ROTORUA NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8683, 28 September 1891, Page 6

ROTORUA NEWS.

. [by . TELEGRAPH.-—OWN CORRESPONDENT. . Rotorua, Saturday. Dr. Ginders, in compliance with a communication from the Government, started off this morning by special buggy, via Lichfield, for Takahua, where, it is reported, there is much sickness amongst the natives. The land in; and around Galatea ;is attracting the. a,ttenttion.of settlers. i- Several purchases of ■ laud are spoken of as having .been'completed, whilst a'40,000-acro' block is fit-present under offer to the Government. The nativesi'at Galatea are petitioning the Government to make* a road from that place to Napier, a distance .of 35 miles, which would open up a large area of country suitable for general settlement, together with much valuable timber, including totara forests. When this new road is completed tho journey from Rotorua to Napier could be done by coach in' two days, through a very picturesque country. The tourist traffic during the past week ! was 18 arrivals, including two patients for the Sanatorium, and one departure. There are now 35 remaining at the hotels, and seven at the Sanatorium. A children's concert took place in the Schoolhouse on Wednesday last, having been postponed for about a week on account of the death of the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Wills's child. Most of the performers were scholars belonging to the local school, and the manner in which they acquitted themselves reflects the'highest credit on Mr.-Webber and Miss Hyatt, the head and assistant teacher respectively. It must be borne in mind that the duties of a school teacher in a district like this, where there is a mixture of Maori and European scholars, is a more difficult task than in many other places ; still, in the face of -these, the most favourable results are being obtained. Amongst those who took part at tho concert were Maoris and halfcastes, whose acting, reciting, and singing ; met with.hearty approval from the audience. Messrs. Samson, Croker, Williams, Webber, anil Row Mr. Wykes were amongst the "adillts'who took part. Mrs. Ginders kindly presided at the piano. . It is intended to continue these concerts at intervals, the proceeds to go towards the school fund, which was benefited by the last entertainment by. £3 12s. According to Sharland's Trade Journal, " the Government intend forbidding the further removal of sulphur from Rotorua on the ground that this removal of sulphur tends to injure the place as a health resort." It is difficult to surmise that the Government are likely to interfere with an industry that i benefits the district to a certain degree; and so far as injuring the place as a health resort such is not correct. ; Every license is given' to tourists to see " Sodom and Gomorrah" and pick specimens. On more than one occasion the sulphur has been set fire to, destroying more than is likely to be carted way in many months. The place is by no imeans beautiful to * look at, and is never likely to be. , • The Library and Reading Club is at pre- 5 sent in a most flourishing position. The' income for this year is estimated to reach .-fc'lOO. This speaks highly for the management, the institution being a considerable j boon to residents and tourists.