THE OWHAROA DISTRICT.

Thames Advertiser, Volume IX, Issue 2462, 4 November 1876, Page 3

THE OWHAROA DISTRICT.

- Having just returned from a flying visit to Owharoa. I will endeavour to give you, in as few words as possible, a report of what I saw. To commence with, I found tho road vastly improved. This is not altogether owing to the fine weather, for a certain amount of credit is duo to the road men. Altnough they are few in number, repairs which were very much required havo been completed and improvements are being made in several places, and if tho Government will only act a little liberally wo may hope soon to have a comparatively good road from here to the diggings. The natives on tho flat between here and Mackaytown, on both sides of the river, aro very busy ploughing, harrowing, sowiDg, &c, which gives a lively appearance to the place. Some of the Europeans who have secured farm sections within the goldfield boundary havo put their shoulders to the wheel, and it would be a good thing for tho district if those who have not yet done so, but who nevertheless havo secured sections, were to follow the good example set them. The same remark-applies to a great many of tho gold mining leases. It is hardly fair that a few willing men should have to prospect the country for others who are either unable or unwilling to do anything for themselves, but who, nevertheless, retain the grouna\ hoping that some other claim in their vicinity will strike something which will increase the value of their property. The first mino which I visited by permission of the mino manager was tho

Mobnin& Light, where I found that the old coffee mill had been cleared away, and that the space had been utilised as a quartz paddock, and.two men were engaged making room for the stuff which the manager informed me he intended breaking down from the big face (in which gold is visible) on Monday. The tramway is nearly completed,' and the now bridge will be finished in a week from this date. The workmanlike manner in which tho whole thing is being carried out reflects the greatest credit on the mine manager who, I am informed, is the designer as well as the supervisor of the works.

The Annie.-All hands are engaged laying the tramway, which seems to be intended to last, which in itself is a sign that those interested believe in the auriferous nature of their property. Champion Lode, next to the Annie. All I can say is that the lode is still there, and apparently the shareholders determine that it shall remain so, for the present at least.

The next claim is the Champion, I cannot say whether or not they have a lode. I know they have a wheelbarrow; at any rate, I take it for granted it belongs to them, but I could not seo anyone to make inquiries of. The Nut is next, and here some work is being done. The low level is now in about 35 feet. A few small quartz stringers in tho face. Itis expected that about 20 feet more will have to be driven before the stone, stringer, reef, or whatever it is which they have in the upper level, is struck. I saw a good prospect washed from a dish of stuff taken from this mine.

The battery is well forward, and will, I think, be ready for work as soon as tbe claims are ready for it. A great many of tbe shareholders in the different claims, however, do not agree with me in this particular. They want dividends before Christmas, and begin to think that they will not got them until after.

A dispute occurred to-day at Botokuku about a piece of land. One section of natives bad it ploughed up and potatoes planted; the othor claimants immediately set to work, re-ploughed the land, and sowed oats in it. Mr Maekay went out to try and settle tbo matter, with what success I bave not beard.

I have been informed that the Young New Zealand Company's crusbiug will turn out from lj to 2ozs to tbo ton. I have not ascertained tbo amount of the Waitokauri Company's claim as yet, but no doubt you have already been put in possession of the news by pigeongram. PItOGEESS OF THE TOWNSHIPS. November 1. There wero several slight showers yesterday, and in the evening the rain camo down steadily for about sis hours. To-day tbo weather has cleared up again, and there is a strong westerly breczo blowing. Tbo crops are looking splendid. Sheep shearing had just been started before the rain camo on; but, as tbo sun and wind together will soon dry tbo fleeces, operations aro not likely to bo long delayed.

The Eev D. Bruce is up here on a visit, and I understand that ho has beou looking out for suitable church sites in. Paeroa and Mackaytown, There was no service held here on Sunday (which was the last in the month), as tho Hev Y. Lush had to go to Auckland on Monday to attend tho meeting of tho Synod, and could not, therefore, keep his appointment. There has been no service since tho Eev E, S. Bunu was here, but I see by an Auckland paper that the Eight Kev Bishop Cowio has arranged to be here on Sunday fortnight, the 19th instant.

Mr J. Marshall's branch drapery store at Mackaytown has been opened by Mr Kitchen with a very .nice stock. I notico that a verandah has been put up, which is a great improvement, At Paeroa the lock-up, which is being erected by Constables McCounell and Blake, AC, is fast approaching completion, I am informed that a cottage will shortly be built for the accommodation of the men on the station. A new shop is also being built for Mr J. Bramley, the bootmaker.

I see that pugilistic encounters at the Corner aro becoming of frequent occurrence, and that a well-known sharebroker who owns an all to himself is usually one of the principals. If report speaks truly, he generally comes out beat man, which is doubtless owing to the unity of his association, for the motto says that " Unity is strength." Only, two copies of the Thames Exchange found their way here, and there has been a great demand to peruse them, as rumours were current as to the spiciness of some of the articles, The able editor had better not come here to CDJoy " his well-merited reposej or he will perhaps find that eggs are cheap and odoriferous—not auriferous,