OHINEMURI. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Paeroa, Thursday.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2110, 16 January 1886, Page 2

OHINEMURI. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Paeroa, Thursday.

The topic of the week has been the Owharoa fire. The news came into Paeroa on Monday morning about 0 a.m., and it was at first imagined that it was the result of bush fires, which have bfen prevalent in the county of late. This turned out, however, not to be the caso, the fire having originated in the hotel. The dry state of everything, combined with a fresh easterly breeze, enabled the devouring element to assert its preeminence in a very few minutes, and the havoc was complete in '* mauvaisquarte-d'heure." In all six buildings were destroyed, and only by a miracle the battery was saved. Had that gone, Owharoa might have written on its blackened walls the legend " Ichabod." Not even a bottle of grog or a barrel of beer was pared, and the proverbial ill wind blew a refreshing breeze of custom to the opposition pub at Karangahake. The total amount of damage is estimated at about £3300. The Norwich Union, South British and London and Liverpool are the chief sufferers. Mr Walsh has taken temporary premises to prevent his license lapsing, and is starting to rebuild almost directly. The vexed matter of the leasehold of the township has just bien levived again. Messrs F. Cock and Edwin Edwards were deputed some time ago to interview Mcssr.-, Jackson and Russell, of Auckland re the tenure, the freehold being in native hands whi'ih is a great gric\ence to the European lessees and is also an undoubted drawback to the welfare of this district. Messrs Jackson and Russel, drew up a petition to government which was approved at a meeting held this week and is to be signed, and presented by Mr Grace M.H.R. during the coming session. It is hoped that the natives will agree to part with their reserves and if so the puichase money will be invested in inalienable funds which will return a revenue equal to that now derived from tho township, thus benefiting the pakeha without injuring the native. A meeting is c illed for by the secretary of the jockey club for next Monday night for the purpose of making arrangement for the usual St. Patrick's Day meeting. We are glad that our Aroha friends .have altered their time of meeting, so that, withoutclashinjr, horses runningat one meeting may attend the other. It is hoped that some Waikato blood may be introduced at the forthcoming races. The mines are now nearly all steadily at work at Karangahake. Some astonishj ment has been expressed, however, at the fact that the Argentine, Imperial, and Gladys, three first-class claims, ha\e not yet started again. They have plenty of the needful for their working, and if not soon started will be foifeited. The furnace at Karangahake is likely to be delayed for the want of iron ore for fluxing purposes. Mr Littlejohn, of the Woodstock, has sent out several prospecting parties, but none of them have obtained anything that would suit, although several fair samples of ore have been sent in. In addition to reports of claims wired, that of the Kenilworth shows that good stone is to hand from the lower and intermediate levels. Five tons of likely stuff is now being bagged for the Thames Smelter. Several good reefs have been found in the Peveril of the Peak claim, and on one of them the manager has fastened himself and his prestige, and from which good things should soon be heard. At Waihi things remain in statu quo. The powers above have not vouchsafed to extend their sceptre of HO2 as yet, and as a consequence the battery is to let and the stampers hung up. Some little work is being done in the Rosemont, and in Lory Walker's new claim, but it is barely keeping the ground out of the inspector's hands. Apropos of this, it is rumoured that Mr McLaren, mining inspector, will bo a little more strict in the future as to manning the ground, and delinquent claims will have to be on the look out. This is only just as a lot of good ground has been pegged out by quondam companies, into which a pick has neyer gone, thus doing an injustice, both to the bona fide miner and also the field generally. At Waitekauri, Huntley and party, whose 4 tons some few weeks ago fetched £180 at the furnace, are working on the same lode, but will send the next parcel to the battery by way of contrast. Kiely's party is broken up, owing to the redoubtable Mick taking Bob Workman's place in the King Country expebition. It is expected that he will make a "small profit and a quick return." It has just been decided by Mr Kenrick to hold an inquest on the Owharoa fire next week.

A rate notice, Pukekura Road District, appears in another column. Mr Day, Whatawhita, offers a reward for the recovery of a horse. School duties will be resumed at S. Mary's Monastery day school, Hamilton, on Monday next, the 18th inst.. and boarding and selc<* school on the 25th. For terms, etc., apply to the The usual seiviccs at the Wcsleyan and Presbvtcrian Churches, Hamilton, to-morrow, are advertised in another golumn. Messrs W. J. Hunter and Co. will sell at Ohanpo on Tuesday, th© 26th inst., store cattle, calves andTrearKnffs, two-year-old heifers, wellbred Shorthorn bull, fat cattle, dairy cows, sheep, horses, etc.