WAIHI.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4265, 1 September 1882, Page 3

WAIHI.

(FEOSI THE TRIBUNE.) The directors of the Martha, Waibi, and Young Colonial Companies have had the two batteries examined, and the result of the examination is that all work is, for the present, stopped. So far as the batteries are concerned, the stoppage appears to be '* a necessity, although it is greatly to be regretted that it should be necessary to stop the works^at a time, when men who had been, banging on for months had every reasonable hope of a dividend. But the batteries do not, as I have more than once before reported, go at the rate of more than 50 blows s minute, while they ought to go at least 130. There is a considerable complication ; there was only one copy of the tender, and the contractor has tbat copy ; and there was only one copy of the specification—and the contractor has that also. Mr E. M. Corbett, who erectsd the Moanatairi battery at the Thames, and the Waitekauri battery also, has been called in to report upon the state of affairs, and he is now in Auckland conferring with the directors of the various - companies. A report was current that Mr Corbett was prepared to remedy the. defect in the Waihi and Martha batteries for a sum of £20, but this is incorrect, as Mr Corbett says he nerer made any such statement; I believe the cost will be over £300—and the main question now at issue is, Who is to pay? A very liberal offer was made to the Dulcibel people to join with the Waihi, Young Colonial, and Martha, and an attempt would then have been made to consolidate the whole of the companies into one large company.. The Dulcibel has, however, declined. On the other hand, offers have been made of the ground of three lease areas adjoining,-and unless the Mining Inspector steps in to make a mull of it, there appears good hope that a large and powerful company will be formed. Gold has- been found in several of the outside claims: but the preposterous endeavor to enforce;'the manning of the ground with one man for every man's ground leads the men to keep things quiet: for the moment a,fellow reports a good show, he has a fleet of the loafers around him whose only mining is done in public-house bars—and then he may look out for a plaint or two in the Warden's Court, and a forfeiture or -> • fine as his reward, for prospecting.