TE AROHA NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7920, 12 April 1887, Page 5

TE AROHA NEWS.

[FROM OUR own correspondent.] Te Aroha, Saturday. That the railway time-table which came into force on the Tβ Aroha branch on the Ist instant should prove unsatisfactory to the inhabitants of this district is only what was expected. When the intimation of the 'alteration of the running of the train on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays was first given, it was felt here that the step was a wrong one, and a short experience of the new state of things has tended only to increase the dissatisfaction with which' the ohange was at first regarded. The inconveniences occasioned by the late arrival of the train on these days to passengers who may reside in the outlying parts of the district are not inconsiderable, but they are to some extent counterbalanced by the advantages which the later start from Auckland may at times afford. It is not of these inconveniences that so much complaint is heard, but because of the disturbance of the postal arrangements that previously existed, and which were excellently suited to the requirements both of Te Aroha and Waiorongoniai. As matters.now stand the whole district suffers by the change from a, daily to what is in reality little better than a tri-weekiy mail service. At present letters arriving by the late trains cannot be received (except in the case of persons who have private boxes) until nine o'clock the following morning, nearly an hour after the departure of tho outgoing mail, and thus in correspondence a wholis day is lost, which to business people is sometimes a matter of serious moment. This means almost a return to the state of things that existed prior to the days of railway communication—a state that cannot be tolerated now. It may be that the altered running of the train on throe days of the week will effect some slight saving to the Railway Department, but there are other matters of public importance that should aleo receive consideration. In this qaae the wisdom of such economy is not very clear, and the question may fairly bo asked Is this saving policy judicious when carried out at a cost of much inconvenience and to the injury of a district numerously populated and rapidly increasing in importance. The gold discovery at Waitoa, spoken of a week or two ago, continues to attract some attention. In the beginning of the week on the invitation of Air. J. B. Smith, who owns the laud where the auriferous deposit has been found, a party of mining experts, including Messrs. Adams, Hirst, and Goldsworthy, from Waiorongoaiai, inspected the ground where it lias been opened up by the prospectors, and they are understood to have been favourably impressed as to the probable importance of the discovery. The gold exists in a thick deposit of tight greyish sand, through which two shafte, about a hundred yards apart, have been sunk to a depth of some 15 feet. From one of them samples of the sand were taken at different depths by Mr. Adams, and they have since been tested by him at Waiorongomai. Of four samples tried, one yielded at the rate of Sdwt gold and 6dwt silver par ton, value, £1 13 S) an( j another sdwt gold and 4dwt silver, value £1 Os Sd per ton. These results may not appear large, but, if they represent the average quality of the stuff, the find must be regarded as of some importance. There seems to be an unlimited quantity of the auriferous aand, and it can be got out at a very trifling cost. If it approaches at all nearly in valueto the two samples mentioned, it only requires some cheap method of extracting the gold to admit of its being profitably worked. The locality of the find is about four miles distant from Te Aroha, and may bo described as a low hillock extending some distance up and down the valley, and rising, where the gold has been found, to a, height of thirty or forty feet above the adjoining plain. It is not what old miners would call a" likely place for gold, and perhaps few of them would think of searching there for the metal. Experience, however, has proved that our knowledge regarding auriferous deposits ia yot very imperfect, and in this instance the miner may lind that, in prospecting as well as in other branches of his calling there ia still much to be learned. . . It is now rumoured that fair prospects of gold have also been got on the property of another settler in the same locality, but the particulars have not yet been made known, • To-morrow evening the annual meeting of the Pitt-street Wealeyan Sunday-school will be celebrated by a public fruit soiree. The chair will be taken by the Rev. Mr. Bull, and an address will be delivered by the Rev. 0. H. Garland. .".; Some endeavours are being made to induce the Northern Wairoa Brass Band to join the Dargavi'le Volunteers; but most of the band, being resident at Kopuru, do not view it in a favourable light, owing to inconvenience, and also a desire to remain their owe governors, and keep themselves free from the restraints which have borne so heavily on many of the Dargaville Volunteers.—fOwn Correspondent. [ By appointment to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, the Earl of Pembroke the Marquis of Woruianby, and the Governors of' New Zealand. R. H. Baktleit, Artist Photographer, Qucen-strect, Auckland. First Order of Merit Sydney Exhibition, 1873, and Melbourne Exhibition 18S0-1. K.H.B. announces the completion of the ?: alterations to his premises, and that the New Studio,' together with the improved Appliances of the most modern construction, brought by him from Europe, snable him to produce every variety of PhotographicPicture, In the most .finished style of tho art. Hβ nvites inspection of his establishment ami the gpecinens of his work. Portraits in oils and water colour ,re specialities; also tho new oval and circular opal ilaQUes. • ■■.:■■.■ . '■■:■ . '■•• ' :,:■■! ••,..■ . ' •;.., ■, American Co. 'a Hop Bitters has restored S, o sobriety and health perfect wrecks from interaper. wee. Peruse all.