Waterwheels and pianos.
Thursday, 16 April
The week has been a
broken one, in consequence of the Easter holidays, but the men now quietly
settle down to their work. There are a
number of new machines going up, the result of private and public
enterprise. One on a gigantic scale is
about to be put up by a company on the Karaka.
It is to drive 35 head of stampers and by taking quartz at a lower rate,
will be supplied with all stuff taken out instead of a selection of the quartz.
Machinery is also about to be erected on
the Hape Creek by Mr Greenway of Auckland.
The Kuranui Company
are erecting a 20 stamper battery as the first installment of one of 60
stampers. They are also about to obtain
permission to run a tramway round the base of the ranges to the Moanataiari and
Waiotahi to carry stuff from the claims in the creeks to the
machine.
As the wet season is fast approaching bad roads need to be cleared so that the difficulty of land carriage to
the machines isn’t so severely felt.
The Hokianga Claim
are getting on rapidly with the levelling of a spot for their machine, which
when erected, will be the largest water wheel in the place – 36 ft in diameter
and estimated to crush 20 tons a day.
The Prince Alfred machine has been crushing for the Albion Claim and it
is found to work well, and the results are very satisfactory. The Star of the Karaka, which struck gold two
weeks ago, have uncovered two more leaders, each about a foot in
thickness.
The road up the
Karaka Creek is at last commenced. Eight
or ten men have been employed for the last three days but some claimholders are
not so forward in aiding the workers as they should. The road at present will
terminate at the Hokianga Claim. Several
crushing machines are to be erected on the creek with all possible speed.
Rushes are the
order of the day at Tapu Creek, one on the hill immediately at the back of the
township and another on the ground close to the Panama Route Claim. Gold has been struck in both places. Two tons are sent to Shortland from the
Panama Route claim resulting in nearly 11 oz.
Sites have been selected for the machines about to be erected. During
the past week the Lord Nelson and Southern Cross claims have struck gold
heavily in leaders. The Hit and Miss claim have also struck a rich leader.
Good machinery is to be erected at the mouth of No 3 Gully, with at
least 15 heads of stampers, which are expected to arrive shortly from
Sydney. A large boiler will be down next
week. McIssac’s claim at Tapu Creek is to be worked by means of a
company. Buildings are still going up and Tapu will soon have the appearance of
a nice little town
Clyde from
Shortland for Tapu Creek with machinery for a powerful crushing machine.
Rob Roy for Shortland with 18 cases beer, 3 cases
drapery, 1 case sardines, 2 boxes tobacco, 2 quarter casks whiskey, 6 cases Old
Tom, 4 cases stout, 15 bags sugar, 8 kegs butter, ½ ton bran, 1 ton salt, 4
tons oilmen’s stores, 1 boiler and machinery, 3 tanks, quantity of furniture, 2
kegs spirits, 4 cases spirits, 1 piano.
An afternoon
meeting is held to read to the inhabitants of the Thames the address to Governor Bowen which has been drawn up by a committee. There is no doubt that, had the
inhabitants known that His Excellency was about to appear amongst them, a
public demonstration expressive of their loyalty to Her Majesty would have
greeted him on his arrival. As they have
been deprived of the pleasure and gratification of a public reception, the next
course of action is to express their loyalty in the form of an address. There is
still a sense of grievance felt that timely notice was not given of the
visit. Had the Thames people been made
aware of the honour attended them, Governor Bowen would have been waited on by
a large assemblage of people, the streets would have been decorated with flags
and other demonstrations of loyalty shown.
The address is to be forwarded to Governor Bowen.
An evening meeting
is held of Master Masons at Butt’s Hotel, for business in connection with the opening
of a lodge at the Thames. The lodge is
to obtain a dispensation under the Irish constitution and will shortly be
opened.
 |
| Emblem of the Master Masons |
A tale of two wharves.
Yet another meeting
is held this evening in the large room of the Governor Bowen Hotel, Waiotahi
Flat, regarding the proposed wharves at Shortland and Waiotahi (Grahamstown). Robert Graham
presides as speakers argue back and forth.
Jealousy might exist between Shortland and Waiotahi, says Graham, but
before the matter is settled scientific and practical men will be
consulted. Then it will be the duty of
a committee appointed by the meeting to determine on the best site for the
construction of a wharf.
Felix Mack states
he has taken levels and estimated the costs for a wharf at Waiotahi. There is one point which he considers best
for a landing place, and if his calculations are received by the committee, he
will build a wharf 450 ft long, with a depth at high water of 9 ft 6” for a sum
of £650.00. He admits that the bottom is
not good, but there is an abundance of rock in the neighbourhood that will serve
to form a breakwater. He considers the
best situation opposite Graham Street; if at any other point it will entail a
further £150.00. Nine and a half feet of
water could be got at the end of the proposed wharf – the steamers Midge and
Tauranga could then hand passengers and cargo alongside.
Charles
Mitchell says that he has heard a
gentleman is now in Shortland proposing construction of a tramway between there and Waiotahi, and considering where there is open sea it
might not be safe in all weathers. He believes that the port of entry should be at Shortland. Promiscuous goods might be landed at Waiotahi,
but bonded goods should go to Shortland.
Mr Mackay was
spoken to on the subject of a port of entry when the business was chiefly
confined to Shortland. It was then
understood that Shortland was to be the port.
Now, however, seeing the business went with the diggers, the Waiotahi
should be selected, if a wharf could be built for the sum mentioned.
Felix Mack says he
will give a guarantee that the work will be completed in three months. Other speakers are of the opinion the work
could be done cheaper. It is observed that
the object of the meeting is not advancing so a committee is appointed to
receive estimates for the construction of a wharf at Waiotahi.
Robert Graham also
makes several remarks touching on the formation of roads before the winter
rains set in. He is willing to assist
the residents in forming and metalling the main line from the landing place at
Shortland to the Kuranui Creek or thereabouts, by placing several teams of
horses and drays at their disposal for a day to cart the metal. Manual labour could be provided by each claim supplying a man for the
day. Traffic along the line of Pollen Street after recent showers has cut up the soil to such a degree as to render
it all but impassable. The cross streets
of the town are nearly as bad and even the beach line is becoming perilous in
places. There are fears that the trade
of Shortland will be seriously damaged during the coming winter and spring
months unless something is done at once.
Rumours begin to
surface that Commissioner Mackay is to be removed from his office at the Thames goldfield
by the Government.
 |
| NZH 16 April, 1868 |
Friday, 17 April
The Maori from Taupo and the shores of the Firth leave for their
settlements at the Ohinemuri. The day is
fine and the sight on the water is very stirring. As the chief’s canoe passes
the steamer, propelled by 40 paddles, everyone keeps time with the mere of the
conductor, all the voices in harmony.
Te Moananui and other important chiefs are passengers by the steamer Midge on their way to Auckland to visit his Excellency Sir George Bowen. Te Moananui’s favourite wife and grandchild accompany the chief. The lady is dressed in a white satin skirt with some flimsy material over it in which to make her appearance at Government House.
Te Moananui and other important chiefs are passengers by the steamer Midge on their way to Auckland to visit his Excellency Sir George Bowen. Te Moananui’s favourite wife and grandchild accompany the chief. The lady is dressed in a white satin skirt with some flimsy material over it in which to make her appearance at Government House.
A wary eye on winter.
The men on the
ranges and in the gullies are steadily at work, and on the old claims are to be
seen hundreds of tons of auriferous quartz ready for the mill. All have a wary eye on the changing seasons
and approaching winter. The tracks from the Moanataiari, Waiotahi and Karaka
will be impassable during a succession of wet days, especially when heavy
weights are carried over them. Parties
who have been stacking their quartz remove it to the crushing machines during
the short periods of fine weather left.
Last winter, during three months, it rained every day
and the country was not broken up as it is now.
Where quartz is stored in the yards adjoining the engines, men are
employed night and day to take care that none of the stone placed in
their charge is taken away.
Among the general community the rumoured
departure of Mr Mackay from the Thames is deplored. A newspaper advertisement is placed – “the
miners are appealed to, to make an effort to keep Mr Mackay here.”
Clyde
for Shortland with 3 tons luggage, 2 carcasses beef and 70 passengers.
The little paddle
steamer Clyde changes hands and will now convey passengers and cargo from
Shortland and Tapu, a task to which she is eminently suited. She will also tranship passengers from the
steamer Tauranga to the shore, the Maori Chief having been found too small for
that purpose during heavy weather. The
Clyde will also occasionally make the trip up to Auckland and is expected to
return there today for the purpose of towing down a large boiler. The
Clyde lands passengers at Tapu in about two hours from Shortland at a charge of
3 shillings.
At the Police
Court, Auckland, Thomas Seon, master of the steamer Enterprise, is charged with
breaching the Steam Navigation Act 1866 on 13 April by having on board a
greater number of passengers than authorised or specified. In his defence Captain Seon alludes to the
extenuating circumstances of it being Easter Monday and a great many of the
diggers from the Thames goldfields having got their protection granted
until Tuesday thinking they would get in the steamer at any cost. They rushed on board regardless of any
danger, despite the efforts of the captain. This is no real excuse
for the defendant, although he had prevented them from crowding the vessel as
much as he could. The certificate stated
that the steamer should not carry more than 125 passengers – there were 215
passengers on board, counted by the Emigration Officer. It seems to the court perfectly marvelous
how so many persons could be packed on board such a small vessel. With such a large number on board there must
have been imminent danger to both life and property. Captain Seon received from each passenger 45 s
a head. Captain Seon says that he had
done all he could to keep them out of the vessel, but he is fined £18 penalty
and a further fine of £5 with £3 1 s costs.
An old Westport
resident now living on the Thames goldfields, having recovered from the
perilous Easter journey on the Enterprise, writes to a mate - “I am now
stationed at Shortland. Since I came
here I have wandered over many of the crack claims, Hunt’s included, and was
struck with the vast wealth contained therein . . . Shortland is a large town,
and in many respects similar to Westport.
The habits and style of the people here are very different. They assume more of city life about them,
dress in black, with gloves and bell-toppers.
There are a large number of steamers and vessels trading regularly
between Auckland and here. The trip to Auckland is a very delightful one. The steamers in the trade are first class and
usually crowded with passengers. At the
Easter holidays a great number went up to town. When I got on board one of the
steamers there were about 50 people on board, but during the quarter of an hour
before we started there were 300 passengers came on. Our captain let go, but was not allowed to
proceed with that number, Men were
ordered off, but no-one would go, and in
contradiction to Her Majesty’s Custom’s
Officers instructions, the steamer proceeded on her journey, but upon the
captain returning the next day he was mulcted in a considerable fine. Living is exceedingly cheap here. Both in Shortland, as in Auckland, provisions
of all sorts are most reasonable, and anyone can board himself here either at a
hotel or privately at about one-half of what it would cost him in Westport.”
 |
| DSC 17 April, 1868 |
Swamped by mud and officialism.
Saturday, 18 April
The recent heavy
rains have had a disastrous effect on several claims and tons of valuable
auriferous quartz has been washed away. Tunnelling is very
common and the number of claims is getting larger. Holes 20 or 40 ft deep look abandoned but on
venturing a loud holler, a response rises from the chambers followed by figures
emerging. Candles guide the way through
shafts where a system of under propping by posts and timber is used in many
claims to prevent subsidence of the upper beds.
One party excavates
in a most workmanlike manner. They have
cut a shaft a great length from the surface and so have taken the whole area by
working upwards in a much safer and more concise way. The operations are of an elaborate character
but will not be affected by the heavy rains which characterise the season now
fast approaching.
Noon
The ss Airedale
arrives in Auckland harbour bringing 3099 ozs gold from the Thames for shipment
to England via Panama. This is the largest parcel which has yet been shipped by
the New Zealand bank during any one month since the goldfields were opened. As the large number of machines now being erected come into
operation crushing hundreds of tons of quartz now stacked at the various
claims, the export is expected to be immensely increased.
The Thames
Advertiser and Miner’s Guide fumes at the negligence of the authorities in not
taking steps to ensure the town's growth
and prosperity, namely roads, landings, bridges and means of communication
with the various claims. Streets and creeks are impassable and there are no landings or a wharf. “The Provincial
Government some time ago promised a reward for £4,000 (sic) to any person who
should discover a payable goldfield, thereby proving they were alive to the
numerous advantages and pickup from such a source .. . The diggings are now
only to be looked upon as an enormous milch cow to be milked dry, if possible,
to sustain and keep alive a bankrupt government.”
Works wanted at the
Thames, with estimated costs, include:
Build a wharf or
landing site, at Shortland Town for say £350.00.
Another wharf at Waiotahi, or on the flat
where the deepest water is to be found (this will be more costly than the
Shortland Wharf on account of its length) £700
Connect the two
wharves by a tramway to the beach £500.00
Landing jetty at Tapu
Creek £150.00
Roadway from
Shortland to Waiotahi, with bridge over Karaka Creek £600.00
Contributions to
roads up the Karaka, Moanataiari and Waiotahi Creeks £400.00
“This will exhaust
about half the money realised from gold duty alone; and surely it is not
unreasonable to expect the government to spend some of the duty. If these works were carried out at once a
desirable impetus would be given to the diggings," says the Advertiser, adding that this would avoid the Thames being "swamped by mud and officialism.”
The population of the diggings is now estimated at 5,000 or 6,000 men, women and children.
The Superintendent, John Williamson, arrives at the Thames this afternoon on the Enterprise, accompanied by Judge Moore, for the opening of the new courthouse. He is also accompanied by Mr Mackay, Colonel Nation and Major Heaphy VC. The Superintendent and party proceed to the house of Warden Baillie, where they are staying. Shortly after his arrival it is announced that the new court house, warden’s office etc will be opened on Monday and formally handed over by the Superintendent.
At the time of his arrival a meeting is being held to appoint a deputation from Shortland to meet with the Superintended with reference to the state of the roads and the necessity of having a wharf. As it is late in the afternoon it is decided not to trouble him but ask for an appointment for 2pm on the 20th. It is also arranged that Superintendent Williamson will at the same time receive a deputation from the residents of the Waiotahi regarding the construction of a wharf at that thriving township.
3pm
A public meeting is held at the old whare courthouse at Shortland regarding Mr Mackay’s general administration of Maori affairs and his contemplated removal from the district where he has rendered such good service. A report has been prevalent for some days that Mr Mackay is about to be withdrawn from the Thames, but this is not the case. Warden Baillie has now received a letter saying Mr Mackay is not to be withdrawn from the office of Resident Magistrate and Warden. Mr Mackay’s sterling abilities in the conduct of Maori business are acknowledged. Superintendent Williamson has decided that Mr Mackay is to spend more time in Auckland than at the Thames. He wants him by his side, to advise and counsel in Maori matters. This may be merely the harbinger of his removal. For the present however, he is to maintain the office of resident magistrate and pay monthly visits to Shortland; matters requiring his advice will be referred to him at Auckland. His services have met with the recognition they deserve and he is appointed to the Office of Chief Commissioner of Native Affairs in the Northern Island.
A public meeting is held at the old whare courthouse at Shortland regarding Mr Mackay’s general administration of Maori affairs and his contemplated removal from the district where he has rendered such good service. A report has been prevalent for some days that Mr Mackay is about to be withdrawn from the Thames, but this is not the case. Warden Baillie has now received a letter saying Mr Mackay is not to be withdrawn from the office of Resident Magistrate and Warden. Mr Mackay’s sterling abilities in the conduct of Maori business are acknowledged. Superintendent Williamson has decided that Mr Mackay is to spend more time in Auckland than at the Thames. He wants him by his side, to advise and counsel in Maori matters. This may be merely the harbinger of his removal. For the present however, he is to maintain the office of resident magistrate and pay monthly visits to Shortland; matters requiring his advice will be referred to him at Auckland. His services have met with the recognition they deserve and he is appointed to the Office of Chief Commissioner of Native Affairs in the Northern Island.
 |
| DSC 18 April, 1868 |
 |
| NZH 18 April, 1868 |
Sunday, 19 April
Heavy rain sets in this morning and it is
feared all work on the claims will come to a standstill.
A good many are
leaving the Thames for Tapu following reports of three rushes there.
The NZ Herald
correspondent has all his cooking equipment stolen by someone, he writes,
“without due respect for penny-a- liners”
(poor writer for hire, a hack).
He is not even left with a billy.
Fourteen pounds is
also stolen from the tent of Mr Leaning at the Waiotahi Creek.
A new courthouse.
Monday, 20 April
At the opening of the new Thames courthouse
Superintendent John Williamson, Judge Moore, Colonel Nation, Chief Taipari, Father Nivard and others
assist with the formalities. Superintendent Williamson, on
behalf of the government, formally hands over to
the district the new building, observing that the Bench and the gentleman on
the bar must have been greatly inconvenienced by having to perform their duties
in the old building.
Mr Mackay, on rising, is received with
applause which is immediately suppressed.
He says seven months ago there was not a house in the district and the
building they are now sitting in presents one instance of the progress made in
Shortland and the Thames goldfield. In a
population consisting chiefly of miners, it is a matter of much satisfaction to
him to take the opportunity of congratulating them on the orderly conduct that
prevails amongst them. “Those who have been long unbelievers have today proof
that there is such a place as Shortland and it is due to you on my part to
thank this community for the peace and good order all along preserved. Had we not been even more than is usual
amongst large assemblages of people attracted together in the search for gold,
a law abiding people, it would have been
quite impossible to have so long used the very poor accommodation afforded by
the old whare hitherto used as a courthouse.” He concludes by remarking that the new
courthouse will more than adequately meet the law business of the district.
2pm
Straight after the opening of the court house a deputation of residents on the Waiotahi Flat wait upon the Superintendent to ask if a wharf is constructed at the cost of the residents themselves, would the Superintendent concede the site and take management and control when the wharf was finished? They also ask what assistance he would be prepared to give in the formation of roads and building of bridges at various crossings. After a conference with Mr Mackay, the Superintendent replies that the Maori are more prepared to concede a site for the wharf at Waiotahi and the right of concession lies with them. The roads and lines of street are as yet vested in the Maori and therefore public money cannot be spent on roads not dedicated to the Queen for use of the public.
Straight after the opening of the court house a deputation of residents on the Waiotahi Flat wait upon the Superintendent to ask if a wharf is constructed at the cost of the residents themselves, would the Superintendent concede the site and take management and control when the wharf was finished? They also ask what assistance he would be prepared to give in the formation of roads and building of bridges at various crossings. After a conference with Mr Mackay, the Superintendent replies that the Maori are more prepared to concede a site for the wharf at Waiotahi and the right of concession lies with them. The roads and lines of street are as yet vested in the Maori and therefore public money cannot be spent on roads not dedicated to the Queen for use of the public.
After the first deputation withdraws, a second
deputation from Shortland meets with the Superintendent. They want information relative to a reported
concession of the landing place at Kauaeranga Creek to a contractor for a
period of seven years, on condition of his erecting a wharf. The contractor is
Mr McNeil who offers to build a wharf at Shortland, subject to the same charges
and regulations as at the Queen St wharf, Auckland. As with the Waiotahi deputation, they also
want to discuss the best and most practicable means of having the streets of
the town passable for the coming winter.
They also ask that if the necessary capital is raised by the townspeople,
would the concession for a wharf be made to a trust on behalf of the town.
The Superintendent replies that the concession
has not been made, and will not be made, to a private individual and that the
government has still to consider whether the proper course would not be to take
the whole matter into its own hands and erect the wharf at a public charge,
with all the rates and charges derived from it going to the public exchequer. In the case of Shortland, the Maori have made
the necessary concession of the site and Chief Taipari guarantees a
subscription of £50.00 towards construction costs. The Superintendent suggests that
the land between the high and low water marks belongs to the Maori and if
residents want to erect a wharf they must first obtain the consent of the Maori
owners.
As to the streets the same reply he made to the Waiotahi deputation holds good. In any case the Province has no funds. It is getting nothing out of the goldfield, but some £400.00 to pay for management so far, as the general government has impounded all the revenue to help pay the interest on the half million loan contracted by the Province during the superintendence of Robert Graham. The inhabitants might, however, take steps to have themselves elected into a highway board, by electing trustees, and then Superintendent Williamson will do what he can under an act which empowers him to grant land scrip to a certain amount in lieu of money for public improvements. Mr Mackay has applied to the Native Minister for a loan towards doing certain works of the town on behalf of the Maori. He is endeavouring to negotiate a loan for the Maori with the Native Minister for £300 as an advance on the rental coming to them, which sum they are willing to apply to the purpose of road making at the diggings.
Captain Butt
comments that it appears to him the Provincial Government have neither the
money nor the power to do the work. The
Superintendent replies the wharf is not a hopeless point, but the streets are,
so far as the money is concerned. The interview with the two deputations takes
nearly two hours.
The Thames mining
population pay a heavy tax to the Maori owners.
The fee charged for each miner's right is paid to the Maori, being
collected for them by the government. This
now amounts to something like £5,000 and no provision has been made for
applying any part of the fund contributed by the miners for the formation of
roads or other necessary public works.
The traders, who pay 13s a foot frontage per annum of rent and a trading
licence of £5, have a right to expect that the roads will be kept in a passable
state. The miners, who obtain supplies
from Shortland or Waiotahi and who pay £1 for each miner’s right and 25s 6d on
every ounce of gold they produce, likewise have the right to expect that
facilities will be given to them to bring up supplies from the town and
transport their quartz to the mills without any further taxation.
The unfavourable
weather of the past week, as well as the protection granted during the Easter
holidays, has hampered mining operations, and rendered the
roads up the valleys impassable for heavy machinery now lying ready for
transit. An
eight horse power steam engine, Cornish boiler and a five head eight horse
power head of stampers are to be delivered on the beach at the Moanataiari for
£620.00. It is estimated a machine will
be required for every three or four claims that is not at a distance of half a
mile apart throughout the diggings; the want of water is the only obstacle to machines being stationed this way.
 |
| Cornish boiler. |
The Shortland sharemarket
shows a rapid but steady improvement in the value of claims north of the Karaka where several shares have been disposed of in the past week at
extremely satisfactory prices.
The premises of Mr
George Wilson, on public reserve B, Shortland, are appointed to be the public
pound and Mr Wilson is appointed pound keeper.
Constable Francis Lipsey is appointed Inspector of Slaughter Houses for
the district of the town of Shortland.
Mr Mackay entertains the Superintendent, Judge
Moore, Colonel Nation and a number of other guests at a dinner at the Shortland
Hotel, in celebration of the opening of the new court house. The performance at
Butt’s American Theatre tonight is attended by the Superintendent and
party. The building is crowded and a
very attractive programme is performed.
 |
| NZH 20 April, 1868 |
Tuesday, 21 April
An extraordinary
yield of 18 oz of gold has been taken from three tin dishes from the Lord Nelson claim at Tapu Creek. Speculative gentlemen from Auckland have
invested small sums in the different Tapu claims but are dissatisfied that the
ground does not yield an immediate return.
At Puriri there are now five payable claims,
and a population of which does not exceed 60. Some of the miners have brought
their wives and families and are settling down.
There is a
congratulatory air at Shortland that Mr Mackay is not to leave permanently.
During the day a number of upriver Maori come
into Shortland Town, old Taraia among them.
The weather has been excessively stormy during
the last few days causing considerable loss to those who have stacked quartz on
their claims. In the yard adjoining Mr
Goodall’s engine on the Moanataiari about 50 tons of coal is carried away,
leaving a deposit of mud in its place.
The road on the beach to Tapu Creek is almost impassable. Two miles from
Tararu a landslip carries large trees and boulders down the hills, rendering
the spot impenetrable.
The streets and roads of the Thames are in
such a state that to cross from the Karaka Hotel to the Bank of New Zealand a
detour has to be made of some length. A
few days of fine weather will only harden the mud - had the government any funds to employ the men
who are not quartz reefing, any quantity of material could be got from the
range at the back of the town by which all the streets in Shortland could be
macadamised..
Frederick Ring is in
treaty with the government for the formation of a tramway along the line of
Pollen Street from the landing at Kauaeranga to Waiotahi Creek. This work is much needed. The line will be level throughout and little
more than a mile in length. It will give
the greatest facilities for traffic, which is now almost at a standstill, owing
to the wet weather softening the surface soil.
Mr Ring will make the
tramway at his own risk as a speculation. There are now two applications in to run
a line of tramway from the landing place at Kauaeranga to Waiotahi/Tookey’s
Flat.
 |
| NZH 21 April, 1868 |
Wednesday, 22 April
Superintendent
Williamson leaves for Tapu Creek this morning accompanied by Warden Baillie and
Mr Lundon. Once there Mr Sceats, in
company of Mr Reid and Mr Pridgeon, present the Superintendent with a petition
for the forming of a bridle track between Tapu and Shortland. The Superintendent most graciously receives
the men and promises to accede to the request.
A miner named Burns
is working in a new drive when the earth gives way near the entrance. He is
severely injured about his shoulder and side.
Noon
The first annual
licensing sessions are held in the new Thames courthouse before Mr Mackay.
There are in all 34 applicants for publican’s licences, which had not one
single licensed house at the Thames at the time of the last session. Of the 34 – 23 are granted and 11 refused.
A correspondent to
the NZ Herald calling himself ‘Weak Nerves’ draws attention to the custom
somewhat prevalent in Auckland, and more particularly so at the Thames
goldfields, of persons carrying butchers knives in the sheath attached to their
belts. ‘Weak Nerves’ is quite at a loss
to understand the reason for the practise, perhaps they can only be
considered ornamental appendages? A
correct solution would greatly oblige him.
Wahapu
for Shortland and Tapu Creek with (Shortland) 4 tons potatoes, 3 horses, 10 kegs butter and sundries. (Tapu
Creek) 1 ton flour, 1 ton furniture.
Spey for Tapu Creek with 4,000 ft timber, 3 hhds beer, 1 cask beer, 1 ton flour, 20 sheep and sundries.
Tapu, Hastings or Heaphy?
Superintendent
Williamson formally names the old tapu land of the Maoris, known as Tapu or
Tapu Creek, Hastings, after the popular seaside resort in England. The ceremony takes place at the British
Hotel, where it is confirmed by drinking prosperity to the new town. Major Heaphy declines the honour of having it
named after him, and it is at his suggestion to call the area Hastings. “There is certainly not a prettier place on
the shores of the gulf and for its healthy air and fine scenery it has the
advantage over the old English watering place,” observes the Daily Southern Cross correspondent.
 |
| Major Charles Heaphy Cyclopedia of NZ 1902 |
 |
| Hastings, England 1860s British Library, London |
***********************************************************************************************************************
Publican's Licenses renewed on 22 April:
Bendigo Hotel
Karaka Hotel
British Hotel
Thames Hotel, Grey Street. There have been great complaints on the part of police that this house is noisy. Mr Rose says he has a large number of people and he will endeavour to keep them quiet.
Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, Grey Street
Governor Bowen Hotel, Waiotahi Creek
Unnamed Hotel at Tapu Creek
Victoria Hotel
Waiotahi Hotel
Bridge Hotel, Pollen Street
Empire Hotel, Grey and Pollen Streets
Empire Hotel, Grey and Pollen Streets
Albion Hotel, Willoughby Street
Shortland Hotel
British Hotel, Tapu Creek
New licenses granted on conditions that the justices should be satisfied of the accommodation provided:
Prince Alfred Hotel, Waiotahi
Rising Sun, Waiotahi
Wharf Hotel, Tapu Creek
No 15 allotment, Tapu Creek
No 28 allotment, Tapu Creek
Royal Hotel, Waiotahi Flat
Applications refused:
Unnamed. Karaka Flat – Michael O’Conner had made an arrangement with some miners to lease a portion of their claim as a business site. Bench ruled this is an infringement of the Goldfields Act.( One of the applicants for a hotel licence at the meeting admitted that he was erecting the house on a piece of ground which formed part of a miner’s claim. Mr Mackay said the ground held under miner’s rights was not disposable in such a manner and consequently refused the license. )
Criterion Hotel, Tookey’s Flat
Reef Hotel at the junction of Karaka
Digger’s Rest, head of the Waiotahi
George Hotel. Tookey’s Flat
Punga Punga Flat at the head of the Waiotahi. (The little settlement of Punga Flat sits at a considerable height above the sea, amongst the hills, one mile from Shortland.)
Digger’s Own Hotel, near Gibbon’s machine, on the Karaka
No 10 allotment, Pollen Street
Reefer’s Arms, Pollen Street – transfer of license – applicant absolutely refused.
The Kuranui Hotel’s license was transferred and an application for the Inverness Hotel at Moanataiari Creek was withdrawn.
A 12 o’clock license was granted for Butt’s Shortland Hotel.
An applicant for premises in Pollen Street made his application nine weeks since but it appears to have been mislaid. Application refused as the Bench considered there is sufficient accommodation in this part of the township at the present time.
Alexander Hogg and Company apply for a wholesale license. The Bench, having examined the maps and plans of the township grants the licensed with this caution – the house, if not kept quiet and orderly will not have its license renewed next time.
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Sources
Papers Past
Thames Miners guide
© Meghan Hawkes / First year on the Thames Goldfield 2017 - 2018
Please credit Meghan Hawkes/ First year on the Thames Goldfield 2017 - 2018 when re-using information from this blog.
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