Opening of Te Aroha Goldfield.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1313, 27 November 1880, Page 2

Opening of Te Aroha Goldfield.

For several days past this event has b:-en the one topic of interest to a large number of people, both in the Waikato and at tlte Thames ; and, accordingly, on Wednesday the j already considerable population of the new canvas township was greatly increased. As we stated in our last issue every available vehicle and saddle horse were put in requisition, the two coaches running from Hamilton were filled, Hamilton and Cambridge being almost deserted. The weather was fine, the roads exceptionally good, and the trip consequently proved a very enjoyable one. The majority of the visitors proceeded direct to the Aroha, some crossing the river and either taking up their quarters at O'Halloran's Hotel, or pitching camp on the site of the new township, and the rest remaining on the near side of the river, encamped in a grove of native trees along the banks. Of the horses, some were paddocked on the Aroha side of the stream, while those belonging to the people who did not cross remained tethered to the trees on this side. A large number of miners had also arrived from the Thames by the steamers Vivid and Memsahib, and speedily swelled the number of tents in the encampment. During the the early part of the day the scene was tranquil enough, the majority of the men being away up the mountain busily concerting measures for the morrow. In the afternoon, however, things became more lively ; groups of miners were gathered around about O'Halloran's Hotel, which seemed to be doing a thriving business, engaged in discussing the all absorbing subject of gold. About 4 o'clock a

Public Meeting of Miners was held, at which about 500 or 600 attended. The Warden was present and addressed the meeting, stating that every facility would be given for pegging out the ground. At 9 o'clock on the following morning, two guns would be fired off at the prospectors' claim, after which pegging could at once commence. He also stated that should any rowdyism be attempted or any assault committed, that those guilty of such conduct would be cut out of any interest they might otherwise hold. This was received with evident signs of satisfaction by the miners. The Warden, in answer to questions, said that where several claimants appeared for one piece of ground, he might give his decision in favor of those who had done work on the ground, This was met with loud expressions of disapproval, several of those present stating that the Warden might as well give the ground away at once. The Warden was then understood to withdraw his previous remark and to state that he would decide on the merits of all claims to the best of his ability. The miners then dispersed, but shortly afterwards Another Meeting was called by bellman, to take into consideration the statements made by Warden Kenrick Mr R. McDonald Scott, the wellknown mining agent at the Thames, was voted to the chair, and entered at some length into the subject. Mr J. Shaw then moved a resolution to the effect that the statements made by the Warden to the meeting were very unsatisfactory to the community, and that a deputation consisting of the Chairman, Mr Corans, and the mover be appointed to wait upon the Warden, and to lay the resolution before him. This was duly seconded and carried. At this stage of the proceedings, Mr Mcllhone late Inspector of Miners' Rights at the Thames, was called upon to address the meeting, and that gentleman accordingly mounted upon the platform improvised for the occasion, and was greeted with cheers. He said he had entertained no idea that he would be called upon to address a meeting of this kind, but as it was the evident desire of those assembled that he should say something, he could not decline. He assumed that this desire arose from the knowledge that he had been an officer of the Government on the Thames for twelve years, and that he therefore had some knowledge of goldfields administration. He did not care to say anything which might affect the intentions which the Warden had in view, but this much he could not refrain from giving expression to ; that the statements he had heard the Warden make to the meeting previously held were most extraordinary, coming from a man in his position. Whilst the prompt action of the Government in opening up the field was to be greatly commended, it was to be regretted that they had placed at the head of the department a gentleman who, from the statements made by him, it would be clear had little or no knowledge of goldfields administration. In Mr Kenrick's absence he did not like to say anything which would reflect on him. He was, however, satisfied that ninetenths of the community would agree with him that the proposals made with reference to pegging out and protection were wholly opposed to the Act under which the district had been proclaimed. Several other speakers followed in a similar strain, and the meeting,

which was conducted in a very orderly manner, then terminated. During the day many of the principal business people of Waikato as well as many from the Thames were busily engaged in looking out allotments in the new township suitable to their requirements, and making all the preparations possible for securing them on the following morning. So, in these various ways, the day was occupied.

The Opening Day. On Thursday morning the weather was beautifully fine and warm, and everybody, as may be supposed, was early astir. Leaving Missen's hotel (to which many of those crowded out of sleeping room on the field had retreated the previous night), at a little after 4 o'clock, our special proceeded towards the river. The air was fresh and pleasant, but, nevertheless, a four-mile walk is not to be thought lightly of, and the kind hospitality of Mr Walnutt, who was found encamped under the trees near the river, was a thing not to be rejected. Accordingly the straw packing in the case was disturbed, and something which sparkled brightly in the early sunlight produced and sampled. Around and about here were anumber of tents chiefly occupied by a contingent of Hamilton East people, who, so far as the mosquitos would admit, were enjoying themselves thoroughly. Just close at hand was the punt landing, the ferryman being kept busily employed. On the other side the punt discharged its passengers directly under the bows of those ocean monsters, the steamers Vivid and Memsahib, and a walk o? three seconds brought travellers into what we suppose will be the main street of the town. Here, as early as 6 o'clock everybody was moving about, many had already disappeared in the bush, while th« rest were busily preparing to follow. Here was a party just starting, one, it might be, carrying an axe, another a spade and tomahawk, while the rest followed bowed under the weight of huge bundles of "pegs," ready squared to the regulation size, and pointed. By half past seven o'clock very few, except those intent on getting business sites, remained behind, and those latter were by no means idle ; indeed the only passive spectators were a few dozen Maoris. On the slopes of the great mountain itself every sign of life and activity was discoverable, but little of this could be seen from below, the bush screening the operations from view. Up the tortuous bush paths, miners and would-be miners toiled incessantly, now along rudely cut lines, and now up through places where, probably, no hnman foot had hitherto trod, grasping for support to the trunks of young trees and the long tendrils of the supplejack, sometimes in spite of everything falling flat, and at all times exposed to the onslaughts of the most voracious of the mosquito tribe, which swarmed on all sides. By about eight, that is an hour before the signal guns were to be fired under the Warden's direction at the Prospectors' claim, the greater number of the men were in their places. Then was heard the musical sound of axes ringing through the woods and blending harmoniously with the songs of the birds, the only interruption to the concert being an occasional coo-ec or halloo, and now and then some loudly spoken words in Maori from the direction of the Prospectors' claim. The time wore on, slowly enough no doubt to those who were patiently waiting at the corners of claims ready to plunge their pegs in and to cut the directing trenches. A few moments before the momentous hour arrived there was a general hush through the forest ; not a sound could be heard ; even the birds ceased their warblings as if they too were anxiously awaiting the signal. Nine o'clock : three sharps reports of a gun with innumerable reverberations, and the mountain seemed to have awakened from sleep. The sound which immediately followed the report of the firearms was a wild cheer, and then was heard the noise of timber smiting timber as the pegs were being driven into the ground, then the sound of the spade digging out the trenches, and then again the clink of the axe and tomahawk clearing the lines. Everybody now knew that the Aroha goldfielcl was opened, and, as one old digger remarked, nothing remained but to shovel out the precious metal itself. Excitement, such as that which took place at the opening of the field at Ohinemuri, there was none, because in this case there was no rushing and scrambling to be first on the ground ; the miners' rights had been issued beforehand, and no quality except patience was called into requisition, nor were there any quarrels or rowdyism. It would, indeed, have been strange had there been no disputes or complications, but these were with one consent left to the wisdom of the Warden to determine, no disposition being exhibited to settle matters according to the rules of the prize ring. That Mr Kenrick has got his hands full is certain ; in the immediate vicinity of the Prospectors' claim, some of the ground has been included in a very large number of claims, about a dozen we believe, but we will not be particular to one or two, and in other parts of the field similarly eccentric problems will have to be worked out. At the township the signal created nearly as much excitement in a small way as it did above, there

being no less than 15 claimants for one allotment. The whole of the 54 sections surveyed were taken up, and it is understood that more will be laid out at once. All the disputes about the boundaries will be settled by the Warden with as little delay as possible, and whero practicable on the ground in dispute. About 11 o'clock Mr Warden Kenrick, who lred been waiting on the ranges at the flag, addressed the miners who had been seeking particulars as to the precise nature of the disputes in existence, saying the whole matter would be investigated by him at the proper time, now they had arrived at the real questions of disputes as roughly shown on the hasty sketches made and submitted to him, and that the men who actually did peg off would be identified or not as the case may be by the constables stationed on the ground. And to facilitate the investigations he would strongly advise anyone interested to employ a surveyor, and get a proper plan prepared for reference, in order that the places overlapping might be distinctly shown, and borne out either by reference to the plan itself, or, if necessary, another inspection of the ground. This would narrow the whole matter, and the evidence would then have due consideration. The anxious claimants seemed highly satisfied at this by the remarks expressed, and they then dispersed. Mr Kenerick making tracks in big jumps to his own claim, which he thought no man could dispute, viz., a much needed draught of the mountain stream. On arriving at the flat he found as much difficulty at obtaining an hour's respite for his hard worked clerks, who he said had not had anything to eat or drink since 4 p.m. In the afternoon the excitement had somewhat subsided ; the diggers decended from the mountain and joined in the general discussion ©n the merits and demerits of the field. Now that; the ground had actually been pegged out, there was little or none of that mystery apparent, whice pervaded the very atmosphere but a few hours before. The direction of this and that claim was indicated freely, and reported indications were spoken of openly. Although the Prospectors' claim was the chief centre of attraction, that locality is by no means the only one which has been pegged in. It is believed that claims have been marked out miles away, and on the other side of the mountain Indeed, it was rumored on Thursday evening that a well-known Hamilton man had found gold three miles away. By the courtesy of Mr Adam Porter, one of the shareholders, and Mr Corbett, the manager of the Prospectors' claim, our representative was shown some very good specimens from the reef out of the upper drive. Some of the pieces contained much flakey gold, while others appeared to be strongly charged with the precious metal. The same gentlemen stated that the lower drive, about a hundred feet below the top workings, will be opened up at once, the contract for boring having been let at a price which indicates the favorable nature of the country for reefing. Good specimens have been seen from other places, and in a drive put in by Mr Gribble, on behalf of an association of Auckland and Waikato gentlemen, at the foot of the mountain, a payable reef has been mcc with. Towards evening most of the visitors and many of the Waikato people interested left for home on horseback and in buggies. The township at Te Aroha is very prettily situated at the foot of the mountain, having two or three stoney creeks running through it, with the hot springs close at hand. As yet it consists merely of a collection of tents, with the exception of Mr O'Halloran's hotel, which is being considerably enlarged, Mr Wood's butcher's shop, the Warden's office, and two or three other wooden buildings, but there is a large quantity of timber on the ground, and building will be pushed ahead so soon as the claims to the sections are settled. People from Auckland who have travelled overland to Te Aroha speak in the highest terms of the road from Waikato, which is, indeed, even after the heavy showers of yesterday morning, in very good condition, although portions here and there require attending to. Visitors from Waikato will be glad to know that they can obtain paddock accommodation for their horses from Mr H. J. Turner, of Pukerimu, who is about to erect suitable stables in a few days. The comfort of the visitors themselves will be well attended to by Mr and Mrs O'Halloran.