TE AROHA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1952, 10 January 1885, Page 3

TE AROHA.

[KROM OCR OWN COKRESrOXNKNT. | Te Akoha, Thursday. AN emergency meeting of Lodge To Aroha f>97 S.C. was held yesterday evening, the occasion being the interesting one •>' installing the officers for the ensuing year. There was not so strong a muster of the brethren as is usual when this impressive ceremony is performed, the absence of a number of then) being attributable to their prolonged holiday trip t-.i places at n, distance. Much interest was evinced by the members present in the proceedings, which were conducted by lim. Wilduian, P.M., Corinthian Lodge, Thames, who acted as Installing Master and performed the duties in such a manner as to elicit the admiration of the brethren. The following are the officers for tho year:—Brother F. Sykes, R.W.M. ; Bro. J. (lilibius, Deputy Master ; Hro. J. Erasmus, Substitute Master; Rn>. C. Ahier, S.W.; Bro. J. Farrell, J.W. ; Bro. J. Warren, Treasurer; Bro. R. Harris, Secretary; Bro. H. Hornibrook, S. D. ; Bro. J. Hast, J.D.; Bro. J. Jamieson, I.G. ; Bro. Comes, Tyler. After the labours of the evening were concluded the brethren assembled for refreshment and spent two or three hours in a very enjoyable manner. The usual toasts were proposed and honoured in proper Masonic form, some excellent speeches were made and the proceedings were enlivened by some capital Hinging. Both in the more serious business of the evening and in the festive hours spent afterwards the meeting was a very pleasing one. i'air progress continues to be made with the new bridge. The substructure for the turn-table on the first pier has been completed, and the superstructure is now being proceeded with. Four or five weeks will probably see that part of the work completed, but from two to three months will possibly elapse beforo the entire affair is taken off the contractor's hands. It is satisfactory to know that there will be very little, it any, delay in opening it to the public after the erection is wholly completed. Tenders have already been called for forming the western approach, which, if vigorously taken in hand, will perhaps be finished as soon as the bridge itself. Respecting these tenders, much dissatisfaction exists among local contractors, who think it very unfair that they should be compelled to proceed to Auckland or Hamilton to procure the information necessary to enable them to form their estimates. It certainly is not right that they should ba placed at this di>advantage, and that they should be put to bo much unnecessary expense and inconvenience. It would not have entailed a large amount of trouble upon tho Department to have sent a copy of the specifications utid conditions to one of tho public offices here for the guidance of persons wishing to tender. But it is almost hopeless to expect anything to be done according to ordinary business rules by those whost! ntotto seems to be " How not to do it." Thu same complaint is made concerning the tenders for some road improvements at Waitoa, which are not of .sufneient magnitude to bring contractors from a distance, and being likely to be taken locally should have had locil publicity. Since the holiday season set in there has been a great increase in the number _of visitors to the baths, and the influx bids fair to continue while the fine weather lasts. It is gratifying to record that very general satisfaction is expressed as to the efficacy of the waters by those who have come here to tent, their virtues. The fame of the hot spring* in evidently extending rapidly, and the place is gradually becoming a favourite resort for invalids.

An accident happened yeeterd.-iy to a lad of 17 or 18, the youngest son of Mr J. Soppet, storekeeper, ut \V;tiorongoniai. While ende-ivounugto run in a horse on another nninial Iwrc-backed, the one he rml« stlried. nnd tUvw Imu, canning .some rather wrimis bruises to the left arm, which limb the unfortunate youth is likely to lose the use of for six or eight weeks t<. conic.

Operation* linvh not ><>>> Iwu K'MiKraUy resumed at thw inimn. A few of the claims are in full work, but in others a number of the workmen have not yet put in an appearance. It will probably be the middle of next week ere crushing is again commenced at the buttery.