WHEN THE FIELD WAS PROCLAIMED.

Thames Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 18409, 1 August 1917, Page 1 (Supplement)

WHEN THE FIELD WAS PROCLAIMED.

+ IJLI 'I; DISPUTED POINT SETTLED.

The following parfciculans, copied from the reports of Commissioner Mackay, should sot it rest, till doubts as to the date of the proclamation ol Thnmeb goldfield, on August Ist, 1867. The itote, August 17th, given in the extrLjb 'town tin© Thames' Advertiser (pub'.Lhed elsewhere), probably refers to the reading of the proclamation a* the Courthouse.

On July 30th Dr. Pollen, issued a prod; ,maifion v proclaiming the field open for goldmining oft and .after August lwt.

Mr Mackay left Auckland on August 2nd in the p.s. Enterprise with his staff, consisting of Warden Bailie and two policemen, and about 40 ■ persons, who were pioneers of Ihe goldfields.

The Provincial Government were in such a impecunious position, that tiiey cou!d only advance £50 for the expense of the new goldfield. "I paid the police and other necessary expenses with my own cheques until, the state of the Provincial Treasury improved," says Mr Mackay,

On August 10th Measrs Hunt, Olarkson. White, and Oobley, found a v*ta. able gold-bearing leader fn the Knranal stream. The gold at first Vaa very-pour quality, although ' plentiful in quantity. On August. 12th the finit miners' nghto were issued, and there wa» a ruah to. the Kuranui. At noon many returned disappointed, aome even demanding back the money, 2fo, they had paid for their mirere' right*, The atone was twted, and the claim, holders became aatafied' find many since had no reason to complain. A large portion of the Moanataiati, and *ha whole of were excluded at the first" by the opposition of the Ngatimaruß. . - • On September 3rd the Waiotahi was opened also.