THAMES. [From our own Correspondent.] Thames, Monday.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 332, 9 January 1889, Page 2

THAMES. [From our own Correspondent.] Thames, Monday.

Capt, Coward, the manager of the Crown G. M. Co., Karangahake (which was recently floated into a strong Company in Glasgow) arrived here on Saturday morning from Auckland, accompanied by Mr Hutchison, the Company's engineer, and Mr Adam Porter, the local director who has been supervising operations pending Capt. Coward's arrival. The party proceeded by coach to Karangahake on Saturday afternoon, and Capt. Coward took charge of the mine to-day. Both Capt. Coward and Mr Hutchison are gentlemen of considerable ability, having been in the employ for many years of the well-known London firm of engineers, John Taylor and Sons. Capt. Coward for a sjiort period superintended operations on a mining property at Coromundel upon the occasion of his Former visit to this colony, but Mr Hutchison is a stranger to New Zealand, having only left India in June last, which he was compelled to do owing to ill health. During their brief stay here both gentlemen vigitqd two or three of the mines and other qbjects of interest, and expressed themselves very pleased with the prospects of the goldfield, which only requires capital to develop its vast mineral resources. Capt. Coward has not yet decided what works will be proceeded with on the Crown Co's property, as he is first of all desirous ot thoroughly inspecting it before arriving at any definite plan of operations. I hope, however, to be in a petition to forward you some interesting regarding "the proposed works in the course of the next two or three weeks. The La Monte furnace at Karangakake, the erection of which cost several hundred pounds, was submitted to auction last Friday afternoon, when the plant, including an assay balance, etc., was knocked down to Mr H. C. Wick for the ridiculous sum of £29. And thus the La Monte furnace, regarding which such sanguine expectations were formed, has now been numbered with the things of the past, after being allowed to remain standing for many months, as a kindly warning to speculators not to put their faith in every new process that is introduced. The members of both brandies of the Fire Brigade have decided to hold their arntial picnic at St Helior's Bay on the 21st insfc, The ss. Eotomahana has been chartered for the occasion, and it lias been decided to invite the Auckland fi.emen to meet the Thames men and take part in the gathering upon the latter arriving at &t Holier'?. A lad 13 years of a<?e, named Albert ■Lloyd, son of Mr John Lloyd, baliff in the jU.M Court, met with an accident while out picnicking on Saturday. He was climbing: a large karnka tree, when he missel his hold amMell a ilistnnce of twenty foot, alighting upon his head. He was insensible for about an hour, and was taken to the hospital, where it was found that the injuries were not nearly as serious as anticipated. He was afterwards able to leave for home in a cab. Easter Monday promises to be quite again day here, as the various fiiendly societies have decided to hold a united demonstration in the Parawai Gardens. The programme has not yet been prepared, but it is understood that it will include all kinds of Caledonian games, footraces, etc. The proceeds are to be divided between the several societies. Th<3 Magellan Cloud arrived here to-day and will load with 90,000 feet of Kahikatea at Bagnall's mill for Brisbane. Lawn tennis is becoming a popular pastime here, an<l the clubs grounds on the Waiokarakn Flat, which were only recen.tjy opened, are well patronised, especialjy on Saturday afternoons. Thq annual pupil teachers' examination was commenced jn the Watokaraka School to-day, n nd will occupy until Friday,