TE AROHA. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1335, 20 January 1881, Page 2

TE AROHA. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

I AM glad to be able to report a steady improvement in the prospects of the Field. As work progresses in the mines the indications in many parts bocorno more favourable and confidence is rapidly reviving, v good deal of attention is now being bestowed upon that portion of the field in which the Tin Homeward Bound, Om.ah.il, and other claims is situated ; in all the claims I have mentioned the reef is in hand and the prospects arc very encoiuviging indeed, there is no duiibt felt here that these claims will piy, and steps are now being taken for tiie erection of a Battery near these claims. A meeting hat- been held at which the Prosperity, Happy Thought, Homestead, .Sp inker Boom, and Yankee Maid weie i epresented. Mr Lamb made an offer to supply an engine capable of driving ten head of stampers', if the claims interested would provide funds for the erection of tho battery and certain necessary gear. As shareholder from each <■ f the claims war appointed a deputation in wait upon Mr Kcorick in reference to obtaining a water light on Lipsey's Creek. The Prosperity, which sent a small trial cra&hing down to the Thames some time ago, and f1 om which they obtained the very satisfactory result of an ounce and a-lialf to the ton, have now sent down a larger parcel, from the main reef, consisting of four tons, and are very sanguine that the result will exceed the last. Up to date, about 1100 biiares in the quaitz-crushing battery have been taken up here, but a large number of the claims which it is known intend to take shares have not yet sent in their applications, owing to the distance at which many of the shareholders leside. Returns from the Auckland and Waikato agents are not yet to hand, but, from what is known, there is littlo doubt that the Company will be successfully floated. Mr Fraser, of the firm of Fcaser and Ttune, has been here to inspect the site and other matters. in connection with the erection of the battery. There is no news of any importance in the township. Business still continues good and a number of new buildings will shortly be started, but one of the most favourable indications of the confidence in the field is the large number of residence sites which are now being pegged off.— December 19th.

Discovery of Dick Whittixgton's Cat. — A very important discovery to naturalists has just been in Newgate Jail. Upon some repairs being made a petrified cat was found in a crevice of an old stone wall. It subsequently came under the notice of Mr Frank Bucklatul, the eminent naturalist and editor oi'Laud, anc(. JFater, and he is of opinion that the oat must have been in. this condition ever sineS the fifteenth. Qentury, ' ' That ibeing so," says Mr BugWa,n4,- "I have but little doubt that it is the celebr-ated oat of Sir Richard Whittington, thric-j Lord Mayor of London." i The cat is exhibited in the window .of the Land and Water Qffice, and is attracting a good deal of at- , tension. t, " , fojiHAptf; the f ltyfp ' most restful occupationa frVm aqjsiety.and, overtpil, says >tiLtff&i&on-saUirwdu>i far 6 f ar6 sketching in wjtteif dplo];ia)aad Jppk; fishing. While .a mglei 1 roWfl' veil- rejmieaifered^'^dililS^alß" iijfcdtHays, nevejr ;MJp% vtH£fosM is o&yts b^iS{Hro?wp