Hokitika.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5427, 30 November 1895, Page 5

Hokitika.

[CQBRSSPONDBNT "CANTEBBUBY TIMES." J Nov. 2S. BANGITOTO. Some little exoitement has been caused in town during the last few daya inconsequence of probable , developments at Mount Rangitoto. It was known that the owners of the 500-acre freehold, formerly the property of the Rangitoto .Silver-mining Company, had concluded negotiations with influential London people for placing the property on the Home market, and now it has leaked out that, in addition to other deposits, they have at least two large quartz reefs showing gold freely in the stone, to say nothing ot the veins of pyrites rioh in the precious metal. So valuable are the recent discoveries that it is probable, if negotiations had not been concluded with London, the proprietors would have worked the reefs themselves, and by this meana obtained ample funds to fully develop the many deposits, both gold and silver, met with in their prospecting operations. These discoveries mean a great deal to the district and to the colony. There is plenty of rich mineral country outside of the freehold, and if the opinions of those who have closely studied the country go for anything, employment will be found for thousands of miners. i MICHAEL davitt. This distinguished Irishman has paid ub a visit and gone away again, with the satisfaction of having gladdened the hearts of scores of fellow-countrymen and countrywomen to whom he is the embodiment of all that is patriotic and noble. He lectured here on "The Trend of the Labour Movement in Great Britain," and added something to our store of knowledge concerning labour questions in the Old Country. Many of the more enthusiastic of his countryfolk were somewhat disconcerted at Mr Davitt's reluctance to being made muoh of. He is\ evidently of a retiring disposition, and sets his face against anything approaching a fuss. ' THE MAYORALTY. The mayoralty election is being very keenly contested. Mr Wade has retired, and Mr Mandl and Mr Michel, with their respective friends, are straining every nerve to gain the day. Both Bides seem to recognise that the polling will be vory even, and neither count on a majority of more than about twenty. The result will reach you as soon .as this letter, so it is not necessary for me to attempt a " tip." At Kumara and Ross Mr Bunyon and Mr Currie were elected unopposed. boating. The Boating Club under ita amended rules haß now been definitely formed. It is, in reality, a rowing club, with a subscription fixed at a guinea, at whioh price it has about fifty members. The prinoipal reason for which the club was to be formed —to constitute a recognised authority for all aquatic events—is thus entirely lost sight of, and even such a thing as the holding of an annual regatta, considered one of the first duties of a boating club, is to be ignored, and if one iB arranged it must be by an outside committee. POLICE CHANGES. Our police force has dwindled down from a commissioner, inspectors, sergeants, detectives and conotablea to a sergeant and two constables, and tbe removal or transfer :of a constable has now as much significance as would that of an inspector at one time. This being the carie, and the two constables being under orders of removal, there have been presentatious to their wives, an acknowledgment of this kind to the members of the force themselves not being allowed. Constable Bennett was the first under marohing orders, and was treated to the usual expressions oi goodwill. He i had reached Greymouth on hie way to Denniaton, when the orders were countermanded, and he came back. Constable Baker was the next to reoeive notice to i move, and he has already taken his de- | parture. '