FORMAL OPENING OF THE TE AROHA BATTERY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1783, 8 December 1883, Page 2

FORMAL OPENING OF THE TE AROHA BATT ERY.

The formal opening of the magnificent battery erected at Waiorongomai by Messrs Firth' and Clark, was celebrated by a banquet given by the proprietors at Walker's Hotel, To Aroha, on Thursday evening. Over 130 guests, including the Mayor elect and City Councillor-, of Auckland and many other prominent residents of that city and of this district, wore invited, and of these about 120 attended. The Auckland contingent were conveyed to the Aroha in special steamers furnished by Messrs Firth and Clark, and reached their destination on Wednesday evening. Many visitors from Waikato reached tho field on the same day. As the programme arranged by the hosts included a trip up the mountain and a visit to the various mines, horses, buggies, and coaches were at a premium on the following morning, when a start was made for Waiorongomai. The majority of the guests, some on horseback and some a-foot, ascended the hill, and explored the country to their hearts' content. The tramway and mines having been duly inspected and favourably commented on. an excellent lunch, piovided by Messrs Firth and Clark at Wells and Soutter's Pioneer Store, was enjoyed, and the leturn journey was accomplished in time to admit of the visitors being present at the retorting at the battei j

The Banquet, which took place at Walker's Hotel in the evening, was a gieat success. The chair was occupied by Mr J. C. Firth, and Mr Clark filled the vice. Messrs Keiuick, J. P. Campbell, and Capt. Morris, M.H.K., presided at the other table*. The cbair- ■(■-- )kiW supported on his right by Mr «>. Swi a, the membei for the dibtrict, and on his left by Mr F. A. Whitaker, member forWaipa. Amongst the Waikato guest* we noticed the Mayor of Hamilton (Mr Knox), Capt. Steele, and Mr James Hume. The various courses having had ample justice done to them, The Chairman proposed the visual loyal toasts, which weie heaitily responded to. The Vice-chaii mau pioposcd 'The General Asssembly," coupled with the name-* of Messrs Whyte, Morris and Wlntaker. In the coume of a very felicitous .speech, Mr Claik congratulated the district on the support winch successive Governments had wisely extended to the goldfields, aud expiessed a hope that such i would be continued and increased. Mr Whyte responded in a humourous and telling speech, which we regret we aie not able to give in full. He said that although the diffidence and bashfulness which charactensed all Scotchmen might prevent his doing justice to the .subject, yet he felt it his duty, as the representative of what was undoubtedly the most progressive district in the colony, toiespond manfully for the House to which that district had leturned him as its member. In one of his speeches dm ing last session he refoned to the mciease of population in the dihtiict, and ventmed to predict that befoie no\t general election the district would be entitled, on the score of population, to additional representation. No one could look around now and not admit that this piediction was almost certain to be fulfilled. It had been .suggested that the various goldfields in the neighbourhood should b'J grouped into one eloctoiato, leturmng a me nber of its own. Although lie had no wish to se\er his connection with the minei*, in fact he should not be surpiised did he find himself resident amongst them oie long, still he thought it would be to their advantage had they a member of their own intimately acquainted with their wants and requirements. In respect to the House, he hoped that he was not to be held icsponsible for all their faults, any mOle than to be credited with all their \irtues. It was tine that some of them weie too fond of making long speeches, and of indulging in personalities, but on the whole there weie many good men in the Houseespecially on his side of it. He could assiue them that a lepiesentative's task was not an easy one. He was expected primarily to secme as many public works as possible for his district, and to pi event other districts fiom getting any more of these than he could help. Therefoie, seeing that theie were 94 other fellows theie, representing the same policy precisely, it would be seen that the task was not altogether easy. Lest his len.aiks .should be c msideied monotonous, and although it was not quite a fitting occasion foi that purpose, he wished t') declare his policy for the futiue definitely, and it was this : That the Ministry, which consisted of four Englishmen, two Scotchmen, and one colonial, might be expected to be a reasonably good one, and so long as they took his advice upon all impoitnnt matters, acted upon that ad\ ice, gave him all he wanted, and generally showed a due appreciation of the importance of thin largo and flouiishing distiict, he would follow them to the grave. (Laughter and applause.) Capt Morris also responded. Mr F. A. Wlntakor, in replying to the toast of " The Legislative Council," expiessed his opinion that the Legislative Council should remain as it is at piesent. He pointed out the trouble which had arisen in Victoria, in consequence of having two elective chambers. He said it would be two years n-3\t Januai y since the gentlemen representing Waikato, Waipa, Tauranga, and the Thames met at Te Aroha. went over the field, and fully determined to urge on the Government the absolute necessity oi developing the mineral resoiuces of thrdistrict. (Hear, hear.) Any peison whr looked at the country and studied lfo geography and formation must be awaic that it could not be r»n entirely agiicultural country : it must be a mineral country, ii manufacturing countiy. He thought thi: plans the four members then formed hae; b ion realised iiijthe splendid tramway whicli those present had seen that afternoon. They hoped to have had a railway from the Thames, but he trusted they would also sru vivo to see that accomplished. He thought ho was not travelling outside the iocoi din congratulating those present, whoso mtoiests he was sure weie bound up with the interests of the province of Auckland, upon the immediate prospect, as he believed, of the opening of the railway between Taranaki and Auckland. (Hoar- hoar.) He believed that within six months, or before the next meeting of Parliament, matters would be in such a forward state that n specific plan could be submitted to the Hou,e. He sincerely hoped that the whole of the Auckland members, and thu whole of the North Island members, would, whatever route might be taken, unite and cordiilly work together in order to get that justice which this poition of New Zealand was foaily entitled to. (Applause.) The Chairman, in proposing the toast of •'The Te Aroha Goldfield," referred at some length to thq influence which goldmining had exerted in promoting the settlement of the Australasian Colonies, and dwelt on the uncertainty and anxiety which iuvaribly attended the prosecution of the industry. He congratulated them on the fact that Te Aroha had passed beyond the sta«e. "We have not," he proceeded, "to falf back upon the gold, which it may be asserted is still in the hills arouud us. We have gone a little fuither than that. As As you know, we have only been at work a month, and I may— and I Hiiuk I could not announce to any assembly where it would be more welcome, and who are more entitled to receive the announcement— l may announce that the first month's crushing has resulted in a total of 17030z5. (Loud cheers.) That at any rate is not yet in the hills — in fact I do not know whether it is necessary to invite your attention to the fact that it is absolutely qu the. table before you, and you have the satisfaction of seeing it, if not in your own pockets, at any rate on the table very close to you. That I consider is a very tangible fact, a fact that there is no gainsaying ; and when I further say these 1703ozs\ have not been taken from one mine, from one isolated "pocket," from one shot of gold, but that it has heeii extracted from foui? or five mines, stretohing over a district of about one arid a-half miles, showing that gold in this district is widely distributed, I think that is a subject of congratulation. What we want is not that we should be captivated by the glitter of narrow specimen leaders, but that which we ought to be pleased to possess is a goldfield giving every indication of yielding steady i churns— not extravagant, rich returns, ' but steady; regular returns. .(Cheers.) Now, l hope, as the development of Te Aroha Goldfielct progresses,, we shall. find it to ,be a field which will offer a fair prospect to investors, ■more than to speculators., I,hppe, gentlemen, 1 J tliat the goldfield will' not afford' 'a 'field for swindling— (hear, hear)— will not afford an opportunity -for speculators making,, money out of t their neighbour^' pockets. (Hear, hear.) I .hope that, our, object 'in' this "field is 11 — arid I think' that Nature is helping ua in that object-r-th"at> this, field will ba worked in the interests, notj ofsiarebrokew, not to speculators^but fit 'snarebgl'ders? tr (ofieers'.7* ij?or my&lf aid! rawM?^g§Rtlenieu v wlvQ,Are wTwkibgVitih mV

we regard ourselves rfs the servants of the shareholders— that their interests are our primary object. Therefore, -if at any time it should bd supposed that we are not affording undue facilities for speculation and gambling, I hope that you will rein jiriber th.it that is no part of our intention «>r our business. Our simple object Us to promote tho interests of those persons who have iuvested a little money in the gold field with the idea of drawing reasonable returns from it. (Hear, hear.)" He leminded them that thefieldhadnot been opjned without a large expenditure, and the exercise of much pluck and energy. What the company had that day seen would convince them of the truth of what he stated. They owed much to the wise and generous treatment they had experienced at the hands of the Government and the House of Representatives. They owed much, also, to Mi Adam Porter, who was at the beginning of the field, and had never dropped out of the front rank. The chairman also referred feelingly to the good work done by poor Hone Weiahiko. They were to be congratulated in that the in-tjre-jts of the field had been placed under the wise, moderate and reasonable direction of Warden Kenrick, to whose kind offices much of the success of the field was clue. It was Mr Kenrick's admirable report which fhst directed his (the chairman's) attention to Te Aroha. But none of those who had lent a willing hand and a brave heart to the work of developing this goldfield stood higher than Mr H. E Whitaker. They had been laid under heavy obligations to the Piako County Council. Mr Firth continued : " The Te Aroha goldfield needs nothing more to be said in j it-, favour. All we luve to do is not only to go to work— we have been at that for some time — but to keep to it, and endeavour to remember that there are other interests involved than those of a few people engaged m working or managing those mines. If directors, manageis, and workmen will remember that they really have a great tuist which they ought to exercise, and I believe .vtiu&t which it is their full intention to exercise — viz., the inteiest-. of the country generally, ana the interests of their masters, tho shareholders, I have no doubt whatever that at at some future time we shall have to congratulate each other that the Te Aioha goldheld, if it be the last, will not be the hgast amongst the goldfields of Australiftisiim colonies." (Cheers.) Mr Firth concluded an admirable speech by drawing attention to the advantages possessed by the Aroha district as compared with other mining communities, in respect of the facilities w Inch the miner* enjoyed for seeming comfortable homesteads for themselves on the fertile plains surrounding the field. The toast was enthusiastically received. Mr Wai den Kenrick responded. He spoke in the highest terms of the estimable qualities displayed by the late Hone Werahiko : also to the important part taken by Mi- H. E. Whitaker in the development of the q (Wield. He lefened in high terms to the enterprise .shown by Mr Firth and Mr Claik. He was confident in the future of Te Aroha Goldfield. Mr Kenrick's speech was practical and to the point. He was loudly cheered from time to time. Mr Claik jnoposed "The Piako County Council." This body had shown by theii action that they had the interest's of the district at heart. He believed, even without a goldfield, in ten years hence thi^ imni'jiis3 \ alley would be covered with cattle and sheep, and dotted over by settlers' houses. The count}' council had done a great deal towards improving this large and pi ogrcssive district, and it had used every exertion towards connecting the mines with the battjiy. It had done eveiytluug in its powei ti obtuiu tho funds necessary to constiuct the tivmway at a co-t of £17,009. The council deseived ci edit for the pluck and enterprise shown in tho cairying out of this hnpnitant work. Mr J. P. Campbell (Chairman of the Piako County Council) responded, and refcired at some length to the action the council had taken iuieg.nd to this goldfield. The speaker heie lefened to the valuable services tendered by Mr James Stewart and Mr H. Adams in connection with the tramway. Mr Griffin, United States Consul, proposed "The Captains of Industry," and alluded in most complimentary teims to their hosts as men who had taken a very prominent part in developing the various mdustiiesof the colony, so much so that^ their names had become familiar in the countiy fioin which he came. The toast was heartily responded to. Mr Adam Porter proposed " The Press '' and Messrs W. Berry (N.Z. Herald) T. W. Leys (Auckland Stai) W. J. Speight (Tnames Adveitiser) and S. K. G. Smith (Waik\to Times) responded. The Chaiunau pioposed the toast of " Prosperity to Mining Managers and Working Men." Mi T. Gavin, mining manager of the Piemiei, responded. Mr Clark proposed the toast of " The Host, Mr Wan en," rcfeiiing to tho excellent way in winch the dinner had been served. Mr Warren replied. Mr A. Poiter "pioposed. " The health of tho Chairman aud Vice-Chahman." Mr Firth and Mr Clark replied. The proceedings concluded with the singing of the IS'ational Anthem.