(From the D. S. Cross.)

Waikato Times, Volume VIII, Issue 475, 5 June 1875, Page 2

(From the D. S. Cross.)

The weather has Been d'readful/Vfe^e houses and make-shift residencies at Paeroa and Mackaytown suffering severely. The large canvas building, used formerly as the Warden's Court at Mackaytown, has been laid prostrate. The- river is flooded, and traffic stopped, but the new road being passable for pack-horses, the inconvenience is lessened. The fearful state of the weather proves the necessity of providing a foot-bridge, say at Puriri, which could be erected at ill o cost. It is suggested to get up a concert to provide funds. There has been quite an exodus from Measletown. All hands going to the upper camp. A good strong hole shewing gold has been struck, but owing to the locality being in dispute the precise spot is not made public. In the Buona Ventura claim fair prospect have not been obtained from a leader, varying from 10 , inches to 'many feet wide, in the face of a bold cliff 200 feet high, to the south of the prospectors', and nev.v the Crown claim. Very little work is being done anywhere. Tauranga, Wednesday. The body of the unfortunate gentleman named Gilftlkn, drowned in Rotorua, has not yet been recovered. • r "* The "Bay of Plenty "Times," in a leader this morning, advocates the adoption in the district of the deferred payments system of land purchase. Rewi's meetings with the Tauranga natives is postponed till to-morrow. • Thames, Wednesday. The 5 tons from Waiomu have been tested by the battery, but the return from the retort is not a payable one. The Inspector of Mines, Captain Goldsmith, proceeds this day to Tairua officially to inspect the ground and report upon the several cases that have been brought within the Warden's Court,, more especially the water-right cases. The several parties interested will likewise proceed to the spot, and endeavour to shew they have the best right to possess the disputed claims. The waterworks supplying the Thames townships were formally handed over by the Provincial Engineer to Mb; Worship the Mayor, on behalf of the Borough (Jo-uncfl, on the Ist instant. Major Keddell, in company with Inspector Ihompson, arrived from Auckland last night. The Court of Enquiry respecting the Ohinemuri miners' rights was to have sat yesterday ; but owing to the telogratn received from Mr Mackay, announcing the decease of his father at Nelson, and his inability to be present, the Court did not open, and now stands adjourned till such time as may be notified. Christchurch, Wednesday. The " Lyttelton Times " has just received impor.

On Thursday evening*, tea and entertainment was given by tt^good^PeAplara &? < Waikato, in the Court wjls placed at ijieir I disposal by the kindness, of tlie Resident Magistrate. >P r lW w k °f people^ la ! rge airfsraall, partook of the pake, bunp, antf bread and^ buiter, provided. T&b arrangements for feeding were the moat perfect that could be 4ntieipkt'e# under the oircSuinstance. After all had been, refreshed the tables were cleared away, and- preparations" made' for the after proceedings. When all was prepared there was no chairman. Capt Steele, who had promised fco take the chair not having arrived from Auckland. Mr Holloway, after some delay, was induced to assume the position of ( the absentee. He, in a very few words, asked a favorable reception for all who had volunteered to come forward to amuse them, in order to forward the good cause of temperanoe. The entertainment commenced with the singing of the eighth ode in the book of Good Templars. Miss Knox addressed a few words to the meeting, she said that she had been grossly maligned when first she - came up, she was not an advocate for women's rights. She had come to the Waikato because she felt that it was her duty to do so. She had been elected by the Giand Lodge to come to the Waikato, aud having maa^a promise she was compelled to fulfil it. She used many_oi the stock arguments on Good Templary withiwrhich'W tflws tira^all ar^famjßar with. She concluded by rbjfeatfcfeg sOToe po^t^y, we believe forms a portion of the ifaual of therOrder. A Quraber of songs followed, thVsingers being accompanied by Mr Lane on the piano. The Rev Mr Smith delivered an address which was deservedly listened to with attention. He pointed out that for the sake of example every man should be a total abstainer, if not a Good Templar. He was of opinion out that men gradually subsided from small drinkers to habitual drunkards. The habit grows upon them imperceptibly. He stated that there were 600,000 drunkards in Great Britain, 60,000 of whom died yearly, One hundred millions was spent annually in drink, the chief sufferers from the trade being women and children. The disease of drunkenness seized the most talented men, and it was a pitiable sight to witness their downward career. The programme which was religiously carried out, contained a long list of songs, recitations, <fee. The proceedings terminated with votes of thanks to Mr Searancke, for giving the use of the room, the Chairman, and" others who had so kindly lent a helping hand, including in their number Mr Loftus Lane, the pianist, and Mr Morris, who grataitiously lent the crockery used on the occasion. It is needless to say that the National Anthem was sung before parting. All who attended went home well satisfied with their evening's entertainment.