ROTORUA NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 32, 6 February 1894, Page 8

ROTORUA NEWS.

THE RAILWAY.

SIR GEORGE GREY'S VISIT.

(FKOMOUB OWN CORBESPOMDENT.)

Rotobtja, this day. _?___cmAMS have been received here announcing that the Government intend to call for tenders at once to complete the line from the presenb terminus at Turakenga iuto Rotorua. The distance is «ghb miles; the formation was completed long 8 ~0, and the bridges are also nearly done. I? is understood that the faqis-ing contract is to be completed by the end of May, co that the line may be opened for the winter months early in June. Sir George Grey is Btaying ab the Geysor Hotel, and finds great benefit from the oil bath. He is in excellenb health, and will probably remain another week. Daring his residence hero, Sir George has interested himself in getting the excessive tolla charged by the Maoris for sightseeing reduced. He has visited Tikitere, Harourara, Mokoia, Te Ngao, Whakareuara and other localities, and has discuaßod the matter of tolls. There is every prospect thab he will succeed in getting the natives to abandon the recent increased charges. An interesting presentation waa made on Saturday afternoon by Sir George Grey to two chiefs who were instrumental in indueinf a large number of Maoris to ]oin the temperance organisation. When he was in the disbricb before, Sir George promised two badges for this work, and he brought up with him two Malbeae crosses in parbi-coloured stones encircled in gold. Sir George appropriately addressed the recipients and encouraged them to go on with the good work they had begun. The chiefs were delighted with this mark of distinction. Pohutu, which has been silent for some weekß, is now playing again regularly.