CRUSHING POWER FOR TAIRUA.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2103, 30 September 1875, Page 3

CRUSHING POWER FOR TAIRUA.

(To the Editor of tho Evening Star.) Sib,—l have lately seen several intimations in your journal that numbers of claims on the Tairua Gold Field are not being worked. Is there any wonder in that ? What is the use of getting out ■tuff for crushing if there are no machines to crush it? Who will pay for labor to stack material when-it may remain stacked no one can say how long, before the great Mr So and So, or some Bank sees fit to put up a machine ? Many of the pioneers of that field have worked long enough all through a severe winter for nothing and can work no longer. A s for Tairua being a rich gold field, among those capable of there are not two opinions upoa dp that point, while all agree-that machinery only is wanted to prove the fact; there can be no mistake about the rich deposits of gold on that field. The great fault of the Thames population is, they are loth to help thi-mselves, but. must be continually hanging on to th« skirts of moneyed men awaiting their dictum, and that is one of the reasons why the Thames has been so long in the miserably depressed condition it is, and why so many banks flourish. There is no end to the gold in these hills, and it is only by the general association and co-operation of the whole community that the gold can be brought to light. Our very existence as a community depends uprn that gold being got OHt and being generally distributed ; it is a pity it should be so, for we ought to be an agricultural people in addition to gold finders had freehold land been available at anthing like a moderate price. However, that is not so, and it becomes us all therefore to develope the Tairua Gold Field with energy and perseverance, and this may be done without any bowing and scraping to moneyed men. or banks wo will always expect the lion's share of the proceeds, and make you their slaves if they do anything. The summer has commenced and it will end without anything being done towards getting up machinery to Tairua, unless the general population bestir themselves and take the matter into their own hands. What is to hinder the putting up of two or three 20, or 30 head stamper batteries on that field during the next six months if the whole population will but co-operate in such a work ? Many can do what one cannot touch ; the miners who have worked on the field and well know what it is would enter heartily into a project for a battery on the limited liability principle, and I well know that numbers of tradespeople would, do the same. Why? Simply because there would be common sense in such a proceeding ; the machines would be useful and something to look at for their money, as well as paying a dividend however small, and this is more than can be said for a lot of worthless scrip created very often by designing inaves, who fleece the flats to fill their own pockets. The whole community would be indirectly benefited also by such a proceeding, because the gold obtained would be circulated generally among the people. Let U3. then, follow the example of the people of Cooktown and" the Palmer Goldfield. On that field they have already three machines going upon the co-operative principle. Again, I would urge, there is far too much dependence at the Thames on the moneyed interest and upon the government; nothing but begging and praying from year to year, and from month to month'to these; it is disgusting to an independent mind. Legitimately help yourselves !; Do not rich men oppress you ? Then keep away from them, or at any rate hee-p them at a respectful distance ; they are necessary in their way, but don't make too much of them, or they will make you pay for it smartly. Help yourselves and then the Government and these will respect you and you will find your account in so doing, and the Tairua Goldfield will be developed for the benefit of. yourselves • and families instead of for the benefit of a few Auckland capitalists, while the whole community is for ever kept in a state of depression. William Wood.