STARTING OF THE TE AROHA BATTERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6064, 25 April 1881, Page 5

STARTING OF THE TE AROHA BATTERY.

[BT TEUJGItAI'II.—OWN CORrsESFON DUNT.] Grahamstown-, Saturday. The battery which has been erected at Te Aroha, to eke order of the Te Aroha Quartz Crushing Company, was formally started at noon to-day, in the presence of a large concourse of persons interested in the progress of the district. The directors of the company had issued a large number of invitations, most of which were responded to. For the convenience of visitors from the Thames, the p.s. Patiki made a special trip to Te Aroha, leaving Grahamstown at 11 p.m. last night-. Several gentlemen rode overland, leaving Grahamstown early this morning, and reaching Te Aroha in tim 3 to see the opening ceremony. A number of visitors from the Waikato and surrounding districts were also present. The battery, which consists of ten head of stampers and six berdiins, driven by a 15-horsc power steam engine, has been erected by Messrs. Price Bros., of Grahamstown, at a cost of between £900 and £1000. The tables have been constructed on the most approved principle, and the plant is supplied with all the latest improvements in gold-saving apparatus. The fact that this firm have had the erecting of the battery and plant is a sufficient guarantee that the machinery is of the best quality, and that the workmanship lias been faithfully earned out. The opening ceremony was fixed for 12 o'clock to-day, at which time fully 200 persons had assemble'd to witness the starting ; Among those present were Mr. W. \N"i!kinson (Mayor of Thames), Mr-. T. L. Murray nf the Bank of Xew Zealand, Grahamstown), .Messrs. .-i. x-_. , t Hennelly, Hay, Symington, C. Gould, Reuben Parr, O'Halloran, Sands, 11. Whitaker, Smith, L. Jackson, A. Price, Gavin, Moore, and several ladies. At the ippointed time the engine was started by Mr. A. Price, the senior member of the firm, and as the fly-wheel commcnceil to revolve, -Mrs. Charles Gould christened the battery "The Te Aroha, 5 ' by breaking the :ustomary bottle of champagne. Everything iras found to work in a satisfactory manner, u>d after running for a few minutes ilic engine was stopped, and all present uljourned to discuss a luncheon provided by lost Quinlan, of the British Hotel. Success o the Te Aroha battery was drunk in jumpers, and several other complimentary ioasts were also given. A splendid dinner vas laid at O'Halloran's Hot Springs Hotel, :o which all visitors were invited. Air. H. iVhitaker, Secretary to the company, was ndefatigable in his attentions to the visitors. The first stone to be crushed is from the Tin nine, but it is not expected to yield much ;o!d. It is being put through, as much to 'weeten the battery as anything else. On ■ fonday it is expected the battery will start in a parcel of stone from the Aroha _ or inspector's claim. To the owners of claims n the district the battery will be of incalulable value, as it will enable them to test he various lodes, and thoroughly prove he district. "