THE THAMES: Statistical and Descriptive.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3294, 12 July 1879, Page 1

THE THAMES: Statistical and Descriptive.

Concluded from our last.

The Thames district, possessing as ifc does some of the finest and most extensive kauri forests in* New Zealand, is a favorite field for the enterprise of the gum-digger, and furnishes to the London market this valuable product in largo quantity, and of superior quality. The business of gum digging gives occupation to a large number of Europeans as well as of Maoris. A good deal of capital is now engaged in it, and a company has recently been formed at the Thames to carry on the work systematically, and upon a large scale. The importance of the trade mSy be understood by looking at theprice's realised for gum in London, when the finest samples hare realised as much as £190 per ton. Thus the kauri forests are not only a source of utility and of profit while yet they grow and live, but after their disappearance a valuable residuum remains buried in the soil whereon they grow, which being formed under conditions no longer existing, must every year become scarcer and more difficult to find until at last kauri gum, like the moa, will become a thing of tradition. What is perhaps of more importance than the disappearance of kauri gum, the kauri tree itself is in danger of annihilation. There is a great and increasing demand for kauri timber, not only in New Zealand, but also in the neighbouring Colonies, which of course necessitate tile destruction of the forests now in existence, while no provision is made for replanting. At present the trade in kauri timber is a very important one to the Thames district where numerous mills exist for sawing it, of. superior capacity and construction. These in their turn furnish freight for:a small fleet of timber ships, as may be judged by the fact that last year three mills sent coastwise nearly four million feet of sawn timber. If to that coasting trade be added what is sent out of NewZealand, and what is used at Home, it will be seen that the timber trade of the Thames is of large dimensions. It is to be observed that kauri is not the only kind of timber exported, kaihikatea, or white pine, largely used for building purposes, also totara, puriri, black birch, &c, all swell the bills of lading of. the timber vessels. While treating of- the natural productions of the place ware 'naturally led to notice its soil and climate. The first varies a good deal, according to situation, from a rich vegetable loam to a hungry clay, but even this last, which generally occupies the hill sides, carries fair grass crops. The explanation of this productiveness ,is doubtless to be found in the moist ;and genial nature of the climate, which tends to force all vegetable growth, and so compensates for want of richness in the soil. Fruit trees generally thrive well on the Hauraki Peninsula, and lately a good deal of grape wine has been manufactured. The medium summer heat on the flajis set down 76deg. Fahrenheit, that of Spring and Autumn at 63deg., falling to a winter average of 52deg. The rainy season extends from May to September, but abundant showers fall occasionally throughout the year, although thunderstorms are, far from , common phenomena. The climate of the Thames is evidently favorable to health which is proved by the statistical fact that the Borough, with a population over 5000 is the healthiest in. New Zealaud. As a nursery for children the place is famous, and when the schools turn out with their banners to enjoy their accustomed feasts at some of the public gardens the exhibition is most gratifying, whether the numbers or the healthful appearance of the children be considered. The public schools of the district are, many of them, handsome and commodious buildings, and are uuder efficient management. The private schools also enjoy,a deserved reputation—upon the whole, the wants of the population in respect of education are well supplied. The volunteers of the Thames are quite a feature in the character of a place, and in point of numbers, drill, equipment, and appearance are fully equal to auy similar body of men in JMew Zealand. Among them is a small Maori company, commanded by their chief, very efficient as to manceuvringi and excellent rifle shots. In speaking above of natural productions proper to the Thames, no mention was made of silver, copper, iron, coal and kaolin. These substances have not yet become, the objects of systematic research, and therefore, dp pot appear as articles of consumption "or of export. Among the maiiy ■ natural advantages possessed by the Tbatne3,. not the, least among them /is the copjoua supply of water ensured by the. wooded range.of hills forming its spine. This,has been utilized by the Government both for domestic use aud for public purposes—the former service is effected by brioging'the water in pipes to the houses of the inhabitants, the latter is performed by bringing the water a distance of nine or ten miles in open iron fluming. carrying thirty sluice heads, a discharge equal to 12,000 gallons per minute. Owing to the possession of this great power, the: district is very suitable as a situatiou for the erection of clotli and flour mills, or, in

fact, for carrying on any industry requir-j ing.the use of machinery, and no difficulty' would be found in procuring anjr number of children for; that description of. work,. for which their labor is suitable. While pure water is thus abundant, tho district is not deficient in mineral springs! The 5 Puriri water, simple or ©rated, is justly celebrated as antacid and remedy for gout, and the hot springs of Mount * Aroha afford .baths of sovereign efficacy in rhou-. matie and cuticular affections. Thus bountiful nature provides for the wants of man both in health and in disease, and for theß*e blessings the inhabitants of Thames ought to be duly recognizant. The local authorities by which, the :districj, is go«! verned are the Eesident Magistrate and ■Wiarden of the Thames' gbiafieTds, the' County and Borough Councils of Thames,, the Thames Harbor Board and Parawai Highway Board. These various powers togflther.expend about £25,000 annually,. the amount being made up of rates, license fees, gold duty, and Government subsidies. Considering, then, all the I«|iM|Me«^of<tlie district,/its;ad^antagiwi of iituation and climate, were are justified by a nearer view in anticipating for the Thames 'that importance which Captain Cook, at a much greater distance of time, predicted for it. Advance Haueaki.