THE THAMES GOLDFIELD. THE OPENING OF THE OHINEMURI DISTRICT.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3573, 31 December 1868, Page 4

THE THAMES GOLDFIELD. THE OPENING OF THE OHINEMURI DISTRICT.

(TEOV THE "TOAMM ABVERTISBB," MOEMBER SO.) J*? * « n^«° l ?* g looked for b y all » 80 hard lor by Mr. Maokay, and, on the whole, so patiently Waited for by the Europeans here and at Ohinemuri, fleems at last to be slowly and surely approaching. Mr. Mickay left ShortUnd at an early hour yesterday morning in the p.s. 'Clyde,' accompanied by *everal of the Maoris belonging to Ohinetnnri, who JX»T« been for lome days past in Shortland. ' Wo hare heard that Mr. Mackay, on his return fromtiie Upper Thames, will go towards Coromandel to nuke payments to natives in the settlement! there in resp«ot to the goldfield at present opened. He will then proceed to Auckland, and from thence to Waikato, to complete certain arrangements with the friendly natures in reference to reserve* ; and it i« said that * when he returns from Waikato to Shortland the proclamation of the opening of the Upper Thames for gold-minwg purposes will be at once is«ued. Ther« •re nearly-one hundred minors at present resident at Ut Thorpe, and n.. doubt to them will fall the lot off doing the first protecting in the Obinemuri hills. They are an excellent class of men, arid comprehend some of the bet£ diggers in the whole Thames district. A» for Te i* ira and those who may adhere to him, it is though that th«y will quietly leave the district.

THAMEB CHRIBTMASSPORTS.— THIRD DAT. Tn/mra nr otob Ring.— Prizei, £8 and £3. The flrat erent. The following were the namei of the Mven who entered, with the number of rings made, each competitor having tilted round eight times; — DonoT»n, 6 riogi ; Harvey, 3 ; Bonfield, 2 ; Kelly, 2 ; Wells, 1 ; Sands, 0 ; Dornwell, 0. Donovan won •aiiry, Harvey being second. Thru Standing Jumps,— First priza, £2 10s.; ■econd, £1. The jumps' were won by P. Twohill at 33 feet; D. Moriarty being second, at 31 feet. Boys' Rac«.— Prizes, £2 and 15a. The race was won by J. Kelly ; J. Ralph was iecond ; G. Brown was third. Whistling— Cumberland and Westmoreland style. — Firit prize, £5; second, £2. The decision foi the .final prize lay between Robson and Cowan. There wai some splbndid playing, and the first throw was declared in favour of Robson. The second fall was in Cowan's favour, and the final and conquering throw was given for Robson. Tossing thb Caber.— No entries having been mad* for this in time, the competition did not come t>ff. HA.KDIOIP Flat Raoe.— This was a half-mile race, and the following were the entries : — A. Cooper, H. Bevan, T. C»»K Mr. S. Young handicapped, and appointed Cooper and Bevan to start from the ■cratch. First prize, £2 10s.; second, £1. This was A gift to Cooper, who won easily. Cash came in a bad second. Rdnhino Fur Jomp.— First prize, £2; second, 15a. The first prize was won by Twohill, at 18ft. 2f id. ; Moriarty was second at 17ft. 4in. Consolation «acje.— First prize, £3 ; second £1. The prize was* won eaiily by , Casey, who kept the , lead throughout. A dispute occurred between Connell and Sainpey for the second priz?, and as it was impossible to settle the dispute the men deoided to give the prize to the Diggers' Hospital fund. A Quoit Match was then played ; prize, £2 ; entrance, 2s. 6d. Jtobson won in fine atylo.