TAIRUA.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2149, 16 September 1875, Page 3

TAIRUA.

(fbom oub own corbespondent.)

(PER PIGEON m&W.)

STARTING OF THE FIBST BATTEiiY AT TIIIiUA,

Nbevesvilie, Wednesday, noon. List night the influx of visitors was very great, the Shorlland boat, which left early in tho morning,being excessively crowded, while there were no less than 10 a fow minutes late, who had tho pleasure of

tramping it. Many gentlemen who wero authorised to visit their mines by tho generalmeetings lately held did not put in an appearance,viz. ,Messrs J. W. Walker, Ehrenfried, and McCullou'gh, and as tho weather has now broken, it is not likely

they will reach here in time to participate in the ceremony of "starting the Prospectors' battery. The visitors here now are Messrs "J. B. Jackson, 6. S. Graham, Preeco, Neves, Cochrane, Friend, Perry, Bowe, Adams, Wiokham,»Bayldon, and others, who have all accepted invitations tobe present at the starling of tho battery. The battery will start immediately; afterwards tho company will adjourn to Hall's Bestaurant at Nevesville, where Messrs Sully and Gillet have provided a magnificent luncheon. A general holiday 'after 12 has been decided upon, and already tho companies are beginning to assomblo from thoutmost parts of the field. Bepreseutalives from tho Consolation on the north, and The Brothers on the south-west, indicate the intenso interest felt in tho day's

proceedings.

2.15 p.m.

Precisely at ,12 noon, amid. the cheers of a largo assemblago, tho battery of the I Tairua Company was started, Mr W,B, Jackson, chairman of directors, breaking the customary bottle of champagne on the fly-wheel, and christening it tho "Tairua Pioneer Battery." He apologised for tho absenco of tho fair sex, who usually performed such interesting ceremonies, but the prinmal state of the country debarred their presence. He, however, hoped that their absenco would not militato against tho success of the battery, and stated that tho small mill was only the forerunner of a more powerful plant. Tho' mill was then declared opened amid loud cheers.

The battery consists of four slnmpors and a berdaa, with a 15« feet diameter wheel, 3j feet breast, and erected under tho superintendence of Mr Somorvillo. It is just two months ago since the .first shipment of material was mado from tho Thames. It runs smoothly, with 70 blows per minute, and ten minutes after tho start she was stopped ii\ order to give visitors a look at the plates, which showed amalgam very freely. Any amount of water for power, and the weather for tho last few hours magnificent-a good omen of future prosperity. The assembly then dispersed, with cheers for Neovcs, tho prospector. Jackson and the whole are wending their way to Neevesville, to partake of tho splendid dejeunqr prepared for all comers by tho company. The Tairua directors have agreed, after crushing 25 tons, to allow the Ajax and Britannia to crush 5 tons each.

Tho manager of the Prospectors' broko out three dishes of stuff for tho satisfaction of directors from No, 2 roof, which yielded with numorous small quartz specimens hero. Daykin and Wickham hayo pegged out 30 mens'ground adjacent to Nooves's Creek. .Tho ground has been known of for months, but with tho intention to keop it back until summer, However, prospectors were about, compelling thorn to secure it. H.eef 20 feet thick; good prospects. They wero shepherdod by Frater and Scott Hunter, who compelled them to show. the line of reef, and the latter have taken up 30 mens' ground also, and find outcrop in several places. Messrs Bowe, Perry, and Adams are inspecting the Ajax, in order to decide whether tho lode is worth tho oreclion of 10 or 15 stampers. Messrs Veitch and others have con-

eluded negotiations with Mr Daykin for his water-riglit, and are now inspecting it in order to lay off site, &c., for a 13stamper battery.