AND AND UPPER THAMES ADVOCATE.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 197, 2 April 1887, Page 2

AND AND UPPER THAMES ADVOCATE.

' This above all — to thine own self be true And it must follow as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.' — Shakeppeaue.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1887.

VISIT OF MINISTER OF MINES. Before our next issue, in all probability the lion. W. J. M. Larnach, Minister of Mines Mill have paid his long promised visit to this district. We therefore take this opportunity of referring to some matters of great importance, as affecting our future progress and prosperity which we trust will bo brought p 'omiuately under his notice during his btay amongst us. First of all we would lei'er to the great necessity of Government giving a substantial grant towards the establishment of a complete Testing Plant for the special benefit of the goldfields on this peninsula, to which the miners could convey email parcels of quaitz # and have it not only assayed — that is not enough — but treated by several different methods, in order to asceifain not alone the value of bullion recoverable, but also with some degree of accuracy the cost in each case by the method found on the whole to be most suitable to the cla?s of o:e b.'ing operated u on. The erection of such a plant is a matter of va^t impoitancc to the mining industry of this peninsula, one which the residents of Te Aroha, Ohinemuri, Thames, and Coromandel goldfields should all unite in advocating, and we tiust they will be heartily supported by the vat ions County Councils concerned. We also hope the Auckland Chamber of Commerce will inovo in the same direction, fcr the interests it represents are >closely connected wiO) the interests and prosperity of the goldfields, and, what we ask, would tend to so ppeedily and effectually to remove the cloud of depression from the northern metropolis as prosperous times on goldfields once more ? With respect to where a test plant should be erected, we say without hesitation most decidedly at Thames. Profes3or Biown, Mr A. Montgomery, and the Committee of the Thames School of Mines have by their actions proved that they are dovui right in earnest in seeking to have snch a plant erected at Thames, and the residents of the smrounding goldfields, and the Auckland Chamber of Commerce should unite in seeking to attain of so desirable and important an object, as that under consideration. Thames is not only the natural centre of the mining industry of this peninsula, but central by position, having the important advantage of direct watcrconimunieationwith the upper country and Coromandel, and aho the advantage of unlimited water supply, which, for motive power and other necessary purpose* in connection with a Test Plant, thecjunty authorities would no doubt grant five of charge. To the Thames, niinei s from the adjacent goldfields could proceed, at comparatively small loss of time and money, when forwarding any parcels of ore for treat men', and by so doing have the immense advantage of seeing their quartz tieated, at the same time get a practical insight into the methods of treatment resorto 1 ; to, and obtain much other useful information of a practical character. The a {vantage to the miner of beirr.; in a position to send parcels of quartz to Testing Works such as referred to, whereby sit comparatively small cost would be made known to him not only j the valn« of his consignment in silver, gold, etc., but also the best method and probable co^t of treatment, enn scaicely be over-estimated, would give a new impetus to prospecting, and many thousands of pounds now from time to time thrown way in the erection of machinery on spec, in the hope that it will be found to meet rcquiiemeiiK would be available for the erection of such plants as had been practically demonstrated were suitable. Again, a School of Mines with valuable appliances attached, (tlieiuly exists at 'J names, and it is undoubtedly in connection therewith the tost plant should be encted, us thereby not only would the existing ' plant be available, but the students o the School of Mines would have the opportunity of testing in a practical manner the theoretical knowledge they had acquired. But whilst we think there can bo no possible douM that Thames is the, propei site for Government Testing Works,it is a matter of great importanccwith respect to the ultimate success and geuornl useful ness of such a plant, that proper precautions be taken (o prevent its becoming in any way simply a Thames institution, even as regards management !'■!'•!> money as Go-vcrnmtmt may grant

towards the erection of a Testing Plan!, will undoubtedly be given for the benefit of the goldfields as a whole, and therefore, whilst wo do not desire to anticipate any difficulty arising with respect to management, still the matter is of sufficient importance to make it desirable that the attention of the Minister of Mines he directed to it. It would he only Foir that representatives from the various goldfields should have n voice in the general management. This end could easily be accomplished by the constitution of a Board of Directors, to be electel by the residents of the various districts concerned, who could meet monthly at the Thames for the transaction of business, the general working of I the institution being left in the hands of ! a committee of management appointed }by the said Board. Suppose such a I course were adopted and the Board were to consist of say nine members, two might ho elected from the School of Mines Committee, one as representing the Thames miners, one for Te Aroha and Waiorongomui, one for Waihi and Waifcekanri, one for Karangahake, one for Coromandel, ouo for Auckland Chamber of Commerce, the ninth member to be elected by the other members of the Board and to act as chairman. By adopting some such course as that suggested all interests would be cared for, and those represented feel it incumbent on them to assist in supporting the institution. In connection with such a plant as that referred to, we are strongly of opinion that, in the interests of the miners, Government should be asked that it should include a melting furnace and the oilier necessary appliances for smelting, assa3'ing, and stamping the mint value on any parcels of gold brought for thai purpose. A<? things arc at present the miner has- : practically no option but to take his Igold straight to tho bank and accept whatever the bank may offer for it. jiNow, whilst we do nob for one moment desire to imply that there is any cause for complaint against the banks with respect to this mailer, still the anangej incut is very one-sided, and hardly seems the correct thing, at any rate fiom a miner's point of view ; and the very fact of the miner having the Government Assayer to avail of, would, to say the least, act as a wholesale stimulant, and possibly result in the miner sometimes getting a higher pi ice for his gold, \nd the, bank a smaller profit. We hope the matter of having a testing plant erected at Thames wiil lie taken up heartily, and its importance urged upon tho Minister of Mines by lepresentatnes fro'n all districts concerned. The mineivil iesourc<\s which abound on every hand are pr.ictieally unlimited in extent ; and once the knotty question of how to treat our ores on a large scale ! successfully has been solved, an era of | prosperity, not alone as affecting tho I,'ol-Kields, but the whole C« lony would at once set in. The work hitherto done, at any rate so far as Te Aroha and Ohin-iinnri goldfields are concerned, has only dcmonstiated the vast extent of mineral deposit, ami speakiug generally the districts hitherto tapped arc asnolhing when compared with the. cxicnt of undeveloped country ; and even where work is actively progressing, the fact cannot L>o gain^ajed that a vast amount lof wealth is being waited through lack |of knowledge with regard to tho best mo'hod of treatment. Let there be but I a revival of the gold mining industry o? j New Zealand, and the ciy of depression will quickly be a thing of the past. Nature has been lavish in the bestowment of mineral wealth on our district, and to its development we must in a great measure look for future progress and prosperity. Another matter of great importance that should be brought under tho notice of the J.on. Mr Lar nach is the desirability of Government acquiring land within o.isy reach of the mine?, and throwing it open in sin-ill areas say of from ten to fifty acres each on easy te ms for occupation by thobo at work i \ the mines. The matter is one affecting the interests of the whole district, and were the married portion of our mining population but comfortably settled in homesteads of th n ir own, what a boon it would be to themselves, their wives and families, and also a benefit to the whole district. Much money now spent in drink 01 otherwise waited would be spent in permanent, improvemon's on the little homestead, and the miner, instead of having to clear out when work was slack, could spend his iimo profitably on iiis own land, and with the adi vantage of being able to keep cows, ijiow crops on a small scale, having his own orchard, i-(c, would be comparatively an hi'lepoiulenfc man, and help in building up tho general prosperity of the distiicfc in which he resided. Further, were such advantages available adjacent to our reefs, it would tend to bi ing amongst us a claes of men who would combine prospecting on their own account' with paid labour when ib oiYeicd, and the cultivation of their small holdings. For the requirements of Waiorongomni nothing better could be desired than the Walrakau Block, consisting of some 8000 (o 4000 acres of excellent land within eesy reach of the township. Whilst from the Thames High School Engdowment right down to the Gor^e, on both sides of the lood, adjacent to the quartz reefs there are several thousand acres of Native land, the interest in which should be acquired by Government, and tho land set apart for ihe purpose mentioned. The neces-cesi-iiy of having a more satisfactory title to Te Aroha township allotments provided could be referred to at the same time. These land matters mny belong more especially to tho department of the Hon. Mr Ballanco (and he was some time since communicated wilh re&

pecting the acquiromont of Wnirakan), but seeing there is no likelihood of his visitiug this district for a long time to come, the presence of the Minister of Mines should lie availed of to lay the matter before hiiru

The necessity of providing 1 somo better means of access to tho Tui mines than, al present exists, and also of subsidising the prospecting track which Pinko County Council propose to make from To Aroliu to the termination of the upper hill truck, near the Premier mine, are mnttqrs that hhould be brought before the Minister of Mines. Tho usual monthly meeting of tho Wai lon Road Board was hold at Morrinsville on Saturday last. The following tendciswerc received for the formation and bridge contract, Piakoiti road, Richmond :— Shaw, (Richmond): £41, .(accepted) ; Collins and Co, £45 ; Me Cabo and Co, £40. It wns decided to call for tenders for Wuitoa Bridge, und when this work has been finished, it will complete the Maungakiuva-Waidrongoinui road. The following tenders were received for main drain contract, through MrFStranges property, Lower Waiton, about 2] miles : Collins and Watt, £230. (accepted,) J. Wiseman, £235 ; Hyde and Co, £236 ; McCabe and Co., £238; P. Dil.on, £257. A concert and dance at Waitoa is advertised for Wednesday evening next ; proceeds to go towards carrying out some necessary improvements, and to liquidate a debt incurred with respect to maintaining the hall. We may mention the hall is given free of charge for all religious services, etc. We have been requested to state that an excellent programme has been prepared for the occasion ; and will include some well known local talent. Also that arrangements will be mado for the conveyance of a number of To Arolm folk, to and Ciotn the ctiteiiainnK'iit free of charge, to avail of which, however, it will bo necessary to give in the names of those desiring to have seats kept for them to either of the ticket agents a day or two bcfoic hand. Sale of house and jjJJolnjrnh, fenced and impiovod, this day <it To Aroha. See aclvt. On Wednesday next Mr J. Y. Cookn will sell by public auction the hoiwhold furniture, etc., of Constable Addison ; who lias been transferred to Auckland! See ndvt. Messis Lay bourn Bros, have moved into the stoic formcily occupied by Messrs Biigham and Hairis. A public meeting was hold at K.u.mgahake on Wednesday evening last for the purpose of cotiMWeiing the advisability of m.ikin" application for a full time school in the district. A pofitio.i, for presentation to the Bo.ud of Education was read, playing that a full time school be e-stab-lihlifd, signed by all the heads of families in (ho (iistiid, and sot forth that therj weie-12 childicn anhe>l „t the age re quiied for school attendance in the district. Mr Why lock, agent foi the sale of the splendid new work " Defenders of New Zealand," will visit Ohincniuii district next week for tho purpose of taking orders. ° Messrs Lnybonrn Bros., Whit iker street, To Aiohi, have boon appointed agents for sale of the Auoiia & Oiiinemori News. In compliance with section 4(> of tho new Counties Act a meeting of Oliincmuri County Council was held on Thursday, to consider the matter of the lupiuscnt.ition of the vaiious tidings, and adjourned til! ■ifter tho ordinaiy monthly meeting to be held at P.ic-roa to-day. A return ciicket match will bo played at the R-ice-fomse on next Saturday, against Mr J. B. Smith's team. All who ate desirous of playing should give in their mimes* to Mr F. Pavitt or .Mr D. J. Frazcr. Mr J. M. Mm ray announces a clearance sale of drapery und ironmongery by public auction on Saturday next ; full particulars of which will appear later on. A grand Soiiee and Concert at Waiorongonmi is announced to take place on Friday evening next ; also an Easter Tree on Monday following-, both in aid of the Wesley <m Church funds. Sec ad\t. Mi J. 11. Moore, manager of tho Maltha Extended (r.M.Co., hns presented to tho Thames School of Mines the collection of specimens forwarded by him to the Indian and Colonial Exhibition, and since returned. The Te Aroha Town Board have not commenced well by making t!, o j r first public appointment with closed dooi*, end by appointing a man at fourteen shillings a week as town clerk, when another, having n; least tho recommendation of education and expeiionce iv the keeping ! of books, offered to do the work at eight shillings ppr week. To bo wire it was ! commonly reported that certain parties j had promised to appoint Mr Whitohouso in the event of their being- themselves elected, but it is rather rough on the ratepayers to practically have to provide Mr Whitchoim with a pension to the extent of six shillings a week, although he may have worked hard in the interests of some of those returned. If tho matter was pre-ai ranged, it would have been far more manly, to have appointed him without going- through the farce of invitingtenders. Several persons, knowing the position of affairs refrained from tendering at all. The Domain Board recently invited tenders for the position of cleik, and did not accept tho. lowest, but they do not profess to be in any way amenable to tho ratepayers for their actions. Tuesday's Auckland Star has the following :— "The Bishop of Wellington who is suffering from the effects of an accident sustained through falling downs- tail s while proceeding- to a fire three weeks ago, has decided to try the curative propeities of Te Aiolm Hot Spiin^a. His lordship, who will be accompanied by Mrs an-l Miss Hadfiold, will leave for Auckland in about ten days." Mr i 3i 3 Dillon, who took wp one of the small sections, in the suburbs of To Aroha, recently thrown open for occupation by Government on the dufened payment Byatem, is now engaged in fencing in his land, which has a frontage to the Te Aroha-Morrinsville road. Of the 13 acrea-JVlr Dillon had about 8 or 9 acros burnt off some tftne ag-o, and this portion baa been s6\vn"d6wa-to grass. '

W.e direct attention to an alteration in Mr J, S. Plnrt'a (Thames) advertisement by which it will bo 'seen "that lie has redn*3od the price of central fire double breech loading guns, to £6 ICa. Mr Hart is well and favourably known lor a number of years past (sinco 1808) by Thames sportsman and those residing in the surrounding districts, with regard to his capabilities ap a gunsmith, and from the excellent quality of all shooting requisites supplied by him He has now on view at his establishment an unsually heavy stock of guns and sporting materials of every description, jiidt received for the shooting season of 1887) and to meet the times large and genuine reductions have i been made in all departments, in the matter of prices. Sportsman would do well to call and inspect Mr Hart's stock, and compare qualify and prices. See advt. Through Mr Neapean Kenny taking up his rosidenco at PaefOn, tho long felt'need of aJ. P. at that place will be supplied, whilst Mr Kenny will have the advantage of experienced gained on the bench during pa&t years. A fire occurred at the 'Maori Pah, near Te Arohn, on Monday, by which the house of Meke Ngukura was totally destroyed. f Mr G. Wilson, Inspector of Mines, left Te Aroha on Thursday last, on a viait of inspection throughout Ohincinuri goldfield. The Government of New South Wales have issued a proclamation prohibiting the importation of any sheep, fodder, ov littings used for sheep, fiom within New Zealand or Western Australia, for a further period of twelve months, from Jan., sth, 1887. The importation of nny cattle, sheep, goats, or swine, from Europe, Asia, Africa, or America, is likewise prohibited for a further period of twelve months from Fobai'jry Ist, 1887, by the same Government. We have received from tho Land? Department a copy of tho Crown Lands Guide, February, 1887; giving gcncr.il information with respect to the character and localities of Crown Luids of tho Colony ; accompanied by maps, showing the land for .sale under different systems, the land already disposed of, lines of l ail way, etc. Special attention is directed to the .iltoj.itionsin this edition, with respect to additional facilities now afforded intending jjettleis Tho guide is published at Is ; and contains a mass of most valuable infoimation. Notification appears by adertisement of the taking, " Under tho Public Woiks Act," for the piupose of constructing a road, of 3 acres, 1 rood, and 26 perches, being portion of section 6 block 12, Thames High Huhnol Endowment, Te Aroha. The land referred to is that required for what is tevmca Wilson Y> road, Waioropgomai. From Ist instant tho Waikato and -Uickl.uid mails will aiiivo at Tost Ofliec, To Aroha, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fr.da* & at 9 p.m , and will be soitod into piivate boxes immediately after ai rival. On Tin-days Thuixdsijs, and Satuidoys,' fioso mails will arrive as at present, viz., 3.45 p.m. Outward mails* will ivmaiii unaltered. We direct attention to Messrs Alf. Buckland andOo'a ad\ erfisemcnb-unnoine-ing forthcoming sales. Mr C Rhodes, Bank of New Zealand, Pa^ioa, has been duly authorised to puich.ise gold on his own assay. This arrangement will provo of gioat convenience to miners, enabling them to dispose of their gold at Pueroa, thus saving the loss of time and expense of nroceediti" i nit * to to Thames. Friday next, (Good Fiiday) being a public holiday, the local Post and Telegraph offices will be closed all clay. There will be no mail despatched to Auckland and Waikato offices on that day. Mail* for P.ieioa, Thames, &c, will be closed at Post Office, Te Aroha, on the previous evening nt 8 p.m. On Mond.iv 11th April (Easter Monday), tho Post and Telegraph offices will open from 9 a.m. till 10 a.m. only., -md all mails will be despatched as usual. A posting box has boon established at Mr Pi. Harris's store, and will bo cleared daily for all mails, 15 minutes before time j of closing. A recent Exchange has the following: — English syndicates seem irresistibly at," ti acted towards the unsettled portions of ; Australia as fields for t\ie investment of capital. Mr J. 11. Brow-no, a civil engineer, is at present in Adelaide as tho representative of English capit.il which -is desirous of embaikiugin railway construction on the land grant system. An j oiler has been made to put a line through fiom York to Eucla in Western Austu'lht. Tho distance is 700 miles. From York pastomlists have opened up the country for 200 miles, but beyond that there is a blank on tho map. An exploring party is to bo sent out in the interests of the syndicate. There is a risk, therefore, about a speculation of this kind, which may possibly account for its attractiveness. How a railway is to be made to pay is a mystery. If the syndicate succeed in securing- their concessions on the foregoing line, than they will 'negotiate with South Austuilia to put a line through from Eucla to Poit Augusta, which is a distance oi" 500 miles. On the two lines they would expend about six millions of mono} r .