OHINEMURI.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1927, 8 March 1875, Page 2

OHINEMURI.

(FBOM A CPBBESPONPENT.)

Paeroa, Sunday.

There was a great clearance from Mackaytown and this place on Friday and Saturday. I should think at least three hundred must have left, many of them being of the class who came up just to see the fun and to take advantage of anything that might turn up. But as things didn't turn up just as well as expected these casuals have left never more to return—so some of thtm expressed it. There is precious little money spending, the stores and shanties doing very little. The men who have been doing Government work can't get their money^ it is said, and the others who are hanging about have no money to spend. The roadmen and surveyors think they should have been paid out of the money already received for rights and licenses. I hear that Thorpe 9 and party and Coleman and Smith have had a meeting and arranged terms of amalgamation, so that as far as they are concerned there will be no ligitation There will be plenty over the adjoining piece, four or five parties laying claim to it. It has already been surveyed four times. The prospectors reef has been traced, right across the creek, and to-morrow (Monday) McLiver and party are to start putting in a drive to intersect it. I am told that McLean and party are about to commence operations on the Waitekauri, and will soon have 20 men employed bringing in a water race. If they do this,, and are followed by others in the same direction a good prospecting of the district will be got. But there are so many hanging about to see what others are doing that for the number of men here there is literally nothing being done. A specimen was found by young Blake, who was out witb^Mr. Bayldon, surveyor. It was said to have been chipped off an outcrop, and oh examination a band of what is believed to be gold was seen in it. This caused same excitement, and a number of men at once started to find the reef from which it was broken, but no trace yet discovered, although some were but still or were last night. The prospectors' stone was not as rich looking as this piece, which is most unlike any Thames stone I hare seen.

A requisition to Mr Macky, asking him to contest the Superiatendency, is. talked of. He was asked personally, but he asserted he was opposed to Provincialism. A memorial to the General Government has been prepared and is now been largely signed, expressing regret at hearing of Mr Mackay's resignation of office, and request* ing the Government not to accept his resignation. Copies oi the Memorial have been sent to Shortland, so you will be able to see the tenor of it, whick is decidedly complimentary to Mr Mackay, and shows that the miners can appreciate his peculiar abilities. The allocation of residence sites has been going on for two days, and Mackay's decisions have generally given satisfaction. One of your guild attempted a. little bounce with Mackay, but he found he ( had met his match, and when he retired he looked as if he was sorry he had spoken. James Mackay is the wrong man to try the game of " bluff" with.

(FEOM ANOTHEB CQBEESPON DENT.) Mackaytown, March 7tli. There is considerable dissatisfaction amongst the miners ; many are growling and croaking because they cannot jump on lumps of gold when they an ire; A. party of four arrived on Friday for the purpose of giving the place a three months' trial. They, of course, are counter jumpers, though possessed of miners'rights. They got tired of roughing it in one day, and sold their picks, shovels, tin dish, and other mining implements for 6s, and went to town. Mr James Mackay bought five of your books of Regulations, and he says you can publish his name as being highly pleased with the way it is got up; and he says it is in, every way correct. He J also speaks highly of The Despatch, and the way in which it is got up. Father Chastagnon, the Roman Catholic Priest, arrived at Paeroa last night, and came from there to Mackaytown this morning, on foot, and preached to a large congregation in the Court-house, kindly lent to him for the occasion by Mr Mackay. The rev. father is the first minister who has been up here. A meeting of all the miners is called for to morrow night; thert are some matters to be discussed that are likely to cause trouble. They say they are going to shave somebody i Many say they will show gold next week. As soon as the miners and others heard of Mr Mackay's resignation they got up a deputation asking him not to resign. Every one has signed it nearly, and all feel sorry for him. Leyd on of the Thames has added to his business of storekeeper that of news agent and express. His " library " and reading-room is well attended, t and helps to bring grist to the other mill.