THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO THE LONG DRIVE.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 630, 1 February 1870, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO THE LONG DRIVE.

An Auckland paper gives the following description of the Governor's visit to tips celebrated claim : — About 60 of the Long Drive workmen were mustered, and they formed in two -_ ; lines, flanking the short tramway from ' the south of the level to the -beach, each, man with his pick shouldered. The colonial boy gathered strongly, every suitable ■■-■* spot near the month of the level being occupied. As the vice-regal party passed between the two lines of hearty and stout miners, there 'were, cheers which, as a matter of fact, could scarcely be exceeded for their volume of sound, if given by an equal number of men picked from anyclass, anywhere in the British Empire. Mr Muir, the mining manager of the Long Drive, standing close to the entrance 1 of the level, read a brief address. His Excellency read the following reply : — "Mr Muir, and Gentlemen — I thank you for this address, and for the hearty welcome to Lady 'Bowen and myself. We were both desirous to visit this famous mine, renowned, as you truly say, far and wide. One of your fortunate shareholders is, as you are aware, the Duke of Edinburgh ; and I am sure his Royal Highness will; : be glad to receive the report which I. shall write him, of what I see to-day.-Wishing you every success and prosperity, l and again thanking you for your kindness and courtesy, I am, &c.,— O. F. Bowen." The truck or car which had been prepared for conveying the party into the levels . was made after the sleigh model. His Excellency took his place at the inner hand, with Lady Bo wen at the opposite end, their two children being* accommodated on a central bench. The seats were comfortably cushioned, and the car V - was altogether tastefully decorated. Mro ; Muir and one of the foremen " clapped on" to ropes in front ; two foremen became propellers from behind ; and so Sir Gjeo. Bowen and his family entered the celebrated Long Drive. There was plenty of '■ : light along the level ; a lighted candle ! being stuck in each alternate framing.' But at points there was not plenty of height, The level entered was the " old original" Long Drive as the miners call it. Begun, in the very early days of the field, when' "success was only hoped for,. funds were not plentiful, and experience was wanted, the level was cut in the most economical manner possible. Room to work— just enough space to fling the pick — was what was chiefly thought of when the level was in progress. Having a height of sft at its mouth, there is" a stretch, commencing about 100 ft in, which has a height of certainly not more than 3fi •;. " Give us timely warning," Was the only caution to those in charge of the truck," bo that we may know when to guard our heads." It was close work, as a number of the gentlemen who followed the car found to the damage of their high hats. When a point about 370 ft from the mouth had been reached, the party stepped from the car. There was decent standing room, at the point. Mr Muir led the way along a cross drive, where men were at work, and a gold-bearing vein, 6in or 7in thick, ; : ; and of what is regarded as average thick""ss, according to the high standard of the Long Drive, was being worked afc-a-v. large quantity of other stone being; neces- ■ sarily got out at the same time. The vein was examined ; and then Mr Allen said that Mr Muir wished that, as Lady Bowen w.-is a shareholder, she should also, for a" moment become a miner in the Long Drive. Her Ladyship consented ; and the party went into another cross-level. A light pick" was handed to her Ladyship, and — perhaps it was not by accident that Mr Muir had selected the spot — Lady Bowen soon poked out a very nice " specimen" which he presented to her. That " specimen" will doubtless be prized. Very few ladies can boast that at the sea-level of a large hill and near 400 ft from the entrance of s.ich a " drive," they have with their own | hands, "got" a rich sample of gold-bearing [ qnartz The return to daylight was speedily effected, quite 25 minutes having been spent in the level. Lady Bowen looked delighted with her excursion, which she commenced with a wellgrounded assertion. "I am not in the least alarmed. I know you will take care of me." As her Ladyship rose from the seat in the car, there were given by the miners, with unmistakeable enthusiasm, " Three cheers for Lady Bowen. " They we:e followed by "three for the Gover nor,'' and "three for the Superintendent ■"'- • His Excellency repeated his thanks, fend said that he was delighted to have sesri the mine. The Golden Crown was aftsrwards visited.