THE WEEK

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2135, 6 November 1875, Page 2

THE WEEK

Since last week's review appeared the monthly returns have been published. As anticipated, the total fell short of the previous month's by a considerable amount, the decrease being 1674 ounces. If it were not for occasional exceptional yields one would almost feel inclined to accept the belief that the Thames was in a worse state than it is, which is bad enough just now. The Oure has made an excellent show for the month, and the shareholders are looking forward to a dividend. The City of London is making a capital show, said to be a great improrement on. recent crushings. The Queen of Beauty keeps up its character for richness, the dividend declared being a handsome one considering the extent of the crushing power employed. These two claims present a strong argument of the folly of the course pursued in continuing thft deadlock, if it may be so termed, by stopping the Bright Smile pumps. Last week it was understood that an intelligent solution of the difficulty had been propounded by two of our most experienced practical miners, and that it would be immediately brought under the notice of. the parlies interested. As this has not been done publicly, there is reason to fear that some fresh obstacle has arisen, and unless something is done very soon tlie impression will gain ground that there are persons who liare an object in frustrating all attempts to resume pumping, until they get their own terms. This question Lfrs two sides to it— the public and the personal. The public have an interest in it to the extent that what is believed, and what has been proved to be

a valuable piece of the goldfield is now lying unworked, and that the area is extending with the rising watov. The * personal interests are confined to the shareholders affected, and to the latter the public look for an early settlement of the question. While a chronic sort of dulness seems to have settled around the townships, some of the remote localities aTe giving fresh evidences of the dawn of a new era, and Waitekauri stands; ♦ut prominently in this enviable light. The reefs lately discovered are; said to be very largo and unmistakably j goldbearing, and present appearances j point to Waitekauri as the probable centre : of a large and highly auriferous reef i system, the development of which is yet j in its infancy. So many disappointments ; have been experienced by speculators and by the public generally that it is not wise to be over sanguine, though if anything could indues such a feeling it would be late discoveries at Waitekauri. Tairua is making headway very slowly. The immense disadvantages under which the pioneers labor are not yet nearly overcome, nor will they be until, a paternal government comes to their help with liberal advances to open the district. A battery, it is reported, is being erected on the Karaka Creek, a district which was once in high favor, but which has for a long time been partially deserted. Perhaps the stagnation which hangs over some of the once famous mines near the flat will have the effect of directing attention to some of the old workings farther removed from the present immediate centre. If it does' so, it will not prove an unmixed evil. There is room for improvement all round, and anything which has for its object the extension of the present confined field of operations is deserving of encouragement, if conceived in an intelligent and liberal spirit. The Hon Dr Pollen is expected to visit the Thames shortly, and advantage should be taken of ■- his presence to urge the construction of roads where deemed actually necessary.