THE AROHA NEWS AND UPPER THAMES ADVOCATE.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 42, 22 March 1884, Page 2

THE AROHA NEWS AND UPPER THAMES ADVOCATE.

*Thi.° abovo all — to thine own-self bo true And it mu->t follow as the night the day, Thou canot not then be false to any man.' — Rhakesppure.

SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1884.

In this issue we publish a letter from a correspondent with reference to the baths at the Hot Spring. Whilst wo cannot, and do nofcgo the length our correspondent doc? with respect to the neglected state of these baths, Still we well know there is very great room for improvement, and think it is high fine some steps were taken to have them more satisfactorily looked after. For the information of our correspondent and readers generally, wo append th«* following 1 particulars :—: — By an order, in Council, bearing date December 12th, 13<S2, the following gentlemen were constituted the Te Aroha Hot Springs Domain Board — Messrs C. S. Stafford, H. E. Whituker, T. W. Carr, G. Lipsoy. and E. F. Eochc Meetings wi.'ie to be held monthly.

Since Mr Carr left the ilistiict we believe Mr T, Wells was nominated to take liis nlace. Under Section 10 of "The Public Domains' Act, 1881," the Te Aroha Hot (Springs Domain Board ai-e empowered to make and enforce such bye-laws, orders, and regulations as they may consider needful for the management, preservation, and disposition of the Hot Springs Domain, and al«o have control over all persons using and frequenting same. Such power having been delegated to said Hoard by an order in Council already referred to. With regard to the £200 for the still further improvement of the hot Springs, we may state that although the money is certainly promised by Government, still it is a conditional promise, and the money will not be available until certain improvements are actually carried out that have been recommended by Mr Gordon, Inspecting Engineer. This* £200 is promised on the distinct understanding that this payment is final, and that any further expenditure will have to be locally providedfor. Mr Gordon speaks favourably of the bath-house lately erected. With regard to the reservoir for supplying the new bath and the cold springs that were cut in constructing same, thereby lowering the temperature to about lukewarm, Mr Gordon says " The hot springs arc within an area of 9 feet wide by 14 feet long at one corner of the reservior, and will require to be separated from the cold water springs. This may be done by a concrete wall surrounding the hot springs having the foundations sunk down about one foot below the level of the bottom of the reservoir, and alongside of the concrete wall that is sunk below the level of the floor to have clay well punned on each side." Mr Gordon states that there are two hot springs in a small gully near the reservoir which can be utilised and brought into it without much expense. HU advises the present available bath house being made more comfortable, and that the northern-most hot pool, known as the old bath, be improved by constructing a close-boarded fence around it with a lean-to shed on one side, with four compartments for people to dress in. The large baths to be used by gentlemen, and those in the bath-house kept for ladies. The whole of these improvements he estimates could be earned out for £200. Since the Domain Board have had the supervision of the Hot Springs, attempts have been made to collect contributions to keep the baths in order, but we understand have not met with much support. The Board have, therefore, abstained from framing bye-law* for the management of the baths. &c, until sufficient money was acquired to allow of making the new bath-house available. When this work and other improvements are completed, it is the intention of the Board to appoint a caretaker to look after the baths, and collect fee* from all persons using same, which arrangement we hope will satisfy our correspondent. At their next meeting the Board will call for tenders for the work contemplated, and no doubt this would have been done before now, were it not for the unavoidable absence of several of its menibuis.

The correspondence published in onrlnst issue re local postal arrangements, we arc glad to be able to inform our readers has quickly produced good results. The local postmaster, with the approval of the Chief Postmaster, has consented, whilst the mail coach arrangements remain as at present; to have the mail arriving via Hamilton after 8 p.m. sorted into private boxes by 7 a.m. next mo ning. and the lobby door will be opened at that hour. Private box-holders will therefore have the great advantage of being able to obtain their letters and have time to reply by 8.30 mail for Thames same morning. This is one step in the right direction. The new arrangement was started Tuesday last.

At the public meeting, held on the Hill at Bowen^ Board ing-hon^e, convened for the pm pose of taking- the necessary steps for obtaining a branch post-office, the following 1 resolution was carried unanimously — " That in the opinion of thU meeting a branch post-om'ee is urgently required in the immediate vicinity of the mines at Diamond Gully, and 'th.it J. B. Whytc, Esq., M.H.R., the meml)er for this district, be solicited to forward a respectful requisition for the same to the lion. 11. Oliver, Postmaster-General, at 'Wellington, and that copies of the Te Arolia News be sent likewise." Durirg the proceedings, the Chairman, Mr Carew, explained to tlw meeting that the custom in such cases was to obtain the regulation printed former of petition to the Chief Postmaster, and to return it to the office signed by the petitioners. But this form having already been gone through with, and after much procrastination resulting only in a refusal, the meeting considered it useless to go over the same ground again and occasion additional delays. The Te Arolu Band of Hope hold their next meeting in the Wesleyan Church on Tuesday evening next, commencing at 7 o'clock sharp. Several Waiorongomai friends will assist, and a very interesting and pleasant evening is anticipated. The American Evangelists conduct scr vices in the Public Hall thrice on Sunday, viz., at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m. On Tuesday evening lasc the monthly meeting of the Waiorongom.ii B.imJ of Hope w.is held in the school- loom, Waiorongom.ii. The Rev. (i. T. Marsh-ill in the chair. Theio was a very large attendance, and the programme, consisting of readings, lecitatious, dialogues, songs, In— terspeised by two or thiee short addivases, was most creditably carried out, and a very pleasant evening spent. Pressure on our space after the report curie to hand precludes our giving a more lengthened notice. Next meeting is fixed for Thursday, Apiil lOth. Sir Oeo"ge Grey, Tawhiao, find Rewi have signed the pledge. ;md put on the " small bit of blue." More to follow !

The Amciiean F.vnn ßelists will hold meetings every night next week We tire obliged to hold over till next issuo n report of Mrs Phelps' address on the temperance movement delivered in the Public Hall un Wednesday evening 1 last. A representative eleven of our local cricketers took their departure for Hamilton carlv this morning, to meet the Hamilton learn to-day on their own ground. The names of the Aroha players are — Messrs Pav.itt, Fenton, Fratcr, Parker, Bceson, Smith, Hawkins, Stcole, Lawless, Quinlan, Trude, and Fra/.er (emergency). The largest and most perfect plant of woodworking machiueiy in the colonies is that of the Auckland "Timber Company. Immense stocks of seasoned timber and manufactured goods enable them to give best value and great despatch. The proposed cricket match between Aroha and Cambridge has fallen through, Mr Burgess having received a (collect!) telegram f 10m the captain of the Cambridge cricketers to the effect that they would be unable to get together a team to play Arolui. St. Patrick's Day was observed as a general holiday in Te Aroha, and the streets wore a most deserted appearance, nearly everj'bod}' being "out of town." Some proceeded to the Thames to be present at the regatta ; others went on picnic excursions, whilst a large number proceeded by coach and horseback to Paeroa Kaces. The day was fine without being too warm. A Press Association telegiam to the Auckland Herald says : — List session the House of li'epresentatives, on the motion of Mr. E. G. Wright, ordered that there i be laid on the table a return, showing the several amounts received under the headings wool, timber, grain, merchandise, minerals, firewood, parcels, doirs, horses, cattle, and sheep, which made up the total sum of £403,42') 2s 2, given in the return No* 4, attached to the Public Works Statement. The preparation of this return was commenced in the middle of November, and since then eight clerks have been continuously employed upon it. It is now approaching completion, and covers np\\«uds of 14,000 double foolscap sheets, specially printed and ruled for the purpose. The Wellington Post says :—": — " As showing how the new railway tariff will work in comparison with former rates we may instance the cost of conveying goods under Class X' For carrying such goods 10 miles the new charge is 4s 4d per ton, as against 3s Gd in 1883, 4s Gd in 1880, 4s 7d in 1878, the charge under the old Canterbury provincial i ate being as now, 4s 4d. For 20 miles the new charge is 6s, as against 4s 4d in 1883, but us against 7s in 1880, Gs 8d in 1878, and 6s 4d the provincial scale. For 50 miles the now rate is 10s 2d, as against 6s lOd in 1883, but as ng.iinst 12s lid in 1878, and 11-5 lid under the provincial tariff. So that while there is a considerable increase over the ruinously low rates of last year, there has been no reversion to the higher rates of 1878 80, and even the much landed provincial tariff of Canterbury has not been fully reverted to. So there is no jr.st ground of complaint on the score oi excessive charges under the now scale." Operations at the railway bridge are prog; easing apace, and the whole of the timber woik from the outer pier of the tmn-table spin to the western end of the 'stjueture is tapidly approaching completion. Owing to an unforeseen cirenm>t ihcc, a iitth 1 delay has been occasioned m the consti action of the piers foi the suing- portion of the bridge. The scour caused by the coffer-dams having there di opcriud ih" bod of the river, it has been con-.idrifd advisable to commence the contrite foundations at a lower depth than was at first thought to be necessary. Before this alteration could be carried out ceitain preliminaries had to be gone through, and the sanction of the chief official at Wellington obtained. Mr Reid is in daily cxpectilif n of the necessary instructions to proceed with the work as now proposed, and will lose no time in making a fresh start as soon as these, instiuctions Inve been received. A rather serious accident happened at W.iiorongomai on the morning; of St. Patrick's Day to a lad of 1G or 17 named Edward Tiainor, who was employed «t the Battery Company*, woiks. In attempting to catch a horse he either slipped or fell, or was knocked down by the animal, which in passing over him stiuek one of his legs causing a fiacturc of the limb. Surgical aid was at once proem ed, and Dr Buckby did all that could be done for the sufferer. It was deemed advisable hovever to have him icmoved to the hospital at the Thames', and he wn" accoidingly biought in to To Aroha and sent down by the steamer on Tuesday morning. We understand he is progressing favourably. On Wednesday evening next the American Evangelists will hold another meeting in the Te Aroha Public Hall, in furtherance of the temperance cause. Mrs Phelps has promised to give still further particulars of what Ins been accomplished in America by women, who banded themselves together for the purpose of suppressing the di ink traffic, from the effects of which so many of their homes lnd been made to suffer so greatly. Mrs Phelps is an eloquent speaker, downright in earnest, and all who heard her wry interesting and instructive address last \Vclnesday evening will, we are sure, try to bo present isgain, and bring their friends with them. Much interesting information will be given, Mrs Doiman will sing. Mrs Phelps hopes to see the ladies well represented, and will during the meeting specially address them. A Native Lands Court will be opened at P'loroa on the 26th inst., for the purpose of dealing with certain lands in the Ohinemuri and Te Aroha Districts. We would draw the attention of mine managers and others to the advertisement appearing in other column from the Battery Co., offering to ciush tiial parcels on application to the manager, VVaiorongomai. The entertainment given in the Public Hall on Monday evening last was by no means a success. The attendance was very small. We have received from Mr W. E. Mean, the well-known book and music seller, of 198, Queen {•tieet, Auckland, the Christmas number of " The Colonial Musical Cabinet," ulso Christmas number of the" Australian Musical Magazine." Both contain a varied selection of songs set to music for the pianoforte and very well got up. I'rice of either Is 9d, post free. Mr Muars biippliod books or music of any description

to order, nncl always lias u large -selection to choose from. Members of tlio Library Com'initteo nre requested to meet in the Heading room this evening- at 7.30. It was inudveitonlly stated in our report on the now railway station last issue that " none of the front allotments in Bridge street will be required"— this should read' " none of the front allotments in Bridge street 'above' Mr Raid's house, that is to say 'above' Lipscy street, will bo roquired. The Kcv. Thos. Sp.irgeon, of Auckland, with some friends, paid To Aroha a flyingvisit this wcok. They arrived from the Thames on Wednesday evening by the s.s. Patiki about 7 o'clock. Paid a visit to and enj* yed a «.Mp in the hot baths soon after arrival. Next morning about six o'clock they proceeded to Waiorongotnai ; left Cor Tlfames in one of Bradloy and Oo.'s buggies at 9.30. It is to be regretted that urgent business matters precluded a longer stay. The party put up at Dobsons Temperance Hotel.