THE HOT LAKES CHRONICLE AND Tourists' Journal. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1897. LOCAL NEWS AND NOTES.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 5, Issue 220, 20 February 1897, Page 4

THE HOT LAKES CHRONICLE AND Tourists' Journal. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1897. LOCAL NEWS AND NOTES.

"Jubilee."—Your letter will appear in next issue. Messrs Steele Brothers have a four roomed cottage to let in Pukuatua St. The Spa Coaching Company announce a further reduction in the fares between Rotorua and Taupo. Mr L. D. Nathan left London on Thursday last by the steamer Polynesian for Sydney. The Magistrate's Court sat until a late hour last night. We regret that the exigencies of space compel as to hold over a report of the proceedings till next issue. " Liberty " the journal of the National Association has suspended publication. It may be only for a month or two or it may be for ever. It will depend on the amount of support promised. The offertories at the morning and evening services at the Church of England tomorrow will be devoted to the purposes of the Diocesan Fund. A special sermon will be preached in the evening by the Vicar. A notification by the Railway Department in another column sets forth that, the line from Pntararu Junction to Lichfield will be closed on and after the Ist ..larch next, after which date Putaruru will be the station for Lichfield traffic. At a meeting of the School Committee on Tuesday night it was decided to vote for Messrs Bagnall, Hobbs and Reed as members of the Board of Education. The Committee meet next Tuesday for the transaction of general business.

Bishop Lenihan, of Auckland and the !<<-v Father O'Moore of Melbourne arrived in Rotorua on Monday last putting up at the Grand Hotel. The Bishop returned to Auckland on Friday but Father O'Moore remains for a few days longer. Mr Grattan Iticrirs. th° well known comedian and theatrical manager, is at present, in Rotorua taking a course of the baths. The veteran' has enjoyed but indifferent health of late and we are glad to know that a marked improvement has ta'iten place in that respect. Mr Riggs is staying at the Palace Hotel. Wo are in receipt of a copy of the Official Year Book for t896 compiled by Mr E. J. von Dadelszon. In a wor< of this sort complete accuracy could scarcely be "expected, hut we think a little more sare might have been exercised in revising those sections relating to the Rotorua Sanatorium l and the newspapers of the jolony. The concert in aid of the Indian Fa-» uiinc Relief Fund' which took place in the Sanatorium Grounds last night was, in spite of (he threatening aspect of the tveathor, an undoubted success. Both Bands were hi attendance and discoursed iomc excellent music. The vocal part of the entertainment was much above the iverage. A choice selection of oil paintings by Mr C- Blomfield may now be seen at the' Dmtoxirr.K Office. They comprise- views n this neighborhood, Wairakei, Whaka•owarewa, &c, and from their faithfulless and attention to detail are well ivorth Dhe attention of lovers of art. In iddition to these there are a number of water color sketches suitable for birthday >r Easter Cards." Mr J. Shaw and family,- after a lengthy sojourn amongst us which wasunfortunitely prolonged through the illness of he genial "Chief," took their departlre for Auckland, on route! for Australia, >n Wednesday hist. Mr Shaw is alwaysi welcome visitor here both by reason of uis bonhomie and his generous sympathy ivhen occasion demands it. Wc wish him vvcry success in the political campaign into which we understand he is about to inter on his return to Westral'ia. Mr J. I. Philips, well known throughout this district in connection with various surveys and now of the firm of mining engineers and mining and land transfer surveyors which bears his name is at present staying at the Geyser Hotel, Whakarewarewa, recruiting his strength after several months of very arduous work. We have no doubt that "the beneficent waters of Whakarewarewa backed up by the pleasant surroundings of the Geyser House will soon make Mr Phillips feel " his own man" again. Constable Murray, as Clerk of Court, has been appointed deputy - registrar for this district under the " Registration of Peoples Claims Act " passed last session. The object of the Act is simply to obtain information in view of establishing an old age Pension- Fund. Constable Murray will receive claims from those who are over 65 years of age, whose income does not exceed £OO per annum, who have resided in the colony for 20 years prior to October, IS9G and for three years continuously preceding that date, and who have not been absent from the colony for more than 18 months during the lb years prior to tho above mentioned date. Claimants must prodace evidence as to their eligibility and in tho absence of such corroboration then claims may be rejected or postponed by the deputy-registrar. When the returns are complete and laid before Parliament it will bo for tho House to decide whether it, will be justified in establishing an Old Age Pension Fund. The time foi receiving claims has been extended t< I April 30th.

The necessity for extending the coolin; tank in connection with the Ruche Spring was brought before the Towi Board at Thursday's meeting. Th tank has been inspected and it had beei unanimously decided that an extensioi of the tank was necessary in order t< pive a proper supply of water to tin Women's Swimming Bath, and to providi for its being cleansed at short intervals It was proposed to extend the existing tank-loft back in the direction of the spring and an estimate made showed the worl could be done at a cost of £llO. Mi Reanoy had been written to requesting him to communicate with the Government in the matter. It had at the samt time been decided to take steps to procure a supply of town water for the Postmaster Bath of sufficient volume foi douche purposes. It was estimated that a 2in. pipe from the main could be pul down at a cost of £l2O. Last Sunday at the Exchange Hall, Wellington the Rev. F. 11. Spencer presided at two services held in connection with the Evangelical section of the Church of England. In a few explanatory remarks prior to the sermon at the evening service, which was conducted on Church of England lines, Mr Spencer laid down the policy of the Evangelical party, and proclaimed its five leading features to be as follows : —(1) The absolute supremacy it assigns to Holy Scripture: (2) the depth and permanence it assigns to the doctrines of human sinfulness, the corruptness of human nature ; (.'>) the importance it attaches to the work and office of Jesus Christ ; (4) the high place it assigns to the inward work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of man; (o) the importance it attaches to the outward and visible work of Jesus Christ in the heart of man. Tiie rev gentleman enlarged upon the doctrines of the Evangelical Church under these he-ads, and announced his intention of starting a branch of the Church in Wellington. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning Lieut.-Col. Roberts gave his decision in the charge of illegally netting fish preferred at the instance of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society against 1-1 natives. Mr Humphreys appeared for defendants. Col. Roberts said that it had been contended for the defendants that the Treaty of Waitangi secured to the natives the right, of fishing and that these rights were preserved to them by certain Acts of Parliament. They also claimed ownership of the land on each side of the Ngongotaha stream where the alleged offence occurred, to the foreshore of the lake and, presumably, to the stream itself. His Worship was of opinion that the Treaty of Waitangi could not bo set up. That treaty was only intended to secure to the natives the rights of fishing which they possessed at that time—that is to the indigenous fish The Acts of hS?7 and ISS4 did not extend those rights but merely preserved them to the natives. He considered the question of a claim of title raised insufficient to oust the jurisdiction of the Court. lie dismissed the information as tgainst seven natives and convicted Hie other seven who were fined 40s each ind costs. Col. Roberts further stated that he had only inflicted the minimum penalty, the maximum was £SO. Mr Sumphreys staled that as this was a most rive formal notice of appeal. Anaha Te Rahul then rose and stated on behalf of he natives that they would assuredly rppeal to the Supreme Court. THOSE WHO ARE MISERABLE, [listless and debilitated are offered this nedieine—Wolfe' Schnapps—and we asicrt it will entirely re-establish them' in tealth.