The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1879.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 268, 18 September 1879, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1879.

We anticipate that during the coming summer prospecting for gold -will be very general in all parts of the Wairarapa, Latterly the existence of the precious metal has been demonstrated in the hills on both the eastern and western side of the valley, The only question remaining to be solved is whether it exists in paying quantities, This latter question is now likely to be decided. At the present time there are a larger number of practical miners and experienced prospectors in this district than there has ever been before, owing to the public works having attracted navvies to the Wairarapa from the Middle Island—men who were formerly connected with mining pursuits, and who are certain to have a fling at their old hobby before they leave us. Already prospecting parties are being organised by railway employees, and shortly camp iircs may be expected to be found at intervals along the ranges. It is in the snowy ranges that the strongest hopes of success are entertained, and wo should not be at all surprised if payable gold were struck there before Christmas. The arduous task of exploring these ranges thoroughly should not be altogether left to private enterprise. Tne County Council at its next meeting might well take cognizance of a movement which, if successful, will develop its resources at an unprecedented ratio, and lead to the settlement of a large population within its borders, It is the interest and the duty of the County not only to hold out inducements to prospectors, but to get that assistance from the Government which has been so freely given in the past for the encouragement of mining industries. Three months ago a small Prospecting Society was partly organised in Mastcrfcon, of which his Worship the Mayor was elected as the presiding officer. Owing to a sentiment which was generally entertained that the society could not do much in the winter months, it has as yet accomplished nothing. We think, however, the time has now arrived when the provisional directors should wake up to a sense of the responsibilities which they undertook, and do the best they can to cooperate in the general effort which we feel assured is about to be made to test the auriferous nature of the snowy ranges, We would like to see a strong company formed in Masterton which would lie able first to cut a bridle track to the summit ,of the ranges at the head of tholtuamahungu; anil, secondly, to keep a small prospecting party up aloft throughout the summer months. We presume that the cost of such an undertaking would take from £SOO to £IOOO, but wo consider that the game would be worth the candle.

B. Wilson, of the Empire Hotel, Featherston, has assigned his estate, The R, M. Court sits at Masterton this morning. The animal meeting of the Wairarapa Sale Yards Company is fixed for Monday, October G. There are three Maori apprentices in the Government Printing Office, (it Wellington. A meeting of the Moiki Race Committee will be helc 1 at the Wsdhcnga Hotel, tomorrow night. William Cook, the champion billiard player of the world, is playing exhibition matches with a Mr Kilkenny, who is travelling with him, at the Occidental Hotel Wellington. The Hudson Surprise Troupe arc at present playing in Wanganui, to capital houses. It is reported that there is great mortality among the natives at Parihalca. One day as many as 15 died. The huts aro reported to be swarming with vermin. A special meeting of the Groytown Borough Council was held on Monday last to pass the bye-laws. The Greytown Working Men's Club have decided to hold an snniversary dinner at an early date, which is not finally fixed yet. Messrs Bethune and Co., announce a sale of draught entire horses, on September 25th, at 2 o'clock, when they will offer Young Melbourne and Glengarry. We notice that the Works Committee of the Borough Council, at the last meeting recommended that 40 chains of the Kuripuui main road be formed and metalled. We believe tenders will be called for the work, in sections, after their next meeting, by which time plans, and specifications will be submitted to the Council. This will prove a great boon to the travelling public and residents at the Kuripuni end;

Wo notice Dial- the Wellington Evening •Sapphira still call, its contemporary the Pqafc tlie liiVuuiiui ■'■ i Hi-William Hutchison, JI.H.R,, denies tli.-it fiir George Grey paid anjrportion ■;if his electionexpenses. ■ Mr W. 0, Williams, of Kaiwaiwai, announces that the well-known horse, Dane>ury, will be used for stud purposes this .eason, ...".. Wo are glad to notice by an advertisement in another column that Kingfisher will be located in the Masterton district during tlio coming A pleasant convivial gathering took place at Featherston on Tuesday evening, the occasion being to say good bye and God speed to Mr M. F. Philson, of the Bunk of New Zealand, who has been removed to Dune-din, as wo understand, on promotion. About 25 gentlemen sat down to an excellent little spread at the Empire Hotel, which, considering especially that it had been proposed at less than a day's notice, reflected great credit on the caterer, Mr Wilson. The chair was occupied by Mr J. G. Cox, and supported by Mr Toognod ; (he vice-chair by Mr.Riddick. After ample justice had been clone to the good things provided, the usual loyal leasts were suitably proposed and acknowledged, Mr Cox then rose to propose the health of the guest of the evening, and in ■suitable verms referred to the sterling business habits and social qualities of the euest, who had gained for himself during his stay at. Featherston the esteem of all with whom lie had hen brought in cont'd-. Although Mr Philson had not been more than about a year in Featherston, he had made a. large number of friends, win. would, be felt sure, give him a lr-arty welcome should lie at "some future time, have occasion to return to the valley. The toast was received with musical lionon, and Mr Philson, in a few wellelmaen remarks, thanked the company for the kind manner in which they had received the toast, and stated that it would always be a pleasure to him to refer back to the many pleasant days which he had ■spent and the many kind friends which he bad to leave behind him in the valley. The commercial' and banking interests were then proposed by Mr Wolters. and responded to by Messrs Oundy and Cobham. Mr Mack-ay responded 'o the toast or the public works in Ew Zealand, and a great number of other toasts were proposed and duly honored. Some popular songs were excellently rendered by Messrs S'ovenson, Brown, and other gentlemen, and added much to the general amusement. Shortly before breaking up Mr Philson was presented by some of his friends with a handsomely-bound vclume of music, and as the clock pointed to 1 one of the pleasiiutest little reunions that have taken place in Featherston for some time back came to a conclusion. Mr Phil on left by train to Wellington, en route to Dunediii, on Wednesday morninc.

Utah is attracting European immigrants in large numbers. Six hundred, mostly women, recently arrived at Salt Lake from Europe, and 200 more are to stort from Batavia shortly.

An absurd story is told in. the Philadelphia Telegraph, that the Prince of Wales owes 10,5000,000d01. to London trades-

urn. A recent Parliamentary debate proved that there was nothing in these sensational stories of the indebtedness of the Prince,

Then are wags in Richmond, The "_ working" hours were too short for the signpainter to renovate the front of that

famous confectioner's; he had bin time If) write, The only house in Richmond for Maids"—lt was the next day we found it finished by the addition of the words, ' of Honour."

_ Mr Barker,- financial agent of the Russian Government at Philadelphia, has been decorated with the second rank of the order of St. Stanislaus, for his service in connection with the purchase of vessels in America, for the Russian navy. Some interest was created in the Police Court to-day, by the Chinese mode of administering the oath. The prosecu'orexjircsed hi.-: ilot'iro for a roost-cock for the barbarous purpose of choppin<ron"his head, in proof o[ his veracity. Powell, the had 0110 at Parnell suitable, but this fjourt could not wait. The prosecutor had no (Ejection to a saucer, which he would solemnly and seriously h-cak. Finally a match was lit, which the prose-ciilorl.i-wuiit, saving in French, "If I do not speak the truth, so may my soul be blown oui."—hlxehanyo. The '.-.yiinoy Morning Herald says " V,'e understand that'Mr Clibbom has sold to ilio Auckland Stud Company, on account of Air F. Walworth, of Greyslancs, the celebrated marcs Sylvia (dam of Robin ii.iod a.id Goldsborough) and tiny:;, by Angler fro:;! Chrysolite'(dam of Robinson Crusoe and Friday, for the sum ol';i.OflO;;iii!ii!,is, These mures liavobeen selected by Mr Samuel Morrin, who came speci. lly from r!ew Zealand to negotiate for their purchase. It will be remembered tint the Auckland Stud Company some time since imported the Sire Musket, by Toxopholite, to preside at their establishment, and we can congratulate them oi> having now secured two such highly bred marcs to roini an addition to their already valuable stud."

The iiiiico and Princess of Wales paid a visit to the Alexandra Orphanage, at rliirnsey. In the course of the proceeings a little girl belonging to the Orphanage recited on the dais a humorous piece called " The Dead Doll," holding a doll in her arms while speaking. Their Royal Highncssess laughed heartily at this performance, delivered in a child-liko but ■effective manner, and concluding with the words " She died of a broken heart and a dreadful crack on tho head/' The Times, commenting on.tho recent elections', says:—lt will be seen that out af 55 old members returned, 28 voted against the Grey Ministry on the vote of want of confidence, and 21 voted in favor of it; consequently, so far as the old members arc concerned, the colony has pronounced in favor of their action. There are altogether, 33 new members. Of these, 10 may be classed as G-reyites, 13 as anti-Greyit.es, and 4as doubtful; if a vote of want of confidence such as that tabled by Sir William Fox were again moved, it is certain tins; neither Mi B.ilhmce nor Mr Turnbull would be again found voting in favor of the Grey Ministry, and it_is questionable whether Mr Bunny would not also be on the Opposition side of the House. There are no party questions before the public. The country has decided in favor of certain reforms, and any Ministry, to keep faith with the people, must introduce them. On the question of the continuance of office of the present Ministry, and in answer to the appeal made by Sir George Grey to the constituencies, in many cases both candidates and electors have agreed to ignore the issue. As the constituencies have declined to decide definitely as to who shall carry out the new policy, the House will have to resolvethe point. At present the Greyites are in a minority, and in the interests of the country it is to be hoped they may long remain so,

Tlio Ashburton Mail says:—"A tall, broad-shouldered man with an enormous swag on hisback, and a rather ferocious sot of features approached the overseer of a road-gang in this district tho other morning, and inquired the rate of wages for ablebodied laborers—' Six-and-six a day,', said' the overseer,' Then,' said the swagihan, glaring fiercely at the other, ' Tim Kinty aays that any man work for six-and-six a day, he'll knock him down.' ' And who's Tim I(inty?' inquired- the able-bodied giant, in tones of the utmopt severity, and turned on his heel. So much for the dignity of labour,; even in these hard times."