TE AROHA. FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] January 7.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1330, 8 January 1881, Page 3

TE AROHA. FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] January 7.

The principal topic of conversation here now, is the contemplated erection of a battery, and the meeting to be held tonight for the formation of a company for that purpose, will be attended by nearly every man on the field. Large promises of support by Waikato and Auckland people have been given, and there is little doubt that the company -will be quickly floated, and work commenced immediately. It is a well ascertained fact that gold exists over a large area of the ranges, and the erection of a battery that will be &t the disposal of diggers in all parts of the field will soon satisfactorily solve tha problem as to whether it is payable. Work is now protty well resumed over all parts of the field, a large number of people having returned since my last letter, but sufficient timo has not collapsed for me to have to record auy material alteration in the working of tho mines. The Homeward Bound cut through the reef yesterday, and appear to be highly pleased with their prospects. This is the same reef that was met with in the Tui claim, and is very highly thought of on tho field. Tho Magnet held a meeting of their shareholders in Smith's dining rooms on Wednesday evening, every shareholder being 1 present. The business wan to ai range for the future workingof the mine,api omtraentof mnnager, &c, Mr R. Gwynne was voted to the chair. A considerable amount of business in the wny of arranging iuteresfc, and ex- > penses that had been incurred was settled, and Mr Williams was elected mine manager, and Mr Purvis, secretary and treasurer. It was decided to puhh on operations vigorously, with the full number of men required to man the ground. The shareholders expressed themselves very hopeful as to the success of their undertaking. The United commenced operations last Tuesday, and are principally engaged in duving on the reef from which their best parcel was taken. Tho appearance of the I reef is good, but is decreasing in size, being now of a thickness of about two feet. Work has also been resumed on the main drive, which is in between 30 and 40 feet, The ground is getting very dump, which affords a good indication of the proximity of the reef. They are now in the same strata of country as the Prospectors', and the manager expects soon to come across the Prospectors' specimen leader running thiough a strata of basalt, indications of which in the shape of basalt I boulders have been met with. The Prince of Wales, Martin and party, have got a large quantity of quaitz stacked in their paddock, and report that the stone is improving in quality, gold being often seen with the naked cyo. The Warden, Mr Kenrick, arrived here overhand from the Thames on "Weihiesdfiy night, and a Court was held on Thursday, at which a large am unt of business was transacted, of which the following were the principal items :—: — Application by Mr Giibble, on behalV of the United G.M.C , for the right to construct a water-race to their claim, two sluice heads of water, distance about one and a-half miles. Granted. Application by Mr Gibbons for a similar light on tho creek running near O'Halloian's Hotel was granted on the conditions that two sluice heads of water should be reserved for domestic purposes, and that the creek should not be defiled in any way. Another application by Mr Adams for a water-race iiom the same creek was adjourned till next Wednesday, in order that plans might bo pi cleared. The claim made by Guilding and party v. Martin and party, for surplus giound, was withdrawn. W. S. McCormick and party \\ Col. Fraser and pai ty. This case was an application by plaintift for forfeiture of ground held by defendants, on the ground of non-working. The case had been adjourned from last Court day at the request of defendants, but on being again, d lied on there was no appearance of the defendants, and tho Warden declared the ground foifeited, and placed plaintiffs in possession. Tho remainder of the cases were of no genetal interest. Thcie is a flight lull in binding operations in tho township just now, but a number of buildings are exppcted to be commenced shortly. Mr O'Halloran lias just Jet a contract for large add itions to lus hotel, which -will make it a handsome and commodious structure, and will afford greatly increased accommodation. The diapeiy store for Mr N. R. Cox is ]iist completed, and a very neat store for Mr Lawlc-s is in n forward state.