OHINEMURI.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3700, 3 November 1880, Page 2

OHINEMURI.

(FJtOH A COBEESPONDENT.)

Paeboa, 2nd November, 1880.

The report by "Bridget" of'the supposed church opening in Paeroa was a very good thing in its way—rather hard, perhaps, on the ministers of religion. While we think they ought to visit us more frequently, we must acknowledge the apathy displayed by the Ohinemuri residents to church services-—the bulk' remain away either mastering their lire stock or attending to some other branch of business. Ministers need encouragement, and a well filled Church is... what they desire, and in this place ought ■ to hare. We hare now, and since last summer hare had, a monthly service conducted by Mr Jaynes ot Auckland, a very able, earnest and worthy preacher. - Who of the Thames ministers will try to fill up the vacant Sundays P Our Catholic neighbors deserre credit For their zeal in spiritual affairs, their Her. pastor, Father O'Eeilly, of the Thames, visiting them frequently, and conducting serrice on each occasion. As usual they are ahead of their Protestant neighbors, for they hare already secured a beautiful site for a chapel, and hare collected about £150 towards building the same, to be commenced at an early date. With the near prospect of a goldfield -, being opened at Te Aroha, it becomes our County Council to take immediate steps to complete the road from the Hot Springs to P.ieroa, so that a conveyance may ply on the road. Many would thus be benefited, whereas the present means by steamer 19 slow and expensive, and prevents many from visiting the district that otherwise would if they could arrive at Paeroa by steamer and bo driven overland to Te Aroha. Our Council have not as in the Xomata a native difficulty to push forward; and, besides, the money sufficient for the work is in hand, some £7C3, we are informed, of the grant of £2,000 for this road, and we know if not spent soon on the road it will find its way out of the Bank and into the pockets of officials and Councillors in expenses and travelling allowances. The sooner then' it is spent, the better for two good reasons, to connect us with Te Aroha, and thus prevent the money being frittered away in the Pollen street office. If roads are not at once made connecting us as above, the trade will go via Auckland to Hamilton. Your correspondent, in order to save time, intends going to Auckland this week, but he c*n reach his destination quicker by riding over to Hamilton in time for afternoon train to Auokland.