The Tairua Goldfield.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2029, 26 April 1875, Page 3

The Tairua Goldfield.

There is not much news of importance from the Tairua goldfield. The principal shareholders and the manager of the prospectors' claim were in town on Saturday, and the latter was engaged making preparations for actively opening up the mine, procuring tools and other requisites. These are, if possible, to be forwarded on to the ground to-day, and active operations towards developing the mine will be started on Tuesday morning by starting a drive to intersect the reef at such a depth as will afford good backs, and the shaft will be continued down to strike the tunnel. Owing to the formation of the country the drive will not require to be a very long one to strike the reef at a good depth. It is quite evident that the prospectors have no intention of resting on their oars or taking advantage oi any protection. We may also add that the purchase of a fourstamper battery has, we understand, been effected, and we observe that tenders are called for the supply of a 20-stamper battery to be delivered at the Grahamstown wharf have been called. This look s like business, and promises well for the early development of the rich prospects which havo been found in this mine,

Operations in the stooks of the Tairua G.M. Co. have been started. We were shown the transfer of 155 shaves on Saturday, which had been purchased by Mr Jackson, of Tairua, for a Jump sum of £360, or at tho rate of £2 6s 5d per share. Subsequently a parcel of 50 shares were purchased by Mr Ehrenfried, of the Thames, for £100, or at the rate of £2 per share. There are 10,000 shares in the company, so that the value of the find is already estimated at a high figure. In other respects there has been little development, and the miners on the field appear restive and uneasy under the feeling that they have been wronged in having the new district proclaimed under the Gold Mining Districts Act, but some parties who have been prospecting down the No. 4 branch of. the Tairua Biver, north of the prospectors' claim, have found prospects which they consider payable. The country is pegged out for some miles, but there is no work doing, and the prospectors' claim is a perfect forest of pegs, where claims have been marked out on it.

In response to an advertisement signed by Charley Eowley, a meeting of the miners was held on Saturday evening at Tairua, opposite Messrs Sully and Gillett's store. From a gentleman who returned yesterday, we learn that there were about 80 miners and storekeepers present. Mr Gillett occupied the chair. Mr Eowley, the convener of the meeting, addressed the assembled miners from the end of a large fallen log. He was evidently under some excitement, and made a long speech, in which he reiterated that he was a political spaniel, that he would see after tho miners'interest, &c. He spoke regarding the granting of leases, and said that he would do what he could to prevent their being granted. It was evident that those present were more inclined to laugh at the orator and his oration than to acton his suggestions, but resolutions were passed condemning the leasing system and its introduction to that field, and a committee was appointed to represent the wishes .of the meeting to the proper quarter.