PIGEONGRAMS.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3754, 8 January 1881, Page 2

PIGEONGRAMS.

TE AEOHA.

This day, 3 p.m.

PUBLIC MEETING.

A public meeting for the purpose of deciding on the means for erecting a crush ing battery here and likewise for the consideration of other matters was held yesterday afternoon at five o'clock in front of the Post Office. Mr A. Porter was voted to the chair.

The Chairman having thanked them for the honor done him, called oh the convener to address the meeting. Mr T. G. Sandes, who was received with applause, said he had taken it upon himself to call this meeting, on the recommendation of several amongst themselves, who thought that something should be done to provide a battery to test what had already been got. If some such step was not taken, they might as well put on their hats and go to where they came from. Private parties had been talking of erecting batteries, but they all wished a guarantee and that in money, which they could not see their way to give, so it would, be better to erect a battery for themselves His proposition was that a company be formed of 2000 shares at £1 each,. 10s paid up, and that the meeting proceed to elect a provisional directory of nine gentlemen to carry put the resolution. It bad been ascertained that the battery, with all appliances, could be purchased and erected on the ground Ijv. a sum considerably under £1000. A number of gentlemen in Auckland and elsewhere |had informed him that they would help Te Aroha, when the people showed a disposition to help themselves. Of course the action they proposed taking re the forming; of a; company would not preclude private parties from following suit, indeed 10 head of stampers would be but a small fleabite to the crushing power that would be required if the field turned out well. The speaker then announced that he was prepared to answer any questions. 7

In answer to questions from Mr Quinn and others, Mr Sarnies said that half the capital would be called up at firsthand if it was found necessary to enlarge the battery, the expense could be met by calling up the balance.. It was Messrs Morrin, Murdoch, and j. C. Firth, who had promised to assist, and of course that meant with them money, as they knew that-^advice was no good. The battery would be worked by steam power, and plenty of firewood could be obtained at a reasonable cost.

The Chairman suggested that the com pany: be four thousand shares at ten shil lings, five shillings paid up.

The mover assented, and the motion being seconded was put and unanimously. Mr Gr. S. O'Halloran said he had had a resolution placed in his hands. He did not know why, unless that he was the oldest hand here, with the exception of Mr George Lipsey. The resolution he had to propose was that the following gentlemen form the provisional directory —A. Porter, H. H. Adams, H. Whitaker, G. Lipsey, C. McLean, J. Goldsworthy, E. Fitzpatrick, Col. Fraser, arid T. Gr. Saudes.

This was seconded, put, and then carried.

At this stage, Mr A. Christey said that he was prepared to put down £100 with nine others, and have a. battery erected in six weeks. He handed a paper to thii Chairman, ana.requested that it be read to,the meeting.

The Chairman consented, and read the paper as follows :—" The undersigned is prepared to supply and erect a ten stamp battery driven by ample steam power— with two berdans and every article necessary to work the mill, including silver,blankets, retorts, enamelled buckets, &c, and a week's supply of coals for £1000. Stamps to bo running six weeks.—A. Cheistey." He said he could promise Mr Christey that if the Comnnttee got no better terms his would be accepted. Mr Sandes said that having disposed of the matter of the battery, the next thing they required was roads. The Piako County Council had brought the Act into force, and they were to meet at Cambridge to-morrow. They had the money and the inclination to do something for the district. The members of the Council however resided a great distance from here, and they did not know the wants of the place. They wished the people here to appoint delegates to meet them nnd discuss their, wants. He himself, was going over to-morrow.

The meeting by acclamation appointed Messrs Porter and Whitaker their delegates, and the customary compliment to the Chairman concluded the meeting. The pro? isional directorate met after the public meeting at the' British ECotel last evening, and decided to at once, issue a prospectus in accordance with the riews of the meeting, and a committee consisting of Messrs McLean, Adams, and Golds worthy, were authorised to draw up a specification and call for tenders for the battery, while Messrs Porter and Sandes were requested to proceed to Waikato, Auckland, and the Thames to make further arrangements.

(Fsosi To-dU-y's Te Akoha Mince.)

We learn that the claim lately known as the Golden Eagle, which was awarded

to W. S. McOormick on Thursday, has been pegged off afresh by that gentleman and named the Golden Spur.. The result of the crushing will now be known, as it has been kept back until after the case was over. We believe, by the show and the amount of trouble and expense that the present proprietor has gone to, that this will be one of the leading mines before long, as he intends to form it into a company, if the ton trial sent to the Thames shapes even three quarters of an ounce, as there are several large reefs in the grounds. The Don, on the one side, has got a reef which runs right through the Golden Spur, and the All Nations' on the other side .has a good show ; so considering its proximity to the flat, low grade quartz should pay well. The leader that the ton for trial was taken from is about one foot in thickness, and at present they are following it up to the junction of the large reef cut iv the All Nations' with favourable prospects. The distance to be driven is about 20 feet.

Waikato.—Under the direction of Mr 0. McLean work was-started in this mine on Tuesday last. The drive from whence the trial crushing was taken.is being continued, and tbe lode maintains its size and quality. The quartz is being paddocked, pending the erectiou of the proposed battery.

Petty larcenies of tools, etc., have become of rather frequent occurrence on, the gold field. The Miner says:—Agaiaift is our unpleasant duty to call attention to the. existence of a gang of petty thieves in our midst, who continue their depredations scathless of detection. One of the shareholders of the All Nations mineinforms us that a most impertinent theft was perpetrated on the shareholders of that mine a saw and adze being stolen during the teniporarj absence of the workmen. As this is not a solitary instance of the robbery of tools, it behoves miners to hare their brands affixed to them as at the Thames. An attempt should be made to bring one of those petty thieves to justice so that a wholesome warning might be given to his associates in crime.

The latent dodge for getting a cheap drink, was exercised on Mr Wood, a popular resident of this place, white in Auckland spending. Christmas. Mr W. was meandering down Queen - street, when he was accosted by a mau he had never seen before. " Huiloa, Mr Wood," said the stranger. *" How are youP". "I don't know you," ejaculated the astonished Wood. " Oh, yes you dp ! It was a long' tjine. ago, and I owe you some money." "Do you," said Wood, softening. . "Come and have a drink." So they went over to the " Cos," the Aroha man shouting seven liquors for his new acquaintance. "I'll meet you at ten o'clock to-morrow at Morrin's Corner with that little debt; Good day." This was the .last- that Wood saw of the man to whom he bad opened his heart,