TAUPO.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 208, 28 November 1896, Page 2

TAUPO.

[FROM OUlt OWN COItItESrOXDENT.]

After a few days excitement over tlie eruption we have now settled hack to the u-ual routine, the main trouble being the Lite and heavy frosts which have taken oif all or nearly all the early potatoes. However, we are very hopeful of the main crop which is now about to be plauted. Constable Stephenson, of Nanier, iias now been located here temporarily. It was not long ere his fervices were in requisition for a dilinquent who was passing through from one of the Southern townships. The exact, nature of the trouble did not transpire but our new preserver of the peace made rather a good capture, his pedestnanism being tried to the utmost. Two successive nights and all one afternoon was a good record, hut securing his object of search was ample reward for any personal inconvenience, and iie wn- soon on his way with his prisoner to Napier. J .as 1 Tuesday Mr Uerries, an aspirant to Parliamentary honors, addressed a good local audience, and was well received. There was a large attendance and the speaker received an attentive hearing. A " Liberal " proposed and a " Conservative " seconded a vote of thanks which was carried without dissent, followed by the usual compliment to the Chairman Mr William Noble, J. P. The vacancy in tho School Committee caused by Mr Bernman's resignation, his been tilled up at the last meeting of tho Committee by the appointment of Mr Salmon to the vacancy.

hast Monday tile school was examined hy Inspector Dickinson who arrived from itotorua 011 .Saturday for the purpose'. Notwithstanding that many children were at a disadvantage owing to a general and unusual sickness prevailing, (a kind of la grippe) all passed except one child who however had only I'een to the school a few weeks, this is highly creditable to the teacher and .satisfactory to the parents and children, A school holiday was given the next day as a reward to the little folk and to make up for the absence of a recess 011 tin; Prince of Wales' Birthday. Mr Dickinson returned northward on the Tuesday, and while here conferred with the Chairman of ilie School Committee relative to school acionniodation the present building proving its itusuitableuess 011 examination day when one o.? out prevalent breezes was in evidence for the Inspector to expeiience. 1 his building was mooted but ic is generally considered it would cost as much to satisfactorily repair this unsuitable building as it wotilil to nearly cover tho outlay 011 a thoroughly suitable building therefore it is sincerely hoped the latter will not be shelved but the work proceeded with as soon as possible and tho sooner the better. Ihe Court Ilouse was visited with a view of utilisation for scholastic purposes but its evident unsuitubleness was apparent at once. The general election is looked for> "ward to with a good deal of interest, some enquiring whether the other candidate, Mr Kelly, will visit us.

The [Rabbit, agent lias been stayiii"o lew 11 PVtJj HI H.I vi»w Kirr**. cesslul in catching' some of the buumes; it is hoj)e(l lie may thoroughly cliuck their increase fur if they get the upper hand then gardening and cultivating generally will be out of question.

The following civil easos were he:ird before Lieut.-Col. Roberts, S.M., today (Monday.) Wi Ivatine v. JS'e'pa claim £o damages ; no appearance of plaintiff. Case struck* out. Te "VVaakatuki v. Nepa ;■ claim £5 damages to dog. Judgment for defendant with interpreter's costs 1 Os 6d. Pa'pata Te Waha v. Mereana Pupoki; claim £2 damages to a whare by lire. Judgment for defendant with interpreter s costs 10s 6d. Taupo, Nov. 23rd IS9G.

[by telegraph.] Taupo, Tuesday. Since'the great outburst of Te Mare some days ago it has not shown much sign of activity till- this morning. At about 9.30 a.m. an immense cloud of dark smoke shot up which grew donter and denser as the volcanic action increased. At the same time the Crater Lalre on Tongariro vast volumes of steam and Ketotalii. an outlet of the Crater Lake immediately below, also emitted columns of steam. Ngaruhoe in the back

g: ound was also active. The whole picture :is seen from tlie vorauddi o IJoss' Hotel was a most -inking The eruption of Ta Mare still c.iu, tinue-" and the volcanic dust is being carried in a south easterly direction towards the KaiiiMiiawa ranges. There have been no earth tremors felt here and the geysers in tlio neiglib'ourh' o l of Wairakei mid the Spa have shown no a >n •r;iial action Ng.iruhoo which like Huap'diu w.i> almost covered with snow early this morning now i-lioivs itself fluiust denuded of its mantle.