The Evening Star. MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1871.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 551, 16 October 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1871.

" For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wiong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance,

And the good that we can do."

"The Caledonian pumps have been stopped during the night;" " A serious break-down has occurred ;' " The plunger was being packed and the water rose;" "At five thia morning the main Bhaft of the engine broke ;" " Tae boiler has given way." What next ? and what next ? This has been the history of this far-famed mine for the past few weeks. It is the new phase on which it has entered. Erstwhile the gold appeared and disappeared, playing all kinds of pranks with the interests of shareholders. Everything has its day, and that game is played out. We profess our utter inability to give the smallest attempt at a solution of the mysteries of that mine. We view it afar off with fear ; and its mine manager is t* us *n object of me. We regard

him as having to do with familiar spirits; able to call spirits from the vasty deep ; meeting and holding converse with them in the dark caverns of the earlh, and compelling thorn to do his bidding. To him pertains the Lamp, and the Slave of the Lamp is his most obedient servant. Ho has but to say the word, and we are bewildered by the dazzling wealth ahining around m those gloomy regions in the bowels of the earth. Anon it is begrimed and gloomy as outer darkness itself, and our hopes are fled. But yesterday these spirits were wont to play with nature's own secrets ; to-day they have bewitched the machinery, and the devil drives the engine. We really do not know what to say of such awe inspiring circumstances. The power possessed apparently by the mine manager is of the most valuable kind, and so long as he controlled the demons and confined their power to the veins of gold all was well; but it would almost appear as if they had broken loose from his control, and we think the hour has come when the directors should step in, and either exorcise the mine, or appoint thJfinauager to exercise his power oxprihe spirits on some other part ofJme goldlield. Ah matters are, thCairectors are unquestionably Howing against the current of public opinion, if public opinion is to them a matter of any consideration whatever.

But, seriously speaking, this is a serious subject. The recent conduct of the Caledonian is a public scandal, and, if continued, must make quartz mining in Auckland a bye-word. We do not say who is to blame, or if anyone is to blame. But, without making the slighest reflection either on the uprightness or the mining ability of Mr. Kowe, we but express the strong feelings of almost the whole public when we say that the directors of the Caledonian should appoint Mr. Kowe to some other position on the goldfield. There is no necessity for his removal casting any reflection on Mr. Eowe, but as there is grave and general dissatisfaction felt with ihe pres ■■-'; and past proceedings in connection with the mine, _ the directors, whatever their position and influence, should not present an iur.noveable and contemptuous front to public opinion. They may be in a position to carry out their wishes in connection with this mine, without consulting the feelings either of the shareholders or the public, but a continuation of this kind of thing will damn the gold field in the estimation of the world, and do a great amount of general injury.