The Timaru Herald. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1886.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3719, 2 September 1886, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1886.

The West Coast Times of a recent date contains a sensible article on the Bubject of prospecting m the southern portion of the West Coast of this Island. The views expressed by the writer are worthy the attention of men who are hesitating whether to stay at home or to hasten off to the new land of promise ; they are worthy also the attention of the Government, especially at a time when there is a good deal of depression and the labour market is somewhat overstocked. The article to which we allude appears to have been prompted by fear that the reports from the country south of Jackson's Bay may lead to a considerable waste of labour. Our contemporary says :—" The most prevalent impression that has gained m other parts of New Zealand concerning the recent finds south of Jackson's Bay, seems to be that we are oil the eve of discoveries of large alluvial goldfields. To all who pin their faith to this impression will come certain disappointment. Judging from the experience gained of other parts of the West Coast, we may fairly assert that when a large extent o£ alluvial ground exists, a corresponding proportion of gold has been found m the beaches. The numerous streams and rivers which find their way to the sea have all been employed for many years stripping the hilla and terraces and carrying the golden spoil with them. Hence all the rich inland workings have had correspondingly rich beach leads. Now this obtains only m a slight degree m the country south of Jackson's Bay. The rivers all carry gold, but, none have been extraordinarily rich. Whatever gold exists—except perhaps m a few flats and terraces — will be found m its matrix, quartz or some other mineral." We are inclined to think that the West Coast Times assumes rather more than the past history of the West Coast warrant?. It is very questionable whether the value of j the inland auriferous deposits is to be

measured. by the richness of the existing river; drifts ov of the sea benches m the viciuity of the river mouths. But this much is certain: there have been no discoveries of gold south of Jackson's Biiy to warrant the excitement which appears to prevail m some parts of the country, and which is takiug considerable numbers of miners to Big Bay and to other points on the southern portion of the West Coast. But our contemporary's urticle contends, and we think very justly, that the value of the country m question is not to bo measured by the extent and richness of its auriferous wealth. The southern West Coast has long been regarded as a storehouse of valuable minerals other than gold, and the colony does not act wisely m taking no steps to teßt the truth of the numerous reports to that effect. The West Coast Times says : — "What the southern country wants more than anything is a proper geological examination. A variety of valuable minerals have been found, not only m the neighbourhood of Red Hill but m many other localities. Parties of miners would do very little good m these eases. They could collect bugs-full of specimens, not unlikely rejecting what were really valuable for others which had a more inviting appearance. It is true the working miner would be at home m prospecting for quartz reefs, and m that pursuit there would be plenty of scope, but what would benefit the country more than all would be for some expert to tell us plainly what we have got m other minerals — what is the value of the deposits proved to exist m so many extensive mineral belts. The Government of the colony m its wisdom has undertaken the task of insuring people's lives ; it has gone into the business of manufacturing railway carriages, and m that connection has turned out some aooa -work for the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company, lint yet it leaves an immense deposit of ironstone up the Paringa river to remain unutilised. It would be very easy and comparatively inexpensive to send out an exploring party, having among its members n pnictieal analyst, who would be able to show how the labours of the party were progressing, and indicate the direction which further examination should take." It is impossible not tc admit the justice of these remarks. II it wero simply a question of gold or no gold the miners might safely be left tc find the answer for themselves, as they have so often done on former occasions. This is especially the ense with alluvia] Huriferons deposits. The rudest appliances are generally" sufficient to enable au experienced gold-miner to determine the value of the wash, and, as the precious metal is found m n pure state there is no mistaking it when he seeE it. But it is a Tory different matter with many other minerals. Some scientific knowledge is necessary to recognise the presence of the ore m the first place nnd then to determine whether it is sufficiently rich to pay for working The present Minister of Mines has shown himself m many ways keenlj alive to the interests of the industry ol which his department has official supervision. He is even now taking active steps to promote the expansion of the industry by granting the Big Bay prospecting parties free passages to then destination, and he has promised that the Government steamer shall make periodical visits to the southern part ol the West Coast for the purpose ol seeing how the miners are getting on, and, we may suppose, with the object of bringing back those who have had enough of pi'ospecting m a wild country. It would be expecting too much of the department to send down at the present juncture i a fully equipped Government prospecting party. There are, m fact, no funds which could be devoted to the purpose, though the question of despatching such a party might with advantage be brought forward and discussed during the nest session of Parliament. But surely tho Government could so far avail itself of the opportunity afforded by the visit of the Hinemoa to the Southern part of the West Coast as to send m her one or two active members of the Survey or Public Work 8 Department who possess a decent knowledge of minerals and the conditions under which they are generally found. Those gentlemen might render very important service towards the development of the mining industry m a part of the country about which such a stir is juat now being made. The question is one of far more than local interest, for the opening of valuable mines would be advantageously felt throughout the colony, and would give producers another market. The people of Otago and Westland are specially interested m directing the attention oE the Minister of Mines to this subject, which, however, as we have just remarked, is one which really concerns the whole colony. Perhaps it is too late to make arrangements before the Hinemoa sails on her first voyage to Big Bay, but she is to revisit the locality after an interval of about three months, and by that time the Government can have made up its mind and selected its men. The ordinary monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Board of Education will bo hold at tho board-room, Government buildings, at 11.15 this morning. Tho vital statistics for the month of August at Temuka areas follows: — Births, 9); deaths, 2. No marriages were solemnised during tho month. The libel action by Sir Julius Yogel against tho Evening Press is to bo tried m tho Supreme Court m Wellington to-morrow. A special jury has been summoned. We havo seen a letter from a resident m the Tauranga district who Btates that the general effect of tho volcanic doposit m that part of the country is highly beneficial. This confirms former newspaper reports. Messrs Ross, Sims and Co. received a telegram yesterday stating that tho case Hawkins and Co. v. the Timaru Steam Collier Company, e'aim £13 odd, had been heard m the Resident Magistrate's court, Lyttelton, that day, and had resulted m the plaintiffs being nonsuited with costs. This should prove a bit of good news to the shareholders m the Collier Company.

lectures will be delivered m the Baptist church, Timaru, this evening, by the Rev. Mr Kerry, and Mrs "Cerry, the subject boing " Indian missions." Our spoiling roadcra aro reminded that tho Steeplechaso meeting under tho auspices of tho South Canterbury Hunt Club will bo hold on the racecourse, Wushdyko, to-day. Trains wi!l leiivo tho Timaru station at 12 10 p.m. and 1.10 p.m. for the racecourse. The followiog is the return of patients m the Tirtinru Hospital, for the month of August, ' 183G;— Patients under treatment nt dato of 1 last return— Mules, 12 ; females, G ; total, 18. Admitted during month— Males, 11 ; femules, 2 j total, 13. Totals treated— Males, 23 j females, 8; total, 31. Discharged during , month— Cured: Mules 9, females 0, total \ 0. Believed : Molcb 1 ; females, 1 j total, 2. Dead— Males, 1 (Thomas Quine) ; females, 1 (Emma Weston) ; total, 2. Totals discharged—Males 11 ; females 2 ; total 13. : Remaining under treatment : Males 12, ■ females 6, total 18. During tho late floods at Winchester, when I tho rivers were running considerably beyond i their normal beds, a number of trout took ■ advantage of their increased opportunities for ' locomotion to make excursions over tho pad- ' docks adjoining tho river beds. When tho waters subsided, numbors of them were left ' m the various pools and rivulets. Mr Young, 1 of Winchester, succeeded m capturing a large ' number of fine well-grown fish, which he carefully transferred from their prisons to tho 1 rivers round Winchester, taking advantage of tho opportunity to stock streams which have hitherto been -without fish. If these streams aro left for a senson or two, they should afford grand sport m summers to conio, A concert, under the auspices of the Wai- . mato Football Club was hold at Waimate on ■ Tuesday lost. His Worship tho Mayor of ■ Waimate presidod. Tho attendance was not ; as large as could havo been desired. Ihe : concert opened with a well-played overture, ! "Sweet dreams," by tho Waimnto band. This I wns highly appliudcd. Songs were given by " tho Misses G. Hunt, Clarke, and White of ; Oamaru, Messrs Menzies, Arthur Philip, G. ' Harding, T. Dugdale, T. Lisle, Buchanan, of ' Makikilii, E. Saunders and 1). Mitchell, duet ' by Messrs Saiindera and Li-le, and glco by \ Mr T. Evans and Master and the Misses ! Evans. Readings were contributed by Mr ]). W. Burn and Mr E. Bannerman. Tho | singing was very goo 1 throughout, and that of Miss White, of Oumnru, particularly so. Her two songs, " Killarney " and " PecpaBoo," were deservedly applauded as tho geini i of the evening. Misses Baxter and Hunt t played tho accompaniments, aho the opening j overture after the interval dividing the I concert. ! There is now on view nt Mr England's ; Hoti-1, I eimikn, a remarkably well executed i model of the Roman Catholic Church m that > town. Tho model is inndo of co-k, and is a ' correct representation m miniature of the ' or giiuil building. Tho windows arc of stained ' gliss, and the roof of paper corrugated. ' The interior of the building is complete, with • altar, pews, etc. Tho height of tho spire is about two feet, tho model being about twenty inches m length. A neat railing encircles the ' building. Tho model is tho work of Mr J. B. Biiley, nnd is the more remarkable as Mr Binlcy is unhappily only ablo to use one or ' two fingers of each hand, ho being severely . crippled by rheumatism. The model is well worth eloi"O inspection. We believe it is Mr , Uinley's intention to apply for permission to hold an art union for tho model. Should ho 5 bo successful m obtaining such permission there is no doubt but that all the tickets 3 issued will bo eagerly purchased, as the j lucky winner will be tko possessor of an inf toresting and valuable, as well as an orna- - mental, piece of virlu. • A special meeting of tho Woodbury School " Committee was held on Monday last. Present — Messrs Dean (chairman), Flatman, Heatley, l Middlemiss, and Scott. A letter was read , from the Rev George Barclay re lecture for I tho benefit of tho school prize fund. Ho f stated that lie would bo very happy to accede , to tho committee's request, and that the title E of the lecture would be " Constitutional Prol gress." Roiolved that tho rev. gentleman be • accorded a sincere and hnarty vote of thankß ! forhisfcindness. It was proposed, seconded and ' carried— "That m addition to the lecture a ' number of songs bo introduced during the ' evening." Proposed by Mr Middlemiss, ' seconded by Mr Scott— "That the following gentlemen act as a committee of management, viz., Messrs Dean, Flatman, Greaves and , Hoatley." — Carried. Proposed by Mr Flatman, seconded by Mr Heatley — "That Messrs Middlemiss and Scott act as doorkeepers on , tho night of tho lecluro and concert; also, > that a half-holiday be given on tho afternoon , of the date of the concert." Visitors' report , — Mr Flatman stated that ho had not been ; able to carry out hi 3 duties m consequence of . the heavy foil of snow, as he could not get to ■ the school. Resolved — " That tho lecture • and concert bo advertised, and that m conse- ! quenco of tho correspondence being nil that i the usual monthly meeting be not held." After passing ono small account for payment '■ the mooting terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the chairman. ; Tho ordinary monthly meeting of the ' Pleasant Point School Committee was held m ' tho Schoolroom on Monday evening last. ' Present — Messrs Butler (Chairman), Greig, , Cartwright, and Maze. Tho minutes of the previous meeting wero read and confirmed. ' Tho correspondence ihowed that tho Board of Education has confirmed the appointment of t Miss Fondell aB assistant teacher, and that blio had been at her post some time, and also that the furniture for tbo new room was lately rei ceived. A voucher was received for £11 3s r 4d for incidental expenditure, and tho sum- . Mary quarterly attendance returns were also , received from the Board. An offer was received from Mr Flood to repair the har- > monium for ono guinea. Mr Greig proposed that tho Chairman be authorised to get it re- . paired, and Mr Cartwright seconded. Mr Maze proposed that it Btand over until next . meeting. This was seconded by Mr Butler, and carried. Tho Visitors' report stated that the Master wished tho infants gallery romoved into the now room, as the Committee . was unable to lear the expense. Tho matter was postponed for future consideration. Mr 1 Oreigproposedthat Mr Butler be visitor for tho . noxt month, which was seconded by Mr Cartwright, and carried. Mrs Coleman wrote, ( asking for an increase of 2s 6d per week m her salary for cleaning, the new room, 4c, 3 giving her additional work. After discussing t the matter, tho request was acceded to. Ac--5 counts m excess of tho amount m hand were passed for payment, and tho meeting, which had been considerably annoyed and insulted ' by one of its members, was brought to a i closo. The Half-hoiiday Movement. — The ' employees of Timaru thank the public of • South Canterbury for their hearty sympathy 1 m supporting the Thursday half-holiday 1 movement, which under their continued I patronage, will prove a lasting benefit. Customers are requested to complete their " I purchases before one o'clock on Thursdays to I ensure punctual closing. — [A»yx.J

Tho Steward of the Timaru ITosrital desires to thank Mr Benjamin Weslon, of Geraldin-, for a present of Bomo cboice ferns from tho bush at Geraldino. Tho Tcmuka Fife and Drum Band paraded the towDships of Tcmuka and Arowhenua on Tuesday evening, discoursing melodious strains of inuilial music. By unremitting practice tho band has now nttuined considerable proficiency m their art, and it has become a decided acquisition to the musical resources of the town. Xhero Tras but a small attendance at the fortnightly meeting of tho Waimate Mutual Improvement Society on Tuesday lait. Mr S. W. Goldsmith presided. Impromptu speeches wero given by members on subjects which were intimated by drawing from a ballot box a paper, on which was written tho name of the subject. The next fortnightly meeting (Sept. 14th) will be for liearing short written essays. The usual delay took" place at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Temuka, yesterday. Mr Bcswick was of course prevented by his Timaru duties from being present; and the justices, ns is usual, wore conspicuous by their adsenee. One, Mr Inwood, put man appearanco at the proper time, but as no colleague appeared, the clerk was obliged to adjourn tlio court for a week. This, of course, puts tho litigants to tho trouble of attending at Temuka twice instead of once. A meeting of tho Waimate School Conimitteo was held on tho 31et ult. Present — Messrs J. Manchester (chairman), F. Jones, D. Watts, and A. Watt. Letters from tho Board of Kducalion wcro read stating thnt tho grant of £10, for drainage around tho school, as appliod for by the committee, cannot be allowed at present; resignation of the second master — Mr D. Burn — had been tendered and neceptod by tho board. The committee's recommendation to nppoii.t a commission of enquiry into school matters at Waimato, was acknowledged. The secretary informed tho committee that parents of children named m the master's list aj dofaulters m school attendance, had been notified to send their children to school. Mr Grant, head master, stated that ono of tho persons so notified — Mr R. P. Smith— was not the parent of the defaulting scholar named m his liat. Mrs Kcnnard wrote to say that her daughter was over the age for which compulsory attendance was provided. Mrs Kennard's explanation was accepted as satisfactory. Accounts for firewood, etc., -were passed for payment, and there being no other business, tho meeting adjourned. SYNOPSIS OF NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Gracio, Maclean and Adam — Sell horses, drays, harnoia, Ac, on Saturday. Tomnka Road Board — Invite tondore for road work. Timaru Baptist Chnrch — Lectures by tho Roy. Mr Kerry and Mrs Kerry to-ni<rht. Garrison Drillshed— Grand Aasault-at-Arms to-night. W. H. Willway — Is authorised to collect Dr Maolntyro'a accounts, &c.