TEAROHA. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Te Aroha, Wednesday.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1905, 20 September 1884, Page 2

TEAROHA. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Te Aroha, Wednesday.

It was generally thought that this riding, after the unseating of Mr Cooper, would have remained unrepresented in the county council until the icgular election of new members in November, but such is not to be the case. Instructions have been received by the returning officer to proceed with the election of a member to till the existing vac nicy, and Friday, October 3rd, h.is been fixed as the day on which the polling will take place, and the 27th inst., as tl>e day for i evening nominations. Rumour Ins not yet pointed to any cmduUte other than the two who stood highest on the poll on last occasio i, viz: Mr Cooper and Mr D. Murphy, and it i~> more than likely that the contest will be between them only. The tilling of the Resident Magistrate on fie numVh rij/ht vote has placed matters m a clear light belore both parties, who now stand on an equal footing, but it is doubtful whether the struggle will (xcite the same interest as it formerly did, as public feeling in the matter has to some extent exhausted itself. Mr Fiaucis Pavitt has received the appointment of returning officer for the riding. A numerously and influentially signed petition has been forwarded to Wellington to be presented in the proper quartet by our representative Mr J. B. Whyte, praying that the native and other reserves m this vicinity may be thiown open for purchase and Imnnjide settlement. These reserves lie on the east side of the Waihou river, and compiiee some 10,000 acres of the best lands in the distiict. The portion in possession of the native? forms part of some confiscated territory restored to them with stiingest conditions regarding its inalienabil ty. The petition prays to have these restrictions removed, and if granted, and the land be cut up into blocks to suit small settlers, a large portion of it will be speedily settled upon, and what is now a mere wilderness will ere long be studded with smiling homesteads. The matter is ot very great importance to tiie district, anil it is to be hoped that the sincereity of the professions of the present Government to have the lands of the colony settled upon without delay will be exemplified in their efforts to further the object of the petitioners. Ouv hot springs continue to attract visitors, but their fame is evidently not yet so widely spread as it ought to be. If the heading virtues of the waters in lheuinatic and many other complaints, and the excellent style in which the different bath houses are fitted up were more generally knowu they would be much more largely patronised. Compared with the state of things that existed six months ago bathing may now be regarded as a luxury, and if it were the business of any persou in particular to trumpet the praises of the waters and the many remarkable cures effected by them the hot springs of Te Aroha would stand almost as high in public estimation as tho3e of Ohinemutu. The weather has for some days past been exceedingly variable, heat alternating with cold, ahdßhovvers with sunshine. On Saturday evening the temperature was very low, and on Sunday morning the mountain front some distance down from the top was clad in a maatle of snow. - Yesterday forenoon was warm enough for a summer day, and since then cold rams have again set in. These sutld.en changes are bringing about the usual discomforts in the shape of colds and other 1 complaints which are just now rather prevalent. No clue has yet'been found to the origittof'fchefire>which consumed Had* field's house a'fc Waiorongomai. It is likely there will be ah' enquiry held when the R. M. arrives. --.<.'-.'.

' ■'*•• The gain on a flock of sheep 'maybe 'callsl a' 'wefcheV • profit^" one, i "".Qqqcl iqv wet" aaya ti^ qthe^, >