Rotorua

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 15, 15 April 1909, Page 579

Rotorua

(From an Occasional Correspondent.)

April 8.

The programme prepared for St. Patrick's Day had to be abandoned owing to rain setting in. Elaborate arrangements had been made, as weather indications pointed to it being fine. "However, after eight weeks of hot dry weather St. Patrick's Day was ushered in with a drizzling rain, and in spite of this a large number of people assembled at the wharf to take part in the picnic and sports arranged for at Hamaurana. The promoters, however, agreed to abandon the outing, and give the children a picnic at the convent school. A committee of ladies and gentlemen laid themselves out to eutertain the little ones, and as the rain cleared off at noon sports were organised and carried out in the afternoon. Proceedings were brought to a close at 6 o'clock, after spending a very enjoyable and to the children a very profitable day. A social took place at the Assembly Hall in the evening, and despite the fact that there were a number of counter attraction s in other parts of the district, the function was a pronounced success, both socially and financially. On Easter Sunday Rev. Father Patterson, of Auckland, will officiate in the absence of Very Rev. Dean Lighbheart and Rev. Father Wientjes, both of whom will be absent in other parts of tlie mission. Dean Lightheart is to be present with his Lordship Bishop Lenihan at a large Maori meeting ab Tokaanu, -which is being convened by the greab Catholic chief Te Rcuheu, of thab place The meeting, I understand, has been circularised as one at which an attempt will be made to solve the Maori land problem, and for this purpose the Governor, Prime Minister, Ministers of the Crown, and the leading chiefs throughout the Dominion have been invited to attend. The Easter tourist season opens this week, and a large influx of visitors is anticipated. Already accommodation at the numerous boarding establishments is well-nigh taxed, and, notwithstanding that several new houses have been erected, excursionists will have to take shakes-dow-n. The Railway Department lias put on a special to leave Auckland 011 Thursday night, returning on Easter Monday night. This train invariably carries a large number of excxirsionists, and it is an amusing sight to witness, though an embarrassing position for those concerned, those early morning trippers hunting for lodgings, through not engaging their rooms before arrival. It has often been matter for wonder that the Government has not in the past catered for emergency accommodation, as cases have been known of excursionists having to avail themselves of the railway carriages.