THE MINISTER OF MINES AT TE AROHA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 118, 27 May 1885, Page 4

THE MINISTER OF MINES AT TE AROHA.

Promises of Liberal Aid,

(BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Te Aroha, this day. Thk Hon. Mr Larnaoh, Mr Cadtnan, M.H.R., Warden Konrick, Mr Burns, Mr Larnach, jun., Mr Hamer, secretary, &c, arrived hero pn Sunday evening from Paeroa, and stayed at Warren's Hotel. Mr J. B. Whyte wag hero awaiting the Minister'a arrival. Mr LaMonte, of goldsaving fame, and Mr K. K. Davis, arrived on Saturday night. Mr La Monto on Sunday visited some ef the mines, as well as the two batteries, and left with Mr Davis for Karangahake district on Monday morning. He expressed the opinion that his process was not necessary for the class of quartz on thia field, as the ordinary method would do with certain additions. By an ex|«3nditure of £1,200 to £1,500 in alterations, erection of concentrators, &c, Firth and Clark's Battery ought to yield 80 to 90 per cent, of gold. He formed a high opinion of the New Find and Phcenix mines, which gavo the best quartz of half-a-dozen mines visited. He believes the gold goes down, and if sunk a couplo of hundred feet would probably meet rich stone. Mr Larnach and party started on Monday morning and visited the new battery, Firth and Clark's battery and tailing plant, and the New Find mine, and, returning to Te Aroha in the evening, visited all the baths. A deputation from the Piako County Council asked for £3,000, balance of grant duo on account of tramway. Some discussion ensued on the subject of the Council's finance. Mr Larnach said he was unable to give a grant himself, but would recommend the Colonial Treasurer to put a sum on the estimatss next session. He said he was very much struck with the private enterprise which had been manifested on the field. Respecting the depression which had beon complained of, he thought if tho Battery Company reduced its charges for crushing and the County Council reduced the tariff on the tramway, this would do more to assist the mining industry than anything he could do for them. Mr Firth pointed out that the Battery Company had just made a liberal reduction, and that though the Company had received no assistance from tho Government in way of being provided with water-races, ita charges were much lower than those of the Thnmes Companies. The Chairman of the Council pointed out that the tramway charges could not well be reduced, as last year it had been worked at a loss of £600. The deputation a?ked for £1,000,0 n£2 to £1 principle, for a branch tramway connecting new battery with the tramway. M r Larnach suggested that Mr J. B. Whyte, the member for the district, should bring this matter forward next session, when he would assist him to get the amount named. He Btrongly expressed an opinion that a rate ought to be struck, as it was stated a three farthing rate would realise £:t,500. He promised a deputation consisting of three, mine manager, the battery manager, and the clerk, a subsidy of £2 to £I—total amount, £310—for prospecting a track from Fern Spur to Butler's Spur, eastern side Buck Reef, the County Council providing £100. In the evening he received a deputation from the Domain Board and Te Arolia residents. Mr Larnach spoke in high terms of the baths, which he thought most valuable. There was a great future before tho place, and he promised to do all he could to have a further grant of £1,000 given for their development by Government. He promised to recommend a subsidy of £2 to £1 for making a connection to the new battery, tha County Council to find £500. He said the work had his heartiest sympathy, and exprocsod the opinion that the granting of £3,000 to tho county ought to be conditional on their doing this work and recouping Mr Ferguson the amount he had spent on tho lower track. He is arranging a plan whereby this and all mining districts may have the benefit of Professor Black'is lectures. Ho discouraged the use of diamond drills.

The party left for Auckland yesterday morning via Morrinsville.