The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1905-05-12

Thames, New Zealand,
February 10, 1905.
Mr. Orestes Hickox, My Dear Sir:
The farmers are having great innings
this year, as feed is plentiful for the
cattle and consequently there is good
supply Of milk. This is going to be a
record year for the output Of butter
from the factories. The quantity ex-
ported this year has been very large,
and, judging from what have read in
the newspapers, New Zealand butter
takes the lead on the English market
and is much sought after. The estab-
lishment of creameries and butter fac
tories throughout this country has
been great benefit to the farmers aDd
settlers generally, and the result is
the whole of the country. In years
gone by Thames has had to depend
wholly upon its goldmining industry,
but matters in that respect are now
changing considerably. To the south
of Thames lie thousands of acres of
beautiful pasture and agricultural
land, and these are just becoming
dotted with settlers homes and home
steads Of well-tO-do farmers. Several
creameries have been established, and
as we have railway running right
through the valley we are now begin
ming to feel the benefit of the settle
ment. Then again our goldmining in
dustry, which has been lying dormant
for some years past ,shOwS cOnsidera BILE
Improvement, and more men are at
present employed in our mines than
has been the case for a long time past.
One Of our mines yielded over $40, 900
worth of gold last month, and it has
splendid prospects before it. About IS
miles from here there is gold mine
called the Waihi, which employs hun
dreds Of men continually, and it's out
put of gold averages $25O,OOO per
month. L think, however, I have
mentioned that fact to you before.
Here at Thames the business outlook
is better than it has been for a long
time. Our tOwnSpeople are also en-
deavoring to beautify the place some
what by providing park, construct
ing public swimming baths and erect
ing a new brick building for the public
library. A donation equal to $40, 900
has been secured from Andrew Carne-
gle, one Of your American milliOnaires,
towards the cost of the library build
ing. We are also to have erected
shortly building for our High school
and new technical school building as,
we'll. We have very nice harbOr in
GilC lIOuO VI Jul IOWu, duU d COuSlUcI-
able number of fishermen find employ
ment therein. A large quantity of
fish is sent to Auckland nearly every
day, besides supplying all local wants.
We have freezing works here, so that
when the supply of fish is greater than
the demand the surplus is put therein
and frozen, and kept until it is re-
quired. A number of the fishermen
have oil launches now so that they can
60 and come when they like, and are
not dependent on the wind as is the
case with sailing boats. I think l
mentioned in one Of my letters some
time ago that one OF our foundry firms
here had secured contract from Gov
eminent for the construction of 10 To-
comotives. Well that firm has make
excellent progress with the job and
have already turned out six Of the num-
Der, whilst the other four are we'll for
ward. The locomotives so far have
given great satisfaction and it is an
ticipated that the firm will get other
orders in consequence. This class of
work means a great deal for this town.
ship as it is very important industry
and gives employment to a large num-
Der Of hands. Yours as ever, -W Will
liam Coad.