MONTHLY SUMMARY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume X, Issue 2758, 22 October 1877, Page 3

MONTHLY SUMMARY.

OUE GOLDFIELD. Business during the month has been dutf and declining, owing to tho absence of any large gold yield from a particular district and the excitement of a jump in any stock representing tko numerous quartz mining companies in active operation on tho field. The out-districts of Tairua and Obiiiemuri have likewiso contributed to the general dullness which 'has prevailed, the former through the total collapse of its principal mine, the Golden Arrow, and the lattor through the stoppage of its main claim, tho Waitekauri Gold Mining and Quartz Crushing Co. The gold minesof theMoanataiariandWaio-Earaka districts have not come up to the average during the mouth, but the companies now actively at work in each promise to turn out some greatly improved yields before tho close of tho year. Tho Piako, Queen of Beauty, and Queen of the May are all looking well, and largely increased yields will be the result of tho next few months' work. United Pumping Association.—'The cross cuts north and south from the shaft at the 640-feet level have been extended considerably during tho past fortnight, and the country at both ends is more encouraging than at any previous period. The north cross-eut has been extended 40 feet, 29 of which have beeu put in by the new contractors. Immediately after they had taken the contract, tlie ground hardened for a few feet, but haa since given place to splendid country for progress, a considerable quantity of water making as the work extends, indicating the vicinity of a quarts reef or reefs. The total length of this cross-cut is 1,000 feet, leaving 160 feet to drive to reach tho Shotover shaft. The south cross-cut has been extended 40 feet in the same period of time, and is in 603 feet from tho shaft. Tho most of this cross cut has been through hard country, but latterly it has been good, aud several reefs have been intersected, 'lhe face is now in strong jointy ground, with largo heads of sandstone and small veins of minerals, capital shooting ground, but very wet, strong jets of water coming out, indicative of tho nearness of a lode of quartz. The cross-cut is a considerable distance within the Imperial City (now part of the Imperial Crown ground), aud 200 feet distant from the shaft formerly sunk by the Imperial City. The drive from the north cross-cut seaward, put in by the Imperial Crown Company, has bean of late suspended, owing to the contractors throwing up their job, but tenders have been called to extend it 100 feet further. The whole of the tramways are in excellent condition, and tho supply of air to all parts is all that need be desired. The water is confined to the well below the 640-feet level by working the pump with easy stroke. With the view of facilitating 'operations appliances are now in hand for working a second cage; hitherto one has been sufficient. Moanataiabi Distgist. — In the Moanataiabi funnel another or second reef has been cut, which is about twelve inches thick, but from its course it will probably junction with the larger leader cut a few weeks ago by tho rock drill, The new leader looks promising, and no doubt will, before any length of time has elapsed, prove to carry payable gold. The total crushing of 25 tons from the first reef went at the rate of 7dwts to the ton, which will pay, as the stone has only to be broken down and placed in the trucks, which are able to come right up to the scene of operations, and from thence to the battery. The only portion of the mine from where specimens hare been obtained in quantities is the stope east of No. 1 winze. The rise from tho hanging-wall branch from the 150 feet level will open up some good payable country, and the stone occasionally broken out .shows gold. The crushing for tho past fortnight has been satisfactory, 518 tons of general stuff and 11 cwt. specimens producing the handsome yield of 1,7470zs gold, from the proceeds of which tho directors'have been enabled to declare a dividend of 7s 6d on the 13,500 shares.—ln the Aibuenia, tho Sons of Freedom reef has been cut in the drive at the bottom of the winze from the Whau level. It is over 2 feet thick, with: a small show of gold. When 10 feet more have been driven, the manager expects to be under the supposed rich run of gold. A second winze has been started on tho Whau level. The drive that is being put in from tho 360-feet level of the Caledonian shaft progresses favourably. This will drain the low levels of the companies who are putting it in, especially the Golden Calf, who have some trouble in baling out the water from thoir present low level, and it will giva them about 100 feet additional backs on the reefs to work upon, and open up a large area of ground hitherto unworked.—The New Mohnino Stae have their new poppet-heads in courso of erection, and they will probably be completed by the end of next week. As soon as the winding gear is fixed in position operations in the mine will bo conducted vigorously, with every pros*

pect of success—The Caledonian have commenced to crush a large parcel nl stone from No. 2 reef, but the yield will be inferior to that operated upon for the last crushing, which averaged over 6ozs h the ton. Driving is continued by the side of tho No. 1 reef in the Otago level, east and west; towards the east end stringers are coming'in, which point to a farthflr improvement in this portion of the reef. Waio-Kabaka District.—'The Queen of Beaut? Extended Gold Mining Company (Limited), with a nominal capital of 20,000, in 20,000 shares of £1 each, has been duly formed, embracing the Queen of Beauty and, City of London mines and plants. Each company were to liquidate their own debts, and the number of shares proposed to form the new company was 20,000; the Queen of Beauty to have 10,000, and the Oiiy of London 5,000, the remaining 5,000 to be held in reserve. Since the directors resolved to amalgamate, tho two companies have been working as tho Queen of Beauty Extended. 'I he wator in the Queen of Beauty shaft has caused the company much trouble, but tho monkey drive below No. 8 level in the Piako drive has had the effect of partially draining it, and within a day or two it is expected to be dry.—The Queen of the May reef has only just been intersected, although more than tho required distance af 100 feet had to be driven.-The yield for the last fortnight in the Piako mine was very good, 4140zs gold being the result of 40 stampers' work._ The supply has been pretty equally divided between No. 6 and No. 7 levels, with a small lot as taken from the seaward winze below No. 7 level, and several tons from the Bird-in-Hand section. The output from tho old levels is much inferior to. the No. 8 level, judging from the samples taken from the three winzes partially sunk, and tho country passed through both in the shaft and chamber for tho new level. The chamber is finished, and the cross-cut to the reef is now in hand. With a view to keep tho No. 8 level free from water,as well as to drain theadjoining mine, a drive from near tho bottom of tho shaft (several feet below the level) is now being driven for the purpose of cutting not only the main reef but a leader which is supposed to be the cause of flooding tho Queen of Beauty shaft. This will be accomplished within a few days. The tributers for the Piako will crush at the company's battery during the week. The previous fortnight's work, or rather 11 days' crushing, turned out 40Soza gold. Miscellaneous.—A 1 late crushing for the Cube proved that' the tonnage from No. 6 reef was worth but little, in fact unprofitable, while the tonnage from No. 1 reef was satisfactory, and promises to continue so. Portions of No. 6 have heretofore given as high as gold to the ton, and a run of golden ore is believed to be in it yet iu its< course upwards. Tenders for taking a block 60 feet high, up to the old shaft level, have been offered and accepted at 27| per cent. This advantageous offer will prove the ground left in the hands of the company on the same reef. Mr Crawford has also started to clear out the old stope leading to the Bed Queen boundary, for the purpose of taking out the continuation of the lode from which the lied Queen had their last crushing of nearly 3ozs to the ton.— Owing to the unprofitable character of the stuff put through in the Golden Arrow, Tairua, so far, crushing has been discontinued for tho present, and it is expected that a low level will have to be carried in before better quality stone is obtainable,—Mr J. Benney, the manager of the Alma, at Tairua, brought down the result of three weeks' work, or rather of sixteen days' crushing with 20 head of stampers, and 1390zs lOdwts proved the weight on melting. The return, though not grand, leaves a small profit. In pursuing the reef on the low level (in upwards of 400 feet), the body of crushing stuff extended to 14 feet wide, stringers making off to foot-wall side. This induced the manager to follow what appeared the best, or the hanging-wall, which gradually became poorer and poorer. The battery was suspended for a few days, and a short cross cut put in back from the face to the foot-wall, when, after seven feet of driving, the lode has again been- met with in strength and value. Good average stone is now being broken out and crushing resumed. Waithkaubi.—We' regrot to learn that the directors of the Waitekauri Co. have felt it incumbent upon them to economise to the extent of dispensing with the services of their mine manager, Mr Wilson. At present everything is at a standstill, owing to the accident to the motive power at the battery. Screwjacks were passed on Thursday, on the way out to the mill, in order that the repairs to the wheel may be effected without loss of time, and there is a large quantity of quartz from various claims in readiness to be crushed as soon as operations are resumed. There is a general feeling of regrot at the early departure from tho district of Mr Wilson, who has made j himself respected by all since ho has had ' charge of these important works. A public recognition is to be started, and carried out with great spirit before Mr Wilson's time of departure from the management of the Waitekauri mine arrives.— The last report from the manager of the Young New Zealand (Waitekauri) was { as follows'" I beg to state that there has been very slow progress made in driving the bottom tunnel in consequence of being short of powder. The distance that has been driven is seven feet, but now that I have a good supply of powder I havo put on the full complement of men. Should the ground improve I hope to striko tho roef within a fortnight or three weeks. Tho rise has been timbered and made square for throwing down quartz from the upper workings. A tramroad has been laid up to the big face of quartz, where I hope to commence and take out a large quantity of dirt available for the battery as soon as the main line and hopper are completed, which I think will be in about a week, provided the weather is favourable."— The manager of the Welcome (Waitekauri) reportedln sending in my first report, I have to congratulate the shareholders on the prospects of their mine. I believe in a short time it will add another dividend-paying claim to the list in tho Waitekauri district. Since I took charge I have driven 14 foot on the No. 4 lode to tho westward. It looks very promising, and I can iaiso fair prospects out of it with the dish. I also started a few men to block out on the cross-lode. This lode or reef looks very well indeed. I have shifted the tramway to the proper gauge to suit the new trucks. I think it will be about tho middle of next week before we are able to crush." Owharoa.—Mr Wick, who has taken tho Smile of Fortune mine and battery on tribute, has let a contract to connect the mine and battery with tho tramway, and repairs to the water-race, and intends to drive upon the main lode to have quartz ready for milling by the time these are effected. Several other holders

in ilie. district are setting to work to essay ui tli't trials, noff that the mill is likely to resume working.

SUMMARY GOLD RETURNS. from the 24th Beptbmbeb to the 20th INSTANT (INCLUSIVE.) Cli UJI OR COMPANY. STONE CRUSHED. GOLD 5 f M «i ■£ g 0 N fcfl h o * o u Albumin - - • • 1 10 0 725 0 0 Ditto tributo (McLean) 54 0 0 45 5 0 Ditto (Skeen) - - - 31 0 0 15 9 0 Ditto (Downie)- - - 70 0 0 13410 0 Ditto - - - - 300 0 0 41710 0 Alma (Tairua) • - - 150 0 0 13910 0 Black Aiifjel tri, (Wilcocks) 7 0 0 8 7 0Caledonian - - - 40 - 0 0 211 12 0 Ditto tributo (Hcrival) -. 7 0 0 3 5 0 Ditto (llcriv.il) - - 4 0 0 1010 0 Ditto (Jennings - - 400 200 Ditto (Mclimos) - • 20 0 0 84 9 0 Cure 42 0 0 23 0 0 Ditto (Thorburn) - • 5 0 0 21 0 0 Ditto (Fleming) (- • 2 0 0 0 10 0 Ditto tribute (McLeau) - 19 0 0 j .18 0 0 Ditto (Walters) - - 30 0 0 20 8 0 Crown Princess tr. (Kendall) 0 10 7 0 0 Ditto (Barclay)- - - 40 0 0 18 0 0 Ditto (Barclay) - • 52 0 0 8 3 0 Ditto (Robinson) - - 14 0 0 15 10 0 Ditto (Lougli) --- 18 0 0 31 0 0 Ditto (Dare) - - - 15 0 0 1G 4 0 Central Italy [(Bagnall) • 15 0 0 8 1 0 City ot Hereford - - - 3 0 0 1 2 0 Dauntless and Sink-to-Eise tribute (Howarth) • - 10 0 0 8 12 0 Don Pedro tribute (Endean) 3 0 0 2 0 0 Gentle Shepherd (Tapu) - 20 0 0 15 15 0 Golden Arrow (Tairua) - 150 0 0 CO 0 0 Hape Creek tribute (Mann). 12 0 0 1 12 0 Ditto (Craig) ... 10 0 0 6 10 0 Ditto (Jury) ■ - - 9 0 0 1 4 0 Ditto (Tetley) ... 30 0 0 10 8 0 Inverness tribute (Wilson)- 62 0 0 38 10 0 Ditto (Soliofleld) - 40 0 0 69 14 0 Juno (Brown) - - 0 0 20 5 0 0 Karangahaketrib.(Coutts) 31 0 0 0 10] 0 Kuranui Hill - - - 20 0 0 0 10 0 Ditto (Lucas) • - - 30 0 0 22 10 o Ditto (Ash) 1 0 0 2 10 0 Ditto (Daniels) - - • 30 0 0 18 0 0 Ditto (Easter) • , ■ - 10 0 0 1 8 0 Ditto (JlcLeod). ■ . 30 0 0 16 10 0 Ditto (Blake) -.- 7 0 0 2 10 0 Ditto (Newdick) • • 40 0 0 89 15 0 Ditto (Petersen) • • 10 0 0 11 19 0 Ditto (Asb) - - • 10 0 0 12 13 0 Ditto (Northey) • - 30 0 0 103 10 0 Ditto (Jenkins)- • - 30 0 0 48 10 0 Ditto (Petersen) • • 12 0 0 150 6 0 Ditto (Carroll) ■ • 10 0 0 8 0 0 Ditto (Gordon) • • 10 0 0 20 15 0 Ditto (Bannerman) - 4 0 0 1 18 0 Little Sarah - ■ • - 5 0 0 2 3 0 Lucky Slip - . - - 5 0 0 7 5 0 Ladybird - - - • 9 0 0 4 5 0 Moanataiari - • • 1000 10 0 2609 0 0 Ditto (Lang) • - 18 0 0 28 10 0 Ditto (Rove) - - - 30 0 0 31 10 0 Ditto (Urquliart) - - 12 0 0 9 0 0 Ditto (Whisker) - - 8 0 0 25 0 0 Ditto (Chaistie)- - - 16 10 0 10 9 0 Ditto (Rowe) • ■ 21 0 0 14 8 0 Ditto (George) • • 38 1010 0 Ditto (Thomas) - 11 0 0 20 6 0 Ditto '(Willetts) - - 10 10 0 8 16 0 Ditto (Landers) ■ 98 0 0 07 14 0 Ditto (Hoslungs) • ■ 45 0 59 IS 0 Ditto (Eudcau)- -. 3 0 0 3 10 0 Ditto (Jfoyle) • - 6 0 0 19 17 0 Ditto (Qualley) - - 9 0 0 23 15 0 Ditto (Teasdale) • • 5 0 0 1 17 0 Ditto (Kneebone) ■ 00 0 0 69 5 0 Ditto (Ilolt) • ■ • 20 0 0 111 11 0 Ditto (Comes) ■ • 10 0 0 31 14JJ0 Manukau tribt. (Harcourt) ■ 9 0 0 6 14 0 Old Golden Calf - 40 0 0 06 0 0 Old Golden Calf trib. (Gill) 15 0 0 18 0 0 Ditto (Bagnall)- - - 37 0 0 GO 15 Old Wliau trib. (Wingate) - 25 0 0 90 13 13 Ditto (Garvey) - - - 20 0 0 119 5 0 Ditto (Childcrhouse) • 20 0 0 26 10 0 Ditto (Ferguson) ■ • 21 0 0 26 19 0 Prince Imperial > * ■ 50 0 0 22 5 0 Powis Castle tr. (lleddins) ■ 1 0 0 3 7 0 Pretty Jane trib. (Gibbon?)!- 6 0 0 3 4 0 Pretty J-.no (Gibbons) ■ 6 0 0 3 2 0 Piako 350 0 0 414 0 0 Ditto ■ - - - 350 0 0 406 OJ 0 Ditto (Noonin's) ■ - 58 0 0 119 17 0 Queen of Beauty Extended 150 0 0 144 0 q Queen of May tr. (Primrose)- 7 0 0 1 4 0 Ditto (Oatridgo) - 10 0 0 4 6 0 Ditto (Bawden) • • 6 0 0 4 6 0 Rocky Point (Karaka)- - 3 0 0 1 112 Red Queen - • - 41 1 0 115 7 0 Red White Blue tr. (Green) 55 0 0 32 10 0 Ditto (Green) - ■ ■ 34 0 0 25 5 0 Sundries .... 50 0 0 Sure (Ilrtpo Creek) • ■ 5 0 0 5 18 0 Tookey tribute (Muir) - - 5 0 0 2 5 0 Try Again (Tapu)- • 20 0 0 68 12 0 Una tribute (Elisor) « ■ 15 0 0 30 10 0 Victory .... 30 0 0 22 4 0 Watchman (Mears) - - 34 0 0 121 14 0 West Coast tribute (Smith) 10 0 0 23 0 0 Waitekauri - - • ■ 700 0 0 625 0 0 Waiotahi - • • • 00 0 0 98 5 o Total - - 5,297 2 58 8,679 11' 1 GENERAL NEWS. ParIiUMEHI has changed leaders during the past fortnight, after a session extending over nearly three months. In our last we stated that the Opposition were giving the Government considerable trouble, and later on a mo. tion tabled respecting alleged extravagance in maintaining a Maori organ, after the vote for the same had been rejected by the House, was accepted as one of no-confidence. Mr Larnach, the member for Dunedin City, moved the vote of censure on the Government for continuing the publication, to which the Hon, the Premier (Major Atkinson) replied that Government would take the motion as one of want of confidence. A division took place, and the result was that the motion was lost, 33 voting for it, and 42 against, A week later Mr Larnach \ moved a direct want-of-confidence motion, that the Government did not possess the confidence of the House. A division was takes late the same evening, and it was found that the Government were defeated by four votes, which took them by surprise, as the whips confidently expected they would have a majority of five over the Opposition, Next morning the Government resigned, and Mr Latnach was sent for to form a new Ministry. After same trouble, he succeeded in forming the following Ministry;— Sir George Grey (member for the Thames), Premier and Colonial Secretary ; Mr Maeandrew, Minister for Lands and Works; Mr Larnach, Colonial Treasurer and Commissioner of Stamps; Mr Sheehan, Minister of Justice and Native Minister; Mr J. T. Fisher, Postmaster-General and Commissioner of Telegraphs. Colonel Whitmore afterwards accepted the office of Colonial Secretary, and representative of the Government in the Upper House. After the Government had been sworn in, the Hon. the Premier (Sir George Grey) delivered his Ministerial Statement, and stating tho future intentions of the Government. To eulogise Sir George Grey or Mr Maeandrew as statesmen would be superfluous, as both are so widely known in that capacity. If put to the test, they would, no doubt, command the confidence of a large number of the electors of New Zealand. Mr Sheehan is by no means a strauger here, and, as most of our readers are aware, ho is a sou of New Zealand soil, a production of the country, well adapted to the position assigned him. Mr Sheehan takes the place held byDr Pollen. Let the public judge which of the two is better suited for the position of Native Minister. He is in every respect well qualified to maintain a good understanding between pakeha and Maori, without resorting to the contemptible, vacillating, and deceptive policy so commonly practised under the misnomer of diplomacy, Mr Larnach is a new man, with his political career before him. He has the advantage of having united himself to some good men, and we hope he will prove worthy of the harness, So far the new Government possesses some good men, but it remains to be seen how successful they will prove. Sir George Grey's constituents, those electors resident in the Thames and Coromandel district?, have forwarded the Premier their warm congratulations upon the changes which have takea place, They feel that an honour is con-

ferred upon them by his acceptance of the Pre- ' miership. A small exodus of Ohinemuri nativea is taking place, and there is no doubt but that 1 the settlements in that district will gradually dwindle away. At the meeting of Ohinemuri and other natives recently held at Parapipipi's sett'ement on the Piako river Te Ilira and the Ohinemuri natives were strongly invited to take up their abode at that place and leave Ohinemuri. It is expected that this is only the thin end of the wedge owards their removal to the King country, a step sought after by Tawhaio's emissaries at several meetings with the natives of late. The Ohinemuri natives at present strongly resist any such invitation, but some influence seems to have prevailed to cause their removal to the Piako, I The men who rescued their feUow workmen in the Kuranui Hill mine when overcome with gaa are to receive gold watches out of the su'n of £7810s 7d collected from the public. Their names are Geo. Leith, Jas. Irwin, Geo, Radford, and Morrison. The Prince of Wales Lodge of the Protestant Alliance Friendly Society will celebrate their anniversary as usual on the Prince of Wa'es' birthday, the 9th of November, by a soiree, concert, and dance. These annual gatherings have been very successful, and no doubt the approaching one will be as much so as those which have preceded it. The long-neglected district of Puriri is about to have a school opened, thanks to the efforts of the Ohinemuri Committee. The building is a commodious one, and the teacher's residence attached to the school is to consist of two large rooms. The buildings stand on three sections, given by the Church Mission. The first asphalte footpath at the Thames was completed on the 12th instant, in front of the Bank of New Zealand in Krown-street. A court of inquiry into charges of alleged insubordination on the part of members of the Thames Rifle Rangers was commenced on the 13th instant, before Captain J. E. Macdonald (No. 3 Company), Lieutenant Dey (Thames Scottish), and Lieutenant Gam (Naval Brigade), One of the employees at Price [Brothers' foundry named Richard Newman met with a severe accident on the 17th instant. While engaged with others in working the heavy monkeyi by some means it fell on his foot, and crushed three of his toes. Inspector Bullen received information on Tuesday last that while Sergeant Russell and Constable Gordon were at Whangamata, charged with the arrest of a Maori named Te Nahi, on a warrant 'for horse-stealing, they were.rushed on by about twenty natives, who rescued the prisoner, notwithstanding that the constables fired several shots to intimidate them. One escaped into the adjacent bush, the police, owing to the treatment they had received, being unable to pursue them. Mr Bullen communicated the facts to his superior officer in town, Inspector Thomson, who tele-1 graphed to Wellington for instructions as to whether, under the circumstances, the offenders are to be followed up, [or further proceedings held over foe a time. The matter ha 3 been referred to Mr E. W, Puokey, the native agent of the Government at this place. A musical and dramatic entertainment, in aid of liquidating the debt on St. Joseph's Convent, was given by the young ladies attending the school on the evening of the 27th ult, There was a large aud fashionable attendance, so large, indeed, that many persons were unable to gain admittance. , Mr and Mrs Addey have opened an academy for young ladies in the Templar Hall, Rollestonstreet. Mr and Mrs Addey have for some years kept a high-class educational establishment at Spring Villa, Ponsonby, Auckland. The Bank of New Zealand shipped by the •Botoinahana' to Auckland, on the 2nd inst,, five 1 boxes, containing 6,5990zs ldwt 12gra melted gold. % The anniversary soiree of the Grahamstown Wesleyan Church was held on the 9th inst., in the school-room, and largely attended. The Rev. W. J. Williams delivered an excellent lecture at the soiree afterwards on "The Life of George Whitfield," We have received from the secretary of the Pumping Association the following extract from the report of the three directors of the Association deputed to make an inquiry into the circumstances attending the gas accident in the Kuranui Hill mine. They make the suggestions with a view of preventing a repetition of such an occurrence"ln closing thii report, your committee have hut to suggest that when the manager has to stop the pumps he should notify the managers of the adjacent mines of his intention, and should there at any time be an extraordinary volume of gas generated in the shaft, or from any other cause he has reason to fear that the influx of gas is likely to make work in the lower levels dangerous to life, he should at once blow the steam whistle for at least half-an-hour, as a warning to allinterested, besides doing his best to notify the mine managers personally. If not exceeding the scope of their district, your committee would recommend that all managers employing mon at deep levels should be particularly on their guard, and not allow men to vork much below the surface levels when the pump 3 have been standing for more than 24 hours: and at all times and all circumstantes to advise and confer with their workmen at the lower levels as to a mode of escape in the in tho event of a sudden attack of gas.• The bridge across the Kauwaeranga has been completed, and proves of great service to the district, inasmuch as it connects the township with the rising settlements of Hikutaia, Puriri, Tairua, &c,, and completes the road made by the County Council to Ohinemuri, It is a very solid and substantial structure, and well adapted for heavy traffic. The construction of the bridge reflects great credit on the contractors, Messrs Cullen and Boyer. The road has been fenced off on this side, while the other towards ■; Totara Point is in hand. Its length is 272 feet, by a width of 16 feet clear, supported by eight sets of four piles, driven into the bottom 12 feet deep, besides the land tie 3, aud contains G spans of 30 feet each, 2 of 20 feet, with 1 of 40 feet over the deepest part. At ordinary high tides there will be seven feet of water available for traffic, giving ample depth for any number of logs that may be rafted down to the mill, while the bridge is sufficiently high to preclude any fear of floods injuring it. The contractors have testified their ability to carry out the work, not exceeding their contract price, £810, and have secured the erection of similar bridges at Hikutaia and Omahu, all of which have been undertaken by the County Couucil, and are being carried out under the supervision of Mr Aitken, the County Engineer. Mr Thomas. Spencer has at great expense erected a bone mill on the river bank at Parawai for agricultural purposes, which, although small, is yet capable of supplying the require* ments of local consumers. The Kauwaeranga new Boys' School was publicly opened on the 24th ultimo, in presence of the Committee and a goodly number of visitors/ The anniversary of the Congregational 'Church, Mary-street, was celebrated by a soiree in the church on the 25th ultimo About 500 persons were present. The Eev R. Laishley, the pastor, occupied the chair. The Rev Charles Clark has delivered four of his popular lectures at the Thames before crowded and appreciative audiences. Mr Thomas Spencer has on the stocks on the banks of the Kauwaeranga River the framework of a small screw-steamer, which is intended, we believe, for the Dpper Thames trade. The little vessel is only forty feet in length, with eight feet beam, and her lines are very well adapted for speed, The engines havo been ordered from England, and are now on their way out. The new steamer will be launched about Christmas, by which time the engines will have arrived, and the boiler have been constructed. The Volunteer and Cadet Companies paraded on Sunday, the Ist instant, for Church, by special invitation of the Rifle Rangers, when the honorary Chaplain (Rev. It. S. Bunn) delivered an impressive sermon in the Grahamstown Wesleyan Church. The rev. gentleman took for his text St. Matthew, chapter xxii, part of the 21tt verse; "Render therefore unto GaJsar the things that are tear's, and unto God the things that are God's," The Thames Scottish Volunteers fired on the Ist iustant for prizes. The following are the winners, with their totals in order of merit

Corbett 32, Reid 31, Hnmiltou 31, Campbe'l 28, Weir 27, McLcan 26, McLeod 25. TI, ranges were 500 and GOO yards, five shots «. eiob. The anniversary 'sermons of the Primitiv Methodist Ohuroh, Maokay-afcreet, werepreache' l on the 2nd inslant by the Rev. W. Tinsley, o Auckland, to large congregations. The soire • was held in the chapel on the following Tuev day, and was a great success. A football match—Kauwaeranga hcliool r Parawai school—was played on the crick' ' ground, Parawai, and resulted, after a clo contest, in a victory for the latter by one goal. The Thames Naval Brigade Minstrels gav, one of their very clever and amusing entctainments, for the benefit of the widow an! children of the late Mr Charles Rowley, w'r was drowned a few months ago in Aucklan. harbour, The entertainment wis under tf- 1 patronage of His Worship the Mayor a"<! Borough Councillors, the Volunteers and Fi; ■ Brigade, and the house was crowded. Or ■ £40 was handed to Mrs Bowlcy as the net proceeds of the entertainment. Mr Valentine Savage, boatbuildcr, has rn ceivod two orders from two Rowing Clubs ;<-■ Taranaki to construct a couple of racing wha' •. boats. Himiora, Whata, and Whanga'(three native} were brought up at the Supreme Court, charge with breaking into Mr E, D, Johnson's shop ;i Ohinemuri, and stealing therefrom certa ; " moneys and goods. Himiora pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months' impriao. ment. The other prisoners were acquitted. The anniversary of the Sir Walter Sco 1 Masonic Lodge was c;lebrated on the 2 . instant by a soiree, concert, and dance, held i • the Graham Hall,. There was a large atte •• dance, the gathering being confined to Masontheir wives, and sweethearts. Mr T. L. Murm' occupied the chair. The Auckland Artillery havo declined 1 > accept the challenge of the, Thames Nav ■ Brigade to fire a carbine match, on the groun > that the stakes (£1 per man) are too high. At a meeting of the Presbytery held in Auckland, on the 3rd inst., the Rev. J. Weill, of tli • Thames, was appointed Moderator. It was resolved at a meeting of friends of tl ■- sufferers by the late gas accident to collect suli scriptions in their aid, and for this purpose M ■ Harcourt was appointed secretary and treasurer, and authorised to issue subscription lists which has been done. Two of the injured me". (Webber and Bray) have been sent to the WaiweraHot Springs to recruit their shattered health,