LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Te Aroha News, Volume XI, Issue 1730, 13 April 1895, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

We are pleased to notice that our local postmaster is making rapid progress towards recovery. The work of re-forming and gravelling Wilsons road, WaioYongomai, is being pushed ahead by the contractor, Mr J. Hanks. This road during past winters has been in'a bad state, but Work now being done should remedy this. The men engaged on Thompson’s track are making rapid progress with the work, and should the fine weather continue, another three or four weeks work should go a long way towards completing the job. The Hot Springs Domain Board have decided to prohibit children from being in the reading-room after sunset, unless in charge of parents or guardians. This is a step in the right direction, as hither,to the children have been a source of annoyance to the visitors and residents patronising the room. A notification appears elsewhere from Mr Gerhard Mueller, Commissioner of Crown Lands, stating that Malcolm Robertson, of Gordon Settlement, has applied to the Land Board to transfer his proberty to J. Sheehan, of Paeroa. Messrs-,Hetheringfcon and Co. are receiving their first shipment of new autumn and winter goods to-day. On Easter Monday the Post Office -will be open from 9 to 10 a.m., and again from 7 to 8 p.m for delivery of letters, etc. The large excursion train from Auckland yesterday brought upwards of 400 visitors, who seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves by indulging in hot water and doing the, sights of the town. The Te Aroha branch of the Northern Drapery Company, under the charge of MiBrown, have removed to larger premises, and have taken the shop lately occupied by Mr D. D: Macnicol, Settlers and others should be on the look out for their sensational new price list which will appear in our next issue.

Services will be held in St. Mark’s church both morning’and evening on Easter Day, when appropriate addresses will be given’ and music sung. Any willing to assist in the work of decorating the church will kindly meet; at 2 o’clock this afternoon.

The work of erecting the new school at Waihou is now almost completed. The building is situated on a very convenient spot, and is a great addition to--the appearance of the township. To make 1000 feet of illuminating gas, eight pounds of coal, costing two centß, and four gallons of naptha, costing twelve cents, are required. Capt Pitt, who has been touring the Tauranga district on behalf of Reynolds and Co. expresses himself as highly pleased at the liberal manner in which he was met by the suppliers in that district. The Mayor’offWellington has been making enquiries respecting the possibility of converting the municipal loan, the result of which leads to the belief that the operation can he readily effected with a large saving in interest.

On Sunday next the Eev W. J. Elliott will occupy the’pulpit, morning and evening, at the Wesieyan Church. Mr Elliott needs no recommendation to Te Arohaites as a preacher, having made a good reputation on previous visits here. We bespeak for Mr Elliott good congregations and feel assured they will not be disappointed.

The funeral of the late Mr Jas. Jackson, of Te Aroha West, was very largely attended on Wednesday afternoon. Mr-Devey was the undertaker and conducted the funeral in his usual good form. Long before the time appointed for the cortege to leave the house, the friends of deceased began to assemble in large numbers. Tne procession was composed of 15 vehicles and upwards of 50 horsemen. The ceremony at the grave was conducted by the Eev F. G. Evans, assisted by the Eev T. A. Joughin, in a very solemn and impressive manner. Mr Evans, in a few well chosen remarks, eugolized the high moral character and Christian principle of the decease'!, and impressed upon those assembled the great uncertainty of life. We notice that in the volley-firing ’competition for the Auckland District the Te Aroha Eifles headed the list, the Victoria Rifles being second, and the Hamilton Light Infantry third. These three companies have however, been disqualified, the first two, because they were below the minimum strength when the competition took place, and the third for not firing on the day appointed. The first prize, ,£3O 0s 4d, has therefore been awarded to the A. Battery, Auckland, which was fourth. The Te Aroha Rifles intend bringing the matter before the Defence Minister as they contend there is nothing in the volly-firing regulations to show that companies are required to be above the minimum strength. A somewhat family libel action has just concluded after two months hearing in Melbourne. The plaintiff was Mrs Annie Lange, widow of the late F. C. Lange, of Lange and Toneman, and she sued Dr Charles Bage, of South Yarra, who is her son-in-law. claiming £IOOO damages for slander and libel in asserting that Mrs Lange was not in her right mind, and uuable to control her own affairs. The jury awarded her £750 and costs.

Mr Spencer Von Stunner, who retires after thirty-three year’s service, is to receive full pay to the 30th of June next and afterwards a pensi on of £2OO a year. ExJudge Wilson, of the East Coast, is to succeed to the vacancy created by Mr Von Stunner. The latter it is understood will most likely be a candidate for the Bay of Islands constituency at next election. Lord Hindlip, the retired brewer, pays £3,000 a-year for the privilege of sbooting on an estate in Scotland-. And m London thousands of children, .whose parents help to furnish brewers’ .fortunes, are unable to 'study in school, at which the State compels their attendance, because they are faint from lack of food.