THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1872.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 213, 14 June 1872, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. FRIDAY , JUNE 14, 1872.

One of the most satisfactory items of news which has reached us by last mail is that the Kapanga Goldmining Company is fairly launched into the commercial world. The capital is £IOO,OOO. If this venture prove successful, it will give a vast stimulus to mining enterprise throughout this goldfield. We, who are living, as it were, on the spot, know the value of old Kapanga. We know it is no fable that more than three tons of gold were obtained from this ground, when the water came in, and, from want of capital to carry out the necessary works, the scheme was abandoned. Sufficient, however, had been proved to warrant the belief that the undertaking would be profitable with a sufficient outlay, and under economical and judicious management. The company having abandoned their lease (which originally comprised about 60 acres), the ground was gazetted as being open to be taken up under miners’ rights, or otherwise occupied for goldmining purposes. Several miners, who knew the ground, took up claims and worked them for the most part successfully ; but the great want that of capital, for draining and deep sinking militated against their efforts in several instances, The

manager of the New Zealand Company’s: Battery, « which is in the immedjateSaaeighliburhood, had the sagacity tQ taka advantage of the pffiiibtl, and communicated with some' English capitalists with whom he was acquainted, forwarding them maps, plans, and statistics, authenticated in such a maimer as to carry strong evidence that the scheme was not a visionary one. The result is that a company, has in England, and works on a large scale have been commenced ion s .the old Kapanga ground. Heavy pumping machinery is on the way out which will not only have the effect of draining this particular mine, but will tend to drain all the claims in the immediate vicinity, which in itself will be no sniall advantage. And a tramway is being constructed, wliich will connect the company’s works with the main line leading from the Tokatea Range to the township. The want of sufficient capital to work the mines properly has been a want felt ever since the Hauraki goldfield was started, but if the present Kapanga Company succeed in their undertaking, we shall not long have to complain of this want. There is plenty of surplus money at home at all times, awaiting eligible investment, and as increased confidence is felt in the resources of this goldfield, so will the necessary funds be more readily and cheaply obtained. For the sake, not only of this district, but of the whole colony, we cordially wish success to the Kapanga Gold Mining Company. Those who have been instrumental in starting this enterprise have earned the thanks of every one who desires success to the mining industry of New Zealand, and that they be amply repaid in a financial point of view is not only our wish, but belief, knowing, as we do from actual observation, the richness of the ground on which they are about to commence operations. It has always been to us a matter of surprise that the old company failed to get extra capital to go on with their work, considering the splendid results they had attained ; but at that rime the money market was undoubtedly *'■ tight,” and there was, for some reason or other, a want of confidence in the speculation. We hope to see many other companies started in England to carry out mining operations here. We are certain that, if judiciously started and carefully managed, the result of such enterprises would be in nine cases out of ten most satisfactory. On competent management, of course, much will depend. We could point out at all events one company floating in England (whose works are not far from those of the Kapanga) which was fairly started, and well supplied with funds for a time, but which nearly collapsed owing to the incompeteucy of the local manager. Considering the magnitude of the works which the Kapanga Company lias commenced, it must be- some months before we can look for any return. We do not expect to hear of golden results all at once, but shall certainly be greatly surprised if, when twelve months shall have elapsed from the present time, the Kapanga Company is not in a flourishing condition, and the pioneer of other enterprises of the same kind on the Thames.

There was no business at the Police Court yesterday. The 8.8 Hero may be expected to arrive in Auckland about the 19th inst. The membeis of the Permissive Bill Committee ” are requested to meet at 7.30 this evening iu the Hauraki Schoolroom. We have received from Mr Jefferson late copies of the European Mail. Mr Jefferson has also received the latest numbers of the English magazines and periodicals brought by the Suez mail per City of Melbourne. There are twenty-one cases set down for heariug at the Resident Magistrate’s Court to-day, several of wh : cli are defended. The 'eugth of the list, however, is considerably shorter than it has been for some weeks past.

We understand that arrangements are in progress for giving an entertainment in aid of the Library Fund of the Mechanic’s Institute, in which most of our amateur local talent wi'l be engaged. The pnrposc for which the entertainment is to be given will insure its being largely supported. The usual weekly parade of No. 3 Company H.R.V. took place last evening at their drillshed, Pollen street, Shortland. The company mustered about thirty strong, and were put through ihe manual and platoon exercises. This company is improving weekly, and looks well for the future, which is to a great extent due to the energy of the officers and Colour-Sergeant Warren. Up to the time of closing the Telegraph office last night communication with the south had not been established, a portion of the line having been destroyed during the heavy gale which seems to have visited nearly every part of New Zealand in the beginning of the week. In consequence of this we have received no Southern telegrams since Tuesday evening. The p.s. Nebraska. Captain Harding, arrived in Auckland harbour at half-past ten o’clock on Wednesday night. After leaving Napier she fell in with a heavy gale from the north-east, accompanied by a very high sea. The weather along the coast is described as something fearful. The Nebraska brings twenty-six through passengers for Honolulu and San Francisco, and the following for Auckland Messrs Smith, Braithwaite, Williams, Lascellcs, Webster, George, Jamieson, A’lington, McKenzie, Mrs Mowbray and 2 children.

In consequence of the bad weather, and there being no ladies present, the members of the Debating Society adjourned the interesting discussion “ Woman’s Rights ” until Thursday fortnight, when, if the weather is fine, a large audience is expected. The usual weekly meeting will take place next Thursday, the subject being “ Education,” which ought to be a popular one, considering how many are interested in it, especially as it will be one of the prominent subjects under discussion in the Assembly, to decide on what kind of National Education is most suitable for the rising population of New Zealand.

Yesterday the tailings plant belonging to Messrs Railhby and Muir, rituated next to the Prince Alfred Battery, together with tlio ground on which the plant is erected, were submitted to public auction by Mr Craig. There was but a limited attendance of buyers present, and when the ground and plant were put up in one lot there was no offer at all. The site and buildings thereon were then offered in one lot, but failed to briug out a higher offer than £3OO, at which they were withdrawn. The engine was next put up, but was not sold, £320 being offered, at which it also was withdrawn. No offer was made for the berdans at all, eo that no sales were effected,

Our streets, in consequence of the late rains, were in a terrible state of naud and mire yesterday, and Albert-street, which has been lately metalled, was nearly as bad as any other thoroughfare. The fact of heavy loads of mullock having been lately carried over it to the Beach road before it was set, has contributed in a great measure to this result. The pathway along a considerable portion of the eastern side of Pollen-street is also in a very bad state, and as to many of the back thoroughfares they are regularly sloughs of despond. M : Hargreaves, who claims to be the discoverer of ebld ja has addressed a circular to the- members-Of the Legislature of New South Wales' and Victoria, claiming a further reward for his services. He received £2.381 from Victoria, and considers he is entitled to a further' sutn, making in all £5,000, together with interest on the balance. After the manner in which, Mr Hargreaves presented liis claim when he wrslast in Victoria, it is not probable that it will be ever again entertained in this colony. With regard to the remarks of the Cromwell Argns respecting the publication by us of a letter signed “ Tom Crusher,” we beg to state that the letter was sent to us as an original contribution, and that not having received the files ,of the Cromwell Argus regularly, we did not see the letter until it was sent in to us as above stated. As regards its publication in the Coromandel Mail , their files generally reach us so long after publication as to he entirely useless, consequently they are, as a rule, put aside without being looked at.

Mr Bullen, Sub-Inspector of Police, accompanied by Mr J. C. Young, native interpreter, started for Hikutaia this morning, to make further inquiries in reference to the late shooting case, which will be investigated at the Shortland Police Court on Monday next. The wounded native is progressing towards recovery at the hospital, and thee appears no probability of a fatal result. From the nature of the injuries received, however, he experiences some difficulty in speaking, and as his examination will most likely he a lengthy one, the inquiry will probably be a protracted one. We understand that the application to admit Mr McCrskill out on bail, who has been in (custody since the 2nd inst., has been granted.

The Melbourne Argus of the Ist inst. understands that it is the intention of the Bank of New Zealand shortly to open a branch in Melbourne for transaction of business connected with New Zealand, and for the sale and purchase of London exchange. The inspector of the bank. Mr David L. Murdoch, is now here making preliminary arrangements, and we are iufoimed that Mr T. M. Stewart, at present manager at the head office of the bank in Auckland, is to represent the institution in this city. The growing importanceof the connection between Victoria and New Zealand no doubt renders this step highly desirable, and we doubt not our merchants doing business with that colony will hail with satisfaction the opening of this branch of the Bank of New Zealand. Referring to the late severe gales, the N. Z. Herald says “ The weather yesterday wa3 even worse than that of the previous day, the gale continuing to rage from the west unt’l about e’ghto’clock in the evening, when it greatly moderated. The Wellington did not proceed South. The Nebraska was verv anxiously looked for, and turned up at half-past ten o’clock last night, after having experienced most severe weather on the coast. In the rooming a raft of timber which was being towed by the cutter Why Not, near the Tamaki, broke adrift, and would probably have be \ lost had it not been for the assistance rendered by the p.s. Comerang, Captain Chrisp. The s.s. City of Melbourne had a very ticklish job coming alongside the wharf, which was not effected until two piles had been carried away. One of the cutters in harbour h. d her bowsprit knocked off in a slight collision, but we heard of no serious casualty. The only boat to the Thames was the Duke, and in the afternoon the Challenger and the Southern Cross arrived from Coromandel. Thanks to the care and vigilance of Captain Ellis, the HarbourMastor, and Mr Landers, the wharfiuger. all the vessels alongside were well secured, otherwise there might have been considerable damage done among the shipping. At 12 o’clock last night the wind had sensibly abated, and the glass showed signs of improvement in the state of the weather. ’

A Sauc(e)y Affair.— -The fact of the entire faculty and press having so highly recommended, for its.purity and wholcsomoncss, the produce of a new local industry, the patronage of the ladies of the Thames is respectfully invited. Ask your grocers for Austin's Parawai Genuine- Tomato Sauce Price : Half-pints, Is ; Pints, Is 6d ; Quarts 2s—ADTT.