THE HOT LAKES CHRONICLE AND Tourists' Journal. "This fact I will chronicle." WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1895.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 2, Issue 125, 29 May 1895, Page 2

THE HOT LAKES CHRONICLE AND Tourists' Journal. "This fact I will chronicle." WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1895.

According to the scribe who writes to the Herald under the noai do plume of " Mercutio" the storekeepers of llotorua are not pleased that the provisions, &c, required for the co-oper-ative navvies at Galatea are not purchased through thorn. Of course they are not pleased, neither would Mercutio's employers be pleased to see all the job printing in Auckland sliding over to the Star office. Hut in dealin" with the question of the unemployed the storekeepers of llotorua nro aware that it is incumbent on the Government to buy in the cheapest market, and that the exigencies of the case permit the greatest latitudo in the mode of supply. The men working at Galatea are regarded hero in the same light as if they were a detachment of troops or police. What the storekeepers or llotorua would like to see in this matter is that tenders for supplies be called in future, for they are persuaded they can compete favorably in this respect owing to their superior knowledge of the roads, &c, which would be a factor in making up prices. An individual called at the CnrtONicxK Office one day recently breathing the language of "Mercutio" but as he was more like a discharged co-operative than a storekeeper we did not pay much heed to his remarks. However he must have got th 9 ear of some one as on the following day the telegram appeared on which the Herald writer bases his remarks.

Tin-: Railway Department has seen fit to reconsider its position in regard to increased means of communication between Auckland and Rotoruu. The large access of goods traffic between the two places has no doubt shown the futility of waiting until the tourist season opens and a change will take place on and after Saturday next, June 1. Although a daily train has not been decided upon two additional trains will be run, which with the other three now available will leave Auckland each day except Friday at 9.35 a.m. arriving in Rotorua at 7.15 p.m. The express train from Auckland on Tuesdays and that from llotorua on Mondays will be discontinued, ordinary trains taking theirpiace. The trainsfrom Rotoruaon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will leave at 9 a.m., arriving in Auckland at 7.50 p.m., and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4.45 a.m. arriving in Auckland at li.ai) p.m. As we will thus practically have a daily service with the exception of one day in the week it is to he hoped that the Post Office authorities will recognise the advisability of instituting a town delivery of letters. Under the new arrangement there will no longer be the necessity of rushing to the Post Office for letters so that they may be answered forthwith, unless in cases of dire necessity. The establishing of a proper system of postal delivery would besides greatly simplify the work of the local officials and prevent much of the confusion which is so apparent on mail nights.

TnE necessity of the extension of the telegraph service to Galatea is again brought prominently before the district. At present during the TJrewera troubles special relays of horses and men have to be kept going to carry the news and other business to Rotorua. Tbis must cost the Government a considerable sum which would be well expended in making this line. Again, if the Government intend carrying out their present policy of opening up the Urewera country so as to eventually purchaso it we think the time

hits arrived for a better means of communication to be established. The present line could bo tapped on the RotoruaTaupo wire, within twenty-five miles of the Galatea schoolhouse. as the crow ilies, «nd tlie advantages would, as we have shown, more than compensate the outlay. 'Die extension of this could be carried on to To Whaita where the Government propose erecting a schoolhouse. and thus the Urewera country would he brought in touch with civilization instead of remaining a terra incognita as at present.