GOLD FIND AT MATARANGL. CONTINUED EXCITEMENT.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 317, 17 November 1888, Page 6

GOLD FIND AT MATARANGL. CONTINUED EXCITEMENT.

Mjskcuky Bay, November 13. Having visited the new ''rush, 1 as I suppose it may now be called, J am in a position to give you reliable particulars of the present outlook of the field. On Monday last, having thrown my leg over that celebrated roan steed Bucephalus, the property of Mr MacHanna, of the Empire Hotel, I steered my barque to Erin's Isle — I mean I guided Bucephalus fco Matarangi. The road — some 13 miles — is not a bad one, and there seem to be no physical difficulties to the construction of roads to, or about, the new field. Down by the edge of a bush, through which a convenient creek runs, fche miners have pitched their tents. On approaching the camp, I was lucky enough to be hailed by Pat Hayes and hia mate, Jack Stuart, who with usual digger hospitality slung the "billy," and set before me a choice fare in solid foods. The Prospectors' claim is situated near the summit of the hill sloping upwards from the camp I described, and the proper name of that hill, I am assured by the chiefs Pene Amine and Hamiora Mangakahia, is Matarangi. However, what's in a name, beyond the danger of jaw dislocation incidental to pronouncing the names of Maori persons, places, and things ? The reef at the point where she was first struck by Mr White, is one of the best-defined formations of the kind it ia possible to imagine. The sides are flat and regular as a concrete wall, and there are no indications of the ground having been at any time shaken out of place 01 disturbed by subterranean upheaval. Gold has been found on all sides of the Prospectors. The leef continues its course to the sea, where it shows clearly as it outcrops through the cliff overhanging the beach. In an opposite direction, the reef runs into the land owned by " the Syndicate," or rather the Kauri Timber Company. This corporatiou, I am informed, have imposed conditions as to mining on their property which are equivalent to being prohibitory. Some time ago, on one miner asking the terms upon which he would be allowed to wcrk a claim on the Syndicate's land, he was told he might go on with operations if he agreed to pay the landlords two-thirds of what he made out of the ground. Why, a man in authority who attempted such rack-rentine in Ireland would be filled so full of lead that it would pay the manager of any smelting works to buy him for a flux. No work of any consequence has been done on the field "as yet. Warden Northcroft is expected to Visit the ground tomorrow, and his decision in several cases is required before claimants to the various auriferous areas are justified in going on with systematic operations. Two townships are about to be laid out, one at each side of the hill, both having water frontages. Jn all probability stores and other requisite buildings will soon be erected. Mr W. White has located a site for a battery in a convenient position on the beach, ft early everyone in Mercury Bay is interested in the Matarangi field— that is, in a pecuniary point of view— and some of the parties chiefly concerned, having profited by the experience of careless direction of Boat Harbour speculations, are goinginto their new venture in a business-like and " caeh-down " basis that augurs well for success. On Saturday night last a meeting of the •hareholders of the "Mercury " claim was held at Mr O'Hanna's Empire Hotel. Mr W. Ryan presided, and Mr F. Burton was chosen secretary and treasurer, a working committee consisting of Messrs Bryce, Ryan, Hanna, and Burton, was also elected, and a mode of proceeding in a shipshape fashion was resolved upon. Among old Thames and Coromandel identities who are now on or about the new field, are Mr Clarkaon (of Shotover fame), the brothers Mclsaac (2), Pat Hayes, J. Evers, and Mr Cashel. No doubb many more ** old timers " may be expected as soon as the Warden has cleared away any existing obstacles to secure investment. There has been some overlapping and pegging carried on, and unless the parties concerned abide by the decision of the Warden when he visits the field, there may be work for the lawyer. The miners interested on the new rush are, as a rule, steady, levelheaded men, and if they are wise they will arrange their disputes amicably, and keep clear of the law courts. A word from Warden Northcroft will go a long way. All hands seem to have implicit confidence in his sense of right and justice, and those who are involved in any dispute are guided by him, they will save themselves much expense and delay. I must again be on the road. The day is far spent, but with me it is Boat Harbour or •' bust." I have nothing of importance to add except that you would oblige me by telling that type -sticker who put "one mythological" for * c an ornithological" in a recent correspondence of mine, that I have buckled on my tomahawk and scalping knife and am on' his trail. Perhaps my penmanship is at fault. I will confess I am not a neat writer, but I am a whale at a long-handled shovel. Ta, ta.

■ ; * ' Wellington,' jS'ov. 15. Mr Gordon, 1 Inspector of Mines, who !is f now in Melbourne, ha^jpeen instructed to have a quantify of quartz which the Government are ' exhibiting crushed before the close of the Exhibition and* to make the 1 result public.' The, Minister of Mines if favourable to about lp tons of stone selected from the various mines in the colony being sent to the Paris Exhibition, and a portion crushed— care being taketv that? the stuff fronr the; several uunei is treated 1 separately. << ! ' - r"-'r "-' ' " >:~: ~