DOMAIN BOARD. OHINEMURI. [From our own Correspondent.] Paeroa, Monday.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 348, 6 March 1889, Page 2

DOMAIN BOARD.

OHINEMURI. [From our own Correspondent.] Paeroa, Monday.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Te Aioha Hot Springs Domain Board was held on Saturday evening last. Present : Messrs Gavin (chairman), Wilson, and Ahier. Minutes : The minutes of the ordinary monthly meeting held on January 5 th, adjourned meeting held Jauuary Bth, and special meeting held February 7th, were read and confirmed. There was no correspondence to deal with. Accounts : The following accounts were passed for payment : G. H. A. Purchas (engineering;, £11 16s ; caretaker's salary, £10 10s ; W. Clotworthy, £1 ; carting, 3s. Notice of Motion : xlccording to notice given at last meeting, Mr Ahier proposed that the Te Aroha Brass Band be assisted to the amount of £7 10s per annum to play in the Domain ! for the amusement of visitors. In moving the resolution Mr Ahier said that the Band bad on several occasions played in the Domain without any remuneration, and he thought the Board would be acting legally in granting this small amount to the Band ; however, since the visit of the Minister of Lands, they had to be very careful how they expended the funds, still he thought that if the Government objected to the expenditure, it was only a small sum, and could easily be refunded by the members of the Board . The Chairman said he had much pleasure in seconding the resolution, and believed the expenditure would be quite legal. The Band would be the means of attracting visitors to the Domain. When the Minister oF Lands was in Te Aroha, they were told that they ought to expend all the money in developing the springs, but he was of opinion they could go on expending for years on the springs, and then be no better off than they were now. Unless they provided some amusement, people would not visit the baths, there had been many complaints from visitors of the lack of amusements. He thought the Band ought to be remunerated for playing in the Domain, and he believed the other members of the Board were of the same opinion. Mr Wilson also spoke in favour of the resolution, and thought it would be an attraction to the Domain to have theBund playing there one evening in the week. After some further discussion the motion was put and carried unanimously. Mr Ahier asked if any objection would be offered to the Band removing the stand now on the hill, to the lawn, and said the Band would do the work themselves. The Chairman thought there was no objection, and it was resolved to leave the matter in the hands of Mr Ahier to have carried out. Half Holiday : On account of Te Aroha race meeting being held on Saturday next, it was resolved on the motion of the Chairman to close the baths on that day from 12 noon to G p.m. This was all the business.

For some considerable time past it has been well known that affairs at the Waihi G.M. Co's property have not been going so well as it could be wished. However, on Tuesday the whole of the men employed about the place left, with the exception of five. I understand that from some cause or other the machinery erected at such an enormous cost is not found to work satisfactorily, and that the management intend to revert to the old stamper battery process. Mr D. H. Bayldon has been surveying for a waterrace and I believe 28 head of stampers are to be put up. The quartz on hand is all of very fair quality, and the failure is simply in the working of the machinery. Mr Fredrick Smeaton, the assayer for ths Crown Mine Company, has arrived at Karangahake from Scotland, Mr W." T. Firth made a trial of his irrigation plant on Tuesday last at Kennedy's paddock. The result was a most unqualified success. Over 150 tons of water were lifted in five hours, filling the channels and doing all that was required. Mr Firth with his assistants, Messrs Aicken, Williams, and Geaney is now irrigating a crop of potatoes at Oratito. It is quite on the cards that a milk condensing factory will be commenced here by this enterprising gentleman. Mr D. R. Flavell, teacher at Owharoa. and Mackaytown, has had to apply for three month's leave of absence as he has been suffering from an acute attack of melancholia. A new teacher will probably be appointed by the Board of Education this week.