Plan of the occupied Ground, Te Aroha.

Thames Star, Issue XI, 25 November 1880, Page 2

Plan of the occupied Ground, Te Aroha.

ing the mode of pegging out, and I was sorry to find that there is a large amount of dissatisfaction. I was informed by one who was present, that the Warden cqnrened a meeting of the miners and business people in front of the Warden's office yesterday afternoon, and explained at length the coarse he intended punning in opening the field. In , the course of his remarks, he said that-in deciding disputes in connection with the pegging out of claims, he should give a slight preference to those parties who had been prospecting in that locality for some weeks' past.

That this latter statement was to cause some commotion was soon apparant from the excited groups of miners who assembled eagerly discussing what had fallen from the Warden. This feeling of indignation speedily became pretty general amongst the late arrivals, and at five o'clock culminated in a meeting being held for the , avowed object of protesting against the proposed action of the Warden. An old Thamesite, Mr Roderick McDonald fc^cott, was > voted to the chair, and with Mr C. A. Comes, Kelly, and Shaw spoke strongly on the matter. A series of resolutions were passed condemning the action proposed by Mr Kenrick, and appointing an influential deputation to wait upon that gentleman. The deputation was introduced to Mr Kenrick, who, however, declined to give any definite reply to the resolutions. I fonudthat all sorts of rumors regarding new discoveries were going round, but nothing definite could be ascertained, and I will not say anything about it, as I expect to be able to say something definite during the next few hours.

I was informed by a good authority that no fewer than 500 miners' rights have been issued together with SO business licenses so that the field has already given nearly £1000 of revenue. . . . The scene before me just now as I am writing, I shall never forget The plain ,■ resembles a large camp, the tents assuming a dazzling whiteness in the morning sun. Little wreaths of smoke show that many are preparing the morning meal, while those who have already breakfasted are evidently making preparations for the journey to the. Prospectors'. Everyone appears in excellent humor, and so far as I can see, all traces of yesterday's discontent have; departed. The supreme moment has arrived, and the people have no room in their thoughts for minor grievances—the great event of the day monopolising all their attention. I have just heard there is likely to be some excitement over the pegging out of township allotments, and that great numbers. will remain on the flat to participate in that. Parties have been formed to prevent others , from approaching the' much prized corner sections. Every moment horsemen are seen dashing in from the Waikato, and as far as the eye can reach on the long' straight road in front of me small clouds of dust betoken that others are on the way. Many familiar faces are to be seen, including Captain Perceval, Lionel Phillips (of Ehrenfriod Bros.), i Harry Whitaker, Fred Whitaker and J., D. Wickham. Tho two.latter are ndfrr engaged in an earnest korero, and rumor hath i^they do not intend to be last when i the pegging out comifeences. But now I will have to lay aside my pen. as.the crowd are beginning to ascend; the spar to the Prospectors' claim, and it will never do to miss the fun. Prospectors' Claim. 9.30. , The climb up the spur is no laughing matter, and as the day was a bit warm everyone perspired freely, and were not sorr y when the summit was reached. At half-past eight there were fully 300 persons on the hill, and the piles of pegs lying out clearly showed what was the object of the assemblage. Amongst those I noticed particularly were the Warden, Wilkinson (the Mayor elect of Thames, looking hearty and jolly), Colonel Fraser, with Messrs Michael Hennelly, D. 8,. Gellion, J. D. Wickham, Scanlan, Keily, and a host of Thames miners. At six minutes to nine exactly, Mr Kenrick read the proclamation of the goldfield, with Geo. T. Wilkinson and old Mokahinau (Morgan) with loaded guns standing beside him, their weapons at the "ready." ltaring the reading of the verbose officially-worded document, the facet of the motley assemblage of hearers were studies for a painter. AH were standing on the gui vive, with the strong excitement, under which they were laboring, plainly written across their features. As Mr Kenrick pronounced tho words, " God save the Queen," at the end of the proclamation, Wilkinson and Morgan discharged their guns, and the field was open. Theft the rush commenced, every man seizing a peg, and rushing off with it with all the speed he could muster, and if he was lucky enough, pegging out the piece of ground he had previously set his heart on. Praser, Porter, and McSweeney stood along the line of the top corner of the Prospectors' Claim, while vaughan and others took possession of the other corner pegs. At the favorite corner—the North-east—a number of parties bad taken up a position to commence pegging,

and it was here that the densest of the .crush was. The relative positions of the claims pegged out are shown on the rough plan I send with this message. There never was a more orderly opening —no high words and no quarrelling, every man putting in his peg, without interfering with his neighbor. Immediately after reading the proclamation, the Warden had men placed at each corner of the Prospectors' claim to take notes. He himself was at one, McLaren at another, while. Wilson and Bussell occupied the third and fourth. ■ ••.

After pegging out each party had to show the men pegging out, and every man had to produce his miner's right. Mr Kenrick took down the names, and in case of any. disputes will decide, the claims of each. . . , I have just heard that. gold was taken out of one of the claims this morning, and that Mclntyre and party have got the cap of the reef in their ground, but it is impossible to tell who will get it jet. _ , . . AToen. Dixon took a party to peg out a claim, in which a reef was visible, some distance from the prospectors' claim, bat could not show a color of gold, and the party whose expectations were high, have : just returned here disgusted an^ crestfallen. From what I have heard during the last few minutes, I am led to believe that there is likely to be more trouble over the township allotments than the olaims. Proposals have already been made to' amalgamate the parties in several of the claims, and it is likely that, oompanies will be formed at, once. It is ncjw said that the way the Warden proposed to deal with the claims is very fair, though it is probable there will be some fighting amongst those who have bees disappointed in the pegging out. ■' '< „ Great satisfaction is felt, here at the result of the Mayoral election, and it is suggested that Mr Thomas Veale should - be asked to offer himself, as a candidate for the seat in the South Ward, rendered vacant through Mr Wilkinson's elevation to the office of Mayor. Ml