GOLDFIELDS GATHERING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4544, 28 March 1923, Page 2

GOLDFIELDS GATHERING.

LUNCHEON AT WAIKINO. BOOM DAYS REFERRED TO. The goldmining township of Waikino was en fete on Friday evening, when members ofi the Old Boys’ Association assembled, not alone fipm headquarters, where the process of extracting the glittering gold is still the primary occupation, although minus much of ,t.he flourish of the boom days, but from several parts of the province. There were several apologies for unavoidable absence from the gathering, among them one from Mr Poland,. M.P. for Ohinemuri. About 100 members attended the banquet at the Victoria Hall, the president of the association (Mr RShaw) occupying the chair. After reading the apologies for absence, the president welcomed the members and invited guests, and pointed to the good work the association was accomplishing, referred to the wisdom of ex-residents now in other parts of tlie Dominion, rekindling anew annually the many pleasant associations formed during their residence in Wnikino in its mining heyday and subsequently. Before closing, Mr Shaw mentioned that Messrs C. J. Robinson, J. Lynch, and R. Cotter, former members of the association, had passed away during the twelve months, and the gathering stood in silence for a few minutes as a mark of respect to their memory. The gathering then massed into a few hours of social harmony, muSicj song, speech, and story' taking their allotted place in a very successful programme. After the Loyal Toast was honoured the “Mining Industry” was proposed by Mr W. Maiden, of Auckland, who thanked the association for the honour conferred by having charge of such an important toast, and referred ini ng as the forerunner of agricultural pursuits by opening up the district. He prophesied that thei former industry would again return to the marked prominence it enjoyed at one period in the district. Mr McLaren, manager of the “Rising Sun,” in Replying, said that the mining industry played its prominent part in establishing pioneers of grit and progress., who sought their fortunes where no houses,, roads, or bridges were provided for them. If mining was made into an industry instead of a speculation there would be a greater number of mines going than there were. In closing, the speaker said that he hoped to be able to intimate shortly that another mine would be opened, up within the next few months or so. Mr J. Hinds also replied to the toast in a speech which was freely interspersed with humour. This speaker agreed that mining was only speculation in the past, not an industry.

Mr Jones deal,t.with the “Farming Industry,” which ,h§ said, was becoming the backbone of that district,, as it was recognised in the Dominion. The industry was taking a grip, and the strides in the last ten years over the area between Waikino and Waihi had been remarkable, while it was destined to enjoy greater progress.

Messrs G. Kinsella (Waitekauri), J. Gordon (Waihi Plains), M. Arnold (Waitawheta), and L. Yearbury (Waikino) replied to the toast, all referring to the advance that farming was making in the various, surrounding districts and in the Dominion,, each also paying a tribute to the part taken by the mining industry in the district’s advancement in the past:

Nir G. Bell proposed "Local Bodies ” in suited terms, and Mr S. Morgan, the district representative on the Ohinemuri County Council, returned thanks for the toast. In traversing administrative matters the speaker pointed out that each riding account was now kept separate, and, up to a certain limit after meeting administration expenses, the money collected was expended on the area which contributed it.* There was very little revenue coming from mining at present, and the agricultural community was principally footing the local body bill. He would like to see .mining advance again, as the contribution of 7s 6d per acre, which ac .-riled from that avenue was an important factor towards the financing of local bodies. The • toast of “Returned Soldiers” was dealt with by Mr R. T. Reid, who paid due tribute ip- New Zealand’s response in the Great War, and the splendid part Waikino had contributed in the quotas of men and money. Messrs L. Murphy and W. McLeod extended thanks on behalf pi the returned men, the former pointing out the necessity for keeping the various associations in existence, as it was a 'duty which they owed to their comrades whose health was impaired and who required the assistance for which the associations required to keep agi-

fating. While acknowledging that the Government had done a lot, Mr McLeod considered that it was their duty to protect the wounded men against want. This assistance should come from the Government without the Soldiers’ Associations having to be continually agitating and contributing to keep their organisations in existence. “The Old Boys’ Association” was a toast which was proposed by the chai-man, and the responses were made by Messrs s. J. Rawlinson (Hamilton) and W. Maiden (Auckland).

Other toasts proposed and responded to were “Business People,” by Messrs W. Quinn and C. Mason; “The Chairman,” “The Ladies,” and “The Press.” The chairman made special reference to the work of the ladies in preparing for that evening’s function, and to the cordial assistance extended by the executive during his term of office, a continuance of which he bespoke for his successor. Musical items were rendered by Messrs Cater, Wadsworth, E. Morgan, Fee. Quinn, Jones, McLaren, Gilpia, McLeod, Rawlinson, and Yearbury, Mr Cater acting as accompanist, proceedings in a very pleasant function terminated with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” and cheers for the Association. 1