The Tairua Goldfield.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2020, 15 April 1875, Page 3

The Tairua Goldfield.

THREATENED DISTURBANCES. Yesterday forenoon Messrs Graham, Preece, Neeves, and Jackson proceeded to the Tairua goldfield, and were accompanied by Mr K. Workman. Their object is to start operations immediately and open up the reef from which the trial crushing was taken. They will forward a ton of it to the Thames either by way of Tairua or Puriri. Tho latter will probably be adopted as the most expeditious means, provided those who are on the ground lend their aid in carrying the stuff as far as the place to which packhorses can travel. It is the intention of the prospectors' party to lay the works open, take out the stuff in the presence of any men who may desire to see the reef, and in every way afford a fair and satisfactory test of the lode, so that no question can afterwards arise regarding the genuine character of the proceedings. We expect that the trial crushing will arrive before many days, and no doubt the result of a crushing from this new district will be watched and waited for with great interest, not only by thoso who are now interested in claims on the Tairua goldfield, but by the public at large. Great credit is, we deem, due to the owners of the prospectors' claim for the expedition which they are using. Legally they are not now compelled to work their ground at all, as it is protected for ten days after pegging out, but they are doubtless as anxious to obtain reliable results themselves as others are to learn the prospects of the place. At all events, the expedition which is now being used argues well for the place, inasmuch as it displays confidence on the part of those best acquainted with the district, and it is a sure sign that, should the prospects meet' expectations, every effort will be used to develop the mine as speedily as possible, and make it a payable property. In the report recently furnished by " our own reporter " of a visit to this new goldfield, he prognosticated work for the Warden's Court, and the possibility of rows or disturbances, in consequence of the manner in which pegging out had been carried on, there being numerous small areas or claims pegged out inside the larger license areas. We had, however, no idea that his prophecy would be verified so soon, for we learn that a disturbance of a very ! serious nature took place on the new gold field yesterday, one result of which was the stoppage of a Burvey. It appears that Mr 'J homas Jlennan was surveying the area pegged out by Hennelly's party on the north-east boundary of the prospectors' claim, and a party of men, amongst whom were Mr H. H. Adams, were cutting the lines. The base line was cut, and a portion of another line, when a party of men, headed by Bergin and Brophy, came and ordered the surveyor to desist. He expostulated, and told them that he was a licensed surveyor engaged to surrey that claim, and he warnid them of the consequences of interfering. They persisted, and dared him to proceed, and some of the party pushed /dams and another man off the lino. In order to avoid a row Mr Kennan stopped the sorvey, and returned to Grahamstown, having first obtained the names of the men who interfered with him, and we learn he intends to institute proceedings against them. It appears that Bergin |.and party claim to have pegged off an area often mens' ground, which is now included in the license area. Whether they have done so or not we cannot say, but they have certainly not taken the proper means of asserting their right to the ground in dispute by forcibly stopping a surveyor while performing his work.

I ho Warden was to have proceeded to Tairua yesterday, but was detained by office business which bad accumulated during his absence at Ohinemuri, and he has therefore postponed his visit until Saturday.