THE AROHA NEWS AND UPPER THAMES ADVOCATE

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 80, 13 December 1884, Page 2

THE AROHA NEWS AND UPPER THAMES ADVOCATE

'This above all— to thine own «elf be true, An ' i' must fnllnw as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.' ShakcCpeare.

SATUKDAY, DKCICMBKU 13, 1884,

. The present arrangements at the, local Post Office respecting the mail service, aie ol the mosi unsatisfactory character I imaginable. We would almost ventureto suv — the worst, in the Colony. As re- . ganls the convenience of the residents. * their requirements appear to have been utterly ignored in the recent alterations, , and ;is a matter of fact we are worse off by far to-day than twelve months ago, . The piescnt state of affairs cannot he allowed to >>o on, and pressure most hi 1 brought to bear on the authorities until more common sense atrangements a % e brought into existence. Complaints lou I ami many are heard on every hand, and we shouM hnve referred to the matter lung since in these columns, were it not that we hope! the authorities would themselves hnve been more prompt to do justice to the reqm'u-meHts <>/ the district Here we have a daily tr.iin between Auckland and jMorriusville, running since October Ist, with a fast daily coach running to and from Waiorongomai and Aroiia and Morrinsville in connection therewith. Only th cc days a week v\e obtain mails by this route, the ■other three days no mads are brought us, and, as far as any advantage gamed with respect to correspondence, we might as w^ll have no daily train at all. Why is this? The only reason wo have heard assigned is that the mail conti actors and Poscal authoii ties cannot agree by £20, as regards the increased subsidy to be given for carrying a daily instead of a tri- weekly mail (as .it present). The contractors, Messrs Bradley and Co., have long since offered to convey the daily mail, provided tne piesenfc subsidy of £4t) a year were doubled, a most reasonable sum, when the state of the roads to be travelled over during the wet winter months is taken into con--ldeiation. For the sake, then, of £,20 a-year it seen q that we are to be done out of any auvantage arising from the expenditure of thousands of pounds in the establishing a daily train senice. The thing is too absurd. We trust that with the new year at latest we shall see the daily mail via Hami.ton established, as it ought to have been long since. A lew months ago we were able to obtain our Auckland letters in time to reply by return nail via Hamilton, closing at 6.30 a.m. following morning. But that, too, has been likewise altered, and although the mail leaves at same hour as formerly, viz., 7 a.m., letters must now be posted by 8 o'clock the previous evening. In other words, the present arrangement means the closing of the outgoing mail (of a tri-weekly service) a few minutes before tl»e incoming mail is due. Letters arriving via Hamiliton lie some thirteen hours in the office before being sorted rt r obtainable by the general public, and a reply to a letter arriving in \roha Monday evening will not be delivered in Auckland before Friday morning, v\ r A.,five days, the distance being about 115 miles, over 103 of which a daily train runs. No doubt the old i ail way time-table will be speedily reverted to )thenew time-table having now been fairly tried and found wanting), by which inward mails would arrive here at 6 p.m. In that case were closing time as before, viz., 6.30 following morning, or, if that does not suit, say 9 o'clock previous night, it would give correspondents a chance of replying by return nnil, which is surely not an unre .sonable request. But there are other matters with regard ,to our Postal arruigements to be referred to yet. Until recently we had a daily mail for Thames closing at 930 each morning. But that, too, has been altered, and letters for Thames can now only be posted three days a week at 10.30 a.m. and 6 p.m. By this excellent (?) arrangement letters reach Thames three days a week too late to be delivered until next morning, and vice versa (the distance being gome 40 miles), and on every day the mails both and from Thame3 ar* kept lying at Paerm about three or four hours. The only reason we have heard assigned for the alteration bein t to bring on any chance. Tauranga correspondence, should there happen 1 to be any such; which there/

very frequently i« not, Wo quite fnil fro see why the residents of Te Arohri, "Waiorongomai, and surronndinjj districts should be put to snrh inconvenience, and onr mails subjected to snch delays for such trivial reasons. Wf A have no desire whatever that our locn 1 postmaster (who we aie sure is desirous of pleasing the publi" and suiting- their conveniohce as far as can reasonably b<» expected) shonM be over worked. Thnt is a matter for the authorities to look after, and to make alterations, if any snch two nece^nry. But without doubt the present most unsatisfactory, and mo<st unrensonable state of tilings ennnqr be allowed to go on, ami united action shordd be nt once taken, nn I a petition forwarded to the proper authorities praying for the alterations and improvements so urgently required.

Pressure on our space compels us this week to curtail our mining; news. A full ' report will be given next issue. j The concert held in the Waiorongonini Public Hall last Saturday evening, passed j off very quietly, only tholodil talent were, brought into requisition. The attendance was not large. A meeting 1 of the Miners' Accident Relief Committee was held at Wuorongomai on Tnepday afternoon, Mr H. H. Adams in the chair. Mr T. G. KennanVs resignation from the office of secretary wns accepted, and Mr Buttle elected j in hib stead. The Waiorongoma* Pnhlio Hall is now fully comp eted and was this week formally handed over by the contractors, Missis Booth and Robinson. We may add that the manner in which the contract : was tviriied out gave the greatest satis-; laition, and reflects ciedit on workmen. '■. We. would draw the attention of our readers to the sale of excellent household furniture, tne property of Mr Lddlaw, on Friday next, and which includes a valuable liuiinonium. Also, a really valuable and highly-bred m;ire with excellent paces, j Particulars will be found in our advertis- i ing columns. : Public meeting in the Hall this evening at 7,30 re po-tal, railway, and Borough matters. On to-morrow Rev. T. J. Wills at Aroha Wesleyan service (11 a.m.; will administer sacrunent of biptisin, and at clost of Te Aroiia West service, 3 p.m., will meet tlu class Cor renewal of tickets. Contributions towards the subscription list taken round by kind friends to z\iifc<) funds on bolulf of the wifj and threj children of the late Walter Adair, havi' been chevrfulh given on all sides, and ;i considerable sum will be the r 'suit, possibly £50 or mnr •. Messrs Ftuzer anvl Gavin have opened a trust account at th » bank where all monies will be lodged. Mrs Adair's brother and sister from Napier arrived this week, and liavo taken her and the children back with them. The subscription li^ts are still open. Visitors to Baths this week : — Messrs John Glendenninj:, F. E. Baume, Dnnedin; Mr and Mrs R J. Lushrr, Messrs F. Marsden, Win. JLind, Auckland ; Miss Nora'i Quinn, Paeroa ; Mit-s Livingst)ne, Messrs 8. C. Macky, S. Mcars, and S. T. Whitehouse, Thames ; Mr and Mrs J. A. Douglass, Waik.itu* It is particularly requested that all members ot the School Committee meet at the Te Aroha School House Tuesday evening next at 7.30. Only three members h.ive put in an appearance at ea,h of the last two meetings convened for the purpose of making arrangements with respect to the breaking up of the school, etc, oonsequsntly no business was transacted. In fact since September last there has been scarcely any business dove, owing to non* attendance of members. We regret to state that on Monday last Mr Btoel, assistant teacher at Waiorong >- umi School, received v. telegram announcing the sudden dfath oi! a younger brothei. Mr Steel got special leave of absence, and set out for Auckland same day. Rukuhia Cheese and Bacon Factory did so well last year that the bank overdraft, was reduced from £721 to £260. The factory is presently receiving 300 gallons of milk daily, and has a large stock of cheese ready for the market. The cheese factory plant for Cambridge has all of it arrived, and a commencement in putting it up was Niade on Tuesday last. Expedition is being made with the work to be ready for cheese making at tho earliest possible date. As will be seen by advertisement in am other column Mr Chas. E. Balcke offers for sale (or to let for a term of years to a desirable tenant) his convenient and wellsitinted shop in Whitaker street, Te Arohti. Since starting in those premises some two years Mr Balcke has done a re:dl\ excellent business in the tobacconist, stationery, and general fancy goods line, with huirclressing saloon attached. ■ The present affords a rare opportunity to anyone desirous of obtaining a business of thin character with a connection. Easy terms could be arranged for. 7he Temperance Hotel, Shaftesbury, is again occupied. Mr K. Y. Cox and family have relumed to their Shu£tesbury» residence , for . ,fche summer.

The proof (nays the Times) thut advertisements tire rend when presented in readable pnpers in a readable mnnnor, is in'the commanding flneoess of business houses which have advertised wisely. The b< at waj f says a correspondent to apply salt to piths, to destroy weed I*,1 *, is a* follows : Boil the salt in wnter, 1 pound to 1 gallon, and apply the mixture boiling with a watering pot that has a spreading rose ; this will keep wieds and worm? uway for two or threo years. Put 1 pound to the square yaid the first year ; afterwards a weaker solution may he applied when required. " Lnrry, my wife nnd I have both noticed flint the townspeople st.ire at us very hard. I hope you have not been telling anybody that wo -.ire newly married ?" "Me tell 'cm, snr ? Is it likely I'd go agin tny expiess order? Why, whinever anybody thryed to pump mo ear, I told 'em you wasn't married at all. ?" The annual revenue of the London '"Times" newspaper from advertisements alone is said to exceed £400,000. It if» estimated that the freehold farm"? in New Zealand are worth 34 millions sterling ; the house and buildings, private and public, 31 millions ; railways, 11 million ; sheep and cattle, 9 mil'ions ; merchandise 18 millions ; making a total of 103 millions sfrrling. Of 371 minister* in connection with the United Methodist Free Ohurches, 300 are pledged abstainers. Dissolution of N.Z. Parliament is expected next year. At a meeting of the Domain Board held , in the Court-house on this day week, present — Messrs Geo. Wilson (chaiiman), A hior -(sec), Buttle, Gavin, and Lipsey. The question of joimn« with the Lawn Tennis Club in the expense of form in-; two tennis courts in tho Domain ground -, was discussed, with the result that it was decided that the funds available just now v ould not warrant their incurring the expense. It was reported the new extra bath in No. 3 bath-house would be shortly completed. Brett & Co.\s tender for the supplying of 5000 tickets for the use of those frequenting the baths was accepted. The caret iker's s.ilary was fixed at two guineas a week. The Chairman and Secretary were authorised to sign all cheques. £85 was stated to be the amount received prior to the oppointment of the present Board. The Secretary was authorised to call for tenders for the formation of an easier grade to No. 2 bath-house. Messrs Thomrv* mand Hurries, of Shaftesbmy, forwarded a really splendid mob of about 30 four year-old steers to the Thames la^t weeL They would probably &V(suiife ,'tl'Out &'wt each. Thin speaks well both for the land, and the general innnn^eHUMit of this farm, which was only taken up about two yeais ago. Most of the land sown down on this property has toi ned out reui.ivk.iblv well. Mr J. S. Buckland off j rod for sale by public auction on Thursda}' last the house and allotment as lately occupied by Mr Wm. Hennett. There were no buyers for th) property, which w.'.k withdrawn. Mr D. J. Fruzer bought a small house and section at Waioron&omai, -md a, small office and section near the Public Hal 1 , To Aroh.i, was withdrawn, both being part of the same properly. Since the arrival of Mr McKay to superintend the erection of the new crushing plant u good deal of work has been done, and the prepar.itorj jobs are being rapidly l»u-hed on. A number of men have been employed in making a track for lowering the machinery from the County road to the site, and in other preliminary works. Several pairs of saw yers are also engag -d cutting timber for plant and buildings, and in another week or two the water races will be completed. The putting of the machinery together will not, wu are informed, occupy much time, as no heavy timber work is required such as that of an ordinary battery, but the break that is likely to occur during the holiday season will tend to retard operations, and it in ly probably be the middle or ' end of Fob before the undertaking will be fairly completed. Work at the railway bridge is progrossing apace, and signs of its early completion are now visible. The concrete portions of all the pier.s may be siid to bo finished, ard a start will presently be made with the swinging part, the timber and a part of the ironwork for which are now on the ground. In six or eight weeks from now it will probably be almost, if not quite, ready for traffic. It will be a matter for regret if, after it is finished there should Im anr delay in throwing it open for public use, but unless the formins: of the earthwork approach at the west cud of the structure is quickly taken, in hand, thip is exceedingly likely to be the ca<e. The starting of that ought to be seen to at once, and we truat there will be no further cause for grumbling about the Lardy completion of a work, which will be of such general usefulness and which is now so much required. Mr, Gibbs, the " lightning shearer" appears to have been eclipsed by Mr W. Munktelow, whose record at Matamatu is about tha best we have seen, la twelve days the total number -of sheep sheared was U 34, and in one day of 9 hours tho tally mitt 150 sheep. The following are the figures tor the twelve days :— 89, 135, 111, 13i, 121,« 128, 119, 120, 127, 90," 130, 150.

The arrangements for carrying out a • direct sleuu. service vyiLh Great Britian. i have now been satisfactorily settled, and i the tint steamer will leave Great Britian and New Zealand respectively on the 20th , inst. Tlie postal difficulty which existed i with the home authorities, respecting the [ despatch of letters, has been adjufctod. ; Mr Booth, the temperance reformer, has ; decided to visit Auckland in January, and i will open his mission in New Zealand with a series of addresses there. The local race meeting next Saturday promises to be a success i'rom the number of entries already received, au'd they are ' expected to be increased by entries for ■ those races that are not handicap ones, as the entries for the open ones close on the 1 JBth inst, The agitation for separation from the Thames County, which has been exciting the minds of Ohinemuri residents for some time pasl, has received what i« likely to prove a doath-blow, the Chairman of the Separation Committee having veceived a letter fiom Government announcing that the prayer of the petition had refused. It is also stated that it was thrown out because the number of signatures was one less than that required, showing that public opinion on the matter has been very evenly nivided. Ohinemuri therefore still remains :i riding of the Thames County. Policy-holders interested in tho election of members of the board of the New Zealand Government Association are directed to an advertisement which appears in another pju*t of this issue. One or two v< ry serious losses have been sustained by flockmasters in the Northern district of Canterbury, in conseq^nce of tile severe weather after shearing. In one case a thousond newly shorn sheep died in one night. Under the provisions of recent legislation, public bodies having control of pounds are required to provide open sheds as shelter for the impounded cattle, from the winter rains and summer he its. This is as it should be, but the wh ole management of public pounds needs revision. The condition in which cattle are sold out of our pounds is often a disgrace to the civilisation of the age. The pounds themselves are many of them trodden kneedeep in mud. The cattle are half fed, and what food they have thrown down to them is much of it trodden into the mud and destroyed, in country districts, where the land is cheap, the pound should stand in a grass paddock from two to five acres, to which the cattle aiKuild hive access and in which there should be a constant supply of water. Legislation needs to go further yet to remedy the evils pertaining to this matter. — Herald. The sen«ntion aroused by the Cambria specimen crushing experiments has now assumed a new phase, and the matter is about to be introduced into the law Court . Mr McLaren, Mining Inspectar, ascertaine. l tint the Auckland branch of the Bmk oC New Zealand, where the stone v/a* treated, possesses no license for its quartz r -dueing machinery, as required by the "Crushing Machineiy and Inspection Act, 1882."' wlu'c'i provides that all such appliances or! tho smallest description shall ba licensed. The goldfields authorities therefore purpose summoning the great banking in stitution for contravention of the law Tie summonses will be served in the course of the next day or two, and the proceedings will be opened iv the Auckland Court. The Bank has for some timj been accustomed to treit specimen- 1 brought from the Success mine at Corom andel, and bus not until now been challenged. — Advertiser. The Te Aroha hot sprigrs are coming into great favour.— Dunedin Herald. The Thames Jockey Club have, as will be seen by advertisement elsowhere, added another event to the programme of the first day's racing at the Summer Meeting, [n addition to the events already announced for Boxing Day, a Maori Novel tfaee for 20sovs., with catch weights, is to be run, | the winner to be sold after the race, and the proceeds to go to the Club.