OHINEMURI.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2439, 28 February 1888, Page 2

OHINEMURI.

Lkcturr jit Mr Stratford.—Mr H. A. Stratford, R.M., delivered his celebrated lecture "Tough Yarns," on Wednesday evening last, at Paeroa, the chairman of the school committee, Mr V. Lipsey, presiding. The entertainment was a most varied one, Mr Stratford, who proved himself a firstclass lecturer, introducing two lads as his " B.isom Mates," who caused much amusement by distributing fruit to the best looking single lady, the handsomest married man, " the ugliest man in the room" (this was awarded to Mr Stratford,) " the biggest masher" etc. At the close of the lecture Mr Stratford stated that he was under " Sailing orders" for Oainaru, and alluded in regretful terms to his forthcoming leavetaking. Cattle-Stealing.—Yet moro cattlestealing, Dennis Foley. John Foley, John McGeehin, and James Foley, were charged at the Paeroa Police Court, on Wednesday with having stolen one beast the property of a Waihi settler. A clear prima facie case was made out and accused were all committed for trial at the Supreme Court. The South African Goldfields.—Mr Thomas Ritchie a well-known Ohinemuri miner writes thus from the Transvaal concerning the goldfields there, to his brother here: —The place has proved a failure. No payable alluvial has been found up to the present, and the reefs are no good. Companies are stopping work in all directions and trying to refloat in the London market ; but I believe the game is played out. A few of the best companies in this camp (Moodio's) would pay tributers, but they are no good for companies. Barberton is about six miles from here. People arc leaving there as fast as they can. No money or work to be had and things are about, a hundred years behind the times."

Mining News.— Mining matters are fairly brisk the promised influx of British capital giving a very hopeful hue to matters. The carting and haulage of the Waihi timber, bricks, &c„ is giving employment to all the local carters and a number of sawyers are engaged in the Kauri bush at Waihi sawing for the same company. Miner's cottages are to be erected, and the machine house and various offices to be got in readiness for Mr Walker's arrival in about three weeks. The Mammoth at Karangahake is hanging fire somewhat. The terms on which the mine was to be disposed of were £30,000 in cash and shares, but it seems that this has been lowered as the prospects of the mine were not so good as the lhe Mammoth people then made negotiations with the Woodstock and Kenilworth directors to purchase their mines (which join the Mammoth), and plant and amalgamate them with the Mammoth special claim. This arrangement has not yet been finally settled, and the floating of the company is yet somewhat problematical. The Orchards.—The various orchards m the district some of which have returned from £500 to £800 per annum in time past are now in a most deplorable state owing to the ravages of the codlin moth. The two river orchards, Thorp's and Belmont aro especially bad. Trees which have returned £20 to £40 worth of fruit per season are now absolutely worthless, the fruit lying rotting on the ground in tons. The later planted orchard too are rapidly getting as bad. The leech also is doing a lot of damage, and it is protty evident that fruitgrowing in Ohinemuri at least is almost at at end.