LOCAL NEWS AND NOTES.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 215, 16 January 1897, Page 2

LOCAL NEWS AND NOTES.

The Auckland Observer may bo obtained at CjIKOXICLE Oflico after arrival of Thursdays train."

Fifteen thousand trout fry have lately been placed in Lake Waikarenioana and tlll* streams running into it.

The rain gauge at the Sanatorium registered I'7o inches for the -18 hours ending yesterday at i) a.m. Several oil paintings of scenes of interest near the town from the brush of Mr C. Blomfield are naw on view at the CIIKONICI.K Office.*

Inspector Ilickson paid a flying visit to Rotorua during the past week and regretted much that the pressure of his official duties compelled him to return to Auckland so soon.

In our report last week of the late Mr Malfroy's funeral, the letters attached to Major Harris' name (significant of his Masonic- rawk) 1 should have been P. Prow S.G.W. instead of P.G.M.

The Opotiki people, have wound up their Prospecting Association and hare decided to invest the balance of £(>()• odd in oni' of the big Australian sweeps for the benefit of those interested- They are level-headed people in Opotiki. Judge Gill, laud purchase- officer, has just completed a tour throughout the Gisborae district on behalf of the Government. As the master was urgent (si>ys the Bay of Plenty Times) Judge Gill had to forego his Christmas holidays.

Mr Richard Griffiths inserts several announcements in this issue returning thanks for past favors and drawing attention to the promptitude with which he attends to orders for carting firewood

Tlio bijou residence in Tutanekai St which Ls in process of erection by Messrs Steele Brothers- on account of Mr E. Eugstet is now almost completed. It is a compact little house and would suit a family whoso olive branches are not too numerous.

Settlers who have to pass Botoruawith cattle (says the Waikata ArgusJ now have an extra half days journey, as the Town Board will not allow cattle to go through the streets since a number of small trees have heen planted in them. A fanner tells us that the road along which the cattle have to be driven is a fair treat.

Mr W. It. Wilson, the ellw known Australian sportsman, who arrived by the Monowai from Sydney at Auckland with the double purpose of attending the sales of blood stock and visiting Botorua received a cablegram which necessitated his immediate return to Australia. Ho leaves for England on important business. The Native Land appeal Court opened on Wednesday before Judges Johnston and Edgar. The first case under consideration related to that portion of the Botoruahana Parokarangi block on which the Bungalow is situated. The Court will in all probability sit for the next few weeks. Judge Gill native land purchase agent arrived last night for the purpose of watching ccrtiiin cases on behalf of the Crown, notably those affecting the Hamurana Spring and the geyser area at Whakarowarewa..

Mr J. Joshua, of the Spa Hotel Coaching Co. notifies us, too lato for alteration in bis advertisement, that the fare between Rotorua. and Tanpo or vice vena, will in future bo 10s instead or 12s Gd. Mr F. Tuft, whose address is the "Langham" is now acting as Mr Joshua's Rotorua agent. Messrs Walker and'MeFarlane are now erecting tivo 4 roomed cottages in Pukuatua Street for Mr C. Kusabs. When finished they will form most desirable residences either for families who wish to take advantage of the balhs for a few months, or those contemplating a longer stay.

Mr Spooner of the Te Aroha Sews has taken over the Auckland Mining Standard, a paper which was started in the early days of the mining boom now on the point of bursting. We trust that Mr Spooner will not find himself in the ranks of those who at the collapse of an inflated mining market have to "holdthe babv."

At a meeting of the Rotorua Prospecting Association held in the Grand Hotel on Thursday evening last it was decided to wind up affairs and to pay over the balance in hand amounting to about £7O to subscribers in the shape of a dividend The div. will yield more gold than the most sanguine ever expected to get out of the Association. The first number of New Zealand's European Mail is to hand. As its name indicates it supplies its readers with an exhaustive summary of old World news giving of course the most prominence to those matters which are likely to be oli general interest. The Mail will be published as soon as possible after the arrival of each 'Frisco Mail. The Government have notified their intention of adopting Mr Hays recommendation with reference to the "drainage of the town. It is stated that work will be commenced as soon as certain details are arranged. We fervently hope that this is the case though there is often considerable circumlocution in the adjustment of details in Government department ;. A choice selection of oil paintings by Mr C. Blomfield may now bo seen at the Chkoxicle Office. They comprise views in this neighborhood, Wairakei, Whakarewarewa, &c, and from their faithfulness and attention to detail arc well worth the attention of lovers of art. In addition to these there are a number of water color sketches suitable for birthday or Easter Cards."

The Queen, who is supposed to bo the fountain of all honour has been pleased to approve of the reteution by Mr J. G. Ward, late Colonial Treasurer of the title of "honourable." Of the ministerial party as at present constituted we feel inclined to say with Marc Antony:— ' So are they all—all honourable men," and they don't inquire the"guineastamp" of the Queen to make them so. A selection of minature views of the various places of interest in and around Rotorua, Wlia'iarewarewa, &c, has been received at the CI'.KOXK'LE. Office. These little oil paintings are by Mr J. P. Backhouse of Newton Road, Auckland, and are well worthy the attention of those desirous of possessing or of sending to their friends an interesting and artistically executed souvenir of the district.

The concert which took place in the Sanatorium grounds last night was an undoubted success. We regret that we arc precluded from giving an extended notice of the same, but the singing of the Misses Maxwell fairly electrified the audience. It is seldom that we hear a pure young voice like. Miss Mabel's in all the unsophisticatedness of its natural tones, and we twist that the young lady in question will us another opportunity of hearing her.

Messrs Musgrave and Mahoney, proprietors of the line of Mail Coaches running between here and Tauranga, via the Oropi, bush have an announcement regarding the service in another column. By the Oropi bush route many points of beauty are opened up and passengers may be booked to Waihi, the Thames, To Aroha or right through to Auckland by the N.S.S. Co's steamers. Mr Ilenshaw is the local agent* During the past week or two a fine collection of paintings illustrative of thesiirhts around Wairakei has been on exhibition in Auckland. The paintings are from the brush of Mr Cameron Johnston a young English artist of much merit who has boon residing at Wairakei for some months. Art connoisseurs have testified to the high standard which Mr Johnston's work has attained and it is now proposed' to purchase one of the finest specimens cither, " The Hufca Falls " or the Champagne Pool for the Auckland Art Gallery.

Bond's Almanac for 1892 is now published and shows continued improvement on the issues of previous years. The Rotorua section has been carefully revised and brought up to date and a new feature is introduced in the shape of a directory which examination proves to be most accurate. The massof general and local information in the book is something marvellous while a diary for theeiarrentjyear, with cash columns, makes the Almanac almost a necessity in ever;- well regulated household. Copies may be obtained at the Chronicle Office.

We are-so accustomed to the bi-weekly 7.40 p.m. train arriving at ((o'clock or there abouts, that on Monday night when it steamed into the station actually two minutes ahead of time considerable surprise was manifested and not a little anxiety as it was feared that something in the shape of a run-a-way must have taken place. On Wednesday night, however, it was apparent that a return to the old hour of 9 p.m. was in contemplation We would point out to the authorities that if this train cannot run to time it would bo advisable in the interests of the public to alter the time-table. The present uncertainty regarding the hour of arrival is most exasperating.

On Monday evening last some hairbrained individual conceived the brilliant idea of turning on the hot water taps in the men's Bachel bath before leaving it. The temperature soon increased to close on boiling point and the next bather, unconscious of anything abnormal in the temperature of the water, was just about to plunge into it when Mr Hall, the bath attendant, entered the bath house, and prevented what might have proved a fatal accident. Tampering with the water taps on the part of any bather cannot be too severely commented on. If a higher temperature should be required it is a simple matter to call the bath attendant.

Wo have to acknowledge receipt from the publishers, Messrs Saxon Co, London, of a very compact Medical Guide which forms one of the series of Everybody's Books published by that firm. This little boo* will be found reliable and trustworthy though it is not intended that it should in any ease take the place of a physician. We observe that the sale of the "Pocket Cyclopedia published by the same firm has reached a total of 7jo, 000 copies. The rain which set in nn Thursday last earned joy to the hearts of many in this district, who wore beginning to doubt if Jupiter Pluvius still regarded with any interest mundane- affairs. To Messrs Kusabs Bros., of the Mamaku Sawmills, the downpour was a blessing indeed. As referred to elsewhere work had ceased at the' mill and numerous orders had to be cancelled as it was uncertain when they could he completed. Most of these were from Waihi and Paeroa as it has been found that the mountain rimu from Mamaku is more suitable for mining purposes than kauri. The cancellation of the orders bus now been revoked and the saws are again " buzzing" at the Mamaku mill.

Mr Percy Smith, Surveyor-General, has communicated with Mr James Shaw in reference to the opening of the new bridge at Whakarewarewa, stating that the Government will be glad if lie will perform thoopening ceremony and take such steps as he may deem best to give it due eclat. Mr Smith regrets that he cannot himself be present in accordance with a promise made to the nativea some time ago. Mr Gerhard Mueller has, however notified his intention of attending tho opening "shivoo" and he and " chief " Shaw will prove a host in themselves. Mr Shaw extends a hearty invitation to visitorsand residents in both townships, for'wham afteri 1 ton will be provided. The Tuhaurungi Baud will be in attendance. The continued drought is becoming a serious affur. At the Mamaku Sawmill work has had to cease owing to the want of water. The supply for tho boilers was latterly obtained from a swampnear the mill but that gave out also. Many of the nativos who are employed timber getting, and are c imped near the mill have been in the hal ir of using this water though warned by Mr E. Kusabs not to do so without first boiling it. This caused a considerable amount of sickness amongst them which we are sorry to state resulted in the death of two —a woman and a hoy. They had been removed to a camp near Lake Rotorua before they died and no doubf the "heroic" treatment Indulged in by the nativos in the shape of frequent immersions in tho Lake hastened their cud.

After many futile efforts to get up sufficient energy amongst the lieges to ensure a race meeting being held this year there is now every probability that such will take place. The meeting convened by Mr J. Stanley for Tuesday evening last in Luke House Hotel was well attended. Mr T. G. Urquhart was in the chair, and explained that they could only take the preliminary steps that evening as before a programme could be drawn up it would be necessary to know what money they could afford to give away in ptizes. It was then resolved that a race meeting be held on March 11th under the auspices of the Rotbrua Jockey Club. Those present in the room wore nominal ed as stewards as well as a considerable number who were not present but who are known to have an interest in sporting matters. A list was opened and £lO was quickly subscribed by those present. Mr Urquhart was appointed secretary and treasurer, and was authorised to send out subscription list as speedly as possible. He was also requested to write to Messrs Hancock & Co.. and L. D. Nathan & Co., asking these firms for a donation. It was resolved that the next meeting take place at the Palace Hotel on the following Tuesday. Since the meeting lists have been issued with a, so far, satisfactory result. MORE INJURY IS INFLICTED «. By drastic purgation than any other of the ill judged means resorted to by the unlearned. Cast them all aside and take Wolfe's Schnapps.