THE THAMES: Statistical and Descriptive.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3300, 19 July 1879, Page 1

THE THAMES: Statistical and Descriptive.

J > Concluded from our last.^ : At present the Thames is compelled to import its coal from the Bay of Islands, outcoal has been foand in large quantities on the west side of'the, Hauraki Gulf. The cost of transit (owing to the want of roads) from' the mines to the waller' fias prevented this valuable property,'b^ipg worked to advantage. When,, iwwW<er, the cost of carriage is, lessened, no f ,doubt this .industry will be developed. • At Miranda (also on, the w,e«t side of rthe Hauraki Gulf, about two hours sail from Grahamstown) some hot springs exist, the waters of which contain solutions -,of various mineral*, and fathers "in them have found great relief when suffering from rheumatism" and other complaints. 'The gardens at Parawai (ft sbeauti. ful suburb to' the south' of Shortland),' and' also the at Tararu (north- of GraKamstown) are extensively planted with strawberries. This, delicacy , grows abundantly^ and shows that the soil is wellr adapted for the growth of this kind of fruit., 'The gardens have alao recreation grounds which are used for cricket, foot*ball, &c, and race courses are adjacent. The drawback, however, to the public is that the grounds are private property, and consequently the charge for admission prevents riiany from enjoying' rthese' beautiful resorts.' The public recreation "ground is situaje^ Jjome 3 miles from the town, and is not ypj^laid ou^, As before stated,,the nvunici^a^ty is under the control of^the^ BgrQagh Council, who have acted judiciouslyain having the, streets, which are generally .wide in most instances, well metalled* afcd kept in > good repair. The: side<-walk»tin the principal business parts of the town hare- been: asphalted,' and" trees "hKve been planted in various places alongside of the footpaths. The water tables for carrying off the flood water from the ranges have been .substantially, constructed, and the drainage in most ohWs carefully attended to. , The "Harbour Board have under their control three wharves, viz., Shortland, Grahamstown, and Goods, „. an';efficien i Harbourmaster and staff; but-until they are in receipt of Sir John; Goodes' engineeringreport, no works of any magnitude will be carried out. At'present vessels drawing 12 feet of water can come up the harbour. As'au endowment the Board have received from •the General Government the foresbor«, which will be eventually reclaimed, and will be a source of large revenue to £hj}na, ancj. will enable them to greatly improve the port. 'Steamers trade daily between „the Thames and Auckland, and river steamers frequently proceed,, up^jjje ihames Eiver to Ohinemuri. The town ,is lit with gas, and is well supplied with water. The Thames Water Jttace, constructed at a cost of np wards'of £70,000, derives its supply from the head of 'the Kauaeranga (Jreek. The main pipe in the town is 11 inches in diameter/aud't^e force of water is great'enough to drive the machinery of several batteries, §nd for f extinguishing a fire has "proved "invaluable. There are two fire'brigades— one,whose engine house is at Grahamstown, and jtbo other at .ShorUand;. .both brigades are well equipped, smdt.the-inea ,ure' well officered and thoroughly efficient. > i ■The manufactories carried on at the 'Thames consist -of' Price Bros.' fon'ridVy, 1 which employs a large number of lianas 'and turns out machinery tor steamers, batteries, <tc, in a most, creditable manner, lv contieiion with 1 the * above there' is a boiler - makiug establishment, and in course of erection, an' iron ship-building yard/ There are two wooden ship-building yards at Shortland, and vessels frtom them have given good accounts oi themselves.* Ehreutnecl's brewery at Shortland is a large concern, and in addition to supplying the Thames, exports largely 10 Auckland and other parts of the colony. Messrs Brown, Campbell aud Cos. brewery also turns out a good sample"xif ale. '' The steam bakery of Messrs Mennie and Dey is the largest in the district «f Auckland and supplies not only the Thames but also the up country districts with biscuits of various kinds' and frequently supplies ships going home from Auckland. The iriendly Societies hare established brunches on the Thames. The Foresters, Oddfellows, Kechabites, Protestant, Alliance and Hiberniuns have each a large number of members on their roll,'and their balance, sheets show, the prosperous condition of their finances. There are also Masonic, Good Templar and Orange Lodges). '1 ho Mechanic'? Institute has lately been enlarged and receives most of the pnQcijjjittl Hope and < .colonial ■ newspapers ; -.'«nd | periodicals. The library .is well stocked, and the nucleus of a museum has b?ep

formed. The institute is managed, by a. committee elected annually from the subscribers. The Government sohoolsare numerous and Well conducted, the average attendance of the scholars is highly creditable to the inhabitants. Some of the buildings are large and handsome, notably the Kauaeranga Boys' and Thames schools, the latter capable of accoinmodating and 500, and the former 350. St. George's Grammar School furnishes higher education for boys, and is conducted by Mr Schofield, the principal, and a competent 'stiff. Tlie: Sch6ol> under the control of the Lady Superior and the Sisters of Mercy, is largely at- i tended by young ; Jadies ;; of. various religioss, and the proficiency' attained by :those who have been pupilsjrefle'cts Uhe , greatest credit on the lady teachers. The Wesleyans, Primitive Methodists, Congregationalists, Plymouth Brethren, Pres-! byterians, Baptists, Eomao Catholics, and Episcopalians have each places of worship.; St. George's Church. (Church of England)' is a handsome building, capable of con-; taming, from 800 to 1000 persons. ,It,jiasi a very fine organ, and three beautiful, stained glass windows. j The Hospital is a commodious and well; ventilated buildingj admirably conducted. It is surrounded by a neat garden. The principal buildings of the town are the' General Government Offices, (comprising; Wardens and Eesident Magistrates' Court; Survey, Telegraph, Wardens, and Police j Offices, all 'contained under one rqof,)j Custom House, Post Office, Bank of Isewj Zealand, Union Bank, Bank of New, South Wales, National Bank (of New! Zealand, Stock Exchange, Osborne Bros.; Warehouse, Borough Council Chambers,j County Council Offices, and the Volunteer Hail. The principal hotels areVPacinc.i Wharf, Governor Bowen, Lady Bowen,' and the Provincial in Grahamstown, and! the Shortiand, Warwick Arms, and Ex-j change in Shortiand. Volunteering isj kept up with spirit, the Thames District being accredited the best in New Zealand. There are eight different companies, viz., one Engineer, four Rifle Companies (European), and one Uifle Company (Native), .Naval Brigade and Marine Artillery, and two Cadet Companies ;| total strength aboui 650, exclusive of. three brass and one drum and fife 'bands. | The efficiency 1 of the men is well" main-j -taiued, and in rifle shooting the members' have obtained great-.j proficiency. Thei New Zealand Eifie Champion and Cadeti Belts have been held by Thames Volun-' teers, and the Carbine Champion Belt is \ now held by a Petty Officer of the Naval 1 Brigade. The town is kept well supplied with: news, there being two daily newspapers— \ the Thames Advertiser- and the Evening \ Star—both well conducted and supplied with the latest telegrams; The encouraging prospects recently obtained in several; mines, the commencement of the railway, and the. upper country being. open for ■settlement,; lead/ to the'hope of a bright ,and prosperous future for the,, Thames ;Goldfield. „,''" ; ,--V>'-."