OHINEMURI. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Paeroa, Friday.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 196, 26 March 1887, Page 3

OHINEMURI. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Paeroa, Friday.

On Monday evening last it meeting of the ratepayers was hold in the Public Hall for the purpose of discussing the Council's proposal to borrow a sum of £7300, under the " Loan to Local Bodies Act," to be expended in the construction of roads and bridges thioughout the county, Mr F. Cock, County Chairman, presiding. After reading the schedule of works for the carrying out of which it was proposed to borrow, the Chairman explained the manner in which it was proposed to repay the loan. The rate charged by Government for such loans was 5 per cent, and in order to meet that the county would require to pay a sum of £300 per annum, which in the specified time (20 years) would liquidate the loan, both principal and interest. This would also include the amount due under the " Roads and Bridges Construction Act," for which the ratepayers are now liable to pay £221 per annum for the next six year", and would thereby obviate the necessity for levying periodical special rates. The revenue accruing from the gold field bad averaged during the last four years £1100 per annum, and he felt confident that it would meet all demands so far as the proposed loan was concerned. That being so, there would be no necessity for levying any special rates, and the ordinary general rate would be available for miscellaneous expenditure. Personally, he did not care whether the ratepayers polled in favour of the borrowing proposals or not, but it was the only means by which they could raise the requisite funds to keep their roads open for traffic, and he would stronglyad vise them lo adopt the scherno. In answer to question*. Mr Cock said that absentees would count against the vote, as the Act specified that over one-half of the ratepayers must poll in favour of the borrowing proposals before the money could be secured from Government. The meeting was frequently interrupted by the rowdy conduct of some present, and at the close an attempt was made to stultify the borrowing scheme by proposing a vote of no-confidence in the present personel of the council, this intrigue, however, met with little or no sympathy, because only four hands were held up in favour of it, whereas the meeting comprised fully 50 ratepayers. Meetings were also held at Waitoa and Mackaytown, and the subject discussed at length ; some diversify of opinion appearing to exibt with ie>poct to the advisability of voting for the loan. At Waitekanri the mooting was presided over by Mr E. M. Corbel t, Mr J 11. Moore and others being proven I from Waihi, and general approval in favour of the lo.m w«s cxpipssod. An inquest touching the late fire which destroyed Mr Earl's promisor near Waitekauri, was held at Ilosie's store, Owharoa, on Wednesday la=r, befoie Mr 11. A. Mratford, U.M., District Coroner, and a jury of six. The only evidence adduced was that of Constable Mitchell (who examined the scene soon after the fire), Mr Earl (owner of the premise?), and Mr McGeohan, but. nothing was olicitel to indicate how the fire originated. After a short deliberation, the Jury returned the following virdict : " That the dwelling-house and stable, the property of Mr J Eirl, situate near Waitokauri, were destroyed by fire on the night of the 17th inst., and that the said house and stables had been set fire to by some person or persons unknown.'" The insurances on the above mentioned buildings were : stable £50, dwelling £75, total £125 ; and Mr Earl estimates his loss at £100 over and above that amount.

WiUTE KAURI. Hollis and part}', tributcrs, took to the Thames on Monday last a paicol ol gold amounting to 70oz, which they obtained from periodical crushings of general dirt treated whenever the water supply wonld admit of running a few head of stampers since the Xmas holidays. They have a large quantity of similar dirt in the mine ready for transit to the mill, which could now be kept running for a long time to come if the water Bupply was equal to requirements.

KARANGAIIAKE. Woodstock. — Meredith and party, Iributers in tins mine, finished a crashing of 18 tons of general dirt at Railey's Battery yesterday for a return of 59 ounces retorted bullion. A trial parcel of 10 tons is now going through the same mill for the compnn}', and a handsome return is expected. Barrett and party, contractors for the formation of the line of tram \vaj r to connect the County track with Ilailey's mill, is making very good headway with the work, and it is to be hoped that the line will b-a ready for the transit of quartz before the advent of the winter season.

WAI HI. Martha Extended. — Ton head of stampers are still employed in the redaction of quartz for this mine where the output is quite equal to keeping five times that number of f tampers running continuously ; but the water supply is again far short of requirements. It is rumoured that the proprietors of this mine intend improving their battery plant by adding Railoy pans thereto, and last week Messrs Price and Watson - (Thames Foundry; and flailey (patentee of the pans) visited the building for the purpose of ascertaining the amount of Bpaoo available, as well as the proI)nbl(M*o<st. of carrying out the objpofc in view. During the past years,

something like 15,000 tons oPquarta has been treated at this mill for the Company's mine alone, and but little or none of the tailings have boon saved, because they wore not considered lo be of sufficient value to repay the outlay attendant upon grinding berdans, which is the only process available at present.