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Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3054, 28 November 1878, Page 2

Thb object of the visit of the Under Secretary for Goldfields, Mr Oliver Wakefield, to the Thames is to make himself acquainted with the present condition of the Goldfield, both in an official sense and generally in reference to mining interests. Mr Wakefield has certainly lost no time since his arrival on Monday evening, being at the office set apart for him in the Government Buildings at 10 o'clock on Tuesday morning, and commencing at once to go into official matters of routine which require his attention, receiving all sorts of persons, singly and in bodies, upon various matters within the scope of his department, and filling up all his odd time between these conferences by visiting the mines and machinery. The first of these visits took place on Tuesday- afternoon', when Mr Wakefield, accompanied by Mr Aitken, County Engineer; Mr Amelius Smith, Assistant Under Colonial Secretary; and Mr Robert Comer, the manager, went

.-.e?ery part of the Moanataiti mine, including a trip to the bottom of the shaft, and a close examination of the machinery and out-buildings connected with the tunnel. Since then the County Engineer has taken Mr Wakefield over various other mines and batteries, £:o Waio-Karaka Pump and the United Association's Pump specially having claimed deliberate attention, and the Thames Water Race having been traversed for some distance upon foot. It is impossible that Mr Wakefield's visit can be productive of anything but good to the district, for, although he does not attempt to mislead anyone by making promises which cannot be carried out, he listens attentively to every request and suggestion made to him, so as to be able to take all practicable mailers .'ito consideration, and to advise upon them under his personal knowledge of the circumstances. If Mr Wakefield's visit effects alone a satisfactory transferof the Thames Water Race to the County, and the completion of arrangements with the promoters of the Karaka Tunnel scheme for floating their company, his sojourn here wi' 1. have, been repaid; but, in addition to such public matters as these, his oJiciel experience is being brought to bear upon various arrangements in the conduct of the goldfields routine business ia the offices here, and before he leaves each officer will have his duties placed upon a clear basis, with rules laid down for future action, extending even to the mode in which some of the official books are kept. Altogether, Mr Wakefield's time wiU be pretty fully employed during his visit. He proposes to go to Ohinemuri to-morrow, and upon his return will complete his business at the Thames prior to his departure for Coromandel.