The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, SEPTEMBER 5, 1902. THE MINING INDUSTRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 510, 5 September 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, SEPTEMBER 5, 1902. THE MINING INDUSTRY.

TnE vicinity of the Northern goldfields to Gisborne naturally makes the rise and fall of the mines of great interest to us. The Auckland Star states : “ During the past year mining in the North has been in a languishing condition, owing to the bad luck of various great enterprises from which much was expected. The failure of the Thames-Hauraki, which was to prove the existence of a new goldfield at greater depths than had ever before been worked at the Thames, and the stoppage of the borehole at the Victoria mine at a depth of SIS feet, were causes of disappointment to those who hold firmly to the conviction that “ the gold goes down.” Although the great TVaihi mine pursues its even course of money-making, and paid its fortunate shareholders £165,000 in dividends last year, other mining ventures, upon ’which large amounts

of capital have been expended in various divisions of the Ohiuemuri goldfield, have proved unfortunate.’ However, the labor market has not suffered. The number of miners actually employed on the Auckland goldfields, according to the official returns contained in the Mines Statement, shows an actual increase from 0233 to 3508, and, thanks to the Waihi mine, the gold output for 1001 was 25,G200zs more than in the preceding year, the gross value showing an increase of about £90,000, but the yield from Coromandel had decreased by more than a half, and from the Thames to nearly an equal extent. The aggregate output from the Auckland goldfields last year was 191,008 ounces, valued at £095,551. Tho ready manner (states tho Star) in which tho sharemarket responded to the find in Bunker’s Hill mine proves that the spirit of speculation is not dead, but only slumbers. Although the losses of the last mining boom crippled many a once prosperous family, and are still a source of sad reflection to others who suffered but were not quite so badly hit, tho temptation offered by shares which jumped

in a few days from fourpence to five shillings is one which appeals too strongly to the pervading passion for easily-won gold not to stir the emotions of people whose outlook along the commonplace groove of ordinary industrial or commercial life is sombre and monotonous. Words of caution at such moments are rarely of any value, but we should he extremely sorry to see repeated here a revival of the foolish speculation which prevailed in Auckland a few years ago, and at Dunedin more recently’. The Star goes on to state: Our Southern friends are only now recovering from losses incurred during the dredging boom, and although IS3 dredges are still working on tho west Coast and in Otago, many with excellent results, the fact that 33 are standing, some of which have been sold for removal, and 19, aro actually undergoing removal, shows upon what misleading inducements many of these ventures were entered upon. We would not utter a word in disparagement of mining enterprise. There aro, we believe, still hidden in the earth, even within the area of our own goldfields, treasures as rich as ever were won from it. But between legitimate mining and Stock Exchange gambling a wide gulf is fixed, although tkore are many people who beliovo that one cannot exist without the other. If there had

been more money spent in honest work on mines, and less upon speculation in bogus share values, tho position of our goldfields would now bo widely different from what it is to-day. Yet it is a curious fact that peoplo who would not pay a shilling in calls to dovelop a mine whose shares aro unquotable on ’Change will pay a large sum for shares in the same mine when someone has found a little gold in it. Tho reluctance to pay calls for prospecting and development work is responsible for the unsatisfactory position of many of our mining properties at the present time. Those who have been bitten in mining speculations, and those who have beon too careful to become so affected, will cord-felly agree with the remarks of the Auckland journal.

The monthly meeting of tho Liberal Association will bo held to-night at the Secretary’s oifieo. A meeting of the Poverty Bay Road Board is convened for 7.30 to-morrow night. To-day and to-morrow are the last two days of Eure's half-yearly sale, at which some rare bargains are offering. “ The truth about Clutha” is to form tho subject of a lecture at Matawhero tonight, by the Rev. W. J. Elliott, who lectured at Patutahi last night, on the same subject. The Empire Skating Rink will bo open to-night, and also to-morrow afternoon and evening. The grand carnival takes place next Friday. The warm weather which set in yesterday showed tho need for straw hats. Mr R. Robertson announces that he has 25 dozen of men’s straw hats just landed. Tenders will be received until four this afternoon by Mr A. G. Beere, Secretary of the Gisborno Co-operativo Building Society, for tho purchase of a ballot loan of £2OO. The latest private telephone lines erected are those of Messrs G. J. White, of Mokomoko, and Busby, of Tuarika, who aro to be connected with the Tokomaru Bureau. Yesterday, a lad named Louis Irwin was arrested on tho Whatatutu coach on a charge of stealing a pair of boots. Irwin gave evidence in the theft ease heard on Monday. A new advertisement from Mr T. Adams, bookseller and stationer, appears in to-day's issue. Special value is offered in English-made ping-pong sets. The new books include those that are creating groat attention just now now. The Universal confectionery shop in Gladstone Road has a high reputation for the excellence of the goods supplied, and none but the best class of sweets are kept in stock. Fresh shipments arrive each week, and customers can rely on receiving every attention. There was a largo attendance of Druids at<the meeting of Turanganui Lodge last night, when the special business was tho appointment of a Lodge surgeon. There wero several applications, including two from other districts. The names were narrowed down to two, and Dr Morrison was appointed by a larg& majority, Tho gramaphono entertainment .given by Mr T. Adair from Mr J. Craig’s verandah, Gladstone road, last evening attracted a large gathering, and all present were unanimous as to tho excellence of the machine. A collection in aid of the Cook

Memorial Fund was made by Messrs W. Gaudin and P. Sheridan, and the sum of £2 7s 4.jd was obtained. The thanks of the committee are due to Air Craig for kmdlv placing his balcony at their disposal as well as to Mr Adair, who manipulated the gramaphoue.

At the residence of Mr W. Good, Childers Boad, yesterday afternoon, the marriage of Mr Frank J. Teat to Miss Annie Hintz, of Dunedin, was quietly solemnised, the ceremony being performed by the llev, J. G. Paterson. The bride, who was given away by Mr W. Good, was : tastefully attired in green, with black toque. Miss Hilda Cos, who wore a neat i blue costume, acted as bridesmaid, whilst 1 Mr Ernest Chrisp officiated as best man. The ceremony was of a quiet nature, only the intimate friends and relatives of the contracting parties being present. A very successful Band of Hope meeting was held last night, Mr Hawkins pre-

siding. Recitations were capitally rendered by Messrs S. East, -J. Xieol, A. Webb, and Goldsworthy. A pianoforte duct wa= played by Misses Hawkins and Saunders, and a solo was sung by Master Frank Searle. Master and Misses Church contributed a vocal trio. An interesting and instructive dialogue was splendidlyacted by Misses Birrell, Georgeson, and Messrs Burrow, Goldsworthy, Georgeson, Kirk, and Ebeling. About 250 people were present. The table bowls tournament, in which much interest is being taken, is to be held in the Academy of Music on Monday evening. A match, Town v. Suburbs, has been arranged, with four rinks from each, or 32 players in all. and two tables will be utilised. A third table is to be set apart for ladies, who will play a pairs match. Mr Massey is deserving of every encouragement in regard to this fascinating game. He proposes to proceed to Wellington at an early date, and by special request of Napier people will give an exhibition of the game in that town. He has also been invited to give an exhibition at Palmerston North, 1

Captain Edwin wired yesterday : “ Moderate to strong westerly winds, glass fall, good tides.”

Tiie decision to '■all for fresh tenders for tiie railway bridge at Kaiteratahi will probably mean a delay of two months longer.

The first general meeting of the Poverty Bay Farmers’ Union Club will be held in the Club room at 2 p.m. to-morrow. Mr T. G. Lawless offers some fresh opportunities to those desirous of purchasing properties. Mr Harold Kane, in a new advertisement to-day, calls special attention to his tonic extract of sarsparilla and Peruvian bark.

In the football match, Waihi Suburbs v. Ivatikati, at Katikati, Waihi won by six points to nil. Two of the Waihi men, Cochrane and Irvine, received a severe knocking about, being for a time unconscious. The game was very rough. Up to the present over five hundred permits have been issued to New Zealanders to proceed to South Africa, and applications are being made daily, most of those applying being men with a iittle capital. Mr Jennings himself has signed 12 permits in two days. Mr Seddon is variously called in tho

British papers : “ One of tho most prominent men of the day ” ; “ the New Zealand dictator ” ; the “ Mont Pelee of Imperialism ” ; “ the presiding genius of

the Pacific ” ; the most prominent colonial in London ” ; and “ the Empire's adviser.”

A special advertisement in regard to :he Universal Dining Rooms, Gladstone

Road, appears in this issue. This old and favorite boarding establishment under its present management keeps up its reputation for the excellence of its accommodation, and no trouble is spared in order to provide all the comforts of a home. Messrs A. Clark and Son’s annual display of spring and summer goods will be held to-day, and promises to attract considerable interest from the retail suppliers of the district. Mr A. T. Hookey, the firm’s manager, and his staff of assistants are to be complimented upon the excellent show, which certainly does them credit, being one of the finest that we have seen. On Thursday next, under tho auspices of the Gisborne Horticultural Society, an exhibition of bulbs and spring flowers will be hold. The matter has been enthusiastically taken up by tho local growors, and considerable support has been promised by outside nurserymen. It is the first time that tho local Society has undertaken a show of spring flowers, and wo hope the public will heartily support tho movement. The chief exhibit, of course, will bo narcissi, tho cultivation of which

has of recent years become very fashionable. The many beautiful varieties of this charming spring flower and its easy culture afford more scopo for the amateur gardener than almost any other branch of floriculture. It is intended to hold the show in tho Academy of Music, and a charge of Is will bo tnado to cover expenses. Intending exhibitors aro requested to at onco communicate with tho Secretary, Mr Gaudin, or the President of the Socioty, Mr A. F. Konnody. No chargo will bo made for entering. The yarding of cattle at Homebush yesterday, says the Sydney Daily Telegraph of Tuesday last, was the smallest for one day for many years past. Tho quality was good, a fair proportion of tho beasts being prime, although others were droughtstricken. Competition, owing to tho short

supply, was brisk, and values showed a decided advantage on the rates rulling last Thursday, making the cattle market the dearest over experienced at tho yards. One bullock from Maharatta Est., C-oorna, brought tho exceptional prieo of £3l ss, while 27 cows from tho samo place averaged £l4 2s 6d. A lot of 16 New Zealand bullocks averaged £22 4s Bd, and 20 others from the same island averaged £2119s 4d. Forty-fivo bullocks from Cooma, tho property of Mr C. T. Stiles, averagod £l9 Bs, and 6 cows from Nangus Est., Gundagai, £ls 10s 9d. A number of other averages ranging between £l6 and £2O were also established. Best beef was worth about 555, and in odd cases over that, per 1001 b. The sheep market was also very good. New Zealand crossbreds went up to 40s per head for a pen of 30, and many other sales were made at over 30s per head.

The stock losses in New South Wales owing to drought have been enormous, Mr W. H. Wheatley, a stock and station agent, of Goulburn, who has recently travelled over a greater portion of the State, says with regard to the losses in sheep through the drought, that in tho south, as far as the Murray river, and in the southwest, as far as Narrandera, sheep look fairly well, although tho fleeces are light, and the lambing has been poor. The losses have varied from 10 per cont upwards ; while from Lower Eiverina to the Queensland border the losses have been appalling. In some parts the flocks have disappeared almost entirely. Even with hand-feeding, the chances of keeping stock alive are very small, and the death rate is increasing every day. Ho estimates that of the sheep returned in December 31st last, about 38 per cent, will have died, even if wo get general rain at once. He estimates the shortage in wool at about 270,348 bales, of tho probable value of .£2,700,00. Including lambs, the State will shear about 28,500,000 shoep. At the last meeting of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board a complaint was received from Adam Emarall, a resident of Devonport, as to the treatment meted out to him when he visited tho hospital with his sick child. He stated that the doctor asked him what countryman he was, and when he replied that ho would answer this after the ohlld had been attended to he was told that he would bo kicked out. He then left, taking the child with him. Dr Collins’ explanation was that ho considered from the appearance of the child an anaesthetic would be necessary, and as was his general custom with colored races, he asked what countryman tho patient was, to assist him in tho selection of an anaesthetic. He received an insolent reply, and then told tho man that if he were not civil he (tho doctor) would get the porter to show him out. The man replied that he would not wait to be shown out, and immediately left, Tho doctor added that in his capacity as a public servant he neither expected nor desired praise or gratitude, but civility for himself and staff he would insist on. The Board approved the doctor’s action in the matter.

, Turanga Church Services.—Sunda;, next: Waerenga-a-hika 11, Makar-aka 3, Patutnhi 7. Canon Fix.