LOCAL NEWS AND NOTES.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 3, Issue 149, 9 October 1895, Page 2

LOCAL NEWS AND NOTES.

Orders will bo received at the ChkoxiCLE office for Lett's Diaries for 1896. Mr Richard Crabb, temperance led urer, will pay a visit to Rotorua within the next day or two. The display of art needlework in Mr Stewart's window has attracted much attention. Mr W. Rogers has just received a consignment of prime Canterbury potatoes at his store.* is a gazetted public holiday in the Government Offices throughout the Colony on the occasion of the Labor Demonstration. Mr F. Goodson notifies in another column that he is prepared to deliver goods in any part of the town, and supply firewood and coal at the lowest rates. The petition for the trial of the Vaile stage system of railway rates may be signed either at the CIIHOXICLE office, or at the shop of Mr H. W. Neighbour. " Winter is past and the Summer is come and the voico of the bull-frog is heard in the alley." The hind legs of these are a greater delicacy than grasshoppers. Mr J. H.Taylor, Auctioneer,announces that lie will sell at an early date the remainder of the furniture belonging to Mr John Falloona, late of the Rotorua Hotel. Mr Phillips and his staff are now busily engaged in taking the levels of the town, wanting which it was impossibe to build without some anxiety as to how one's premises might be eventually situated. A meeting of the residents of both townships will take place in the Reading Room on Monday eyeniny next to hear what has been done regarding the resolutions passed in July last, and to consider what further steps ought to lie taken. It is stated that the geysers at Orakeikorako have shown renewed activity, and are playing as energetically as of old. A track has been made, and tourists can be driven to within a mile or so of the springs.

Mr J, Muldoon, lato of the Auckland Helping Hand Mission, conducted the Presbyterian service i:i the Schoolroom last Sunday morning and evening to good attendances. Mr Muldoon will officiate again on Sunday next. The Brass Band, under the conductorship of Mr James Munro, marched to Whakarewarewa on Sunday last and played various selections on the road out and at the pa there. The music was much appreciated both by the natives and the visitors to the geysers. The annual general meeting of subscribers to the Library and Heading Room will take place on Friday night at eight o'clock, for the purpose of considering the report and balance sheet, and electing new office-bearers. A committee meeting takes place in the institute to-night. Sophia, the historical guide of the lost Pink and.White Terraces, and, since the eruption resident at Whakarewarewa, left by Monday's train for Auckland whore she will Join Mr George Leitch's " Land of the Moa " dramatic company, assuming the role of Sophia, in propria persona, during the Australian tour. The blowhole near the mouth of the Puarenga Creek, which emitted volumes of mud some eighteen months ago, but has been quiescent ever since, made another demonstration yesterday. In the afternoon a jet of boiling mud and water shot up to a height of about a couple of hundred feet. In regard to the telegram from the Town Board urging the Government to proceed at once with the road to the summit of NgoiigotfiLa. und the wharf csd boat shelter on the lake shore, a reply has been received by Mr Dansey, stating that the work cannot be commenced till the Public Works estimates are passed. The temperature of the Priest's Bath during the past week has ranged from 100 to 103 degrees. A considerable improvement has been wrought at the Pavilion by the expenditure of a few pots of paint, but much still requires to be done in the way of repairs and so forth before tho season commences. Mr R. Wake has laid in a fresh stock of drugs and medicines, and to ensure accuracy in the matter of dispensing, tho services of Mr Holland, formerly with Messrs Sharland and Co., have been socured. Mr Wake intends throwing the whole front of thePenton Street premises into one large double store where a large stock of general goods will be kept, embracing drapery, hosiery and mercery. Fine weather, accompanied by S.E. and S.W. breezes, has prevailed during the past week. Tho mornings have, however, been somewhat cold, from -1 to 10 dogs, of frost being recorded. The maximum thermometer record in the shade was 70'05 degs, on the oth. On. Monday evening the wind veered to the westward, and 13 points of rain fell up to this morning. The professional announcement of Miss Fraser, qualified masseuse, appears in another column. She is skilled in the system adopted by Dr Weir Mitchell, of Philadelphia in cases of insomnia, dyspepsia and general debility. Miss Fraser will be in Rotorua in a few days but in the meantime letters may lie addressed to the CimONiCLE office.

On Sunday the geysers atWhakarewarewa were unusually active and proved a source of the greatest interest to visiujrs. The great Wairoa geyser, which is uncertain in its demonstrations, sent up a column of water rivalling that of Pohutu in its best moments. The latter also spouted freely and the Waikorohihi, or Bashful Geyser, so-called on account of its diffidence in the presence of strangers went up with an overwhelming rush. Settlers who have occasion to use that portion of Pukuatua Street between Ranolf Street and the railway line complain bitterly of the boggy condition into wdiich the roadway has again fallen. The work recently done has not stood proof against the recent rains and more than one " sticking up " case has occurred within the past few days. Astonishment is expressed that the work should ever have been pissed. Craig's Curiosity Shop in Prince's St., Auckland, vies, in point of attractions, with the Museum to which it stands in close proximity. To enumerate the endless variety of curios contained within its walls would be difficult of accomplishment as the collection comprises ferns, shells, corals, carvings and minerals brought from every part of the Southern hemisphere. An announcement in another column invites tourists and others to call and inspect. A correspondent draws attention to the fact that the footpath along the side of the hot water stream going towards the Utuhina Bridge was never properly formed. A path was at one time cleared but soon got overgrown again. Tlio IVwn Board would, he thinks, be justified in properly forming tin.' path and throwing a couple of foot-bridges over the stream. It would then, he thinks, become a very popular walk with tourists. The telephone service between the two townships has, after a lengthened interruption, been once more established to the intense; satisfaction of all those whose business arrangements are expedited by speedy communication with tin; telegraph station. The installation, which was effected by Mr W. Dansoy, is very perfect and messages we transmitted with much more clearness than was previously the case. Mr Lakin's appointment as" telephonist is regarded with general satisfaction. Mr R. H. Reaney. formerly road engineer in the Pahia'tua district, will relieve Mr Hursthouse, district engineer, of his duties here, and will tike over the control of the Galatea and Rotorua-Te Teko roads. Mr Hursthouse's departure from this locality will be much regretted but it must bo borne in mind that lie has had the work hero placed under his charge in addition lo the extensive duties ho lias to perform in connection with the Xew Plymouth district. Captain Turner, formerly of Tauranga, succeeds Mr Reancy at Pahiatua. Our correspondent in the Urewera Country writing from Rau-tawhiri last week states : —" No news along the classic Rangitaiki. Wo are having a deal of rain, like yourselves, and the rivers are in consequence Hooded Mr W. Bird 10.-.t a horse in attempting to cross the Rangitaiki with goods for the To Whaiti Government Store. Part of the load was swept away but the mail bag was saved. A groat many, slips have occurred on the road and di-ay traffic is suspended for a while. All supplies are being packed at present. Amongst the buildings lately completed in the now town is that orected by Messrs Blake and Seymour under contract to Mr T. Samson aud just opened by Mr M. Simon, tailor, A large show-room with handsome plate glass window occupies half the street frontage the other portion being allotted to a well lighted and ventilated workroom. A stained glass door leads to the living rooms behind which comprise sitting-room, two bedrooms and kitchen and the usual outhouses. The contractors are to bo complimented on the successful completion of their work, and also the new occupant, Mr Simon, on his entry into his new premises. " Three Days on the Lakes," is the title of an article in this week's "Graphic" which treats of an excursion to the positively beautiful Rotoiti, the more lovely Rotoehu and the most enchanting Rotoma. The accompanying illustrations (and the text as well, if we mistake not) are by Mr T. Ryan, whose facile pencil is at home in this class of work. The artist depicts scones on the two last named lakes and the settlements of Tapuacharuru, Kakako and Parakino on the Rotoiti shore. They form an excellent glimpse of the beauties of the Wonderland and ought to whet the appetite for a view of the reality. The Native Land Court,, Judge Wilsonpresiding, has for the last Jew days been principally engaged in the subdivision of the Pohukura Block. This block is situated about 42 miles from Napier in the Taupo direction and was at first intended to be taken at Maketu but adjourned to this Court, although thonatives petitioned to have the matter heard at Taupo, Tarawera or Hastings as being much nearer for them. Some delay arose hero on account of the absence of necessary documents but the=e having been forwarded the subdivision will now probably be completed. Por some time past the arrangements in regard to visiting Mokoia Island have been in an unsatisfactory state owing to the fact that there wore two different hapus on the island each claiming the right of imposing a toll of Is. Although the double charge was not a very heavy one it had the effect of deterring many from visiting the place. We are now informed that an amicable understanding has boon arrived at whereby one fee of a shilling will entitle the visitor to all the privileges including Hincinoa's Bath, the Mokoi.i pas, the Skeleton Tree, access to the cherry gardens when in season, and the fine view obtiined from the heights. During the past week considerable headway has been made by Mr Boulton and his staff with the furnishing of the Grand Hotel, and a pretty fair estimate can now be formed of the luxurious coinfort which will await the guests when the house is formally opened. On Saturday night the lamps in the halls and larger rooms were lit and the effect was brilliant in the extreme. The inner square between the wings of the building is at present being laid out and planted with shrubs and flowering plants. It is anticipated that the hotel will be ready for the reception of visitors early in November. Several applications for rooms have already been booked. THEIR NAME IS LEGION

Who testify to the merits of Wolfe's Schnapps for removing indigestion, urinary disorders, and rheumatism; also to its admirable flavor.

The disciples of Izuk Walton will be pleased to know that moat of the streams in iho neighborhood are teeming with fish, notably the Ngongotaha, Utuhina, Waititi and Tahuna-a-tara at the Horohoro gorge. Numbers of fish have been seen variously estimated at from a few ounces to lOlbs in weight. It may be remembered that a few white fish were placed in the lake sonio years ago and were never seen afterwar.lt, though it was supposed that they had gone up the Ngongotaha Creek. Mr Mcßao and other lovers of the gentle art whipped that stream without success on various occasions. On Saturday List, however. Mr Sutherland, a visitor from Hawkes Bay, tried his persuasive powers with the rod and succeeded in lauding an American brook trout after ten or twelve minutes play. The fish weighed slbs loozs. There is a considerable amount of ambiguity here, since the severance of the district from that of Tauranga, as to when the season opens, but this catch was made solely for the purpose of determining what variety of fish frequcntel the stream, A fire, in its incipient stage, was discovered in Mr W. A. Williams premises on Saturday night and suppressed before much damage was done. A lighted candle had been left on the top of a chest of drawers, and from appearances it is surmised that after burning to the socket Some of the grease, in an ignited state, flowed over tlic broken edge of the candle stick and set fire to the woodwork. Mrs Williams' attention was drawn to what was going on by the smell arising from the burning woodand soon had it extinguished. The chest of drawers, winch is of highly polished mottled kauri, is completely ruined, but Mr Williams considers himself lucky to have escaped with so slight a loss, for in a few minutes more the room, which is divided from the store by a wooden partition, would have been in flames. The youngest member of Mr Williams' family quietly slept in her cot close by throughout the occurrence and is not even yet aware of the danger which menaced her. Though local agent for the Phoenix Company Mr Williams is uninsured so far as his furniture is concerned and only partially so in regard to stock. The Band of Hope concert which took place in the Schoolhouse last Friday night was more than usually successful. Mr H. W. Neighbour presided aud opened the proceedings' in the customary manner. The presence of a piano was a distinct advantage, as however satisfactory a harmonium may be in the accompaniment of sacred songs it is much too sonorous for general purposes. The solo "'Sound the Loud Timbrel" was very choicely executed by Miss White, and the duet, " Home, Sweet Home," was charmingly rendered by the Misses Cosscy and P. White. The choir was in good voice and rendered the anthems, part songs and hymns most effectively. The remainder of the programme, which was exceptionally good throughout, was as follows : Song, "Hope," Miss C. Robinson ; quartette, " Clinging to Thee," Misses Robinson and Messrs Fairley and Wallace; song, " The Skipper and his Boy," Mr Lynds; quartette, "No Night have I," Misses Murray and Robinson, Messrs Fairley and Wallace ; song, " The Little Fish." Miss F. White; duet, "Come Sister, Come," Misses Cossoy and White ; song, "Lovely Mona," Mrs Thompson; recitation, " The Tempest," Miss lii. Murray; duet, "Music sweet shall flow," Misses Cossey and P. While ; song, " Hearts and Homes," Miss Robinson ; song, Mrs Thompson ; duet, " Come o'er the Moonlit Sea," Misses Murray. These concerts are fast gaining in popularity and the attendance on Friday night was much in excess of previous occasions.