OHINEMURI.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2726, 2 January 1890, Page 2

OHINEMURI.

Thb Holidays.—The Cnnstmas holidays | have pnssed (iff very quietly, a large number of the local residents leaving for Auckland. The holiday excursions of the s.s. Rut>> attracted a great proportion of the holidavmakers, the fares being reduced to 10 return. About 00 went up on the 24th t town, and a number on the 2Sth. Capt'io Sym-, the genial skipper, is to be ounpimented on his pluck, in reducing the fans, and in applying the " V.ule svstem" to tht steamer traffic. On Boxing Dvy, tho rac-r-s ami sports at Mackaytown,proved an attraction, being largely attended. There were four horse races, with good fields am. several handicaps for local ped*. At these small meetings, one is astoni-hed at the class of horses owned by the natives. At this meeting especially, theirsterling quality was noticeable, and the manuer in whici they showed the way to the fancy bred European nags, startled in .ny of the professional horsey men of the place, win at least talk a lot, if the.y don't know much. It woulu be pleasant, were it not so monot. - nous, to remark upon the way th.it " sucli and such a horse, got by So-and-so, out m a what dye call 'em mare, half brother t. Thingamy, and closely allied to thi winnei of the Melbourne Cup and English D.irby'' —full of oats and pedigree—is in-aiiably beaten by a green as eras-i Maori horse, with a half-naked aboriginal " up." Puhipuhi Orb—Mr Charles Rhodes has Lipeti hard at work on the Puhipuhi assays, and has finished others since those which were reported from Wellington as pronnif nine of the reefs worthless. One assay of picked dirt turned out worth £15_ per ton, and others fairly well, but it is evident that t.hpy are not payable under the present system of reducing ores. . Mining Pkospectb.— It must be confessed that there is not a very first-class piospectfor the local mining industry tor the coming year. The Crown Mine at Karangakake, which was hoped would turn out trumps has not been fortunate, and I am afraid will not, as far as we can at present see, improve much. The ore has to be picked as it comes to hand, and is not very rich rock nt that. About 20 men are at present employed there. The various Christmas crushings of the local tiibutes here all turned out fairly well. The Waihi Gold Mining Company are still keeping up their large staff and are at resent chiefly engaged on surface work. The battery has had a run taken out of it and everything runs smoothly. At Waitekauri and Owaroa, everything is quiet, the holidays cius'ner a temporary cessation of work.

Accident.—Mr D. Snoderras, junr., of Paema, met with a nasty accident a few days ago, nearly losing the use of his only arm. A spring cart which ho was driving upset and passed completely over his arm, and it is not known yet whether it is dislocated or not. He lost hjs right arm some years ago bv the bite of a katipo. School Buildings.—The,/Board of Education is treating the Ohincmnri district extremely well. Not only have they built a new school in Karangahake, but has also let a contract to Mr Swansm of Auckland for a substantial addition to the Paeroa school. This will be completed before tho expiration of the holidays.

Racks.—The local sports are arranging for a Hack and Pony Meeting for January 29th, and have a first-class programme. There is a growing disposition here to ignore the Metropolitan Racing Club, and to run oven one " big" meeting on St. Patrick's Day under local rules. The local ciub are much dissatisfied by Cambridge jumping the 17th March. Visitors.—Messrs John Lawsou and S. Vaile were here during the week on husiness connected with the sale of a large block of valuable swamp land