Don't let any more strange Europeans interfere.
Thursday, 23 April
Mr Mackay attends a
korero with the Ngatipoura at Tararu Point where there is a large gathering of
tribes. The Ngatipoura are owners of
most of the auriferous ground not only in the Shortland district, but for miles
beyond. It is hoped satisfactory arrangements between the government and Maori
for the leasing of much valuable country beyond the township can be achieved.
In consequence of
Mr Mackay being absent all day and Mr Baillie being at Tapu, the Warden's court is postponed. It had been adjourned
until yesterday and was again adjourned until today but on the opening of the
court this morning is further adjourned until Tuesday. This is causing great loss of time on
the part of witnesses and solicitors. Some gentlemen have come up from Auckland in
order to be present at the case of Dixon v Graham, which is one of considerable
importance.
Superintendent Williamson
issues a notice calling for plans for the building of the much needed wharf at
Shortland Town. He invites tenders,
receivable until noon on Friday 22nd May, for the construction of the
wharf. Plans and specifications of the
proposed works may be seen at the office of the Inspector of Works, Princes
Street, Auckland, on and after Thursday next.
Tenders are also invited until Monday 18th May, from persons
willing to undertake the formation of a bridle track to connect the town of
Shortland and the Tapu Creek. The Superintendent returns to Auckland by the
Tauranga.
This evening Mr
Mackay leaves for Auckland also, in the cutter Emma, in order to proceed to the
Waikato with the Governor.
Butt’s American
Theatre will be closed for alterations this evening and tomorrow, and will re-open
with fresh attractions on Saturday night.
Tickler
for Shortland with 60,000 shingles.
 |
| NZH 23 April, 1868 |
Friday, 24 April
A deputation from
the the Ngatimaru tribe hold a meeting this morning at Robert Graham’s store,
Waiotahi. Chief Aperahama says “I have come to speak on account of my brothers
and chiefs concerning three subjects, that we, the natives, have all agreed upon. First, that we have come to the
conclusion that all the land between the Karaka Creek and the Waiotahi shall be
called 'Grahams Town'. Second that all
the streets that are laid out in Grahams Town shall all be newly baptized and
not allow any of the names of streets in Shortland Town to pass the Karaka
Creek, and we leave it all in your hands to see it is carried out. Third.
Now, listen to me Mr Graham – we have all agreed that you will act for
us as our father, and all my brother chiefs have consented that if you wish to
make a wharf on any part of the beach of Grahams Town, one and all of us gives
you full power to do so, and for you to decide on the best site for the
construction of a wharf. We don’t wish to have any payment whatever, and you
are at liberty to make use of all the stones and any timber. If wanted, you can get it cut from any of the
forests situated on the side of the Grahams Town township. And furthermore, that we will not allow any
of the stones within the boundary of Grahams Town to be taken for the use of
paving the town of Shortland. Now,
further, listen. Don’t let any more
strange Europeans interfere with the survey or make any alterations whatever
with the roads at Grahams Town. We leave
all that entirely in your hands, so that we have no more disputes as we have
had.”
There is concern that this area is to be given a different name from the already laid out township of Shortland but it is because the land leased by Mr Graham belongs to a different tribe to that of Shortland.
There is concern that this area is to be given a different name from the already laid out township of Shortland but it is because the land leased by Mr Graham belongs to a different tribe to that of Shortland.
The Thames Crushing
Company make an offer to the claimholders in the Moanataiari to construct a tramway along the creek to the
machine, the claimholders to give the necessary labour and receive credit
for its value when they send stuff to the machine to be crushed, The project is very favourably received.
At Tapu Creek, now
called Hastings, rumours are circulating of the fabulous wealth of Quinn and
Cashell’s claim. Publican’ and
storekeepers are unanimous in their praise of the claim. It is said that gold and quartz are taken out
of the drive in barrowsfull and gold is seen in solid lumps. A sample being exhibited shows gold lying
between a casing of blue quartz. Like all the other claims in this district,
the seam consists of loose blue slate and quartz thickly impregnated with
gold. Messrs Quinn and Cashell appear to
possess one of the best claims in the Thames district.
A footpath for the Ladies.
A meeting is held this
evening at the Governor Bowen Hotel, Waiotahi, for those interested in the
result of the deputations to Superintendent Williamson regarding roads and
wharves. Some two to three hundred people gather. Robert Graham presides. The report is read by Charles Mitchell and Mr Brackenbury. It states the Provincial chest contains no funds for the purpose of constructing the
streets and as to the wharf at Waiotahi – the Maori will not concede a site. If a wharf was built at Waiotahi , in the event of dutiable goods being landed, a
customs officer would have to be appointed and his salary paid. With regard to the
roads the Superintendent has said the government has no money, however, if a Highway Board were formed, land scrip could
be given to them. The government would
spend no money on the roads until the native title was extinguished and the
roads dedicated to the government.
The Waiotahi
deputation recommends unity of action between the people of Waiotahi and
Shortland.
Discussion takes
place as to the Maori allegedly refusing the right to a site for a wharf. Robert Graham states that
the Maori had spoken to him this morning and had absolutely assigned a site
without charge to the inhabitants. As
to the formation of a roads board, he did not see how it could be done, but if
voluntary contributions were spent on the roads, then legally the
Superintendent could still give them the scrip. There could be no jealousy between the two
places, they were only two ends to the same town, As to the government assisting Shortland it
was natural they should do so, as Shortland was their first child, but
afterwards they, at Waiotahi, would have a good claim on them. Robert Graham
recommends instant action with regard to the roads and says he himself is
prepared to subscribe £30. Mr Plaice suggests
that if a certain proportion of men were taken from each claim for a week, this
in addition to a subscription, would enable them to finish the roads in a
very short time. Mr Mitchell
proposes that a subscription list be opened and that those who cannot subscribe
might put their names down for a couple of days work towards the formation of a
road from Waiotahi to Karaka. Dr Sam inquires whether
the road is to be made and then abandoned, or whether a reserve fund would be
kept to repair it.
Mr Graham replies
that that would be an ulterior consideration, the first object would be to make
the road, then if further repairs were required, another meeting could be
called. Dr Sam says that in
that case, the proper course will be to form a county and so obtain their own
revenues for expenditure on their own roads.
This suggestion is met with considerable applause.
A passionate Robert
Graham says he quite agrees with the idea of the place being constituted a
county, similar to Westland, and a memorial signed by the Thames miners would
secure such a step. The revenue arising
from the export of gold must be expended in the district, however much the
Superintendent says there is not the means. If they only had a
footpath for the ladies to walk upon, he should like to see it done. If it could not be
done any other way, let them set aside a road and tapu it, as the Maori do, so
that no cart should go that way. They must have
roads and a wharf in order to convey goods as cheaply as possible to their
doors. If the government erects a wharf
they will be taxed to pay for it, and they have had enough of that already. Goods must be
landed at Waiotahi and not sent on to Shortland, in order to add a 5s expense
to every ton they required. It had been ordered
at Shortland that all goods were to be landed there, but no such order could be maintained. Goods that require duty to be paid could be landed at any part of the
coast. He had called upon the Collector
of Customs in Auckland and was assured of this. Let the people of
Waiotahi and the people of Tapu get wharves of their own, and have their goods
brought to their own doors as cheaply as possible. (Cheers)
Mr Plaice says he thinks there is a little jealously on the part of Shortland with regards to the wharf, but certainly not so far as roads are concerned, because they will benefit both parties. He is in favour of making the roads at once and seconds Mr Mitchell's proposal for a subscription list. Dr Sam proposes that the meeting should be suspended until after a public meeting which is to be held at Shortland on Monday.
Tensions simmer as the representatives of the Shortland deputation speak. Mr J Horne says the
Shortland people are bringing their own matters to that meeting on Monday. He
will not consult with the Waiotahi deputation on the matter now. He also suggests that this meeting adjourn
until the plans and estimates are before them.
With regard to the roads it appears to him they need not expect anything
done for them and if they can do it themselves, they should set about it. Mr Swan says he has
learned tonight something that he did not know - that there are two townships
forming at the Thames.
Robert Graham
replies somewhat defensively that he has taken up the land in the same manner
as the miner took up his claim and he has a right to do so. He has not been able to ascertain where the
roads were to be, or more would have been done in that respect. Every crossing had been bridged by his orders
and he has been waiting until the line of roads is settled by the government
before doing more. He will take care however, now that the roads have been
dedicated by the Maori, that no alteration is made by
Mr Mackay or the Governor. He says this
in order that the persons present who have been holding back the improvement of
their property might take the hint.
Mr Mitchell moves and Mr Plaice seconds that a deputation be appointed to attend the meeting at Shortland on Monday and confer with them on the subject of roads. Three cheers are given for the chairman and the meeting separates.
Mr Mitchell moves and Mr Plaice seconds that a deputation be appointed to attend the meeting at Shortland on Monday and confer with them on the subject of roads. Three cheers are given for the chairman and the meeting separates.
The Evening News correspondent
notes of the Thames that "an epidemic in the shape of a rash desire for public meetings has broken
out amongst us and the number of assemblies has become so large that one’s
ideas about them are apt to get confused.
A distinguished public character was heard last night to mutter in his
sleep “Unless your Honour, we get a wharf, light house and a life boat (with a
rocket apparatus) at the Bobbie Burns Claim, and a permanent road across the
mud flats, Shortland Town is drowned.”
Though we may joke on this subject, however it is none the less a matter
for the most serious consideration. The
roads are at present simply frightful and the want of proper wharf
accommodation is severely felt.”
Ariel
for Shortland with 7 cases bottled beer, 3 cases geneva, 21 bags sugar, 1 ½ chests tea, 3 cases brandy, 4 cases whiskey, 1 hhd brandy, 12 kegs rum, 4
cases wine, 1 case champagne, 3 cases Old Tom, 4 sashes, 1 horse, 4,000
shingles, 5 bags flour, 2 cheeses.
Clyde
for Tapu Creek with 4 tons luggage and 40 passengers.
Richness beyond doubt.
 |
| DSC 24 April, 1868 |
Richness beyond doubt.
Saturday, 25 April
The Union Bank of
Australasia open their new branch at the corner of Willoughby Street
this morning under the management of Mr Grant.
The bank has secured the services of a professional analytical chemist
in order to separate the metals on the spot.
Mr Shalder’s machine which was started during the
week has turned out several tons of stuff.
The machinery will be got into more perfect working order after a few
days trial. The patent amalgamator has
been found to work exceedingly well. The
machine consists of four hammers and anvils giving a pressure of 70 lb each, two only of which are at present in use. The Good Hope
Claim, Murphy’s Hill (Mr Mells and five others) have been working for four
months and have cleared the top off the reef so effectively that they can now
work at the drives for the next twelve months. Braithwaite’s claim, Vinegar Hill, promises to be a good thing for the proprietors, who only
opened it about three weeks ago. The Ben Lomond have a small Berdan on their
claim, but are compelled to resort to more powerful machinery in order to clear
the bulk of their stuff. Mr Bull, whose model stamper has gained such
high repute on the goldfield, is about to erect a new six stamper machine on
his ground, to be driven by water power.
His present stamper will continue to work up to within a day or two of
the time his new machine is ready. The Hand-in-Hand claim have their machine,
consisting of four head of stampers, at work and are expecting a good show of
gold. The Fear Naught claim, on the Waiotahi,
situated next to the El Dorado and Waterfall claims, have struck a very
promising leader. The Young Canadian claim on the Moanataiari
is uncovering some rich leaders on what is strongly supposed to be a reef. At the Tweedside claim, Hape Creek, a large boulder which had been
washed out of its position during recent rains fell in. The stone was thickly impregnated with gold,
but its value has not been estimated. Another
boulder found by some miners in the Moanataiari Creek, weighing 30 lb and for
which £30 has been offered, has been crushed and the result is a yield of 8 oz
of retorted gold.
A small crushing a machine
of a somewhat novel construction has been erected on the Karaka Creek, which
only requires a small supply of water to put it in full working order. The inventor, Mr R N Smith, intends to
provide such machines to those almost inaccessible claims where carriage is an
object, so that each may do their own crushing on their own ground.
The Good Hope, Head
Centre and other claims in the vicinity of the Auckland Reserve claim have put
in opposition to the application of the Auckland Reserve claim for a water race, which they contend would give the claim a monopoly on the water. The application is for three sluice heads,
running north and south, eighteen inches in breadth, which will comprise about
½ a mile of water. The Head Centre is
now considered the crack claim of the Murphy’s Hill group. They have
some 10 tons now ready for the machine.
This valuable claim has been taped off by the surveyors during the week
and a surplus of 49 feet taken off.
At Tapu
arrangements are being made to construct a powerful crushing machine at No 3 Creek, which will be the first on the ground, with the exception of a
Berdan. The machinery is being put up by
a company under the management of Mr John Gibbons. The timber for the mill has already been put
on the ground at Tapu and some two miles of tramway along the creek will be
completed. The engine will be a portable
one driving 15 head of stampers, each having a Chilean mill attached. It is
also intended to erect an iron water wheel and turbine capable of driving a
battery of 50 to 60 head of stampers.
The Shortland sharemarket report notes this week has been marked by the arrival of a
considerable number of speculators who have been investing with avidly. Shares in
well-known claims are more inquired about and claims of less repute bargains
are to be had every day. It is now
beyond doubt that a certain portion of the Thames goldfield, comprising about 2,000
acres, is of amazing richness, and the fear once entertained of the leaders
running out or becoming unproductive is rapidly disappearing. The demand for sleeping shares continues and
there are a great variety of shares available.
Just before sunset
12 year old James McDonald stumbles across the body of a man lying in the scrub
at the junction of the Hape Creek and the Kauaeranga. About quarter to five Constable Lipsey is
informed. The body, lying on its face in the swampy mud, is taken out of the
Hape Creek at low water. It is of slight build, with very dark hair and rather
above average height. It is thought to
be a man who has been missing from the Mount Pleasant claim for the last eight
days. A man answering this description
had started for his home in Auckland and had been seen on board the Maori Chief
by his mates, but as he had not reached home his mates realised he was missing. They did not, however, inform the police. A miner’s
right is found on the body in the name of William Peck.
Avon for Shortland with 2 drays, 38 pieces machinery, 10 cases beer, 5 cases Old Tom, 3 cases whiskey, 1 case ginger wine, 1 case bitters, 2 cases port wine, 2 cases gin, 3 cases brandy, 4 cases stout, 4 cases ale, quantity ironmongery, 3 cases boots, 18 bags salt, 2 cases sardines, 2 ½ tons flour, 4 ½ tons chests tea, 6 boxes candles, 2 casks glasses, 6 tins biscuits, 2 cases weighing machines, 30 packages sundries, 1 ton hay, 20 kegs butter, 7 ½ boxes tea, 10 bags sugar, 1 box soap.
Tartar for Shortland with 10,000 ft timber, 10,000 shingles.
Rob Roy for Tapu
Creek with 1 engine and boiler, 8,900 ft timber, ½ ton flour, 3 bags potatoes, 1
keg rum, 10 packages sundries.
A boat too heavily
loaded with potatoes is upset at the mouth of the Thames. The potatoes are all lost but the men get
safe to Kauaeranga.
Heavy rain sets in
tonight.
 |
| DSC 25 April, 1868 |
 |
| NZH 25 April, 1868 |
Sunday, 26 April
It is a day of
pouring rain.
Hastings (Tapu) is
fast assuming the appearance of a nice little township and is wearing quite an
air of importance and activity. The
nucleus of the crushing machines has arrived and the managers are employing men
to cut roads to the spot on which they are to be erected. There is an immense quantity of quartz on the
ground ready for crushing. Claims are
opening up in all directions and parties are out in different parts of the
country prospecting. There has been a
great rush of miners and visitors from Shortland and Auckland, so much so that
it has been barely possible to find accommodation for them. The only two licensed houses are full to
overflowing. Buildings are going up in
all directions, from public houses to cottages and fresh streets will soon have
to be laid out. Cargoes of timber, most of it for machine purposes, arrive almost daily. Tenders are now out for
the formation of the bridle track to Shortland, which, when finished will prove
a great boon to travelers.
 |
| Barrack Hill, Auckland, 1868 Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-8987' |
Despite being the
Sabbath, a young man who has recently married, is about to leave Auckland for
the Thames this evening, with all his worldly goods. Having loaded a
spring cart with furniture he drives it up to the Barrack gate, just at the very
moment respectable observers of the Sabbath are wending their way to
church. He succeeds in getting as far as
the front gate of the barracks when he is met by the band of the 18th
Regiment leading the column on its way to attend Divine Service. Startled by the music and the sound of the big drum, the horse sheers off the road, capsizing itself and the cart
down the Barrack Green. The goods and chattels are distributed about in the
grass in the most admirable disorder, and the horse and vehicle perform an interesting
series of evolutions. The damage however, is confined to the furniture, several
portions of which sustain very ugly compound fractures. The horse and cart are returned to normal position and driven off, while the furniture is carried to its destination with the aid
of several little boys.
The Clyde leaves
Auckland this evening with a large boiler in tow for Tookey’s Flat.
Monday, 27 April
The rain clears
this morning.
Notice is issued that all claims will be
protected from tomorrow night until
Thursday morning, in consequence of the Auckland Regatta.
Mr A Andrews of the
Auckland Post Office is promoted to the position of Postmaster at Shortland
Town and will commence his new duties on 1 May.
11am
The inquest on
William Peck is held at the new Thames courthouse. William was 48 years old, a married man, a
native of Devonshire, England, who had been in New Zealand 13 or 14 years. William was a member of the Wesleyan Church
and a man of strictly sober habits. He
was well known in Auckland as a highly respectable and steady hardworking man. William had served with credit in the 58th
regiment. He was, however, subject to pains in the head and had been known to
fall on the footpath in Auckland from imagining obstacles in his way. He had had medical treatment for epilepsy in
the past and a year ago had had an attack of paralysis.
William was seen on the 17th by his
son-in-law, Edward Cook, when he left Edward’s hut at the Thames to go to Auckland. He was
unwell at the time and his mates advised him to go. Later that evening they saw him aboard the
Maori Chief, tender to the steamers, but William never reached Auckland. They were alerted to this fact when a letter
to William, written by his wife, arrived at the Thames two days later.
Inquiries revealed the captain of the Maori Chief recalled helping a man from
shore to the steamer. The only solution to the mystery of his
disappearance appears to be that during the transhipment from the Maori Chief
to the steamer he had taken a fit and had fallen overboard in the dusk
unnoticed. Constable Lipsey found one track in the mud,
but no return track. The mangroves near
where he lay were broken, as if he had made a struggle for his life. He had a
lump of mud in his hand. Dr Lethbridge
examined the body and could not distinguish any marks of violence. An ear
appeared to have been torn off which was most probably the work of a rat. William appeared
to have been in the water 8 to 10 days. Dr Lethbridge considered the man had drowned. The jury return the
verdict that William Peck was found drowned on the bank of the Hape Creek but
how or by what means there is no evidence to show. It is presumed he was seized with a fit.
 |
| Colours of the 58th Regiment. Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19001228-6-4 |
Dueling deputations
2pm
The dueling Shortland
and Waiotahi deputations meet in the American Theatre adjoining Captain Butt’s
hotel. There is a large attendance of townspeople and miners. Captain John Butt takes the chair. The report, read by Mr Mitchell, says the superintendent is not in a position to
grant any assistance from provincial or other funds for the making of roads or
streets, or building wharves in the district, but states that, as soon as the Maori owners of the land obtain their certificate of title from the Native
Lands court, the roads and landing places can be handed over through the
government to a board of trustees, appointed under the Highways Act, who will
have the power to levy rates to be expended in making roads and streets and,
under the Marine Act to erect wharves, and collect dues. The superintendent
also said that he will be prepared to give, under the Compensations Act, Crown
land scrip for the value of £1,000 which will be available for the contemplated
improvements.
It is moved that a
committee be appointed to watch the proceedings of the Native Land court respecting the passing of the certificate of native titles, and take measures to secure to the
inhabitants of this township, under the Marine Act, the collection and
expenditure of all duties leviable at the wharves of Shortland, and have the
power to take any steps considered necessary in the interest of the township,
with respect to the proposed concession of a tramway between Shortland and the
Kuranui. The committee is also to be
empowered to take such steps as will be necessary to form the Hauraki and
Thames districts into a county.
Captain Butt, in
putting the resolutions before the meeting, says the Superintendent has already
advertised for tenders for building a wharf, but unless roads are made, of what
value will a wharf be? Quartz is lying
on the ground waiting for transit to the crushing machines, and
without the aid of roads it is impossible to move it. Albert Beetham rises to express the
dissatisfaction he feels at the trivial manner in which the Thames is treated
by the government. Beetham is a land agent and share broker who has recently opened the premises of Beetham and Walker at Shortland. He has traveled all over
New Zealand during the last 17 years, and more contempt he has never witnessed
than is shown by the Superintendent in the refusal of granting assistance for
building a paltry wharf. He adds that they are told that Auckland is in
difficulties – that officer’s salaries had to paid. No doubt they had to be but certainly not out
of the revenue from the Thames. “When we ask for money taken away from us, we
are refused. We must show the government that we are entitled to some
attention and consideration and it is therefore necessary that the committee
should go further than the resolutions made,” he thunders.
The Westland Act is
well adapted for the Thames. There is a
clause in the act which provides for the construction and maintenance of roads,
bridges, wharves and other public works. Beetham and some
committee members have compiled an estimate of revenue, which he reads out.
 |
| Mr Beetham's estimate of revenues.. DSC 29 April, 1868 |
Mr Beetham proposes that
the committee be empowered to take the steps necessary to form the Hauraki and
Thames district into a county. This is
carried unanimously. After a vote of
thanks to Captain Butt, the meeting separates.
 |
| NZH 27 April, 1868 |
Tuesday, 28 April
The streets at the
Thames are in a shocking state, and if the wet weather really sets in the roads
will be almost impassable, unless by canoe.
In Pollen Street the vast quantity of liquid mud has sent such swarms of
fleas indoors that in some of the accommodation establishments it is utterly impossible to indulge in the
luxury of sleep, the lively creatures being so assiduous in their attention,
especially to visitors.
Great preparations are being made for the
erection of new machinery. Holman is
erecting a small machine the stamper of which is slotted and filled with iron
pins. A Greenshields model, which raises
the stampers by means of rollers, is on view at the office of the Thames
Advertiser. A party has consequently
gone up to Auckland for the purpose of getting a battery made upon that
principle – there is more mechanical ingenuity to be seen in it than in all the
other machines put together. The only other machine on the ground for dry
crushing is one of Hall’s patent ones in the possession of James Horner. Like Shalder’s machine it is quite different
from anything else on the ground. It revolves with great rapidity, the arms of
the spindle throwing the quartz with violence against the serrated sides of the
cylinder. Unfortunately it is not
erected; instead it lies idle and rusting in his yard. Bull’s machine is
one stamper, driven by water power and so carefully does he attend to it that
it is always engaged beforehand for weeks. The stampers of
Pratt’s machines are far too light to be of much practical benefit.
Things appear to be
going faster ahead at Tookey’s Flat than at Shortland, but in another year’s
time it is expected it will all be one town. For broken down
swells the Thames is a quite a city of refuge, and at all corners and
out-of-the-way places they are to be seen in every conceivable rig-out in
fashions new and fashions old, looking for quartz with gold.
There is a
discovery of auriferous gold at Tapu by Stanley and party, to the south east of
Quinn and Cashell’s claim. The spot in
which the pick is first struck is similar in appearance to the famous waterfall
over which the Kuranui Creek runs in the Shotover claim. Shortly after the discovery a half share
changes hands for £300.00.
Spey for
Tapu Creek with stores and 3,000 shingles
 |
| DSC 28 April, 1868 |
 |
| NZH 28 April, 1868 |
Permission to use adhesive stamps.
Wednesday, 29 April
The newly named Thames
Goldfields Improvement committee meets at the Shortland Hotel this morning and
elects to carry forward with the improvements of the district with respect to
roads and wharves, and the separation from the Auckland Province. The secretary is to write to Superintendent Williamson inquiring
as to the terms the Provincial Government will hand over the management of the
Shortland wharf with power to collect dues, request information as to the state
of negotiations regarding the right to lay tramways in the district, write to authorities
regarding bringing the new goldfields regulations into practical operations,
and write requesting permission to use adhesive stamps in agreements and
transfers of property, until a registration officer is appointed to the Thames
goldfield, to remove the necessity of
sending deeds to Auckland. The returning
officer of Franklin district is to receive a memorial signed by 30 electors
requesting him to appoint a polling place at Shortland.
James Chartington is
sentenced to one week’s imprisonment with hard labour, for stealing a pair of
trousers. A constable will have to be
held off every day to see that Chartington does his work in filling up some of
the dangerous holes on the Karaka.
Chief Taipari shows
some splendid stone taken from the claim in the Hape, Karaka. The stuff is so rich as to look more like
Tapu Creek stone than Karaka gold. Three
European’s and seven Maori have taken up ten men’s ground there.
The town of
Coromandel now bears quite a deserted appearance to what it did formerly. The only activity is Mr Goodall who is
superintending the dismantling of the Waihau engine, which he has sold to a party
on the Thames goldfields.
Rumours surface
regarding the opening up of Kennedy’s Bay for gold mining. A large number of Europeans are already
working and prospecting in the district. Messrs J McGregor, McLeod, Brimner and
Keir organised a prospecting party and have been prospecting all this month.
It is said Ropata intends to turn off all
Europeans at present working there on sufferance, and will declare to treat
with the government with regards to the opening up of that bay if Mr Mackay
does not meet with him by this Saturday, 2 May. The gold in that locality is said to be of a
very superior quality and it is not improbable that a rush might take place if
Kennedy’s Bay should be opened.
 |
Looking south across the Auckland Harbour showing the race of the Maori war canoes during an Auckland Anniversary Regatta, 1860s Views in the Province of Auckland New Zealand' by F R Stack |
The annual regatta
is held at Auckland today. It has been always previously held on the 29th
January, the anniversary of the foundation of the colony, and the day and
season most appropriate for it. But this
year the annual celebration was delayed in the full expectation that the Prince
of Wales would be in New Zealand to witness it.
Instead, after the assassination attempt thwarted his plans, it was
decided that the regatta should be held in the presence of the Governor before
he leaves for the South. A lingering
sense of disappointment hangs over the day however. The wharf is too exposed to be
pleasant; nevertheless the outer T is
crowded and there are crowds on the high ground along the
harbour. The harbour is filled with
small craft rushing through the water at a tremendous pace. The harbour is not as animated as on previous occasions, in consequence of the entire absence of
foreign vessels. The steamer Tauranga
has been selected as the flagship, and is anchored in a suitable position and cheerfully decorated with bunting. Owing to
the roughness of the water visitors to her during the day are comparatively
small and several of the ladies who venture on board are compelled to leave due
to sea sickness. At 10am the gun on
board the Tauranga announces the first race of the regatta of 1868 has
commenced.
The Thames is
represented in the second race of yachts 8 tons and under. There are four entries including the Prince
Alfred built at the Thames by Richard White for Mr McGregor. At 10.30am the
vessels are off to an excellent start, the yachts running beautifully despite
the rough sea. The race is pretty evenly
sustained until the North Head is rounded.
The Prince Alfred has to retire when it passes the flagship heading
westward. The wind is dead against the competitors and there is a strong head
sea.
 |
| NZH 29 April, 1868 |
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Parliament passed the County of Westland Act in 1867 and the
county came into force on 1 January, 1868.
Westland County was a local government area and constituted the
government for the area that was split from the Canterbury Province. It had the same administrative powers as a
Provincial Council.
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Sources
Papers Past
Please credit Meghan Hawkes/ First year on the Thames Goldfield 2017 - 2018 when re-using information from this blog.
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