THE THAMES GOLDFIELDS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 331, 22 August 1868, Page 7

THE THAMES GOLDFIELDS.

(FIMXM THE " THAMES ADVEBTISER," ATJOTJST 6.) "We are glad to find that the new ground opened at Tinker's Gully, beyond the Shellback Creek, Tararau, is is giving early indications of its value. During the week some excellent prospects have been washed, we are aware of one gentleman of experience who values his share at upwards of £I,OOO, even at this early stage of the discovery. A sample of 301b. of rough stone taken from seven men's ground, called the

Eiery Cross (C. E. Mitchell and party) was crushed and retorted yesterday at Goodhall's Priuce Alfred battery, the yield of which was loz 3dwt of amalgam or eoual to sdwts of retorted gold. The stone was merely crushed as a sample, no gold being visible in it. The ground from which this prospect was the fourth claim pegged oft on Thursday week, by Mr Mitchell and others of the " old hands " on this goldfield. The latter pronounce it the best district yet found out, if the prospects obtained are any criterion. Ground continues to be pegged off in the neighborhood, and the above party say that they would have no difficulty in taking out 20 tons a day of stone similar to that tested.

The Nil Desperandum have struck a blue leader, or reef, running up the spur of their ground, which is expected to turn out well.

Gold has been struck during the week in a claim called the Greenstone, near the Lucky Hit ground. A claim of two men's ground has been taken up this week underneath the Forest Ranger, and named the Express. The party have set in a drive in search of the Forest Banger's leader.

The Star of New Zealand, seven men's ground, adjoining the Bank of Ireland and Kerry Heads Claims, Waiotahi, taken up four weeks ago, struck gold on Monday last. The party commenced a drive in which they have opened a leader six inches in width, and taken out some good specimens, at a distance of 30 feet from the surface. There are likewise two facing on the claim, and preparations are being made to commence another drive.

We take the following from the West Coast Times of Wednesday : Amongst the many questions which have received attention from scientific men of late years, with the view to utilising and more evenly distributing the necessaries of life between overproductive and less favored countries, the preservation of animal food for exportation, is one of no small importance. Several modes have been tried with more or less success, such as hermetically sealed air-tight canisters, fresh meat in bulk in ice, essence of beef, &c, all yet comparatively experimental. Much was said some time ago of the great advantages England and other distant countries were about to enjoy by the successful carrying out of this new industry, when the vast flocks and herds of Australia should be made available in a fresh and sound condition ; and the question often occurred to us—why should not the population of New Zealand have early participation in these advantages, especially on the West Coast, where fresh meat has been for a considerable time at a very high price. It appears that the question is now solved, and to Mr. W. Anderson we are indebted for the first extensive shipment of Australian mutton, excellent in quality, convenient in mode of preparation, and cheap. Mr. Anderson informs us he has, at considerable expense and risk, prepared and brought on to this market his first shipment, consisting of legs of mutton, or mutton hams, and rolled sides with the bones taken out, slightly smoked, spiced, and otherwise prepared in a manner peculiar to himself, after considerable experience on his station at Lake Boga, Victoria. We were invited to inspect and sample the stock, and have no hesitation in pronouncing the meat excellent. This shipment is the cure of several thousand sheep, and some tons have already found purchase. The legs and rolls weigh from 6 to 81b. each, and for miners must be found most convenient. To thoroughly introduce this new article, Mr. Anderson has opened an establishment in Revell street, where the public can judge for themselves. Mr. Anderson is preparing for extensive shipments from Victoria, and we wish him success in an undertaking which will confer a great benefit on the community. The Oipps Land Times recently mentioned that horses had been disposed of at the auction yards of Messrs Pearson, English, and Peck, at the ridiculously low figure of 3s. each; but that amonnt appears quite respectable in comparrson to the prices realized by a mob of" weeds " subsequently submitted for competition. No Saturday, July 24, dozens of these diminutive " weeds " were quitted at the rate of lOd. each, or 7 for ss. The consequence is, that every schoolboy from the age of six years and upwards has now become the proprietor of horseflesh, and the young urchins may be met at almost every street-corner, leading their little nags about, and soliciting some more mature equesrian to mount them, in order to render them sufficiently tame for their purpeoss."