TE AROHA.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1312, 25 November 1880, Page 2

TE AROHA.

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.] [FROM OV/Li OWX CORRESPONDENT.] [Ihe following was published as an Extra on Tuesday : — ]

This morning the Aroha goldfield will be proclaimed, and before many hours are past all the struggling, hurrying, fighting, and dodging incidental to the work of pegging out the firat day on a new diggings will be over. We do not, however, anticipate that there will to-day be anything approaching those scenes of violence which were witnessed at the Thames, and from which Ohinemuri was not entirely free. The causes of this may, perhaps, be looked for partly in the circumstance of the miners' rights being issued beforehand instead of on the morning of the opening, but chiefly, we think, in the good sense of the men themselves. There is nothing left now of those old national artipathies which used to divide the Thames miners in the early days. Long association with one another has rubbed off many of the corners against which their prejudices used at one time to run. The result of this will probably be that, no matter how new chums may distinguish themselves, good order and the exercise of fair play will characterise the conduct of the experienced seekers after fortune. It is within the bounds of possibility that the very opposite may be the case ; indeed it cannot be foreseen what, under certain circumstances, any set of men will do, but our opinion is based upon that of people competent to judge, and we can but hope we are right. When the rough nature of the country and the large number of men upon it are taken into consideration, it will be surprising indeed if there do not occur some very exciting incidents. It is understood that up to Tuesday nighc some 900 miners rights had been taken out at the Thames and the Aroha, and as a large number went to the field yesterday from all parts of the Waikato, Auckland, Thames, and other places, it is probable the figure will be considerably increased. Mr Carter despatched two coaches from Hamilton yesterday morning, each having a full complement of passengers, and every available buggy and saddle horse was put into requisition. Latest intelligence is to the effect that payable gold has been discovered in several places besides the prospector's claim, while in the latter the reef which has now been opened up shows gold freely. Practical men with whom we have spoken on the subject express very favorable opinions of the fi c .ld. The country, they sayl is naturally of a nature very difficult for prospecting, owing to the bush and scrub, which will have to be burnt off before much can be done. Beauty will therefore have to yield before the demand of utility, and in a short time probably the great Aroha instead of being the grandly picturesque peak, which we have hereto- • fore known, will become a hidious blackened monster, disfigured by the workings of the vast body of human anls now beginning to deface it. In these times few will say it were better it should be otherwise.

Grahamstown, Tuesday Morning. There is great excitement the anent Te Arolia goldfield, and large numbers of miners are leaving here to be present at the opening on Thursday, About 400 are now on the ground, and 120 went up by the steamer this morning. A quarter share iv the Prospectors' claim was sold yesterday for £80. At a meeting of the owners of the Prospecting 1 claim, held here labt night, it was decided to form a company of 12,000 £1 shares, and place 6,000 shares on the market at 7s 6d per share, 6s to go to promoters, and Js Gd to the credit of the ' company. 2,000 shares were allotted to the Thames, and 4,000 to Auckland and | Waikato. Immediately after the meeting, the Thames shares went off like wild fire, all being taken up last night, with the exception of 7-3. Lively scenes are expected on the opening day.

Auckland, Last Night. The Prospectors' claim has been formed into a company under the name of " The Aroha Gold Mining Company." Mr White lias been appointed secretary, and Mr Frater broker, and there are 12,000 shares of £1 each, nil paid up. Six thousand shares were offered at 7s Gd. of which 6s go to the promoters and Is 6d to the Company. Two thousand have been allotted to the Thames and four thousand for Auckland and Waikato. Two hours after it became known that the Company was formed Mr Frater received application for 750 shares, and by 10 o'clock the whole of the shares allotted to the Thames were disposed of, and the demand remained unsatisfied.