THE SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1874.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1786, 11 April 1874, Page 2

THE SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1874.

So far as the assistance from the Government is couoeraed, in prospebting the deep levels of .this goldfield, that part in which the Pumping Association and the neighbouring district is interested, may be regarded as settled. An agreement has been completed under which payments will be made for the continuance of siriking the shaft until the meeting of Parliament, when of course the, whole subject will be submitted to it. ; .. This is satisfactory so far. The Pumping Association is the largest work oil the goldfield, affecting a considerable number of mines certainly, and. many others probably. If the work • had been stopped, the machinery removed, and the shaft allowed to fill with water, it would have been exceedingly doubtful whether ever the deep levels of the goldfield would have been tested. • Those connected with the Pumping Association have shown a great deal of enterprise, and deserve to be aided by the Government in the great work they have undertaken. As to the Waio-Karaka district and the tunnel, we hope that arrangements will still be made to thoroughly test the ground. It is true that some of the'mines in the Waio-Karaka district are paying dividends, and the Assembly would certainly look sourly at any proposal to aid by advances' in prospecting their ground. But by far. the larger part of the ground which would be opeued up by deep .sinking.'on-.'the Waio-Karaka is yet actually unworked,. and besides, the better the ground, the greater benefit will the, advance be to

the province and the colony, and the sooner it will be repaid. Tho agreement between the Pump, ing Association — composed of tho Imperial • Crown, Caledonian, Tookey, and Golden Crown Gold Mining Companies—and his Honor the Superintendent, is, we believe, somewhat to the following effect:—lt sets forth that the Association have erected a costly, efficient, and powerful pumping plant, and have x sunk a main shaft to the depth of' 400 feet; that difficulties have been encountered in consequence of the large iufliix of water, and the deleterious nature of large quantities of gas in the shaft,, greatly increasing the cost, and involving s a very large and unexpected expenditure of time and money; that the actual expenditure up to. the Ist of March had amounted to the sum of £61,000; that there being no funds available for the further prosecution of the undertaking, the sinking of the main'shaft had been discontinued; that unless assistance was obtained it would shortly become necessary to stop the pumping' machinery, which would have tho effect of shutting up a large number of mines now at work' principally in exploration. The' agreement further goes on to state that as it is of great public importance to determine whether the gold-bearing lodes which have proved to be very rich at the shallower levels maintain their richness in depth, and that the several mines now drained by the Association's works should be enabled to continue their operations, it : is expedient that assistance should be given by the Government on certain terms and conditions, The Superintendent then agrees to apply to the General Assembly for power to raise the sum of ' £50,000, to be expended in sinking the shaft, No portion of the money advanced is to be applied in payment of any liability existing oil the Ist of March, 1874. It is also provided thai the money shall be disbursed under the strict supervision of a person appointed by the Superintendent, who shall at all times have free access to the books and papers of the Association, and to their offices and works, and to whom shall be delivered monthly a detailed statement of the expenditure of the Association. ' 'As to interest and term, it is provided that the money advanced shall be repaid with interest' not exceeding the rate of six per cent, per annum on the amount from time to time advanced, within seven yean from the Ist of March, 1874. The securities given are as follow: A mortgage of the freehold land on which the works of the Association , have been erected, and of all the plant' and machinery thereon. 2. (as collateral security) a mortgage by the Imperial Crown, Too'key,: Caledonian, and Golden Crown Companies of all their property, to secure'the several proportions of the sum advanced, as follows:—lmperial Crown, £18,000; Tookey, £15,000 ; Caledonian, £12,000; Golden Crown, £5,000. It is also provided that no dividends shall be paid by any one of the above companies until such company [shall have paid its share of, the money advanced. All incomes arising from contributions by adjacent mines ' for drainage to be applied in reduction of the debt, The last provision in the agreement is that the Superintendent shall advauce by way of lean such sums as may be necessary to carry out the foregoing arrangement until the matter has been submitted to and disposed of'by the General Assembly. s

These are, we believe, the provislona of the agreement, and it is likely that as soon as the Superintendent returns the sinking of the Big Shaft will be resumed. The companies interested in the "Waio-Karaka district were willing to agree to the above provision!, except the one about the non-payment of dividends, They wore willing to give seourity over six freehold allotment! ttiey were about to purchase, and on which the maohinery would be erected, and as a collateral seourity they offered a pro rata mortgage over the savoral mines and plants, and a drainage, rate to be laid on at oka fifr the repayment of the it seems to w, would be ample seourity, and would have tho advantage that repayment would be commenced immediately, The last telegram from his Honor, however, was that the arrangementas to the WaioKaraka mines must wait till his return; when an effort will be made to come to terms, and as the object is to prospect the deep levels of as large a portion of the field as possible, we hope it will be successful.

It will be observed that amongst tho conditions there is one to the effeofc that all sums collected for drainage by the Association shall go to the repayment of the loan. This is quite fair, and we have no doubt that ultimately the sums collected'in this way will materially lessen the burden on the companies composing the Association, It has been a matter of surprise that the Association has not proceeded for drainage contributions before this, and probably they have been slower than they otherwise would have been from the fact that some of the mines on which they would have to levy were not in a very prosperous position, and further, because some of the largest shareholders in the Pumping Association were interested in those outside mines. ■ - ■■ .

This Saturday evening the members of W Oxford Troupe, assisted by Messrs Whlffi Trewheela, Catran, the Australian George, tp original Jim McLiver, and several other gentld» men amateurs will give a grand Christy Miflitml etitertaiment at the Academy of Music. W« .understand tbia will be the last appearand of t'itßtroape at Qrahamatown. An excellefltprfr gramme is announced in our advertising columns, which should prove suffloiontly attractive to suit all tastes, and should draw a. orowded house. ' We beg to call attention to the sala by Messrs Cochrane and Son, at their mart in Auckland, on Monday next, of the very desirable freehold property tf the late Mr Campbell, situate on the Ponsonby Road, and known as "Campbellville." The property has been cut up into lots suitable for the erection of villa I residences and working men's homes. Part of the land is in acre allotments and upwards, having a frontage to the Ponsonby Boad and to the Waitemata harbour, whilst the lesser allot- . ments are arranged in streets. The property will be sold without reserve, by order of the executor of the late Mr Campbell. Constable Mathesori' arrested a young Ban named H. A. Digby last evening at Ngaruawahia. It appears that a warrant has been current for some time for his arrest on a charge of larceny as a bailee, he tiaving hired ahorse in Auckland and sold it atKihikihi, He hired a second horse at Kihikihi, and sold it at Ngaruawahia,' This precocious youth ha«' only been one month in the colony.—Jfattlte 7kw. At the Opehunga Police Court, on Wednesday, Charles Henry Dore, of Auckland, was charged by the general manager of theAuck-' land and Onehunga Railway with riding in a first-clas3 carriage being only provided with a second-class ticket. William .Page, guard, and William Baker, ticket collector, proved the charge. The carriage was a half second and half first-dam, with a door in the partition. Fined 20a and coats, or 14 days. The 'Olio,* schooner, Captain Jackson, arrived in Auckland on Thursday from 1 Norfolk Island, • Passengers—John Seymour, and Fortescue Buffet, Frederick Loverock, Obediah Bailey, and: Miss Mary Buffet, Captain ' Jackson reportß that when he left Noumea on his present voyage trade was brisk, and that 'the mines were progressing'favourably. At the time/the 'Clio' sailed no vessels had 'arrived from Auckland. The timber market was overstocked, and flour, was scarce at £24 •10s per tori, [' Resident," writing in the Coromandel MaU, gays:—"The new steamer 'Hauraki,' the property of the Brothers Holmes, will, it is expected, be launched in the course of a fortnight or three weeks, when, if the matter be properly represented to the owners of the new vessel, they might be induced to give the Coromandel public the benefit of a special trip 'to the Thames on the Queen's Birthday, I have no doubt every one would avail themselves of such an opportunity if offered, and weather permitting."

The s.s. 'Taranaki/ Captain Wheeler, art ivedin Onehunga at 1,30 p.m. on Thursday from the South. Passengers-Saloons: Colonel Gorton, Major George, .Captain Little, Mrs Gwynneth, Taylor, Arehwd, Miss Taylor, Me ssrs Cann, Kohn, Smith, Taylor, Morrow, ' Garkland, Ware, Cqurtenay, Hoskins, Nairn, Smith, Hewlings, Mr and Mrs Coleman, and 15 in the steerage.

The Wellington Independent prints the draft of the Provincial Education Act. to b$ introduced next session. The principal featuroa of the bill are that it is rendered imperative upon the Board of Education, under prescribed conditions, to grant aid to denominational schools out of any moneys at its'disposal; capitation fees are abolished; and the school committees. are to he nominated by the Board.

The p.'s. 'Paterson* arrived in Auckland on Thursday from Southern ports. Passengers: —Saloon—Mrs Webster, infant and servant, Miss Webster; Miss Coates, 'Miss Grice. Mrs Lowe, MrsCushmore, Miss Nichols, Miss Curtis, Captain Webster, Masters Webster (2), Messrs Hamer, Lowe, ilaydon, Mann, Hayman, McGregor," Tobias; Wrigley, Dr. Armitage, Norri?, Hirst, E. Gribble, Edward Stevenson, Steerage—Messrs McGuiness, Lowe, Brannon, We3t/Tamihana, Calver, O'Brien, Smith, and Williams. :

A London correspondent writes:—"l have just concluded the 'Life of Bishop Patteson,' and as I eked the second volume I could not suppress a sigh of regret at the thought that my cake was eaten. A more delightful book I never perused in my life, . Although Miss Younge is the authoress, she has in fact done little more than edit the Bishop's letters, which are very voluminous; exceedingly elegant, and afford the moot complete history of the Melanesian 1 Mission and its head that could be obtained. Memoirs are as a rule to my mind' rather dull reading, and there are very few books of the kind which sustain the interest of the reader right through."

We heard not many weeks ago ef the affability displayed by the Governor of. New 7ealand When some man, forgetting the similarity between the names borne by her Majesty's representative and his own mate, called on one " Jimmy Fergusson" to catch hold of some rope or other which he was desirous of having made fast. But although his Bxcellenoy can be civil and eondesooflding to boatmen, it may be seen that he does not bestow his favours on ell Alike. Ee draws the line at mayors and deputations generally. These, it appears, he has a aortal aversion to) and not only refuses to allow thorn t» address him as "Jimmy Far* tuisou," but will not allow- them to address Im at all!! he «an by any possibility avoid it, Aftw stating that Sir James is still continuing his tour through the Middle Island, our correspondent goes on to say that his Excellenoy does not seem to have made himself over popular. "He bates processions and addresses, and has offendod a great many people by refusing their well-meant but no doubt troublesome attentions. In'some places where municipal dignitaries were awaiting his arrival to present -addresses, he drovepastwithoutpullingup." In one case where he pursued this,line of conduot, the guests at the dtjtuntr which had been prepared for his en* tertainment,refused point blank to; drink the health of Her Majesty's representative, and so the Crown was dishonoured in his person, If Sir James were a private gentleman, of course he would be free to go his own way without comment, whatever people might think concerning the taste of thus snubbing any body of functionaries of laymen for being a' little over* zealous in their kindly attempts to do him honour. But we cannot overlook the fact that he is the connecting link between the colonists and the empire, and in virtue of his position is bound to do all in his power to attach the people he vicariously rules to Majesty's throne and person. .We do not think, however, that anyone will say his conduct has been calculated < to produce any very warm feelings of regard for the Imperialjconnection. Addresses to a Colonial Governor are presented to him in his official capacity, and although, as a rule they contain some expressions of good-natured feeling towards him personally, they are primarily intended to set forth the subscriber's sentiments of devotion and loyalty to the-Crown. It is evident, therefore, that whatever dislike a Governor may have for the formal duties of bis office.' he cannot refuse to receive addresses of this description' without, coming between the Queen and her subjects in a manner which we feel confident would be as displeasing to the former as it is irritating to the latter. Any gentleman who cannot accept the worries of vice-royalty along with its pleasures and substantial rewards,'' had better resign his position, It would be unwise to loosen the silken bonds which unite the empire, simply to Buit his convenience.— Soutkm Mtrcury. ■ •

A gentleman who, some years ago, was connected with the food department of the South Kensington Museum, London, sends the following receipt for a filter, called the "poor man's filter," which he thinks may be useful:—" This filter is made with a garden flower pot, the hole of which is plugged, but not too tightly, with a piece, of sponge, A layer of powdered animal charcoal, about two inches thick, is then put on; after this, the same quantity of clean sand, and on that a layer of rather clean coarse gravel, about three inches thick,"

'■ A London ips correspondent, writing from India, describes the famine as follows:— " Scarcity apfeads over a wide tract along the fook of the Himalayas bounding Nepaul, stretching from Oude to near Darjeeling, remote districts, removed front railroads and other means of communication, and difficult of approach. Lord Northbrook informs me that v the most lerious distress is threatened in fifteen districts, in addition to Teras,' comprising a total population of 28,000,000. This is not all. Twelve other districts, with 11,000,000 people, are threatened, and are described as almost entirely without food v and water. The coolies and labourers feel the pinch most owing to the total suspension of work in the rice fields." The corespondent concludes:'"Fromwhat I have Been, first, neither the Government nor the people can tell the precise actual position, nor prognosticate the future. Secondly, the Government is most fully alive to its responsibility, and measures have been taken to fully copi with the difficulties. Third, the absence of railroads in the remote districts is mostly to be dreaded, as the Government is thus without means for the avoidance of grave obstacles." He closes with the rsmark that he is under the depressing conviction that he has merely touched en what to him seems a most momentous affair,

The Steam Navigation Company's new steamship 'German Empire,' Captain Wright, brought to Hartlepool the survivors of the erew of the Russian steamer 'Iran,'of Libau, whom they rescued during the subsidence of the late terrible gale in the North Sea. It apptars that the schooner left Schiedam on the 6th January, in ballast, bound from Grimsby, and that from the 9th to the 15th she was detained off Flamborough Heads by adverse winds. A very heavy fog prevailed on tho latter date, and on the 16th a, terrible gale sprang up from the north-west, causing her to leak, -On the 17th the ballast began to wash about in the hold, the'pumps were choked, and the ship was in such danger that, to prevent her capsizing, the masts had to be out, away. This somewhat "righted her" but the crew were compelled to bale her incessantly for ,two whole days and nights, the captain (B. Heimberg) being unable to assist in consequence of being severely injured by being knocked about by a heavy sea.. By the 18th the crew were so completely exhausted that after haying hoisted a flag of distress they had to give up, and resign themselves to fate, hourly expecting the ship to sink. Most providentially they were observed by the 'German Empire,' which bore down to their assistance, lowered a life-boat, and, after the greatest peril and exertion, succeeded in saving all hands,' with exception of Captain Heimberg, who was so much hurt as to be unable to get iu'to the boat, which was thus compelled to pull back to the ship and leave him to a living death. On reaching the steamer the ' Ivan's' crew were so hospitably cared for that they expressed the most heartfelt thankfulness for their deliverance.— Weekly Times.