THE Thames Advertiser. SATURDAY, NOV. 7, 1874. AND MINERS' NEWS.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1889, 7 November 1874, Page 2

THE Thames Advertiser. SATURDAY, NOV. 7, 1874. AND MINERS' NEWS.

A few days ago it was mentioned in our Auckland telegrams that a movement was likely to be made for the purpose of forming a local company at the Thames to procure a fast and powerful iron steamer from England to replace the' Golden Crown, 1 which was so abruptly withdrawn from this trade last week. The . proposal has been talked over, we believe, by some of the principal business people at the Thames, and everywhere the project has met with the heartiest expressions of approval, as it is generally felt that the only way in which the trade of the Thames can be properly provided for is to have a suitable steamer, locally owned, and one which can be made to run for the convenience of the people of this field, instead of ac the pleasure of owners in Auckland. We are told, by a reliable authority, that a first-class iron steamer, with compound engines and all the latest improvements—a boat of light draught and high speed, which would make the passage to Auckland in three hours, or three hours and a quarter—could be procured from England at a cost of from £10,000 to £12,000 j aud it seems to be the general impression that the greater portion of the money required could easily be raised, if only a few of the leading importers of the Thames would become shareholders in the proposed company, and would otherwise support the project by their co-opera-tion. The idea is, we believe, to send home an agent who knows the trade and its requirements, and leave to him the task of either selecting or having built a steamer specially fitted for the Thames and Auckland trade. There need be very little fear of the result if the proposal is really carried into effect. In the first place, a steamer that would do the trip in three hours need fear no opposition in the passenger line; whilst in the second place, the company would be certain to secure a fair share of cargo through having a number of local shareholders amongst the importers at the Thames. Moreover, by haviug a boat to make the journey in so short a time, ample opportunity will be afforded at either end to ship and discharge cargo without disturbing the time-table—a policy that tho' Golden Crown' could not always carry out. About the payable nature of the enterprise we have heard no doubts expressed. Even the' Golden Crown,' with hqi v enormous qonwraption, of

coal, managed to clear a considerable sum during the last six months, although the period was one of the dullest ever known at the Thames. It is stated that the gross earnings of the ' Crown' averaged, throughout tlie year, some £600 per month, whilst it is estimated that a steamer of the description we have named could be worked at a cost of from £300 to £350-per month.. In the item of coal alone there would be a saving of nearly 100 tous per month, which is in itself a very handsome profit. These estimates are in no way exaggerated, and are supplied by experienced persons, who are not only thoroughly conversant with steamboats, but know also something of the Thames trade. The estimated profits of the enterprise have been variously set down at sums ranging from £200 to £300 per month—that is supposing the state of the field to remain as dull as it now is, with the Upper Thames locked up, and no more passenger trade than is now going on. But with more hopeful prospects before us, with every probability of the Upper Thames being opened up for settlement, and with a chance of " something turning up" at the Thames, we think that the prospects are uuder-ratedj and that a really good and suitable steamer would very soon pay back her original cost, . To ensure success, the project only requires to be taken in hand by some active and energetic business man, and if the whole of the required capital cannot be raised at the Thames, there would be, we believe, no difficulty experienced in obtaining the balauce in Auckland. We can scarcely remain satisfied with our present position.

Victorians are by no means cast down about the gold mining industry. The returns from the alluvial gold workings are rapidly decreasing, but quartz mining is showing a steady yield, and is becoming less of a speculative venture than it was before. The "digger" i proper is banished from Southern Australia at all events. Apparently, he has taken refuge in the fiery North, where no doubt he will be able, to maintain himself for years. But the good old days of alluvial mining, when a miner could make a pile with a tin dish aud a week's tucker, are gone. Some statistics are published in tht> latest Australian papers relating to the Ballarat Central Division, which are not a little instructive. On this, which used to be the richest alluvial goldfield in the world, the returns are mainly from quartz. During the quarter ended September the returns from the Ballarat Central Division were as follows Quartz crushed, 24,450 tons, from which the total yield of gold was 7,1730z3 4dwts 3grs, or at the rate of Oozs sdwts 10*17 per ton. The average proportion on this field is considerably over an ounce, but of course the better quality of gold of Ballarat and the more economical ways of working, enable the companies to pay there with what they could not continue to exist upon here. The returns for the previous quarter in Ballarat were 23,920 tous for 6,0580z3 17dwts 12grs, or an average of -sdwts H7grs, so that the quantity of quartz crushed has increased, and so has the average yield. The largest amount of gold from any one company is from the Black Hill, which yielded during the quarter 1,2680zs I3dwts 21grs, the depth from which the quartz was obtained being 390 feet. The smallest depth mentioned on the table is 30 feet, and the greatest 750, of the Temperance Company; The average of the claims would be about 300 feet. The best yields are those of the Black Hill South Tribute, and the Black Hill Company, the latter yielding 12dwts 13.92grs per ton, and the former 12dwts. The Ballarat' Miner,' in commenting on these yields, says " And what is further encouragiug is that the highest average yield produced one of the greater aggregates, thus showing that the yield was produced from a large body of quartz, and not from a few picked quantities of specimens, a3 they would call it at the Thames." The newspaper above quoted thus remarks upon the astonishing results following the operations of the Llanberris Company The Llanberria Company put 5,5iG tons through the mills for the quarter, and obtained an average of 2dwts 9grs, the smallest average made by any quartz company in the division, and yet so economical, so skilful is that company, that with so small a pittance, as it would be called at Bendigo or at Pleas int Creek, that company is able to pay expenses, pay off debts, and pay dividends, Now, with such a fact as that before us—and it has been before us for some time now—in connection with our quartz workings in Ballarat, we may well he permitted to hope for a good time coming 1 With an increasing aggregate for the division, and an increasing average, with an increasing attention to this department of mining industry, and with the always eloquent fact of the Llanberris workings before us, we may reasonably anticipate in the future of our quartz mining a source of . wealth of no small value. —It is further noted, that the most satisfactory yields have been obtained from the greatest depths, from 200 feet ,to 400 feet. The total number of miners in the division were 2,916, against 2,698 for the previous quarter. During the quarter 48,7620zs of gold were purchased by the banks of Ballarat at the price of £4 Is Gd to £4 2s 9d per oz. The people of Ballarat seem inclined to take renewed heart over their quartz-reefing operations, and to expect a continued iucrease in the returns. The Thames has beeu exposed to great discouragements, amongst which we may enumerate the facts that the population has not been allowed to expand over the neighbourhood, and take to 'other occupations which would have given a natural sup- * .port to quartz mining, and that over the whole of the colony there has been a great demand for labour at Jiigh rates , owing to the public works, which has i been unfavourable to mining enterprise, i But looking to the low yields at Ballarat, which are made to pay, I the fact that the deepest mines i are paying best, and our own imme- ■ diate prospects, we have no cause to ; j feel discouraged for the future*

Monday next, being the Prince of Walea' birthday, will be observed as a general holiday at the Thames, and although it appears we are to have no opportunity of making the usual display on this occasion owing, no doubt, to the oversight of the officer commanding the district, there will be ample amusement for holiday makers. Those suburban retreats, the Parawai and Tararu gardens, will be opened to the public on this occasion, and a programme of races and sports in both places have been prepared. A considerable amount of local interest is felt in the result of the horse races at Parawai, for, although none of the animals are in good fettle or training, it will prove a sort of guide as to what may be expected from them when the annual races take place during the usual Christmas holidays., The preparations at Parawai are all complete. ': Yesterday the race course was prepared. The grass was mowed off it and the clods broken down. The hurdles are all made, and everything is now in readiness for a good gallop round, not a bad spot being left in the whole circuit. While on a visit, to the gardens yesterday we noticed that the shrubs, plants, and flowers have been carefully attended to. Indeed, all along the walks there was a perfect .bloom of ice plants of all colours, roses, fuschias, &c, and the strawberry beds were in splendid order, teeming with fruit. These gardens will no doubt prove an attractive resort during the ensuing holidays, and we are glad to see that the proprietors have been at so much pains to make them comfortable as well as showy. The bowers are now enclosed by creepers, the lawn and sward are green and ' fresh, and there is an agreeable sensation experienced even in walking through these grounds, which is refreshing to those who at ordinary times have to live and breathe in the smoke and dust of Graharastown and Shortland. ■ The Tararu, Gardens are also in splendid order, and evidently the proprietors have spared no pains or expense to make them an agreeable summer resort, The gravelled walks have been carefully kept, the shmbs, plants, and flowers are in full bloom, and a delightful perfume greets the senses in these beautiful grounds, The strawberry beds are teeming with ripe fruit, and those who visit the gardens on Monday will be able to indulge in the luxury of strawberries and cream, A programme of sports has been arranged for the amusement of visitors, and perhaps not the lea9t attraction will be the presence of the school children of the Waiotahi School, who are to be indulged in a treat on that occasion, The ship 'Hydaspes,' 2,092 tons, Captain Babot, arrived in Auckland yesterday, after a splendid run of 77 days from land to land and' 80 days from the Isle of Wight. She brings < an addition to our population of 400 souls, and we regret to state experienced considerable sickness amongst the passengers during the voyage,. rendering a temporary detention in quarantine necessary on her arrival. We learn, however, that there is no reason to believe sickness still continues on board, A list of her cabin passengers, and the names of those families who suffered a bereavement during the voyage, will be found elsewhere. An anonymous challenge appeared in our issue of Thursday from some partiss who offered to row a pair-oared match with any two at the Thames or in the province for £50 aside. The challenge was promptly accepted by the Messrs NewJick, who went to the place appointed to meet the challengers, but they 1 were not to be found. Thinking there might be some misapprehension, the Messrs Newdick advertised their acceptance of the challenge,' and appointed the Pacific Hotel as the place at which the match was to be arranged. They attended there last night, but the anonymous. rower failed to appear. Perhaps they were at the Bazaar, or perhaps they did not find it convenient to raise £50 at such short notice, or, more likely still, the original challenge was a hoax, got up for the purpose of drawing out our local rowers. At all events, if the challenge in the first instance was ever seriously intended, it is evident that the challengers have altered thier minds. A meeting of the committee appointed to communicate with the Board of Education and the Provincial Government with reference to a High School was held at the Governor Bowen Hotel last evening. The following gentlemen were present—Messrs Carpenter, Bagriall, . Brodie, Hollis, Severn, Allom, Murray, Dewar, Mcllhone, Berry, Souter. Mr Severn was called to the chair. Mr O'Sullivau, the Inspector under the Board of Education, was present, and stated that he had been instructed by the Board to obtain all the information available on the subject. A good deal of conversation then took place, A resolution was passed that the Superintendent should be urged to set aside some endowmonts for the purpose of establishing a High; School at theTharaes. It was agreed that a public meeting should be held at an early date, so soon as replies should be obtained from the Provincial Government and Board of Education, to . consider what further steps should be taken to attain the object in view. The opinion was generally expressed amongst those present that it would be advantageous if the Thames could be formed into one school district, instead of being, as at present, divided into four. Mr Alexander Hogg shipped yesterday ten tons of flax, from the Waihou Flax Mills, Puriri, on board, the cutter ' Don,' for Auckland. No. 2 Company H.R.V.vassembled for drill in the hall situate on the beach, Grahamstoivn, last'evening. There was a fair muster. After' exercise by Sergeant Dennis,' the company was taken over by Sergeant-Majir Grant; and put through battalion drill. After drill a meeting was held, at which several new members joined and some financial business was transacted. The Ote?o Daily Times has an article noticing recent crushings at the Thames, in which it says:—a. very poor yield of 13|izs of gold from 33 tons of. stone was obtained from the Sons of Freedom mine, but from all we can gather about it. it seems to have undergone a ' melancholy collapse within the last twelvemonth. The case of this mine is but another instance of the singular poverty which appears to govern the Thames reefs after a certain •depth has been gained. ..Rich at the surface and for some distance downwards, and then, hey presto! the quality of the stone deteriorates. " It would really seem as if there were something in the theory of the gold being contained by the sulphides as well as by the silica 4 of the lodes, and that the latter are, when really gold bearing, rich in proportion to the extent of the oxidation they have 'undergone, for by that process the gold is freed from its matrix. However, this, is a moot , point, together with a great many other questions relating to the deposition and constitution of mineral veins. With thesa questions we are ; about as familiar as with those of the sources of ■ electricity and magnetism, and the cause of the mysterious influences which those forces possess. We hear of aoother poor yield in connection with the Golden Crown mine; 42 tons of stone from which only gave 25ozs. The persevering Cure Company appears to be on better Btone again. The Black reef, the continuation of the Manukau lode, is being followed down by winze in the . Cure mine, and really looks well, its size being 2 feet, and constitution excellent — sulphides abound, and gold _i 3 tolerably plentiful. A new and promising leader has been opened up in the Crown Prince ■ mine, anda first■ crushing from it produced 1 50ozs of amalgam for 5 tons of stone. This is equivalent to about Sozs of gold per ton. The Bright Smile Company has opened a new level at 350 feet, or 65 feet below the'old level. It 1 was time that new ground was broken, as the stuff from the higher levels had fallen eff very much in quality. High hopes, which we trust will receive fulfilment, are entertained of the value of the new deep level. The'Waiotahi Association and Imperial City mines continue to obtain sufficient gold from the continuation of the Manuknu new lode to induce further prospecting. The South British Association has stopped sinking, and is opening ont a first main level at 256 feet; and the Vanguard, an adjoining mine, is still .sinking, and is down. 224 feet. • ■■ . Krupp, the celebrated gun maker, j)ajs. taxes, qa an iacome -

Yesterday we (SeraU) inspected the very handsome tea-service and claret jugs, presented last evening to 6. M. O'Rorke, Esq., from bis Onebunga constituents, as a mark of personal esteem. she service, iic., is of solid silver, the various pieces being richly ornamented after Etruscan and Egyptian patterns, with chased and engraved figures. The groups represented consist o£ warriors in chariots and on foot, returning from a victorious campaign, hearing trophies of war with them. The claret jugs bear the following inscription, which is tastefully engraved:-—"Presented to George Maurice O'Rorke, Esq , member of the General Assemby and Provincial Council, from his Onehunga constituents, as a mark of their esteem." The p>esentatiou was made at a public meeting held in Onehungapn Wednesday night. Mr O'Korke, in acknowledging the gift, said, " You were good enough to originate this matter in my absence, without instigation or solicitation on my part. Indeed, had you consulted me, I would have been bound to say that too great kindnesses had been already received by me at your hands, and indeed I would have shrunk from countenancing ycur putting your hands so deeply in your pockets for my behoof. Gentlemen, I have been in and out amongst you for the last twenty years, and during that period I have experienced nothing but the most unwavering friendship, and bave been no less than six times elevated to the position of your representative. Sometimes I have feared that I claimed toogreafca monopolyof your affection, and it has been extended to me far beyond my deserts; but now you have come forward infa new capacity—that of donors—and unexpectedly presented me with a costly piece of pvlte. It shall be my earnest desire to retain your confidence. The interest I take in you and yours cannot be surpassed. I have striven to the utmost of my ability to promote the interest of this town of Ouehunga, which is so dear to me on its own account, but chiefly on account of the warm sympathy I have ever received from its inhabitants. I have always felt a pride in being your representative, and trust I shall never give you occasion for your being ashamed of having so greatly exalted me. I had intended to have availed myself of this occasion to address my constituents on the rupture that took place between myself and my colleagues at the end of last session of the General Assembly, but as this meeting was called for the specific object of the presentation, and as 1 bad not notified my intention of addressing my constituents, I have come to the conclusion to defer that matter for the present, and beg you will excuse me if I'trouble you again to assemble here when I have once more taken np my abode permanently amongst you. Bnt this much I may say now, id the presence of you who hive in such a marked manner stamped your approval upon my conduct—an approval which, next to that offmy own conscience, is most dear to me, and would have been sufficient for my gratification without your putting yourselves to tbe expense of a costly testimonial. In the presence of you, I say that the step I took in retiring from a Government in which I had lost confidence was no huriied one, but taken after full consideration, and one that would be taken by me again under similar circumstances. The working of the common school system in the city of Christchurch is shown by the correspondent of a southern contemporary, who supplies the following figures:—" The city is divided into two districts—West and East. The attendance at the schools in Christchurch West for the last quarter was 10G3. The receipts were as follows:—Balance from last year, £1 Is; grant for maintenance, £1,802 3s 6d; rates, £970 18 3d; fees £4 10s; incidental receipts, £54 93 6d; sale of books, £141255 d; total, £2,81714s Bd. ! xpenses: —Salaries, £1483 3s Id; rent, £252 9s 4d; books, £87 9s; furniture, £77 Is lid; incidental expenses, £149 7s 9d; building account, £173 12s: balance in hand, £624 lis 7d; total, £2,847 14s Bd. The attendance at the schools in Christchurch East was 1144, The receipts wereßalance from last year, £26185; grant for maintenance, £95610s lid; building &c, £97 18s 9d; rates and fees £1,26516s 7d; incidental receipts, £5010s 8d; Bale of books, £30 12s 4d; total, £2428 7s 3d. Expenses: - Salaries, £1,47310s 4d; buildings and furniture, £286 2s Id; books and stationery, £115 3s lid; rent of temporary schoolhonse accomodation, £352 15s 3d; incidental expenses, £188 15s lOd; balance, £1119s 10J; total, £2,428 7s 3d." It will be seen from the above that a very large item in the expenditure is that of " rent." One of tbe reasons urged against the opening of a High School at the Thames was, that superior education should not he attended to until proper buildings were erected for the common schools. It was suggested that the school committee should first.of all own the buildings used for school purposes, and tbon they might begin to think of a higher class of education. This policy is not even adopted in the province of Canterbury, where large votes are annually given for education, and where the two systems or branches are made to work harmoniously together. Many of tbe schoolrooms are rented, and yet money can be found for a Grammar School and College.

'Che Otago Daily Times, referring to the inspection of schools under the "NativeSchools Act" says:—We notice that most of the schools have been inspected by Resident Magistrates or other Government agents resident in their neighbourhood; a few by Mr O'Sullivan, Inspector of Schools for the Province of Auckland, The greater number are sported as doing good, though in most cases very elementary work. We doubt very much tho propriety of committing the inspection to others than an inspector or teacher of experience. The duties of Resident Magistrates and Native Agents are already in most cases sufficiently onerous and multifarious to prtvent them from giving that attention to the schools and the subject of education which would be necessary. Two special qualifications are required in the teachers—a knowledge of their profession and a knowledge of Maori character. In one or other of these points we fear most of them will found deficient. The R.M.s would be able to give valuable counsel on the latter, and it might be made a part of their duty to exercise a general outside superintendence, conferring with and advising committees, using their influence to further the establishment of schools, and to induce parents to send thpir children to them when established; leaving to a professional inspector the duty of examining the school?, and of directing the teachers in their .conduct of the education. One has only to ''compare the remarks of Mr OV uliivan oathc Btate of the. schools with those made by the other gentlemen acting as inspectors, to bo satisfied 'that the work of school inspectors requires, experience and special knowledge. ■While the latter say at once that the children were neat and tidy in their appearance, or the reverse, that the discipline was fair or good, that the pupils read and answered well or ill, and in some instances recommend the mpply of books and apparatus which the teacher or they think required, Mr O'- uliivan notes deficiencies in the method of teaching and in the class of books in use, and offers valuable practical suggestions as to the general conduct of the schools by the teachers, and the proper kind of books and apparatus to be used. He strongly recommends a liberal use of picture cards, diagrams, and illustrated reading-books; the pictures being attractive to the eye, aud tending to assist the children in the acquisition of English words." By the' Southern Cross,' steamer, there were shipped by Mr Mcßardy (says the Telegraph) twenty head of fat well-bred bullocks which have been consigned to Messrs Fißher and Co,, of Auckland, for exhibition at the forthcoming Agricultural Show. These bullocks have been specially selected and fattened by Mr McHardy, for this purpose, and for quality and condition could scarcely be surpassed in the colony fc'ome time back Messrs Fisher and Co. challenged the colony to show fifty fat beasts against them, and these twenty now shipped are intended to stand against all comers. By the last mail, advices were received by the colonel commandant in Victoria to the effect that the first shipment of the new Martini-Henry rifles,'with, which the Yictorinn Volunteers are in future to be armed, has been made They may b% expected hew about the qjioUkjeari