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A fife and drum band c1860s. Alexander Turnbull Library Reference: PAColl-9765-1 |
A Prince and a Peer.
Thursday, 12 March
The proposed
reception of the governor of New Zealand, Sir George Bowen, at Auckland is postponed. Rifle Volunteers include many who have
come up from the Thames in order to be present at the parade of their companies. Despite the postponement the men muster and march merrily down Shortland
Street to Queen Street. The spectacle is really very imposing and in their new
uniforms the men present a fine soldierly appearance. They are headed by a band and fifes and drums
playing lively marches and are followed by a large crowd of admirers.
Speeches have been written and Auckland is a blaze of
bunting and flags. The decorations,
viewed from the harbour, are striking. Extensive preparations have
been made in Auckland and bitter disappointment is felt at the postponement. The people, though, take their dissatisfaction good humouredly, which is a result no
doubt to the weather being extremely favourable for holiday making.
Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh, is also expected in New Zealand on the first royal visit to the colony. He is on a world tour on board the steam frigate HMS Galatea. He arrived in Sydney on 21 January to a most enthusiastic welcome and has attended many events that have been organised in his honour. He now decides to delay his visit to New Zealand by another month.
Warden Baillie posts
a notice at the Thames - “As many miners
are desirous of proceeding to Auckland during the contemplated visit of his
Royal Highness, it is hereby
notified that all claims within the Thames goldfield will be protected from
noon on Saturday 14 March, until 8am on Wednesday 25 March.”
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| HMS Galatea, ca. 1868. Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh was a naval officer and the H.M.S. Galatea was his first command. Public Domain |
There will not be any further returns of gold for the next two
to three months from the Shotover claim until they have procured and erected a
crushing machine on their own ground. It
is the intention of William Hunt to leave Auckland for Melbourne by the first
opportunity to purchase a machine built with the latest improvements.
Messrs Brien and Goodall, civil engineers and surveyors,
are making a general survey of the Thames goldfield, the plan of which will contain
the trigonometrical survey of the immediate district, the position and
configuration of the various auriferous creeks and ranges, the situation of the
townships, the roads, the sites of the crushing machines as well as the
positions of the various claims which have already been surveyed. Inhabitants are advised, that in order to have the plans
more complete, as much information as possible should be given to these
gentlemen. Claimholders who wish to have
the position of their claim recorded accurately on the plans should make
immediate application for a survey.
POLICE GAZETTE
Thefts from the Thames
From the store of Asher Castles, Tapu Creek, on 18 January, one half dozen plush hats, 10lb tobacco, one cheese, one half dozen corkscrews, one half dozen leather purses.
Thefts from the Thames
From the store of Asher Castles, Tapu Creek, on 18 January, one half dozen plush hats, 10lb tobacco, one cheese, one half dozen corkscrews, one half dozen leather purses.
From the store of L Harris, Tapu Creek, on 18 January, two cwt flour.
From the whare of Thomas Jones, Karaka Creek, on 30 January, provisions
to the value of 15s and a Crimean shirt.
From the tent of Robert Smith, John Walton, Edwin Williams and James
Stonier at Karaka Flat, on February 14, a Crimean shirt, flannel shirts, dark
tweed trousers, flannel belts (soldiers), light cord trousers, blucher boots,
checked tweed coat, common leather purse containing Miner’s Rights Numbers
1,332 and 1,333, one muff, almost red, and one red and black checked scarf.
From the premises of David Sheehan, Shortland, on the night of 11
February, a square tent, two brown blankets, one towel, one pick, one shovel,
one tomahawk.
In Clontarf, Sydney, despite rumours of possible sectarian
strife, Prince Alfred attends a picnic fundraiser for the Sydney Sailor’s Home.
Suddenly a shot rings out and a bullet
strikes the Prince’s back. An
assassination attempt has been made on him by Henry James O’Farrell, a mentally
unwell Irishman. O’Farrell is almost torn to pieces by the outraged crowd and
with difficulty rescued by the police.
The Prince is taken to hospital. The John Penn leaves Melbourne for Williamstown, one of its
suburbs, carrying a report that the Prince has been shot, but the atrocity of
the deed is so great that it is thought a lie.
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| Henry O'Farrell seized, Clontarf, 1868 |
This evening the Ladies Benevolent Society holdstheir
eleventh annual meeting in the assembly room of the Young Men’s Christian
Association, Auckland. The opening of
the Thames goldfield is noted as having relieved the committee of a large
amount of responsibility, by providing for those cases of distress arising from
want of work for able bodied men.
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| DSC 12 March, 1868 |
For the salvation of the bodies of men.
Friday, 13 March
2am
A man comes into Shortland from the Puriri intending to get
the Warden to ride up and settle some mining dispute. He reports that prospectors have struck gold
heavily about 15 ft from the surface and he shows some good looking specimens around.
A number of men working at a face at the side of the range at
the Kuranui Company are directed to go to higher ground while some logs are
being rolled from the top of the range.
The men do move away for a time, but owing to some misunderstanding
return again to the lower working. A man
named Dabb is struck on the side of the head by a log and is badly cut. He is attended by Dr Lethbridge in Mr Rowe’s
hut.
The Auckland Regatta Chairman, Captain Daldy, circulates a
notice amongst the Thames Maori, regarding the intended visit of Prince Alfred,
unaware that he has decided to delay his visit.
"NOTIFICATION
- The landing of the Queen's son will be on the 19th day of March, 1868. This
will be a great gathering. The vessels with two masts and one mast (schooners
and cutters), the gigs, the whaleboats, the waka taua war canoe, and the whole
of the canoes. The European side must assemble; also the Maori side. The reason
is to show to Prince Alfred the Duke of Edinburgh. There will be 14 races,
together with the vessels, the boats, and the Maori canoes also. But the desire
is this, that all the Maori canoes should be brought, even large and small. There
will be consideration for the fast canoes to [the extent of] £80, to [the
extent of] £20, to [the extent of] £10. Do not leave the ornaments of the
canoes behind. At the conclusion of the races there will be a dance. This is
all. "
(Translated by a Daily Southern Cross correspondent)
(Translated by a Daily Southern Cross correspondent)
The news that Prince Alfred has decided to delay his visit to New Zealand by a month has filtered through and is given as the reason for the postponement of the visit of Sir George Bowen. The NZ Herald comments acidly on the non-arrival of Governor Bowen as “a matter of both surprise and regret to the people of Auckland for he fixed the date of arrival himself and notified that the people might be prepared to receive him. He should have kept his engagement even though the Prince’s visit was delayed nearly a month.”
In consequence of the postponement of the Prince’s visit,
Warden Baillie withdraws the claim protection which was to have been granted
from tomorrow.
4pm
A committee, calling themselves the Digger’s Sick Club, meet
in the Roman Catholic chapel, Willoughby Street, Thames, to discuss the much-needed hospital. It
is determined that the proposed institution should be called 'The Thames
Hospital and Relief Institution', The committee then inspect sites for the hospital an an area which has
been generously granted by Chief
Taipari is chosen. The site is elevated, towards and partly
bounded by the Karaka Creek, about an acre in extent. Eighty five names are added to the
committee.
Tay for the Thames with 3,000 ft timber, one ton potatoes, ½ ton
flour, 4,000 shingles, five mats sugar.
The Tauranga brings up to Auckland 177 oz of gold. One parcel is the product of the Rising Sun
Claim, on the Waiotahi. The quartz was
crushed at Scanlan’s machine, on the Karaka, the machine being generally satisfactory.
10pm
A man named Hammond arrives at the Thames on the promise of
work at a claim belonging to Peter the Dutchman (Anderson). Hammond met the Dutchman at the Greyhound
Hotel, Auckland, and the Dutchman said he could find Hammond employment. Hammond arrives at the Thames with no money, not even
a shilling to pay for his lodging, to find he has been duped. The Dutchman has no claim, and has only a right to use the name of the claim holder who he owes some £20, and from whom he has run away to evade payment.
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| DSC 13 March, 1868 |
Saturday, 14 March
BIRTH
Goodall, at Moanataiari, Thames, the
wife of John Goodalll, Esq, of a son.
Mr Mulligan obtains a license for a new hotel at Tookey
Town. The hotel, which is to be named
the Sir George Bowen, is a most commodious one, and will help to supply the
wants of an already populous locality.
Butchers are now prohibited from slaughtering within the
precincts of Shortland Town, and Messrs Walter’s and McLeod’s slaughter yards
are in future to be used by them.
The claims on Murphy’s Hill are showing better now than
ever, several of them having recently struck gold. The Lord Ashley claim, which was deserted by
the gallant Major Von Tempsky, is also turning out well. Von Tempsky worked this claim for months and
months until, losing every penny that he was possessed of, he was obliged to abandon it.
A proclamation is issued
by Mr Mackay warning all parties that the leasing of the lands from the
Maoris, which has lately been so freely carried on in the case of the Waiotahi
and Moanataiari flats, is illegal, and that no leases save those under the hand
and seal of Mr Mackay himself will be held valid by the government. It is feared this will annul those leases now held by European's for lands at Tookey Town.
Trade in Auckland is
noted as continuing dull. The Thames
diggings find employment for a large proportion of surplus labour, but
agricultural operations have been affected by the diggings.
An adjourned public meeting regarding the forming of the Digger's Sick Club is held in Butt's American Theatre. Allan Baillie reads the minutes of the meeting held yesterday in the Roman Catholic chapel. Mr Baillie says that the committee first elected should be the Executive Committee and that the gentlemen subsequently added should be the Working Committee. Other business is dealt with and the thanks of the meeting are given to Chief Taipari for the acre of land. Taipari replies (interpreted by the Rev G Maunsell) "Friends l am glad to hear that my giving land to the different churches, and to this hospital has met with your approval. Churches are for the salvation of the souls of men — the hospital is for the salvation of the bodies of men, so I am willing to give land for these objects. From personal observation, I know that death is inevitable ; and the church is for the welfare of the souls of men — the hospital for the bodies. Friends, I thank you. I have nothing more to say." A vote of thanks is qiven to Mr Baillie for his kindness in acting as chairman, and to Captain Butt for the use of the theatre which are carried with applause, and the meeting disperses.
An adjourned public meeting regarding the forming of the Digger's Sick Club is held in Butt's American Theatre. Allan Baillie reads the minutes of the meeting held yesterday in the Roman Catholic chapel. Mr Baillie says that the committee first elected should be the Executive Committee and that the gentlemen subsequently added should be the Working Committee. Other business is dealt with and the thanks of the meeting are given to Chief Taipari for the acre of land. Taipari replies (interpreted by the Rev G Maunsell) "Friends l am glad to hear that my giving land to the different churches, and to this hospital has met with your approval. Churches are for the salvation of the souls of men — the hospital is for the salvation of the bodies of men, so I am willing to give land for these objects. From personal observation, I know that death is inevitable ; and the church is for the welfare of the souls of men — the hospital for the bodies. Friends, I thank you. I have nothing more to say." A vote of thanks is qiven to Mr Baillie for his kindness in acting as chairman, and to Captain Butt for the use of the theatre which are carried with applause, and the meeting disperses.
Spey for Tapu Creek with 4 hhds ale, one keg rum,
six packages, potatoes.
Triad for the Thames with 8,000 ft timber, two tons
coal, five parcels.
Rosina for the Thames with 4,000 bricks, 50,000
shingles.
Clyde for the Thames with two tons
luggage, one case brandy, one case gin, one case wine, 10 passengers.
Rob Roy for the Thames with 5,000 ft timber, one
engine and boiler, three mats sugar, five packages sashes and doors, one ton
sundries.
Avon for the Thames with 20 tons coal,
45 bags sugar, eight chests tea, eight casks beer, six hhds beer, four cases
brandy.
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| NZH 14 March, 1868 |
Sunday, 15 March
The bodies of two young men are found drowned in the Mauku Creek, Waiuku. They were in the employ of Mr Keleher, who is presently away at the Thames diggings.
The bodies of two young men are found drowned in the Mauku Creek, Waiuku. They were in the employ of Mr Keleher, who is presently away at the Thames diggings.
Monday, 16 March
At Tapu Creek various claims have struck good and payable
gold. The want of machinery is much
felt. Speculation, however, is rife,
and shares have changed hands for as much as £250. A large mass
of earth falls on Mr Foster, who is working his claim, he luckily escapes with
a few severe bruises and a good shaking Mr Tiddey is building
next to the British Hotel, and intends starting as an auctioneer broker and
commission agent. The Tapu bay today
looks lively, there being no less than four sailing vessels and one steamer in
at the same time. The Clyde commences a daily run between Tapu Creek and
Shortland Town today.
A meeting is held this evening in the large room of Messrs Swan
and Kerr’s store at Shortland to secure the addition to the Electoral Roll of the Franklin district of
all the names of holders of miner’s rights not now on the roll, and have the district specially represented in the House of
Representatives and in the Provincial Council.
It is moved that a public meeting of miners and business people be held on Saturday afternoon next, at 4pm, in order to add to the Franklin electoral roll the names of all persons living in
the Thames district, who are properly qualified, but not already on the register.
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| DSC 16 March, 1868 |
Tuesday, 17 March
St Patrick’s Day
passes over very quietly at the Thames.
The only sign of it is the national banner hoisted over the Victoria
Hotel, inscribed with the words “Erin go Bragh” (Ireland Forever). At Tapu it also
passes very quietly – so quiet indeed, that some of the leading publicans and
merchants take active steps in collecting the necessary funds for some afternoon sports. These
consist of footraces, hurdle races, high leaps, hop, step and leap, vaulting
the pole and other games, all of which are well contested
Catherine for the Thames with one crushing machine, 8,000
bricks, 5,000 shingles.
Wahapu for the Thames with 300
bushels lime.
Spey for Tapu Creek with one ton potatoes, five cases ale, two casks
ale, five cases brandy, one keg brandy, two cases biscuits, two casks beef, 30
sheep, four packages luggage, one case gin, one box sundries, one quarter cask
whiskey, two bags potatoes.
Tay for Tapu
Creek with 300 ft timber, two tons flour, two casks beer, one cask bottles beer,
four cases porter, one case crockery.
At Tapu this evening the winners of the sports meet at Mr Reed’s hotel, where they spend a
very pleasant evening, separating about midnight, well pleased with their
landlord's entertainment.
Wednesday, 18 March
There is unrest at the Upper Thames following the forwarding
of a canoe laden with £300 worth of stores to Josiah Firth’s run at Matamata. It was stopped by the Maori at Ohinemuri
pending the settlement of a dispute. The stores were taken to Mr Thorpe’s place at
Ohinemuri until the matter is decided. John
Thorpe today goes up to Ohinemuri to attend a large Maori meeting. The Maori
have sent word down to Mr Thorpe, whose land has been in the hands of him or
his father for at least 25 years, that he must clear out. Thorpe has ignored the message.
At the New Caledonian claim, Karaka North, two leaders
within a foot of each other and running parallel, are discovered. In one of these gold is visible in a clean
white stone. The other leader is about
four inches thick, black as charcoal, and very brittle. It contains tin. The claimholders think these leaders are
branches of a larger one, and they crush the stuff taken from the mystery black
leader with the auriferous quartz without realising what they are doing. After crushing 10
tons of quartz at Scanlan’s machine in which gold is visible to the naked eye,
to the surprise of everyone the gold is lost, except about one ounce and a
half. The opinion of the observers is that the stone will turn out well, when
it comes to be retorted, however, it is found that the tin in the amalgam forced
the gold through the pipe of the retort. The retorted stuff is taken to be melted at Messrs Spencer
and Co, where the result is found to be more than half tin. The cause of the
apparent failure of gold is that the tin and the quicksilver amalgamated, the
fine gold instead of combining, passed over the tailings, to the great loss of the
owners. On examination it is found that a large quantity of tin had got amongst
the quicksilver which it thickened; the gold would not go into amalgamation and
was lost. In consequence of the
loss, and the necessity for making a minute examination of the minerals in the
claim before proceeding with the work, the Warden grants a protection for claim
owner George Haigan for three months.
This is an interesting discovery although the shareholders in the New
Caledonian claim have lost heavily by making it.
The Annual Report of the Auckland Provincial Hospital for 1867
includes details of an advanced case of fever which was sent to the hospital
from the Thames goldfield. The
complication in this case was pulmonary and the patient had a deep, somewhat
purple, suffusion of the face. There was
much dyspepsia, cough, low muttering, delirium and diahorrea. Death took place ten days from admission and
in addition to numerous ulcers in the small intestine, the right lung was found
extensively hepatised.
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John Goodall was a Thames goldfields surveyor who had started a private practice as a Civil and Mining engineer. Born in India, educated in England, he arrived
in New Zealand in 1863 and worked as an assistant engineer on the Auckland-
Drury railway line. Between 1864 - 1866 he surveyed land for military settlers. He served in the Waikato campaign and
received a NZ war medal. Not to be
confused with the Coromandel Waihau Mine Manager John Goodall.
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Sources
Papers Past
The Pioneer land surveyors of NZ Part IV
https://www.surveyors.org.nz/Attachment?Action=Download&Attachment_id=2674
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_O%27Farrell
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_O%27Farrell
Please credit Meghan Hawkes/ First year on the Thames Goldfield 2017 - 2018 when re-using information from this blog.
