General News.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1965, 22 April 1875, Page 2

General News.

(EBOM A. COBBEBPONDEHT )

Mackaytown,

\ . Wednesday. Even in the swampy wild* o f Eden, there was no lack of subjects for conversation, even though the half-starred-population were reduced occasionally to a discourse upon snakes and saw-dust. One of the chief topics of conversation- hero at present is the "Enquiry"; and the opinion most generally expressed ur, that the Enquiry is a horrible farce, and a very good sort of amusement for those of the Government officials who want a little diversion, and a convenient mode of explanation to those who have, or imagine they have, reason to exculpate themselves before the eyes of the public. It-is very formal, and apparently very severe, but from the time that Major Keddell advertised for persons interested to come and give information against themselves and everybody else (like appealing to a rogue's) -• sense of justice, in order that he may be hanged) there has been an air of " ridiculosity" about the whole t ran sac- -- tion, according to the expressed opinion of nearly everybody. The enquiry commences again to-day at 12 o'clock, when other evidence will be heard, and; if required, Captain Fraser will be recalled in order that Major Keddellmay put any questions that may have suggested them- - selves from a perusal of the evidence already given by our respected Warden. There is very little news as respects the mining. It is not sufficiently progressive at present to send serial records of operations, inasmuch as there are com-paratively-speaking none of the usual appliances for working, such as crushing power and other machinery required.In some few of the claims, however, operations aTe being carried on as energetically as circumstances will permit. The shareholders in the Treaty o'Waitangi—Messrs Silver, Blanc and party— have exceeding hard country to contend against* and have not yet struck the lodei Driving is being continued, however, «nd favorable results are anticipated. This ground is the juncture of four reefs, it is supposed, and as stated some time since,. gold has been struck lower down on each side of the spur on the eastern side of the creek. The prospectors on the Karangahake are still working' hard, as are all the mines which encircle it, saye the ground for which a company is being formed, and as the term of protection allowed by the Warden has nearly expired, work will soon have to be re* sumed.

A newspaper correspondent here has a I trouble. He was engaged by a certain newspaper, published hot a hundred miles from Grahamstown, to collect newi hero and to transmit it, for them; in which capacity he had held their confidence for some time. Tho newspaper has appar«ntly; awakened to the conclusion that ** Times is bad," and has arranged for a eheapw means of obtainint; news, at the same timo discarding its former correspondent without having the courtesy, to intimate by letter that his services were no longer required. The correspondent is wrath.