OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XXI, 27 May 1899, Page 725

OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

KAURI FREEHOLD ESTATES. lhe magnitude of the operations of this English Company mav be estimated from the fact that already over £ 100,000 has been expended in opening up three mines at Opitunui, constructing tramways and waterraces, erecting a crushing mill, and laying down about ten miles of railway. The Company holds about 30,000 acres of land, but the centre of operations is at Opitunui, where a small township has sprung into existence since operations were commenced. About 250 men are constantly employed, so that there is a large expenditure in the shape of wages. The Company possesses its own sawmill to cut the timber required for mining purposes, and erect the various buildings at the mines and for the township. The three mines are now well opened up, and the existence has been proved of enormous reserves of payable ore. The battery, which is situated about three miles from Opitunui, on the most favourable site, is completed, and only’ requires the cyanide vats to be placed in position for quartz reduction to be commenced. It is anticipated crushing will commence very soon now. Mr Charles Rhodes, the representative of this Company’ in Auckland, has been long associated with mining, and is therefore well qualified for the onerous duties connected with the management of such a big Company. A NORTHERN VINEYARD. Our photos represent one of the best known and most profitable vineyards in the North Auckland province. It is situated at Kohukohu, and is owned by a German, Mr Beidecker. When on his recent tour in the North, His Excellency the Governor visited the place, and was shown over it. At the time the fruit was just ripening, and the owner anticipated that his two acres would yield him not less than 1,200 gallons of wine. In former years he has realised some £4OO per annum from this small patch of ground. The variety of grape cultivated is the Isabella. and it proves most prolific grown on the low trellis system, which Mr Beidecker finds to be the best. As an instance of what can be done in the North in the way of vinegrowing, the vineyard is an object lesson of the first value. PAEROA. The picture and reproduction of the latest photo of the flourishing upper Thames tow’n of Paeroa will appeal chiefly to those who knew the place in its old days, and can therefore appreciate the change prosperity has wrought in it. Paeroa. once a very degd-alive place, has. by, the mining boom, developed into quite a respectable little town, and it is waiting its chance to forge ahead again ns soon as possible. PRESENTATION OF COLOURS TO THE AUCKLAND NO. 1 BATTALION. To-morrow (Wednesday) the Countess of Ranfurly will ‘ present the Queen’s and regimental colours to the Auckland No. 1 Battalion. The ceremonv takes place iu the Domnin, and

will be invested with a good deal of pomp and ciicumstauce. The colours, of which we give a picture, were purchased with money collected by the ladies of Auckland, and are particularly attractive looking. They were made by Messrs Hobsons and Sons, the well-known manufacturers of military furniture in London. The Battalion is now provided with a banner of its own to add distinction to its manoeuvres in time of peace, and to march under to victory in the event of its being summoned to do battle with the enemies of its country. As yet it has no name of glory to inscribe on the silken folds, but it" can console itself with the thought that no other volunteer banner in the colony ever came as near having one. It was this battalion that offered its services to the Government a few weeks ago, and if things had turned out as its members ardently desired, the flag might have borne the legend ‘Samoa.’