THE TERAWHITI GOLDFIELD.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 47, 26 February 1881, Page 2

THE TERAWHITI GOLDFIELD.

As somo misapprehension may be oausec by some remarks of our morning contemporary regarding the powers of the Government in reference to proclaiming 1 Terawhiti a goldfield, it may be well to quote the ipsissima verba of the clause in "The Resumption of Land for Mining Purposes Act, 1873," bearing on this matter. Section 2 runs as follows: —"All lands alienated from the Crown, whether bj way of absolute sale or lease or for any lesser interest, after the date of the passing of this Act, shall be liable to be resumed for mining purposes (except lands alienated expressly for mining purposes) by Her Majesty, on paying full compensation to the licensee, lessee, or owner of the fee simple thereof for the value other than auriferous or argentiferous of the land 3 and improvements so resumed, such value in case of disagreement to be ascertained by arbitration uron the terms and conditions hereinafter provided." Oui morning contemporary omitted the word^i above italicised, which happen to be the most important in the whole section, and which, unfortunately, completely upset its own argument in favor of the proclamation of the land as a goldfield ; for, the land at Terawhiti was not " alienated from the Crown after tlio date of the passing of the Act.," but was sold many years before the Act was even drafted. The section quoted therefore conveys no power to take possession of the land and proclaim it a goldfield. It is yet a moot point whether aud how this can be effected, and the question can only bo set at rest by persons interested in haying the goldfield proclaimed, making a direct application to the Government, in which case the opinion of the Law Officers would be taken as to the course proper to be pursued under the circumstances. We should recommend that such an application be made without delay.

Our "Saturday Extracts" will be found on the fourth page of to-day's issue as usual. The following gentlemen were appointed a local committtee for the promotion of the Wellington and Manawatu rail way: —Messrs. James Linton, G. M. Snelson, H. M'Neil, D. H. Macarthur, A. W. F. Halcombe, J. Waldegrave, S. Coleinan, F. Jenssen, V. Monrad, W. J. Batt, J. Mowlem, H. Sly, H. J. Hayns, A. MDonald, A. Ferguson, R. Linton, and R. N. Keeling, with power to add to their number. The business of the University Senate yesterday consisted principally in the consideration of various committee reports of no very great interest. A return, showing the number of students belonging to the several educational institutions in the colony who have obtained junior and senior scholarships and degrees since the establishment of the New Zealand University, was laid on the table. It shows that seven students have received junior scholarships in the Wellington College, and that no senior scholarships or degrees have been obtained in that institution. A small onthouse on the premises of Mr. C. Morton, Louisville Terrace, caught fire yesterday afternoon, and caused the bells to peel an alarm and the brigade to turn out. The flames were confined to the building in question, and no very great damage was done. Up to the present only one witness —Mr. George Richards —has claimed his expensesbefore consenting to be sworn as_ a w.tness in connection with the Lunatic Asylum enquiry. The Chairman said that if after hearing Mr. Richards' evidence the Commission considered he was a proper witness to have been called, the Government would defray his expenses, which were put down at six shillings for the loss of half a day's work k If he did not prove'to be a proper witness he would have to look to Mr. J. H. Shaw, at whose instance the subpoena was issued, for his expenses. It appears that informations for offences, committed on the Queen's Wharf enjoy the privilege of being issued §ratis, the wharf belonging to a municipal body. Informations laid at the instance of the Harbour Board for offences committed at other parts of the harbour are issued only on- the payment of the usual fees, and Mr. Shaw, R.M., on learning this fact, to-day recommended the Board to apply to the Treasury to be placed on the same footing as the City Council in this respect. A grand sacred concert will be given by the Simonsen Opera Company at the Theatre Royal to-morrow (Sunday) evening, commencing at 8.30, so as not to interfere with evening service at the churches. Rossini's " Stabat Mater " and a miscellaneous selection will be performed, and low prices will be' charged. Fnll particulars appear in our advertising columns. Mr. Angelo Forrest's farewell pianoforte recital will take place at the Athenieum on Monday evening; the eminent pianist will be vocally assisted by Mrs. Greorge Cotterell. The Naval Brigade Band left per s.s. Murray for Nelson last night. There will, of course, be no band performance on the wharf to-morrow afternoon. . i

The adjourned annual meeting of the Northern Land Loan and Building Company (Limited) was held yesterday afternoon, Mr. J. S. M. Thompson, in the absence of Dr. Johnston, in the chair. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet (the substance of which ha 3 alreadybeen published in the Post), referred to the remarks made by a member the previous day, and courted the fullest enquiry. The directors were perfectly satisfied with the" position of the company. Replying to Mr. Monaghan, the Chairman denied that certan property had been leased to Mr. Port, and that he had also got advances while a director. He showed that with one exception, the properties paid from 8 to 10 per cent, on their cost. The greatest mistake made by the directors was paying such a large dividend the first year. The report and balance-sheet were then adopted. There were six vacancies on the Board of Directors, but only five nominations had been received, viz., Messrß. J. B. Harcourt C. J. Johnston, J. F. E. Wright (retiring directors), B. Smith, and Luff, and these gentlemen were declared duly elected. Mr. S. Carroll was re-elected auditor. Mr. Laery, in moving a vote of thanks to the chairman, expressed his fullest approval of the manner in which the directors had conducted the business of the company. At the meeting o£ the Titanic Steel and Iron Company (Limited), held at Messrs. T. K. Macdonald' s rooms last night, the report and balance-sheet (which were published in the Post during the week) were adopted, and the following directors elected : — Messrs. David Anderson, W. Waring Taylor, J. Burne, J. M. Cleland, JJ. Burrett, James Stewart, W. Asher (re-elected), and John Marshall. Messrs. D. T. Stuart and S. Carroll were re-elected auditors, and Mr. T. K. Macdonald secretary. A proposal to wind up the Company was withdrawn. The adjourned annual meeting of the Wellington Salvage Corps was held in Mr. Palmer's rooms last night, a large number of members and subscribers being present. Mr. Boardman, of the South British Insurance Company, was voted to the chair. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of iBIO 4s. Mr. Palmer, who reported on the condition of the corps, expressed his desire to resign his position as captain, but ho was prevailed upon to retain that position by the unanimous wish of the members. Messrs. Brown and Taughton were elected first and second lieutenants respectively for Cook Ward, MeEer3. Stevenson and Young for Te Aro Ward, Messrs. Hayes and Evans for Lambton Ward, and Messrs. Parsons and Bose for Thorndon Ward. Messrs. Bishop and Stevenson were elected hon. secretary and hon. treasurer respectively. The following financial committee was elected: — Messrs. Nathan, Wilson, Young, Ancell, and Boardman. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Captain Palmer for his past services, and another to Mr. Stuart for his exertions in the interest of the corps. Before the go-as-you-please match was commenced at tho Arcade yesterday, a sevenmile handicap walking match took place, in which A. Bose, Zesch, Greeks, and M'Gee took part. The first prize was a gold watch, and was won by Rose, with three minutes' start, and the second prize was £1. which Zesch (scratch) obtained. Greeks and M'Gee came in third and fourth respectively. The match was a very good one, Bose doing the distance in 65J minutes and Zesch in 61^ minutes. The twenty-four-hour go-as-you-please match between the champion Croft and Smith, who formerly competed against him, was started at 10 o'clock. Smith was allowed a start of 10 miles. The stakes were o£so a-side. Up to a quarter to one o'clock this afternoon Smith had 79 miles recorded in his favor, while Croft had covered 78 miles. The latter walked a little lame at first, having met with a slight accident to his ancle, but in the course of time tho signs of lameness disappeared. The contest is attracting a moderate number of spectators, who *ill doubtless largely increase when the final hour draws nigh. At 2.30 p.m. Croft was still on the track, aud had done 87 miles and a few laps. Smith retired for a short " spell" after completing his 83rd mile, exclusive of the 10 miles allowed. We hare been shown a silver medal which Mr. Monteith, chemist, intends presenting to the Naval Brigade, to be competed for by tho members of that corps. The medal, which has been made by Mr. Ahlgren, working jeweller, of Yoik-streot, Wellington, is novel in design and chaste in execution, and reflects the highest credit upon the skill of the manufacturer. The design is a star, containing a moveable tubular centre-piece, in which is set a boit, in pure gold, with two seamen in uniform at the oars, and an officer, with a drawn sword, sitting at the stern, from which a flag of gold waves. The star' itself is beautifully chased. A goldwashed space has been left for the inscription. The medal will be on view at Mr. Monteith's shop for a few days. It may be mentioned that only those who have not won a medal before can compete for this one. It is intended, weather permitting, on Tuesday next, to hold a cricket match on the Basin Reserve between an eleven from Mr. George Dixon's cordial manufactory, Cuba-street, and an eleven from the Dixon family. Wickets to be pitched at 12.30. It will be seen that Mr. Ogg continues his evening lectures on Primitive Christianity. An exhibition of dissolving views was given in the new To Aro School last evening, tor the benefit of the Terrace School. The apparatus U3ed was that purchased by the Terrace School Committee from Captain Aletcalfe, and that gentleman was present last night for the purpose of showing and explaining the views. There was a large attendance, and the entertainment was a most enjoyable one. Mr. Austin, second-master in the Willisstreet School, was yesterday presented by Mr. Watson, the head-master, on behalf of the pupils, with a, handsome volume of engravings, and, on behalf of the teachors, with a missive gold ring, as a token of their esteem. Mr. Austin is about to leave for Canterbury, where he has received a more lucrative appointment. The New Zealand Bradshaw for March is just is-ued. It is carefully and accurately compiled, with the exception of the maps, which need several corrections. The Wellington Monthly Price Current, compiled for the outgoing mail, is, as usual, full of useful information. In addition to the cup offered by the Chief Justice for competition by Wellington volunteers, already described in these columns, Messrs. Kohn and Co., Lambton Quay, have now on view another elaborate and handsome piece of workmanship in the shape of a "jewel case." It consists of an emu egg, mounted on a design representing Australian foliage. Oxodised-silver figures of aborigines are placed at the base. It is said to be a facsimile of the casket presented to the Princess of Wales on her wedding day, the only difference is that it is constructed of silver instead of gold ; and has been manufactured by tho Christchurch branch of the firm, for whose skill ahd taste it speaks much. A paragraph having appeared in the Nelson papers commenting strongly on the conduct of the Australians in not acknowledging the farewell cheers given them on their departure, Mr. Murdoch, the captain of the team, has " picked up the glove" in the following rather " warm" letter :—": — " To the Editor of the Nelson Evening Mail. — Upon reading the report of the late Australian cricket match in the Colonist of the 12th instant I notice some most uncalled for remarks made upon the conduct of our team upon our departure from the cricket ground and the wharf. It is a great pity that the person who went so far out of his way to write in such an ungenerous manner about absent persona did not strictly confine himself to the truth, for if he did not or would not see it I can assure him and the general public of Nelson that the cheering compliment paid us was duly acknowledged by all of us inside the vehicle. Not having such keen eyes as some persons, I could not see through the roof and notice what those outside did. In conclusion I must thank the person for his criticism upon us, and assure him that if ever I or auy of my team want the finishing touches of a gentleman's education, if he will kindly furnish his name we will bu mo3t happy to consult with him. Hoping you will find room in your valuable columns for this letter, and apologising for having to -trouble you, I am, &c , W. L. Mtjkdoch, Captain Australian Eleven." ¦ The s.s. Huia, which wa3 to have made an excursion to Terawhiti this morning, did not get away for the "Golden West/ owing to the unfavorable weather. A large nnmber of citizens had announced their determination to visit the reefs through the assistance of the Huia, but the gale and rain of the early morning damped their ardour,, and they did not turn up. About 25 persons, however, did board the steamer, but very few were sorry that she did not make a start, as no very enjoyable day would have been spent. The Huia will leave for either Ohau or Oteronga Bay to-morrow (Sunday) morning,- weather permitting, at 8 o'clock. The Jane Douglas will not make an excursion to lerawhiti to-^morrow, not having . arrived in time. i ' We draw attention to Messrs. J. H Bethune and Co.'s sale of freehold property, Tvhich takes -place, at their rooms, on Monday," at. 2 o'clock, when one of the most valuable sections on the reclaimed land, opposite the main entrance to the new Supreme Court, and close to the railway station" and "wharf, will be submitted to the hanrtner • also, a nice freehold villa residence situated at Pctone, with easy access to town, and two convenient dwelling-houses and freehold loid'srtn'ated m Austin-street, opposite the .Tresidtince . of his Worship the Mayor. ITie salte will afford an excellent opportunity to parties desirous of acquiring first-class properties.' *. - ¦ I ,rr. .-j X

The South British Forwarding and Parcels Dehvery Company announce in another column that operations will be commenced at the company's premises, Lambton Quay, on the Ist March. Messrs. J. Gardiner & Co., have commenced business as butchers in the shop lately occupied by Messrs-Woods," Großbie & Co. , Courtenay Place. Attention is directed to their announcement is another column. We are requested to remind our readers £hat Messrs. Croskery, Hasell,* and Co. will hold their usual monthly sale of live stock at Johnsonvilie on Thursday next. Particulars will be found in our advertising columns. On Monday, at 2 p.m., Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdonald & Co. hold an important --fan d sale, when they will submit a number of : valuable properties, amongst which we note Eection 116 in the Township of Feilding, sold by order of the Registrar of the Supreme Court ; also by order of the Supreme Court, 3ir sections in the Township of Palmerston and six sections in Feilding, and that wellknown property in Taranaki Place, on which is erected the sawmills and house formerly occupied by Mr. T. Scott; together with freehold sections in Ohiro, Lower Hutt, Carnarvon, and Foxton. Investors in country properties will have plenty of scope for speculation in properties in Fitzherbert, Halcombe, Wanstead, and in the Waipoua Block, near Masterton. Afterwards a sole of jewellery will be held.