The Aroha AND Ohinemuri News AND UPPER THAMES ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1886.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 169, 11 September 1886, Page 2

The Aroha AND Ohinemuri News AND UPPER THAMES ADVOCATE.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1886.

• This above all—to thine own self be true And it rnngt follow as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.' —Shakespeahe.

In our issue of to day will be found a report of the last meeting of the Te Aroha Thermal Springs Domain Board, and we particularly request all who are interested in the advancement of Te Aroha to a careful perusal thereof. Very little consideration will be required to demonstrate that the Board have, in an exceedingly light manner, granted away two more valuable concessions, to the

total exclusion of all others who might hare applied, and without in any way letting the public know that such concessions would be granted. We would first refer to Professor Oadman's appointment as Hydropathist and Electropathist to the Board for six months. We know nothing whatever against Professor Cad man, but, on their own showing, the Board know very little of him, and before making the appointment apparently took no troublo to make enquiry as to his fitness for so responsible a post, not even asking to see a diploma, or credential, but granted his request right away ; and 'at Mr Ahier's suggestion, Government are to be requested to consider the application favourably. Professor Gadman may be an exceedingly clever man in his own particular line of practi.ce-, but it would have shown no want of respect or courtesy to the Professor? if the matter had stood adjourned for enquiries to have been made, and for further consideration. We are of opinion the Board exhibited a great lack of judgment, and an unfitness for the important position they hold, by making such a responsible appointment in so very offhand a manner, and that, too, in the face of the Chairman's statement " thatGovernment might any day appoint or ! subsidise a duly-qualified medical man ;" for without the shadow of a doubt the appointment made, would interfere with I the appointment of a qualified practitioner. If the Board were to resolve to subsidise if necessary, a medical man, say by £1 a week, and petition Government to give a subsidy of £2 to their one, some arrangement being entered into for the treatment of indigent in valids resorting to the baths, on special terms, or, if unable to pay, free of charge, we consider they would be acting very wisely. It is a matter of the greatest importance both to local restdents and in connection with the baths, tha f - a medical man of known ability shjould be resident at Te Aroha.. Its really a most serious matter that, in order to obtain the services of a qualified medical practitioner one must send a distance of close on forty miles, i.e., to Hamilton, Cambridge, or the Thames. Having regard to the daily increasing popularity of the baths, owing- to the wonderful cures they have already effected, and too crowds of visitors and invalids we may reasonably expect to resort thereto, we consider a really excellent opening presents it?elf at Te Aroha for a qualified practitioner of ability. Considering the many cases of serious illness brought here, we say, it should be the first duty of the Domain Board, in the interests of suffering humanity, for the advancement of the springs, and in the general interests of the place, to make an effort to bring a medical man amongst us, and the knowledge that such was located here, would undoubtedly be an additional attraction to invalids. Should the Board fail to do their duty in this matter, it still remains for the residents themselves to petition Government on the subject. Professor Cad man's appointment, however, is but for six months, and is made subject to the approval of Government. But in the matter of the second concession granted on Saturday last, Government are not apparently to be allowed any voice, it having been granted without being made subject to Government or any one else. We most; strongly disapprove of this latter concession, as exhibiting a recklessness and utter disregard for the feelings of the people, and the interests of the place ; and we consider the Board's action in this matter also calls for an immediate and unmistakeable expression of disapproval from local residents. Anyone, after reading the report of the meeting may well exclaim, well, what next? Of course we are aware the Board were appointed by Government, and do not recognise that they are in any way responsible for their actions to the other residents in the district ; (also it has been stated on, we believe very good grounds, that the first members were all nominated by one man), but we are quite sure it is .not and never was the intention of Government that the wishes of the people should be entirely ignored ; and when such is the case the fault rests with the people themselves, for not communicating with Government direct, as otherwise they cannot be expected to be aware of existing grievances. The granting of the sole right to make use of the interior of the baths for advertising purposes for fire years, done in the hurried way it was (after a similar application had been rejected at the previous meeting, without any notice of motion that the matter would be re-considered, after* another applicant had been written to stating such right would not be granted in the meantime, in the absence of a member who strenuously opposed the granting of any such right, and in response to an application put in and dated the day of the meeting), cannot from any standpoint be approved. It was, too, a most unconstitutional v?ay of doing business* At the previous meeting the resolution put and negatived by the casting vote of the Chairman, referred solely to Brennan being granted the right to utilise the interior of the baths for advertising purposes ; the question as to the erection of hoai dings having been rejected at the very start. Thare was no mention of hoardings at all in the applica tion made by Gerrish, which was not entertained, on the grounds that the Board had decided not to permit advertising within the Domain, and he was prevented from making any further application by the letter sent him, which wo publish. But we would ask, is it not a fact that there stands in the minute book of the Board a resolution to the effectfchat all contracts over £ 5 in value shall be let by public tender ? Is it not

against all precedent in the proceedings of public bodies to pass a resolution at one meeting and negative it at the next, without any notice of motion ? And why was not this application made subject to the approval of Government, as well as Professor Cadman's? We exceedingly regret having to so adversely criticise the actions of the Board at their last meeting, but it is a duty we owe to the residents of this district, and to the many thousands of visitors whom it may confidently be anticipated will visit the these baths long 1 before either term has expired. These baths (from their wonderful curative pioperties), and their management, and further development have become matters of not only local, or even provincial, but of general public importance When the overflow concession was granted away for five years, with right of renewal for a further five years at an increased royalty, without outsiders having the slightest opportunity afforded them to tender, local residents in public meeting assembled, protested in the strongest possible terms against the Board's action; but in the face of that expression of opinion, a little later on the BoarJ, on the application of the lessee, reduced the royalty originally fixed by about one-half, and made the term absolute for ten years, as far as they were concerned. Now, in the face of a petition having been drawn up and signed, to have Te Aroha constittuted a Borough (whether the Boroug n can, or will be formed, or not, is another question, but does not affect the principle involved), these gentlemen grant awaj another sole and exclusive right for five years. This endeavour to tie up for long terms every possible concession relating to the Thermal Springs, so that in the event of the Borough being formed and the management of the Domain handed over to a Borough Council, the latter would find themselves couipletely fettered, should be resented in an unmistakeable manner. Surely it were almost an insult to an intelligent public, to tell them this concession was granted in view of the great pecuniary benefit that would accrue ; for, from that point of view (although Brennan may -thereby be able to, as he hinted himself at the meeting, be in receipt- of a good salary), to the Board under the arrangement made, it must prore a source of constant worry and loss. It seems a truly absurd arrangement that the Board, having just appointed an Engineer at £2 per week, who is expected to devote all possible time and attention to the improvements of the Domain and development of the springs, should grant the right of constant access to the baths, and to go round hanging up | and taking down advertisements, with the engineer trotting after to see that they are neatly and properly arranged, to any one for the magnificent average remuneration of about eleven pence per ! week. If the Board were simply actuated by the desire to increase their funds by the hanging of advertisements ; and supposing for a moment that there were no objections to the adoption of such a course ; then it were far better for them, seeing that they employ a resident Engineer, to hare retained the right in their own hands, and publicly notified they were open to receive tenders for the display of advertisements, say for six or twelve monthly^ periods; all advertisements to be subject to approval. They would thus have the entire remuneration paid by advertisers, and could have discontinued granting the right if found advisable to do so. We are strongly of opinion that even were the remuneration guaranteed £1 per week, any such application should not be even entertained for one moment ; as utilising the baths for advertising purposes will be very repugnant to the feelings of many visitors, and entirely out of place. The natives in a most handsome manner gave these valuable springs for public use, crovernment have granted some £2000 to L3OOO to develope them, and now about forty five acres of adjoining land. • These springs were the means in a great measure of our getting the railway completed to To Aroha, so soon as it was, they have already occasioned the expenditure of large sums of money in our midst, and are to all intents and purposes the birth right of the residents, and we contend than the action of the Domain Board, now referred to, is greatly to be regretted, but must not be tamely submitted to. -A petition should at once be got up requesting 1 the Government not to sanction or permit these, or any other concessions of a similar character, as being inimical to the interests of Te Aroha. At Eotorua, where the baths are solely under the control of an agent appointed by Government, no such concessions are permitted. In thus drawing the attention of local residents to I the matter, we have simply fulfilled a I duty we owe them, it remains with the ' people themselves to either quietly submit, or if they view the matter in the i same serious light that we do, to appeal to Government.

Mr Stratford the new B.M. and Warden for this district is expected to arive at Te Aroha, from Thames this afternoon, and Court will be held on Monday. Usual monthly meeting of Ohinemun County Council lit Paeroa to-day. We would direct attention to the advertisement convening a public moeting in the Te Aroha Public Hall for this evening, to discuss matters of local importance. Two brothers named Me Williams, had a narrow escape of being killed by the explosion of some dynamite they were softening in water over a fire, at Karangahake on Wednesday. We are glad to be

able to state that neither are likely to be the worse for the mishap. Notice was given in a recent Government Gazette under " The , Native Land Laws Amendment Act, 1883,"" that after the expiration of sixty days, dating [ from July 29th, His Excellency the Go vernor will remove the existing restrictions on the land set forth in the accompanying schedule, such land being at present vested in certain aboriginal natives : — All that parcel of -land in the County of Piako, containing 45 acree, 1 rood, 27 perches, being part of Section 15, Block 9, Te Aroha Survey District. Bounded on the north-west by a line, being the production in a north easterly direction of the north-western boundary of Section No. 16 of the said Block 9, 2300 links ; towards the north-east by a line bearing east 51deg 15min south, 2271 links ; towards the south east, by the production of the northern side of Wilson street, and by that street, 3841 links; again towards the north-west and towards the south-west by the said Section No. 16, 1358 links and 1100 links, more or less, as delineated on the plan in the Survey Office, Auckland. This knd^is intended as an addition to the Hot Springs Domain. The'usual monthly meeting of the Te Aroha Public Library Committee was held on Tuesday evening last at 7.30. Present : Messrs Farrell (chairman), Menzies (sec), Holt, Barnes, Mills, and Dobson, Minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. An account for £2 10s 8d for new novels, supplied through Mr Jas. Craig, jun., was passed for payment. Mr H. Barnes (News Office), 'kindly offered to repair the books of the Library free of charge, if the Committee would provide the material. The offer was accepted with thanks, and it was decided to call in all books and cease issuing for one week) viz., from 20th to 27th, in order that these repairs might be carried out, and the books re-catalogued. See advt. The house of Mr John Moffatt, Waitoa, (formerly proprietor of the Te Aroha Hotel, Waitoa,) was completely.dostroyed by fire at an early hour on Monday last. The house was a very neat one of six rooms, enclosed within its own grounds. It was we understand the property of Mrs Moffatt, and insured for £150, with the New Zealand Insurance Company ; the furniture being insured for £100, but this was nearly all saved in good order. The occupants, it is stated were all in bed at the time th© fire was first discovered, and nothing has transpired as to how it otiginuted. It is conjectured it staited in the kitchen, where some clothes had been left to dry by the stove. The only business transacted at the quarterly meeting of the Te Aroha Licensing Committee, which was held on Saturday, was the transfer of license of the Club Hotel, Te Aroha, from Mr Thomas Haywood to Miss Emily Jex. Mr T. Gavin, one of the commipsioners, sent in his resignation, as being now in the employ of the Piako County, Council, as tramway manager, disqualifies him for the position. An application for transfer of license of the Nottingham Castle Hotel, Morrinsville, from Mr R. S. Brown, to Mr S. Barry was granted, by the Waitoa Licensing Commmfttee, at their quarterly meeting, held at Morrinsville on Monday. We are glad to observe that several of our contemporaries, have either published or given extracts from the valuable testimonials respecting the thermal springs 5 ) published in our last issue. We have during the week posted a large number of these testimonials, to all parts, and feel sanguine much good to Te Aroha will result. The monthly meeting of the Te Aroha School conmittee was held on Tuesday evening last. Present : Messrs Vause, (chairman), Ilott, Dobson, Lavery, Chalmers, and Ahier. Correspondence — An apology for unavoidably being absent, was read from Mr G. Wilson (secretary") ; owing to his duties requiring his presence at Thames. It was lesolved that Mr Wilsou be granted leave of absence for next meeting also, (in case he may be away at the time). The chairman stated he had received from the Board of Education, in response to his application, a grant of £1 12s ; being cost of gravel laid down in school grounds. The head teacher reported the average attendance for the past month as 101, being the best average for a long time. Number on roll for the month 137. Mr W. P. Hunt, (Waiprongomai) has been licensed by the Bishop of Auckland, to the office of lay reader for Te Aroha district. One of the bovine species . caused considerable amusement* this week, by walking up the steps leading to the hayloft in the yard of the Palace Hotel, Te Aroha, attracted no doubt by the knowledge (whether practical or instinctive we cannot say) that some very good hay was to bo had, by accomplishing the feat. With some little difficulty, the cow was, bowever, once more placed on terra f irma ; apparently quite indifferent to the remarks I passed upqn her by onlookers. We would direct special attention to j Messrs Alfred Buckland and Co's an- j nouncements of forth coming" sales by auction, as advertised »m this issue, Cambridge to-day, Ohaupo on' Tuesday, saleof furniture, the property of Rev. J. G. Wilson, Cambridge, Wednesday ; and live stock sale at Waitoa on Thursday.

The cottage at Mackaytown used as Government school and teachers resi- j dence, the property of Mr C. Nash, was burnt down on Thursday evening last. It was insured in the New Zealand Go's office for £50. It is believed the tire was accidental. The school property was destroyed, and # the teachor lost goods to the value of Ll2 or Ll5. There is nothing of importance to report from tho mines at Te Axoha and Wainrongomai this week. Work in the New Find is proceeding much as reported in last issue. Retorting will take place about Monday next. The Waiorongomai School Committee at theirlast meeting resolved to enforce the compulsoiy attendance, clauses of the Education Act, within their district. This step has been found absolutely necessary, owing to the very irregulsr attendance of children from several families.