SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 1885.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 113, 1 August 1885, Page 2

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 1885.

The advent of Mr La Monte to the Thames and Ohinemnri districts has marked a new em in the history of those goldfields. Although it is bv.t some two months since he first visited the districts referred to, yet in that brief period how has everything in connection with mining improved, and where depression and disappointment so recently reigned, now all is hopeful and cheering. Numbers of prospectors are again at work, new claims being pegged out, abandoned ones being taken up afresh, and large sums of money expended in the erection of costly machinery, ami without a doubt the direct source of all this enterprise is the introduction of the La Monte method of treating precious ores. Nor is this to be wondered at, seeing how immensely successful his system has proved on the Australian gold fields, where truly remarkable results have followed its introduction. We sincerely trust that equally good results will follow its introduction to this district, but it should be carefully borne in mind that it by no means necessarily follows that such vf 111 be the case, and it were most unwise to rashly speculate upon the strength of what Las been done by means of the process referred to elsewhere, or until put to the test. There is no doubt the very primitive methods at present available for the treatment of quartz on our own gold field (although excellent of their kind) will have to give way sooner or later in the face of scientific discoveries, and the adaptations of electricity and such like. We here, know beyond dispute that an almost inexhaustible amount of mineral wealth is lying at our very doors, as it were ; but v^e lack efficient and cheap methods for successfully treating same. Wo cannot help therefore, but feel highly gratified to know of the erection of the improved appliances referred to so near to us, and slit. 11 watch with greatest interest for the results, knowing well that what will prove successful a few miles off, cannot Fail to likewise be a means of creating a new era of prosperity on our own gold field, although possibly not in the same ratio. If our vast quarts; reefs were valuable refore when only looked upon as such with regard to the amount of gold that could be won therefrom, hew must their value be now enhanced, if the large per centage of silver and other metals they contain can also be satisfactorily extracted. Gold, and gold only, has hitherto been sought for, but this will be no longer the case, and great benefit must result from the attention that has of late been directed to other valuable minerals known to abound in our midst. We sincerely trust the new and much eulogised process will fully come up to the expectations of those connected with its introduction, nevertheless there is Hie danger of unwise excitement getting the mastery arid wild speculation being entered into, to the great loss of those involved therein. A little time will fully demonstrate the value of the new, process on the gold fields adjoining us, and it is certain general prosperity is never assured by the purely speculative investment of money.

Tho Domain Board are planting treet and ploughing portions of the domain. The number of visitors to the baths is still 'considerable, notwithstanding the recent wet weather. The residents in the Waitoa Riding, we are informed, purpose protesting against their district being included within the area proposed to be made rateable for the benefit of Thames Harbour Board Endowment Bill. The attempt being made by the Thames Harbour Bonrd to so extend the boundaries of the Port of Thames as to include the navigable portions of the Waihou, Waitoa, Piuko, and other livers is as barefaced as it is unreasonable, and should be protested against in some form or other bj every resident within the districts re ferred to, who otherwise will perhaps quickly find themselves liable to pay "dues" on everything unloaded on the banks of the rivers referred to. Wednesday's Thames Advertiser says : — "It is gratifying to learn that the contract for the Hikutaia section of the Ihames-Te Aroha Railway has at length been let, A private telegram received by one of the local competitors is to the effect that the the tender of Messrs Larkins and OBrien had been accepted It is understood that the amount of tender is somewhere about £11,750. It is most

likely that the suwcessful tenderer will commence work ere long upon the extensive swamp drains required, aa this is the portion of the contract that can be carried on advantageously during the winter. Mr Lanp, the engineer who will superintend at the erection of the La Monte smelting furnaces, Kuraiigahake, arrived in Auckland on Tuesday by the s.a. Rotomahana. The etonebreaker materials for tho air-blast, and machinery for the Woodstock plant were reoeived from San Francisco by the mail-steamer on Sunday last. Eight carpenters arrived at Paeioa on Wednesday to erect the buildings and construct the tramways aud Waterraces. Mr W. B. Outhwaite and his sister Miss Outhwaite, who have been here for the past t^o months, intend returning to Auckland early next week. Their departure will be regretted by the people of Te Aroha. Mr Outhwaite's genial manner and cheerful disposition won for him many friends, and his chair will he missed from its usual place under the verandah where it was often tho centre of bevys of his fair friends, who all derived pleasure in assisting to while away the time of the invalid (and it is to be hoped that he will before very long return to To Aroha and bask in their bmiles again. Miss Outhwaite whilst here has produced many pen and ink sketches of interesting Te Aroha scenery, and has also painted in oil colours) a number of excellent pictures of local scenery which no doubt will be greatly admired by her Auckland friends, and attract attention wherever they may be exhibited. Miss Outhwaite will be greatly missed by the visitors at Mrs Lawless'a to whom, during her stay at Te Aroha, she has endeared herself in many ways, and the disinterested manner in which she so quietly and unobtrusively gave her kind assistance to those Buffering pain, will be gratefully remembered. The improved prospects of mining in Ohinemuri district in connection with the La Monte process for treating the valuable minerals which abound in this part of the province, has stimplated a number of persons resident in our midst to prospect injsearch of silver ore in the western ranges adjoining the township. Several premising reefs have been discovered as a result, and samples therefrom forwarded to Auckland for assay. Some three or four claims have already been pegged out and registered^amongat" others the Silver Age, La Monte, aud Lancashire Lass. Several prospectors are now at work, and it is highly probable other claims will be pegged off next week. As will be seen by advertisement a meeting is convened for this evening? for the purpose of establishing a Social Club and Debating Society on Te Aroha, to which all are iuvited. It is to be hoped a good number will put in an appearance, the proposed society bj established on a good basis forthwith, ami prove a source of much instruction and benefit in the district. We understand that it is intended to take early steps towards procuring the necessary apparatus and information, with the object of diffusing more extended knowledge of our minerals. By hearty co-operation j there is not the slightest doubt the proposed society may prove a great benefit in our midst. Visitors to the Ilot Baths (two weeks) : — Vr and Miss Outhwaite, Mr Mill, Mr C-jrew, Mr Emery, Mr Brigham, Mr Pierce, Mrs Holmes, Mr Dewere, Mr and Mrs Heather, Miss Barton, Mr Edwards, Mr Pond, Mr Butler, Mr Marsdon, Mr Bond, Mr Reid, Mr W. Grey, Mr Patterson, Mr Mallard, Mr Gordon, Mr Levy, Mr J # Grey, Mr Knight, Mr Hales, Mr Mellors, Mr Fraser, Miss Batger, Mr O'Sullivan, Auckland ; Rev. F. O'Reilly, Mr Butterworth, Mr Jas. Craig, jun, Mr and Mrs Peel, Mr Morrison, Miss Rennick, Thames; Major Jackson, Mr Frason, Mr Buttle, Mr Franklin, Mr Bartlet, Mr Mr Beere, Mr Forsaith, Mr Moody, Waikato ; Mr Wells, Cambridge ; Mr McG. Hay, MrR ODea, Hamilton ; Mr Grierson, Mr Baldwin, Christchurch ; Mr Jackson* Kihikihi ; Mr Bareford, Ireland ; Rev. B. < Callinan, Sydney ; Mr DArcy McDougall and servant, Queensland ; Rev. Mr Kehoe, Southland ; Miss jLaw, Dunedin ; Mr Haunberger, Morrinsville ; Mr O'Sullivan, Onehunga ; Mr Soppett, Ngaruawahia ; Mr Hemming, Otahuhu ; Mr Hawkins, New South Wales, etc. At Karangahake several loads of iron and timber are now on the hill ready for lowering to the smelter site, as soon as the self-acting tram is finished. It is stated that the proprietors intend to spare no expense in pushing on the work, and expect to have the furnace in blast early iv October next. A number of leases are being applied for. As will be seen by advertisement in this issue, a panoramic exhibition entitled "The Wonders of the World" will be given in the Te Aroha Public Hall on next Thursday evening. The panorama (which comes from Auokland) was recently exhibited at Thames and spoken of in high terms by the press on the occasion. We understand included j in the series are illustrations of many of nature's mast wonderful curiosities. We trust a large number will avail of the opportunity thus offered. It is intended that the proceedin ja shall be enlivened by sev -nil songs, etc. '

la the Home on Thursday Mi* Larnach, Minister of Minos, laid on the table a most elaborate paper on mining machinery. It includes alluvial mining, tin mining, silver mining, copper mining, diamond mining, rvith a digest of improvements, methods of crushing auriferous ores, separating impurities from <orete, etc. The slips on Katiknti track are now being cleared away. A first and final dividend of lfl in the £ is announced in the estate of Jan. Clarke, bankrupt, Te Aroha. Te Aroha School Committee meeting on Wednesday evening next. The frequenters of tbe rink have rapidly improved in form, considering the short 1 time that has elapsed sinue it was opened, and appear to thoroughly enjoy the Wednesday evening reunions. By advertisement it will be observed some of the Nutives lost two horses from the neighbourhood of the Puh (western bank of river), some short time since, and offer a reward of £2 for their restoration* The Domain Board, in response to their application to the A uckiund City Council for a grant of young trees for planting in the Hot Springs reserve, have been promit«ed same, which will bo forwarded from the Auckland Domain early next week. A case of considerable interest, more J I especially to mining circle^, is set down for hearing in the local Court at 11 o'clock ! on Wednesday next., viz. : O'Hea v. New Find Gold Mining Company, claim £135 17a Bd, and damages £200. The case arises j out of a contract entered into by plaintiff in February last, whereby he agreed to ! drive 150 ft in the company's mine at £ 1 i 19s 5d per foot. Plaintiff has performed part of the work, and states he has always been ready to complete his contract, but complains that defendant's manager has obstructed him in his work, and Jalso prevented him from finishing the contract. The cluirn of £135 17s 8d is m.ide up as follows: 150 ft of driving at £1 19s sd ? £295 12s Gd lass credits to the amount of £159 14s lOd. The August number of the New Zealand Farmer, Bee, and Poultry Journal is full of valuable information to everybody living in the country. The illustrations are excellent, and the journal altogether is got in first-class style. Those who have not yet obtained a copy would do well to do so and judge for themselves. We are glad to know that the Rev. MiMarshall, resident minister of the Church of England in this district, has decided to take action at once with regard to having a proper building erected and consecrated to the service of God. In publicly announcing the mutter at the close of last Sunday evening 1 * service, the rev. gentleman said that although they wore thankful to have such a commodious and conveniently situated building as the Public Hail for holding their services, still he considered the time had now arrived when steps should be taken towards providing h church. There were of necessity many associations in connection with a public building, such as the hull, which made it desirable that another place should bo provided as soon as possible Also whilst they were dependent on the accommodation af . forded by the hall, they were shut up to the Sabb.ith only for religious services of any kind, which w\s to be regretted* There were many and grdftt reasons why an earnest effort should be put forth to raise funds for a church of their own a^ soon as possible. He further remarked that he was sure the Protestants in this district would assist as far as they possibly could, and no doubt considerable aid might be hoped for from visitors to the hot baths. Ho considered the proposed building should seat 200, and be so planned as to be easy to enlarge, when the advancement of the district and increase of population demanded such. The probable cost would bo about £500, and nearly £100 had already been promised. We heartily approve of the move thus being made, and hope success will ere long reward the workers in connection therewith. The New Zealand Mail thus refers to Dr Richardson's Temperance Text Book : — We have received a copy of Dr Richardson's " Temperance Lesson Book." A. dcci ion in its favour may be unhesitatingly pronounced. The book bristles with facts that challenge contro version, and »re of the utmost value physiologically. We have no hesitation in pronouncing in favor of the teaching of Dr Richardson's book in the public schools of the colony. It will prove a most valuable adjunct to the ordinary curriculum. It has, we hear, been already introduced to the schools of the Mount Cook Educational District, and it is to be hoped that the School Committees of other districts will follow the example of Mount Cook. We heartily endorse the above expressed opinion lespecting this valuable little work, and regret exceedingly that the Te Aroha School Committee should, by a majority, have refused to introduce it at tho local sohool. We trust, however, the error may are long be rectified. The instruction it conveys is just such as is needed by the rising generation, and cannot fail to be productive of incalculable good wherever imparted. In fact if there is one book above another that might with much profit be made a text book of our public schools, it is Dr Richardson's " .temperance Lesson Book." Bused upon hard facts and moderately put, its arguments nro quite unassailable, We aro glad to know

that the book bus been brought into u*e in other schools in tins district. Such an array of physiological facts as it contains, nnd which Are presented in as simple a form as possible, has never before been presented to the public in the same compass. Every school teacher should be examined on it. Quite a pile of tenders were sent in to the Chairman of the Waitoa Road Board for making of a now road from Scotchman's Valley to Waiorongomai Landing, about 12£ miles, and were duly considered At the monthly meeting of the Board held on Saturday last. The following tenders were accepted :— No 1 section, Gallagher and Lawless, £230 ; No. 2, Chas. Collins, £437 4s lid ; No. 3, Montague and Donovan, £184 18s ; No. 4, Montague and Donovan, £150 18s ; No. 5, Montague and Donovan, £132 12s. Captain I ewis Lewis, M.1.C.E., F.G.S., a gentleman closely connected with the family of that name who ara amongst the most prominent colliery owners in Wales, visited the Ohinemuri district last week He has formed a very high estimate of the mineral capabilities of the district, his opinion being that he has not seen superior in the colony. He visited gold, silver, and coal nrines. But, irrespective of those, there are other formations of great value. For instance, there are excellent fire-clays, and cements could be producer! equal to those near London or the Isle of Wight. Plaster of Paris he also named as a likely production. Indeed, so favourably impressed is he with the district that he has a strong inclination to settle there and curry on his profession of civil and mining engineer Tenders close to-day at noon for the forming of Fergusons Battery connection and the cutting of timber and supplying of sleepers in connection therewith. There is no river that presents more sudden and enormous variutions than the Nile. For instance, fifty miles below Khartoum its whole volume flows through a cunon just forty yards in width, but the stream is 150- deep at low water. A mile below, the river is three miles wide, full of islands, and so shallow that steam boats often ground. Mining circles in London are agitated over the discovery of a new ore concen trator, which by an ingenious application of electricity with quicklime and common salt extracts 95 per cent of all the gold contained in the ore. A ton an hour can be worked over by a small dynamo machine, the cost per ton being only a few shillings. With regard to the endeavour of the Thames Harbour Board to have this and adjacent districts included within the boundaries of the Port ot Thames, the Te Aroha Improvement Committee, thiough their secretary, on Monday last wired our member of Mr J B. Whyte to oppose the measure to the utmost, the telegram has been followed up by a letter to Mr Whyte going into the matter more fully. Two Irishmen nanr-d Moore, living at Craven in the greatest poverty, have and denly found themselves possessed of a large fortune. It seems that their halfbrother emigrated to Bumos Ay res some forty years ago, and hits just died, leaving £450,000— three-fourths of which he has bequeath^- 1 to his brothers, after deducting io,ne tril in j 1 gocies. About ten d.iys more ought see the temporary bridge approach completed. The work has been steadily gone on with during the p»st week, and the earth woik is now within about two or three feet of the bridge level, but a great deal of filling in remains to be carried out further back. Should the weather keep fine, the bridge will probably be available for traffic within a fortnight. A meeting of the proprietors of the Talisman LicensedJHolding, Karangahake, was held on Monday last at the offiwe of Mr R. McDonald Scott, Insurance Build' ings, Auckland. The holding was formed into a company, under the name of the Talisman Gold Mining Company, Limited* to be registered under the Mining Companies Act, 1872, of shares 40,000 at 108 each, nil paid-up, with a nominal capital of £20,000. The following gentlemen were elected directors— viz., Messrs T. Morrin, C. C. McMillan, R. K. Davis, John Raid, C. B. Stone, and John McCombie. Mr R. McDonald Scott \ was appointed manager On Thursday night last a social and dance was given by the bachelors of Waiorongomai in the Waiorongomai Public Hall, to which a large circle of friendo were iuvited, including a number from Te Aroha West. The weather was rather un propitious for the event, but neverthlews a large company came together. Dancing was the principal amusement of the evening, the music for which, provided by Mrs Lawless (pianoforte), Mr D. Sampson (violin), and Mr Jenniugs (accordeon), gave much satisfaction. The proceedings were enlivened by songs, from the company and various round games. Refreshments were provided at 10 p.m., and dancing kept up with spirit till 2 a.m. The usual monthly meeting of the Domain Board which] would ordinarily have been held to day, has-been postponed till next Saturday. We hear that Mr Downes being de sirous of returning home to the old coun. try, is at present negotiating f or t j, e ba | e of his Wairakau property. Since purchasing this land, Mr Downes has greatly

enhanced its value by fencing, laying down in permanent grasses, etc., and ought experience little difficulty in meeting a satisfactory purchaser for bo desirable a block of land. The New Zealand Stud and Pedigree Stock Company this week shipped for S3'dney twenty head of selected pure-bred Horeford cattle. The consignment ought readily find purchasers at highly remunerative prices, being a really excellent lot. Mr John P. Hall, late a mine manager both at Thames and Coromandel, purposes making a thorough inspection of the Te Aroha and Karangahake goldfields. The petitions from Te Aroha resident* and Lower Waitoa settlers, protesting against their districts being included in the district liable to be rated for the benefit of the proposed Thames Harbour Board Endowment Bill, were presented in the House by Mr J. B. Whyte on Thursday last. Mr W. F. Hunt. J.P., has been appointed a member of the Licensing Bench vice Mr D. Murphy resigned. The appointment of Mr Hunt to the above mentioned office, will give general satisfaction. It will be observed by advertisement in another column that the Piako County Council have provided a Public Pound at Maatinatiijto which Mr Dan. Scelly has been appointed keeper.