The Aroha AND Ohinemuri News

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 157, 19 June 1886, Page 2

The Aroha AND Ohinemuri News

UPPKR THAMES A.DVOCATB. • This «b©TC all— to thino own self be true, And it «*ust follow &b the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.' — Shakespeare,

SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 1886.

The Tolcacic eruption in the Hot Lakes District has been the all- absorbing 1 topic of conTersation in this district during the past week. $Tor is this to be wondered at, seeing the terrible loss of life that has resulted. Many who survived th»t dreadful night have been completely ruined financially ; whilst the destruction of the pink and white terraces, one of the wonders of the world, and which haVe been the means of bringing hundreds and thousands of tourists to the <olony, must* be considered a nationnl calamity. But whilst the wonderful terraces ha?« disappeared, the natural peculiarities of the district have been gTeatly multiplied, and greater streams of visitors than ever before will probably be attracted to the scene of the recent catastrophe. The subject is so i fatly referred to from every point of

view in our special supplement of to-day, that further comment here is needless. Te Aroha and its baths hare in no way whatever been affected by the eruption, and are now certain to bo resorted to by larger crowds of visitors and invalids than ever.

To-morrow, June 20th, will mark the fiftieth anniversary of the reign of ou'c Most Gracious Soverign Queen Victoria. Her reign has been truly a remarkable one, and the changes that have taken place therein have been great indeed. Never has England enjoyed such peace, or attained to such prosperity as during the past- fifty years ; whilst the advances made by science and with regard to locomotion and intercommunication generally between the nations of the world, have been truly marvellous. Never, as during her reign, have all de-. nominations enjoyed such civil and religious liberty. If we look back on her life, both public and private since she ascended the throne at the early age of IS years, we cannot but be filled with admiration at the manner, in which she lias fulfilled the varied duties of daughter, wife, mother, widow, whilst ever mindful of her public duties, as Queen and Ruler of so many millions of people. From many loyal hearts and true in New Zealand, as elsewhere throughout the civilised world, will the fervent wish be uttered that she may yet long be spared to reign over us. God Save The Queen.

To-day we issue a special four-page supplement containing a full account of the recent catastrophe in the- Hot Lakes District, whilst on the last page will bo found two illustrations, one representing " Rotorua Township," the other » A Maori Tangk" As tho 'Frisco mail closes at the local post office on Monday next at 7.30 a.m., and many of our readers will be desirous of forwarding to friends in the Old Country a complete repoit of the recent eruptions in a condensed form, such as referred to, we have worked off a large number of exti.i copies, which may bo obtained at the News Oflice, or from the various agents. The prospect of local residents being shortly able to secuie their autonomy is brightening* On Thursday night we received the following very satisfactory telegram from our member Mr J. B, Whyte :: — u Tho new Municipal Bill has passed the Lower House in a foim highly suitable to To Aroha ; only one hundred householders are now "required to biing it into force. Nothing has yet been settled aboutTe Aroha leaseholds, but I hope something will be done shortly." Last week's issue o£. the Aroha & Ohinemuri New--, containing a full repoit of all particulars ihen obtainable le the volanic eruption was completely sold out in a few houis, and many applications for additional copies had to be refused ; whilst the " extras" issued fiom time to lime, during the first few days ifter the catastrophe, containing latest particulars to hand, weie eageily awaited. At tho close of both morning and evening service at the Anglican Church, Te Aroha, to-morrow, the *' National Anthem" will be sung in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the reign of Queen Victoria. We think this is as it should be, and would like to know that in every church all lips and hearts would join irtsinging " God bless our Queen." By telegraph last night we learn that Dillons tender for the Shaftesbury road contract has been accepted by Piako County Council. It will be seen by advertisment, in this issue, on Monday next Mr R. R. McGregor will sell by public auction, the whole of the balance of the stock of Mr Wm. Wilson, storekeeper, Te Aioha. The goods will be sold without the slighest reserve whatever. The N.Z. Schoolmaster, published at Christchurch, still keeps up its reputation as being well got up, and full of useful information, on matters relating to the great question of education. At the monthly meeting of the Thames District Hospital Board, held at Thames, on Monday evening last : present — Messrs Renshaw (Chairman), Greenville, and Walsh, Mr J. A. Miller, solicitor, wrote ' forwarding the reduced estimate of receipts and expenditure of the Hospital Trustees as feigned by Mr Kenrick on behalf of the Commissioners, who stated that they considered the requisition made upon the Board by the Trustees in excess of the reasonable requirements for the current year to the extent of £385, and therefore decided that the estimate should be reduced by that amount, leaving them £2319 ss. In the course of conversation it was pointed out that this viitually meant a reduction of £510, as the first estimate put in by the Trustees was £2829 ss, off which £125 had been voluntaily taken by Board. The demand on the ratepayeis had thus been reduced by the Commissioneife from ,£971 to £778. During the pas>t week,' the weather has been exceptionally cold. The days have been bright and clear, with plent3 r of sunshine, (excepting Wednesday, which was wet), but at night severe frosts, have prevailed, and on last Thursday morning the ranges at the rear of Te Aroha, were covered with snow. The Waiorongomai School Committee, have just let a conn act for the clearing and planting of the school grounds at that

place. Mr P. Carr Las the contract for this work, and the planting of pinus insignis, etc., has been commerced. ' Owing, Aye are informed, to the indisposition lof Mr McLaren, Mining Inspector, Thames, Mr Goo. Wilson, local Mining Inspector, was sent for to take his place for the time being, and left Te Aroha for the Thames pn Saturday last ; where he is still absent , A communication has been received by the ' Chairman of the Ohinemuri .County Council, from the Hon. Minister of Lands, acknowledging receipt of letter, asking for a subsidy of £2 to£l for Bowler's Road. It is requested that a sketch plan of proposed lower drain road, be sent on to Wellington, in oider that Government might see how proposed road would affect Crown Lands in the Waitoa District. A very heavy thunderstorm passed over Te Aroha on \vednesday forenoon, accompanied by several vivid flashes of lightning. Specimens of the volcanic mud, etc., thrown up in such vast quantities by the recent eruption at Tarawera may be seen at the office of this paper. Some which fell on the backs of cattle, having hairs still adhering to it ; tho mud having set hard. In colour it much resembles bone dust, and is of a fine crumbly character. An extraordinery meeting was held in Auckland on Wednesday last, of shareholders in the Woodstock G. and S. M« Co. ;Mr Ganie in the chair. The chairman stated that Mr R. K. Davis affaiis were now in the hands*'of the Official Assignee, but he was assured matters would be fixed up within the next two or tlnee weeks, and smelting commenced. Tho following resolution was carried, "That in view of tho furnace starting within a foitnight from date, no action be taken re treatment of ore at present, but in the event of the furnace not starting at tho time named, that final arrangements be made for treating tho oie at the battery. 1 ' Mr R. C. Jordon announces in tho 13 ay of Plenty Times his intention of holding a sale of slock from tho districts of Opotiki, Whakateno and Te Puke at an eaily dalo at Te Aroha. Satuulay return tickets to Auckland will bo issued from tiny station on tho 23rd, 24th, and 25th June, available foi ictuin up to and including June 28th, in connection with the Auckland Poultry Association's annual show, which commences on the 24th. What should we do without the Irish members ? One of them upset the House of Commons by stating that, in the case of leases of 999 yeais, renewals weie comparatively rare. The local postmaster notifies as follows: Mails for Waikato offices, Auckland, &c, will in future be closed at the Te Aroha post office at 7.30 a.m daily instead of 8 a.m. as hitherto. This change is consequent on the alteration of the railway time-table-. Next English and European mail, via San Francisco, will close on Monday, 21st June, at 7.30 a.m. P.O. Orders at 10 a.m. this tiny. This mail is due in London 28th July. The next English mail via San Francisco is expected to arrivo at Te Aroha on or about Saturday, the 26th inst. The representative of Messrs Stewart, Dawson and Co (the world renowned watchmakers and jewellers), will bo at Te Aroha on 28th and 29th inst , with a large assortment of watches and jewellery ; affoiding a rare opportunity for obtaining first-class goods at low rates. Piako County Council, invite tenders for sledge track at Stoney Cieek. Ohinemuri Ocunty County mak» several important announcements by advertisment, in this issue. Mr J. S. Buckland, announces by advertisement, a series of important sales by public auction. The sale of hoises at Cambridge, to-day, will be exceptionally large ; on Tuesday next, 500 head of cattle will be sold at Ohaupo. On Ihursday next, the monthly sale, at Waitoa and Waihou sale yards, takes place. It is with much regret, that we learn that the Rev. Mr Best, fiora Thames, will bo unable to conduct the Wesleyan services, in this district, to-morrow, as intended, owing to one of his daughter's, being very dangerously ill. The Goldfields Committee have amended the Gold Duty Abolition Bill, so that it shall^ not apply to the North, unless a petition fiom not less than one-half of the holders of miners light bo presented piaying the Government to bring it into operation, and unless amplo public notice is given. We are pleased to able to inform our loaders, that the Hon. Minister of Mines,' has been pleased to grant a subsidy of £2 to Xl,' to, Ohinemuri County Council, as applied for by tHem'to enable them to j co operate with Piako County Council, in forming a sledge track to connect the Piako County tramway, with tho Tui. Estimated total cost being £320. On Monday next a special excursion train will be run from Auckland to Oxfoi d and Lichfield at the low fares of 20s and 15s for first and second class respectively. This will afford an , excellent opportunity for visiting tho Lake Distiict, and no doubt a large number wil^ lake advantage of it.