THAMES GOLDFIELD.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 124, 25 May 1916, Page 7

THAMES GOLDFIELD.

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. In connection with the jubilee of the Thames Uoldlield. Mr. H. Lowe (Mayor of Thames). S. A. Hethcrington. and Alex. Bruce, last night waited upon the committee of the Old Thames Hoys' Association as delegates from the Thames Celebration Committee, in order to confer so that complete unanimity and cooperation between the Auckland Thames committees should be brought about in regard to the form the celebrations should tnkc and the arrangements i» connection therewith. The Thames committee had drawn up proposals for a programme of entertn.inment extending for 10 days, including a mining, industrial, and' agricultural exhibition, athle tie sports, and horse racing, band conteste. and fire bri«iwles' demonstration. While sentiment dictated that the function should be observed on the date of the fiftieth anniversary of the proclamation of the Thames aa a froldfield —in August year—it was desirous oE having , a foVesatherinpr on tlie Thames m aa many of the old pioneers as possible from all parts of the jrlobe, and it whs felt that the August wcnthci- might impair this desideratum being consummated. The meeting therefore suggested that the ceremonies eViould 1)0 deferred till the summer, when milder and settled weather could be reasonably expected. It wna decided to suggest the formation of n combined executive of Thames and Auckland representatives, the Old Thames Boys' Association to be represented by five members (in eiieh body, which should be empowered to decide the date for the jubilee celebrations, and to carry out all arrangements in connection therewith. The chairman (Mr. W. Blomfield) remarked thnt there were more ex-Thaniositee now resident in Auckland than the whole present population of the Thames, and he strongly urged that, no nia'tter what their worldly standing was. all the old pioneers that could be got together should be taken to Thames on that occasion, to the spot that in days of yore they had spent many of the happiest years of their lives. The Thames delegates were thanked for their courtesy and interest in coming to Auckland to ensure joint action, and they stated they would place the feeling 'of the Aucklandcrs interested before the Thames committee at an early date, so that arrangements could he forthwith put in hand and elaborated, and so make the occasion the most successful of its kind yet held in the Dominion. Speaking relative to the old and modern Thames. Mr. S. A. Hetherinsfton said the locality was nmv settling -down to an agricultural centre. In place of the miner of yore, the riding breeches and gaiters of the horseman were now in evidence, and in his opinion the possibilities of the Thames as a pastoral and agricultural centre eliould be placed prominently before the large gathering from all parts of the world that would be assembled on the occasion of the jubilee. Dairying was in fall swing, and the hills were suitable for carrying sheep, and the destiny of the place was that wool, butter, and other products of the land would largely take tlie place of mining. "It's gold I'm after." remarked Mr. Alex. Bruce, another delegate, and an old Thames mine mn'nager and prospector, wlko has resided 4D years on the Thames. " There's plenty of gold there yet, but they are not looking for it in the right direction," the speaker affirmed, and spoke optimistically of the possibilities of rich deposits being unearthed between Te Aroha and Cape Colville if systematic prospecting were undertaken.