TE AROHA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1878, 19 July 1884, Page 2

TE AROHA.

[from our own co-respondent.] Te Akoiia, Wednesday. Ik apathy in political malteis can be regarded as a crime, then we as a community must assuiedly be classed amongst the worst offenders in the colony, for in no place within its bounds can less interest have been evinced in what may be termed the present crisis than has been the case heie. With the exception of the meeting at Waiorongomai ten days ago, there has not been the slightest public manifestation of political feeling, and in that particular instance Parliamentary affairs were not brought prominently forward, the questions discussed being almost wholly of local rather than of colonial impoitance. The "let well alone " philosophy lias many disciples here, and though we have in Mr J. B Whyte a iepresentati\e in whose ability and patriotism we may place perfect confidence, it would still have been in a sense more satinfactoiy as evincing a healthy state of feeling had a livelier mtciest been displayed in public affans generally. It is to be regretted that the state of Mr Whyte's health has pie\ enter! him from visiting his constituents pi unto the day of nomination, but it will be a source of general satisfaction if lie can make it convenient to do so before proceeding to take his place in Patliament, and notwithstanding the apathy that has pic vailed, it may be averred thatnowheic will he receive a warmer welcome than in the Aroha poition of the electoiate. A rumour has been afloat for a few days regarding anew district, the locality of which will, it is said, he made known before many weeks ha\ c passed. It is supposed to be situated on the main range southward and some six or eight miles from here but its precise position is as yet only a matter of conjecture and little or nothing is known concerning the prospects that have been got. The conntry in that direction has not been much tried, but gold in small quantities has occasionally been obtained, and it is possible that payable reefs may there exist. The opening up of new auiiferoua country in such near neighbourhood to this could not howe\ er, unless it w ere exceptionally rich, he looked upon at present as an unmixed good, for it would prove rather a hindrance than a help to the developinont of the Waiorongomai field by taking away a portion of the capital and the labour that are so much requiied for its development, and which are only now beginning to bear fruit. Although social matters amongst the regenerated are just now flat stale and unpi ofitable the members of the Band of Hope and the Blue Ribbon Army are making things lively according to their fashion. Last night there was a numerously attended meeting in this township and next week they purpose giving a concert at Waiorongomai to clear off the debt on their harmonium, which was purchased some time ago at a cost of £40. Meetings of creditors in the estates of William Bennett, of Te Aroha, and Edwin Hadfield, of Waiorongomai, are to be held in the Court-house here this ingA stiff gale with heavy rain set in early this morning and the weather is now the reverse of enjoyable, but on the whole the winter, though occasionally rather cold, has so far been a pleasant one in this part.