TE AROHA. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1382, 12 May 1881, Page 2

TE AROHA. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

The next best thing to the actual posession of a desirable object, is the happy conviction that you possess all the qualifications for it in a greater degree than anybody else, and a little loud self-asser-tion is as necessary, at the light time, to success in the world as merit. Too modest a merit is as likely to lose its legitimate dues through neglect, as too loud a brag is to get more than its lawiul share of men's attention. Virtues, however respectable, are more sure of success in picking up the sugar-plums that form their reward if they are preceded by an advertising sandwich and a trumpet, than if they slouch along in timid dislike of ostentation, in this world at all events ; and that is the one we have principally to consider just now, and while fighting the struggle for existence. Though, therefore, I carefully abstained from saying too loudly, all that men predicted of a coming success for Te Aroha gold diggings while all that could be said was mere speculation on the part of individuals who were influenced by their own interests, and their own circumstances perhaps, it will only be right now I hope, when actual results can be used as guides te an opinion, to give the fullest publicity to all that can be adduced as proofs of the correctness of the favourable opinions entertained by many. It is quite certain now that good fortune for some ia positively to be found here. That there will be bad fortune for others will be just, and which will be each claimant's particular lot will depend in great measure upon his own amount of perseverance, practical skill, and intelligence in dealing with other men, as it has done front the days when man first parted with his tail.

Tbe Claims. Some of the claims I have mentioned in former letters as very likely to come forward ia the real test, to the best places iv the competition, are quite keeping up their good reputation, and are being more highly spoken of on good solid grounds, as they are being further worked. The Napier, for instance, is showing even better prospects than those I have mentioned, and the neighbouring claim, The Moonlight, or the Rose, Shamrock and Thistle, as it is now to be named, is almost equally promising, while the prospects washed from the creek show that the great 18 feet reef of the Napier, from which gold has been washed in every part, is not a delusion, and that the whole country is rich. The Waikato claim, on which work has been suspended for some six or eight weeks during the arrangement of some objections to pay up requisite calls, will now proceed with their work at once ; a new legal manager haying been appointed. The Waikato is a claim on which a large amount, of work has been done, 140 feet of driving having been carried through very easily worked country, without any expense for blasting ; 40 tons of stuff being ready for crushing, and about Jllcwt,, fairly and thoroughly- tested, having yjelded lldwts. of gold, or an average qi ISdwta. to the ton. The All Nation^, not at $fy dis.cQura.ged by the results of ita first trial, ia ipopking hard to'send down some of a much more promising leader of black antimony, that it unfortunately passed over in order to give the first trial' to the grey stone that

turned out unprofitable. The second trial will, it is fully expected, quite make up for the short returns of the fir&t.

The Court. Mr Ken rick did not arrive to-day, and, the Court is again adjourned till tomorrow.

The Weather. The weather has completely changed, and after ,t\vo days of passing showers has settled down into heavy rain without intermission for the last tweuty-foi r hours.

The Battery. The rain will, at all events, furnish the battery with a supply of water for full work till it has got through the first press of business. The Our Boys will be taken in hand to-night. The .Dovecot will, I believe, be the next, and the Moonlight will probably be tested to-morrow, that claim being also a sufficient representative for the Napier, which can forward any amount as soon a3 the question is answered. There is a vague rumor stirring that a gang of prospectors came in yesterday with news of a fresh reef, not so very far from the field, that is a fresh discovery and will create a fresh rush here at once. Nothing wili be known till after the Warden's Court to-morrow, at all events, and the whole affair may be no more than a bit of imagination ; but I know the spot spoken of, and I believe that such a find is quite possible. JVb«s vcrrons. — [May 10th.]