THE FIRST COACH TRIP TO THE AROHA.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1310, 20 November 1880, Page 2

THE FIRST COACH TRIP TO THE AROHA.

On Wednesday morning last, Mr, W. K. Carter, the enterprising coach proprietor, started the first coach to the scene of the new y;oldfiield. At 8 a.m. everything was in readiness, and about a quarter of an hour afterwards, the pas^en^ers having taken their seats and the union Jack hoisted, a start was made. The ribbons were handed by the veteran Carter himself, and the party consisted of Messrs Gwynne, Knox, Cox, Jenkins (Piako), and Capt. Dawson. The morning was fine arid notwithstanding the rain of the previous day the roads were found to be in capital order. A good pace was maintained until near the Waikato Land Association's gate, when the equipage was brought to a Budden stop by the breaking of one of the swingietrees. Carter, equal, from long experience, to any emergency of this sort, quickly had things right again; the damaged tree was spliced, and in ten minutes the long whip was curling round the leaders, and the stentorian voice was shouting " what are you about there ; get up " while the coach rattled along the well-formed road. Passing the long grassy flats belonging to the Company and on between the low hills, Morrinsville hove in sight shortly before noon, the Nottingham Castle Hotel gaily dekt out with bunting in honour of the occasion. About noon the coach drew up in front of tho hostel amid the cheers of a goodly number of spectators, whom the event had drawn together, headed by that stalwart pioneer of the Piako, Sam Tiklepenny, whose hearty voice rose high above the others and whoso heartier grasp of the hand was soon felt by each of the voyageurs in turn. Dinner was quickly served up and a fresh team having been yoked up, a start was made towards the Waihou at about half-past one. An hour and a half's driving over the long white road, "level as a bowling green " as one of the party expressed himself, past the estate of Mr Murray, over the picturesque little Waitoa with its fringe of bush, through the properties of Messrs Larkworthy & Campbell, brought the coach to Missen's Hotel at Campbelltown. Here the travellers met Major Mnrray of the Thames, who had ridden through from Grahamstown the same morning. After a short stay the coach proceeded to the upper landing, vhich was gained about half past three, and the party leaving the coach, crossed uver to O'Halloran's on the punt. To their annoyance they were each mulct in the sum of threepence, although they had been, given to understand that the ferry, by arrangement with the Waitoa Road Board, which body made the approach road, was free. Arriving at the Hot Springs Hotel, they were greeted with the sight of a number of men engaged in the erection of houses, &c, on the site of the proposed township, which is now being surveyed by Mr Purchas on behalf of the Government. Among the number present, were several of the fair sex. O'Halloran's was found to be full, and after partaking of refreshment the party struck out for the prospector's claim which lies home quarter of a mile from the hotel. The track was found to be by no means easy of ascent the spur which it traverses resembling the side of a house more than any thing else. Paying due heed to the notice boards, on which were painted the ominous words "Bo ware of boulders," grasping whatever of herbage was at hand, and not daring to look behind, the party toiled painfully up. About halfway they met with Sweeney, one of the prospectors, who had watched their arrival at the hotel, and not seeing them approach sooner had concluded that they were not going to venture upon the assent until morning. Although he had been up and down three times the same day, he yielded to the persuasion of the party and returned with them. They found the claim on the open ground on the slope of the mountain, with just sufficient of the earth opened to discover the reef, which looked exceptionally rich. Indeed one of the party, which has had a considerable experience in quartz mining, said he had never seen anything finer in his life. Having satisfied themselves in regard to the reef, a few minutes were spent in admiring the lovely prospect which lay in front. Below, nlmost under their feet, was the beautiful Waihou winding around and about like a ribbon of silver, and beyond the wide, fertile valley of the Thames. The sight is described as one never to be forgotten, and were there no gold would amply compensate anyone for the trouble of climbing up the precipitous side of the mountain in dread of dangers above and below. Descending the slope with equal caution but with infinitely crreater celerity, the party reached the hot springs about half-pa^t six, and at once proceeded to the lower landing where they took up quarters at Dibsell's Hotel and received every attention at the hands of the genial host. Here also they were met by that best of good fellows, Reuben Parr, one of the pioneer settlers on the Waitoa, and from him ti.ey received a kindly welcome. The hotel was pretty full and our travellers had to content themselves with the only accomodation to be obtained. One gentleman passed a very comfortable night under a table. It was just as well that they had made the ascent on the previous afternoon, for Thursday morning rose cloudy and wet. However, after breakfast, the party recrossed the Waihou and indulged in a dip in the hot baths near O'Halloran'a, which they enjoyed immensely. A start was made for home about noon, and Hamilton was reached without adventure about half-past six p. m. At present there are between 300 and 400 men on the field, their operations extending for miles along the range, chiefly in a direction sontherly from the prospectors' claim, and although it has been generally reported that good indications of gold have been found in several places, no particulars are, for obvious reasons forthcoming. Upon the opening of the field these reports will quickly receive verifiication or refutation. So soon as the township is ready, buildings may be expected to go up rapidly, a large quantity of timber being already at the landing.

If an editor omits anything he is lazy. If he speaks of things as they are people get angry. If he calls things by their proper names he is unfit for the position of an editor. If he does not furnish readers with jokes he is a mullet. If he does he is a rattle-head, lacking stability. If he condems the wrong he is a good fellow, but lacks discretion. If he lets wrongs and injuries go unmentioned he is a coward. If he exposes a public man he does it to gratify spite, is the tool of a clique, or belongs to the "outs." If he indulges in personalities he is a blackguard. If he does not his paper is dull and insipid. A Philadelphia clerk, who is somewhat smarter than his employer, was heard to remark the other day : "Thank fortune, the boss has stopped advertising for the season ! Now we will have a rest.