(.PUBLISHED DAILY), SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1884. THE TUHUA GOLDFIELD.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5303, 8 March 1884, Page 2

Wanganui Herald. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1884. THE TUHUA GOLDFIELD.

Our local contemporary has partially explained its mysterious utterances about the suggested public meeting, the Government, and the reported gold discovery at the Tuhua. It says that a communication was made to the Government from an influential Maori source, "requesting them to at once send a person to examine the locality where the discovery was said to have taken place, and offering in the plainest' terms to guide such person to the very spot where the gold was found." This was an offer that, in our contemporary's opinion, ought at once to have been accepted, ; and we concur in the opinion. But considering the large amount of faith at one time reposed in the Native Minister, it is difficult to understand why a public meeting should have been suggested to "take the initiative." Where was the member for Wanganui that he did not at once urge the Government, which he has done his best to keep in office, to proceed to open up the country? Our contemporary very justly censures the Government for its neglect : " But we are sorry to say that the. Government have not thought fit to give an answer. They have not even had the courtesy to acknowledge the receipt of the message which was sent to them, and the consequence is that extreme dissatisfaction has been given to the sender, and he has signified his intention to make no more requests to the Government but to manage the business himself/ This is pretty strong censure coming from a Ministerial supporter, and, if the facts are as stated, it ought to convince every citizen of Wanganui of the way the interests- of the place are being sacrificed by the culpable neglect both of its representatives and the Government. It is said that a grand opportunity has been lost. Our opinion is that many grand opportunities have been lost lately. We are supported in what we have written on this question by the admission that — " Obviously a public meeting would be powerless to stir up a Government who have deliberately let such a chance of doing a good work escape them." An honest confession ! It then comes to this, that the Government having failed to do anything, our recommendation must be carried out, and we must rely on ourselves. The meeting at Koriniti will have to decide, and all the influence that can be brought to bear will be used by those in favor of opening the country to obtain the unanimous consent of the assembled chiefs. When this consent has once been given, the pjople of Wanganui will see to it that a prospecting party be at once sent up to test the accuracy of the alleged discovery, and to prospect the country. TLat there is a good field at Tuhua and at the Kaimanawa we have long been convinced, and feel pretty certain that when the natives admit prospectors among them it will soon become a demonstrated fact. Assuming that the natives give their consent at the Koriniti meeting, it will be necessary to act with caution and prudence. The prospectors selected should be men of known character and c iperience, and in order to ensure this they should be placed under the protection of the native chiefs, with a guarantee of their respectability from the citizens of Wanganui, For we can conceive nothing more damaging to the prospect than a number of unreliable men going into the interior among the natives in search of gold. The means of equipping and supporting the prospecting party will have to be provided, and whatever may be raised locally will be supplemented out of the Parliamentary vote for the purpose. There are two ways in which the money could be raised. One is by public subscription, and the other by means of a joint stock company. Why should the prospecting party not be in readiness to proceed the very day after the consent of the natives is obtained?

A complete story will be found on the first page of this issue.

Mr FitzGerald, M.H.R., left town by the Huia last evening, en route for Hokitika, where he intends addressing his constituents.

The Hawera Star states that it is expected that Major Atkinson will address his constituents about three weeks hence.

A tasteful display, especially interesting to ladies, will be mado of the latest fashions in winter goods at Mrs Walker's establishment this evening.

High water at Wanganui yesterday Vas lft 3in lower than any tide that has occurred during the last eighteen months while daily readings have been taken. ; ,

The revenue received at the Customs during the week ending to-day amounted to £407 13s 2d. The Customs duties were £349 4s lid, and the beer stamp duties £58 8s 3d.

The circus attracted a fair audience last evening, and a good programme was gone through. The athletic feats, riding acts, and pony performances were of the usual character, and v/ere all well executed. !

It is intended to introduce a Bill to j the English Parliament during the session with a view to the general restriction of hours of labor in retail shops. A special Bill for Liverpool alone is talked of, and it now seems tolerably certain that its passage will be at least attempted.

Labour, the Trades Journal published in Auckland, says that all through the Southern Press we see it stated that Mr John Shethan has definitely decided to stand for Napier. It is just as well to say that Mr Sheehan hasjiot made any such decision.

We have been shown some very fine egg plums, grown by Mr Provost at Gordon. Park. The sample looks first class, and judging from the size and appearance of , this sample, the exhibits at the show on Wednesday next will be very good.

. The Marton Royal- Rifles have resolved to accept the invitation to atttend the Easter Encampment at Wellington, irrespective of any action taken by the Wanganui Volunteer?. They have also arranged for a series of practice matches, the first of which was 1 held yesterday.

Captain Edwin telegraphs (urgent) at 12.13 p.m., as follows : — Bad weather ap■proaching between N.E. .and N. and W. ; glass further fall, and more indications of rain bad. It has rained heavily all night here. The unfortunate jockey Cressy, who was thrown by Adventurer yesterday, is now receiving attention at Mr Jackson's Pier Hotel. Dr Mussen was called in last night, and on examination he found several ribs broken. The patient is now processing as favorably a3 can be expected under the circumstances.

The volunteer reception was too strong an attraction last night for the open air show to be a success. The usual performance will be given to-night for the last time, and we can recommend those wh ohave not seen the feats of the " Australian Blondin," to pay him a visit this evening.

In last evening's issue an error inadvertently crept into the paragraph referring to 'the Waitotara County nominations,. These, as will be seen from the advertisement, have to be {sent not to Mr Liffiton, but to the various Deputy Returning Officers mentioned.

There was one point in the racing of yesterday, to which the. attention of the Jockey Club should be drawn, viz., the fact that in one race there were no less than three riders with the wrong colours on. The event alluded to was the District Race, and considerable confusion was caused to those who only know a horse by the colours of the jockey.

As will be seen by our advertising columns, the well-known Kennedy family are to appear on Monday evening next, in their wellknown Scotch entertainment, entitled "Twa hours at Hame." To those who heard the family when in New Zealand ten years ago, no recommendation is' necessary, and to those who have not yet had that pleasure, we can only say, go and hear them.

In another column we publish an article from the Manawatu Herald recommending co-operation among the members on this coast. That is just what is wanted, not only in the Railway Main Line, but generally. A little union among the Representatives of the West Coast would give us roads to open up the interior, and our fair share of the 'expenditure. I * B - ri ' • *

The working committee of the Marton Horticultural Society have decided that with a probable deficit of £15 or £20 they cannot undertake the responsibility of an autumn show. The general committee are to hold a meeting to-day to J discuss matters. . The Marton shows have hitherto been very successful, and it is to be hoped that the society will not be allowed to fall through.

About 9 p.m. on Thursday as some Bell Street residents were getting home, they discovered the furze hedge near the Bell Brewery to be on fire. They immediately set to and beat the fire out with sticks. Had the wind been blowing with any force, and in the same direction as lately, the brewery would have been in. danger of being burned down. Nothing is known as to the cause of the fire. , - At the quarterly meeting of the Cook Licensing committee (Wellington) Sergeant Ready Btated that the provisions Of the Adulteration Act had already been pub into force, adding that ■ samples had been taken for analysis by the police from various public houses. Mr Fisher — And what were the results in those cases ? Sergt Ready — In two cases these were convictions for putting too much water in the liquor — nothing else. Mr Fraaer— That's rather an advantage than otherwise. (Laughter.)

The Army Clothing Committee have settled what is to be the future campaigning and working uniform of infantry regiments. The color is to be a somewhat light grey, much the same as that now worn by the London Scottish and several other Volunteer corps. The shape will be that of a short loose made tunic, with knickerbockers and gaiters. White pipeclayed belts are to be done away with, and buff leather ones substituted. A grey covering for the helmet is to be worn with the undress uniform. The scarlet tunic now in use will be retained for fulldress parades, guard mounting, and other stated occasions. — Truth.

By the Stormbird last evening Mr Fred Gray returned from Auckland. We regret to hear that the opinion of Dr Wilkins has not proved so favorable as it was expected it would have been. The oculist states that there is no cataract at present, but that the front of the eye is perfectly healthy ; the nerves leading to the eye are diseased, and this disease is the cause of the blindness. Dr Wilkin's holds out no hope of recovery, but treatment is to be resorted to with the object of stopping the progress of the disease.

Fisher and Perrin's Company gave another performance at the Princess Theatre last evening, but the arrival of the Volunteer representatives during the time the entertainment was in progress materially affected the attendance, which was not nearly so large as on the previous evening. A similar programme submitted was to the one presented at the stcond performance, the various items as before meeting with hearty approval. An entirely new bill will be presented this evening, and as this will be the last appearance of the company during the present season the attendance will doubtless be very large.

The gentleman alluded to in our contemporary this morning as a "mischievous hobble-de-hoy " has called at our office and explained his connection with the affair at Professor Payne's entertainment. Instead of cunningly stealing up, the gentleman in question went over three seats to examine the bullets. In handling one to see that it was all right, he unscrewed the bullet, and a few grains of powder accidentally slipped out, before he could get the bullet back. The Professor demanded an apology in front of the audience, which was not given for the Bimple reason that being deaf the accu sed could not hear of what was being said . Some friends acquainted him of the nature of his offence, and as soon as the performance was over, the young man went behind the curtain and privately apologised. -A a the accused is a well known gentleman, any imputation of mischief is a serious charge against him, and we have pleasure in contradicting the statements made.