BOTORUA NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9400, 5 January 1894, Page 6

BOTORUA NEWS.

'■'', : ■■■■'>* . * '.'* —';"■*;*' 1 ArJUWßparty of wurists made *W ascent of Mount Tarawera this week, my were , under the care of GaideWarbrick.l i A beautifully cold soda wa^stilnKhaji , made its appearance quite recently at the base of Tarawera ? mountain, jail at the landing place. The, water, whioll la effer- / vescent, is much relished by vjsiKks, e.<m e . 1 pecially on a hot day after a fatigMig climb. Mr. Warbrick has promised to boot a sapply of the water to Rotorua for t\\\ purpose ' of having it analysed; * It seems sjmewhat curious to find a cold water spring a the foot of a hot mountain. ' ./., The summer coach service betwejn Rotorna and Taupo, connecting at the latter place with coach to and from Napier, his again been inaugurated by Mr. E. : Ribertaon. There is now a bi-weekly. coach iservice leaving Rotorua every Wednesday an Saturday returning from Taupo every Tlursday and Monday, Now that the train service is within a few miles of Rotorua, purists should not complain of a trip by c ach to Taupo, where the majestic Huka Falftare to be seen, also Wairakei with its v&ley of thermal wonder*. The Crows Nest,\Uke Taupo, and a splendid view, of Kuapdm and Tongariro mountains is ob«ainab», md with but little trouble and small cost a v ß it can be made to the. great geyser at yrak«ikorako, undoubtedly the most martelloas sight in the Hot Lakes district. Agaii, there is the Rainbow Falls, near Atiamuh, wall worthy of an inspection, so that altogether the neighbourhood of Taupo and Vlairakei offers much to those paying them a vfeit. Mr. J. H. Taylor is havinga buildilg 24 by 36 erected, near to Mr. W.Roger's store, on the main street. When finished, tie new building will be used by the proprietor as an auction mart. ■■• . *■ A It is a matter of surprise that maifc from Auckland to Rotorua should still continue to be sent by steamer via Tauranga. There is really no reason or sense in this beingdone since we have the train running to Varukenga, and much could be said why it sfrmld be discontinued. The steamer, through sip-ess of weather or other causes, may not*rloch Tauranga till after the coach had lefttfor Rotorua, as was the ca3e on Saturday list. so that the Auckland mail for Rotorua lid not reacn its destination till Tuesday. Tlis is a matter which should have the attention of the postal authorities without delay. It might be pointed out that some advantage would be gained by the Tauranga peopfc were they to have a mail sent by train, leaving Auckland on Thursday. Letters by this route would be delivered in Tauranga on Friday afternoon. \ The question of erecting three new bridges \ to replace old ones has long been under consideration by the officials connected with the Public Works Department, but no further movement is visible, and thus the rotten structures, literally on their last legs, \ have to do important duty. This is no \ trivial affair that can bear postponing for an indefinite period. Coaches, heavily laden with passengers, have to cross two of these condemned bridges, the Ngongotaha and the Utuhina on the road between Tarukenga and Rotorua, and the drivers are often heard to speak of the danger of crossing them with a heavy load. The planking on the Ngongotaha one is such as to demand immediate attention. The other bridge that requires replacing is en the Waiotapu road. In connection with the recent land sale held here on the 28th ult., a somewhat unusual proceeding was carried out, in the disposal of the Ngongotaha suburban sections as freeholds when they were advertised in the columns of the Herald so recently as the 23rd ult., and classified under the same heading as the sections in the township, which were offered for lease for a term of 99 years. Most of the Rotorua people of course had an idea how these Ngongotaha lands were to be sold, Still that does not alter the fact that the advertisement was misleading. Mr. H. B. Morton, of Auckland, has selected 100 acres of land near Turakenea station, adjoining Mr. W. JDansey's selection. The situation of these lands is very fine, on a gentle slope. They overlook Rotorua Lake, unfolding a grand panoramic scene, embracing Mokoia Island, and steam clouds covering a wide range of country. It is Mr. Morton's intention to erect a large house on his section. The land was purchased from the Government, who have still some available for selection in the same i locality. , The New Year was ushered in with musical honours. The brass band assembled 1 at Brett's Bathgate House, about half-past eleven p.m. on Sunday, and played a number of airs, the members being treated to a i repast of tea and cake by the genial host. The band afterwards marched up to the old township and played there until about half- . past one on New Year's morning. The band ) performance was much appreciated, and was listened to by a numerous gathering. On New Year's eve a dance took place in the Pukeroa Hall, where about thirty couples met and spent a most enjoyable evening. Mr. A. A. Yates officiated ,as M.C. The music was supplied by Messrs. Brady and Samson, violin and piano, respectively. Light refreshments were supplied. The hall was most tastefully decorated with evergreens. The committee are deserving of a word of praise for their successful efforts in providing some recreation for the public ' during the festive season. Considerable dissatisfaction is being given vent to by the . original leaseholders and oc- ■ cupiers of properties in the township on account of the scant courtesy and want of attention shown by the Minister of Lands to a communication that was sent to him on the 25th November, embodying a number of important resolutions relating to the township, and passed at a meeting of leaseholders. On ' the 23rd December, Mr. Corlett, who was chairman of the meeting of leaseholders and others, sent the following telegram to the Minister of Lands :— Received no reply yet to our communication of the 25th i ult. We are anxious to hear from you on , the matter." The reply to this is full of diplomacy, and yet reveals a child-like innocence on the part of the Minister "B. S. . Corlett, Esq., Rotorua,— am directed by the Minister of Lands to say that it is now too late to consider the resolutions forwarded by you on the 25th November as to the sale of the township.--(Signed) A. Barron, U.S., Wellington. 30th December, 1893." It will be observed that the Minister states "it is now too late." Of course it was ; the sale was held two days previous to this, but it was hardly , too »ate had the Minister desired to have considered the resolutions when they first reached him. The Minister of Lands, curti ousl y enough, made certain conditions regarding two blocks in the township wi!;hin about a week of the sale. This was in obedience to a wealthy firm's demands, but the voice of the people was of no avail—" too late. --[Own Correspondent].