MINING NEWS. (From the " Coromandel Mail.")

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 32, 12 January 1884, Page 5

MINING NEWS. (From the " Coromandel Mail.")

Only the two or three mines which have pumps to keep going have continued operations during the holidays, and then only on a limited scale ; but with the beginning of another week Aye hope to see them all in full operation, and whatever may be the cause there is decidedly better f eelingj now than there was some time ago. Although there is no particular prospect yet the impression is abroad that we have got the turning point in the downward course, and that now we shall begin to look up again. We are also pretty certain to have a few more prospectors out in the ranges, and no doubt some of them will strike gold. Several of the old mines have slightly better pi'ospeots, so that, on the whole, we look forward expecting a better year than the last. Union Beach. — The manager has started to open out ffrom the winze on Daniel's leader, about 40 feet down, and is getting a little gold. The leader looks well, and the whole of the stuff Avill pay for crushing. The rise on Venus reef is also looking well, a little gold showing, but nothing of any importance. Other parts of the mine are about the same.

William McDonald, of Fort-street, Auckland, hotel and land proprietor, died here in July, 1549, leaving a widow, and an only child— a boy in his first year. By his last Avill he devised all his real estate to Captain McDonald, of Howick, and Mr John McDougall, of Auckland, upon certain trusts for the benefit of his widow, child, and two sisters, Mrs Grace Gordon, widow, and Mrs Jane McDonald, both supposed to be then resident in parts of Invernesshire. The devise in favour of the sisters was contingent only, The son, it is said, died in Scotland in 1860, and the widow in 187 S. The two sisters, as well as the two trustees, died long since. No new trustees were ever appointed. The trust estate is now claimed by Mr Alexander MoDonald, of Toowoomba, Queensland, and Captain George Gordon, now or lately of the 50th Regiment, the respective heirs of the two sisters. Mrßoehfort, of Auckland, barrister-at-law, has been empowered to take immediate &teps for the recovery of ; tho property for these two claimants, and he wishes that the same should be made known to all persons who may be in possession or occupation of any part of it. The following lands form part of the estate, namely : Thefarmof May at Point Chevalier, now in the possession of Mr Motion as lessee ; lot 18, of section 42 of the town of Auckland, now or lately in the possession of Mr Richard de Thierry ; allotment 19 of section 14 in Queen-street, Auckland; and the old Caledonian Hotel allotment in Fore-street (incorrectly written Fort-street). The other parts of the property remain to be discovered. It may be mentioned that Phillips's Buildings stand on allotment 19 of section 14, in Queen-street. The , property is said to be worth £20,000. Theodore Hook once called upon an old lady, who pressed him so urgently to stay and dine with her that, as he had no engagement, he could not refuse. On sitting down, the> servant uncovered a dish which contained two mutton-chops; and the hostess said, "Mr Hook, you see your dinner." "Thank you, ma am," said hej tf but where is yours ?" J. W. Robinson^ a Dunedin architect, threatens an action for £1000 damages against a local paper for alleged improper I comment on an architectural drawing of his exhibited at Christchurch.