces its existance. What the country wants is an active and not a passive department. It has had tons of theory during the last quarter of a century, and the result is a costly and melancholy blank. After such a dreary experience, common sense demands something more tangible, something worthy of the name, a vital principle, a reality that will accelerate the wheels of progress, and establish the industry on a sound, solid, and permanent basis.

It seems such an anomaly that the mining experts of the Colony should be located in Wellington, whereas they might be actively engaged on goldfield centres. If there is anything at all in expert and scientific knowledge why not employ it where its utility can be put to the test and its cost justified.

One very extraordinary circumstance in connection with mining in this colony is that the State neglects investigation, except of the must superficial character, into great mining possibilities. This was boast forms one of the most interesting and extensive fields of research, for it is rich in the possession of untold wealth, as evinced from its discoveries, and its steady output of gold. It is figuratively and in some places quite an unexplored portion of New Zealand, capable of vast expansion, capable of absorbing an enormous population, and, with its salubrious climatic advantages, worthy the attention of any enlightened policy of progress, of which we make so proud a boast in these days of radical reforms. A great deal more might be written on the possibilities of the future of the West Coast, and the special features of importance appertaining to its wealth of resources, in contrast with other countries. Take for instance the marvellous results obtained from the