THE PELORUS GOLDFIELD.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 107, 7 May 1864, Page 4

THE PELORUS GOLDFIELD.

TESTIMONIAL TO J. D. HYDE.

From the Nelson Colonist of the 19th ultimo, we extract the following:— At present, parties are chiefly engaged in working the shingle bars on both sides of the river bed, and the low state of the water affords excellent opportunities for this being done with success. The wash-stuff consists of about two or three inches of red gravel on the top of a partially disintegrated or rotten rock. In the crevices of this rock the gold is found, and in general very scaly and waterworn. In the course of four days, Wilson's party of four took out over 53 oz; Moore, on Saturday last, picked up 8 or 10 oz; James Newport, on Friday, with his three mates, got over 9 oz* Another Nelson man, who does not wish his name mentioned, and his mate, obtained in one day 10 oz. Edwards in one hour got loz 13 dwt 14 grs. Johnny Hyppolite, a half-caste, with a party of ten Maoris, took out in one day 24 oz. That the river will afford claims for the large number that have gone and are now on their way is not believed ; but the general opinion is that other parts will be lound to be gold bearing and that the numerous creeks and gorges in the j district may well afford room for several hun- j dreds more. J

A dinner was given at Ford's Hotel, by the Arthur's Point Race Co., on Thursday evening, 3rd inst, to Mr Hyde, the manager, on which occasion invitations were issued to 50 or 60 ladies and gentlemen. The room was tastefully decorated, and the supper all that could be de. sired. Mr Warden Williamson occupied the chair, and Mr J. E. Gillespie the vice chair. After the cloth was removed, The Chairman proposed " The Queen," which was drunk with enthusiasm, and followed by "Rule Britannia." M The Chairman—The next toast on the list re one which also commands our respect. The duties which devolve on John Hyde Harris as Superintendent of the Province are many, and the interest which he has evinced on every possible occasion to advance the prosperity of the colony entitle him to our best wishes. Song, u Old English Gentleman." Mr. Frank Martin. The Chairman then, addressing Mr Hyde, said —lt is now my pleasing duty to propose the toast of the evening, in presenting you, on behalf of the Arthur's Point Race Company, with this handsome watch and chain, in testimony of the friendship they feel for you ; but before I do so, I would take this opportunity of recording my own sense of the pleasure which your acquaintance has afforded me during the last ten months. To be well thought of by your fellow man, and to live in their recollection, is indeed a privilege, and few are able to obtain it. That you have attained that position, the acts of this evening sufficiently attest. Your duties during the past year have been various and difficult, and you have shown yourself equal to every emergency. The success which has attended you in connection with the work has been well merited. Song, " Molly Astore," Mr. Grott. (The following is a copy of the address:— " Arthur's Point, May 3,1864. " Sir, —We, the shareholders in the Arthur's Pcint Race Company, would request your acceptance of this watch and chain, as a slight, token of our appreciation of your private worth, and the services rendered to us as the manager of the works. That difficulties of no ordinary kind had to be overcome in the prosecution of the work, we are well aware, and that you have persevered and opposed them to a successful termi-

nation—for which we thank you, and trust that health and prosperity may ever attend you in the future." The testimonial bore the following inscription: —"Presented to William Drinkwater Hyde, Esq., by the Arthur's Point Race Co., in recognition of valuable services. Wakatip, April 16,1864.") Mr Hyde had to acknowledge one mpre and a crowning act of kindness. He before had occasion to say how much he had been beholden to most of those present. To have enjoyed for the last i-ight months the distinguished privilege of representing so large a number, and to have met with such universal support and respect, were matters of deep congratulation to himself. The testimonial with which he had been presented was in itself intrinsically of very considerable value. Taken as an expression of goodwill towards him, and also of satisfaction at the manner in waich the business of the company to which he had the honor to belong had been conducted, its value was very much enhanced. When there was added to this the manner in which the presentation had been made, it became a munificent gift indeed. His own merits had certainly never deserved this: to the exuberance of their good wishes and the excess of their good nature he preferred to attribute this handsome recognition of his poor endeavors to forward the interests of the company to which he had belonged. On their own merits modest men are | dumb: he left it to those present to say whether j it was lack of merit or excess of modesty on his part which prevented him saying more on that i occasion. Before he resumed his seat he wished ! to add that he should ever set the highest store |on their valuable present; and that, lamely and ! inadequately as he had endeavored to give utter- ! ance to his feelings of gratitude, he wished | them to believe that he did entertain those feelj ings to his heart's core. Song, " Good-bye, Sweetheart," Mr Johnston. | " The Wardens." Proposed by Mr Gillespie, ! and responded to by Mr Williamson. " The Ladies." Proposed by Mr Hyde, and j responded to by Mr. Maddock. "The Mining Interest." Proposed by Mr i Williamson and responded to by Mr. Dobson. j Mr Williamson said—l have yet another toast ! which yon will heartily accept—the health of a gentleman who is well known to you, and who has so ably supported me as vice-chairman—Mr Gillespie. He, like Mr Hyde, has also conferred services of no ordinary kind as manager of a race, and would doubtless have been the recipient of a similar mark of favor, but unfortunately the ground for which the work was constructed has proved valueless; but I hope that many fruitful and prosperous days may be his, in whatever position he may be placed. Song, c ' March of Cameron Men," Mr Pollock. Mr Gillespie, in reply, said—l would convey to you an expression of thanks for the kind manner in which you have referred to me on this occasion, and I would assure you that I have ever endeavored to so conduct myself as to meet the approbation of my fellow man. It is true that I have been unfortunate—in fact, lam one of those to whom wealth seems to have closed her golden gates. But though unlucky in myself, I have never yet impeded the progress of, or was the cause of want of success in any other, and I trust never will. I would assure you that the good opinion of my fellow man I value more than mere silver and gold. He then proposed the health of Mr. F. Martin, to whose promptitude in carrying out that act of courtesy towards his old friend, Mr. Hyde, they were indebted for such an agreeable evening. Mr. Martin, in a manly and eloquent speech, responded. The remainder of the evening was spent in a most agreeable manner, and it was very late ere the company separated.

Mr Beetham has announced in Court his indention for the future to increase the term of imprisonment for debt where the parties sued more than once seem inclined to " take it out' in preference to paying. Several parties, supposed to possess means to liquidate their accounts have, during these dull times, preferred to lead a retired life in the aristocratic neighborhood of H.M. camp. The local committee for the Wakatip district of the New Zealand Exhibition, met by special appointment at the Queenstown, on Thursday. The business transacted was purely of a preliminary character, and the meeting then adjourned for a week, to be held at the same place at 7 o'clock p.m. The Ball held at the Criterion Hotel last night proved a snccess, and the room well attended. Dancing is being kept up at the hour we go to press. Another ball will shortly take place under the auspices of the Volunteer Fire Brigade at Bracken's Commercial Hall, and which is expected to be a very brilliant affair. The following is from the Southland News• "We understand that at the approaching session of the Supreme Court in Invercargill, their Honors Mr Justice Richmond and Mr Justice Chapman will both attend, the criminal and cause list being very heavy." Why not have one of the judges stationed at Invercargill? Our commercial community are grumbling incessantly at the absence of any judge nearer than Dunedin, to issue warrants of arrest or detention. The commercial crisis in Invercargill and Dunedin have caused a few levanters from the district, and the Bluff is the favorite route, so a reference to Dunedin is only trying to catch your bird with throwing salt upon his taii.